Our second day was spent exploring the islands of Rabida and Bartolome. The morning entailed exploring Rabida Island. This island is also known as "red island" because of the high quantity of iron that has oxidized over time.
A few of the sea lions we saw along the way were not far from where we landed. They are very comfortable with tourists and even pose for photos!
After a few short walks, we came across a lagoon teeming with pink flamingos! Although we could only see them properly by enlarging our phone cameras, seeing that many of them at once was unforgettable!
We also observed a lot of opuntia, which are huge cacti that are only found in the Galapagos Islands.
We then returned to the boat, ate lunch, and then took a dinghy ride around Bartolome Island where we witnessed adorable penguins, blue-footed boobies, and sally lightfoot crabs! Not just that, there are sea lions everywhere you look!
Following a dry landing, we began our walk up the 300+ steps at Bartolome. It was a difficult trek for us, but we were rewarded with breathtaking views of volcanic landscapes and the Pinnacle Rock off the coast - a strange looking rock formation that emerges from the soil like an arrowhead. We were exhausted and out of breath, but the view was well worth it! We snapped several pictures along the route as a pretext for taking a breather. This is so far my favorite view!
Our hike was made even more memorable since we met the wonderful Erin! She is one of our Trip Planners stationed in the United States, and seeing her in person is a memory to cherish! She even gave us Adventure Life souvenirs and turtle - shaped chocolates!
After our exhausting but rewarding afternoon excursion, we returned to our boat, had the orientation before supper, and called it a day.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
