Today, we traveled into the jungle clad mountains outside Puerto Vallarta for a day of adventure activities. We started with a series of ziplines high in the canopy. I've always been an adventure enthusiast, but it was surprising to me how much more stressful it is to bring my kids on activities that I wouldn't think twice about doing myself. All day long I was checking every line and connection, thinking through all of the eventualities. Fortunately, the safety procedures were top notch. I think this was the only zipline I've ever done where everything was connected twice. We were even attached to two separate zipline cables for each route. Harnesses were in excellent condition and multiple safety lines were attached for each activity.
In the midst of the ziplines, there was a ropes course with a huge net to climb, suspended logs to jump across and a tightrope to walk. We also did a giant Tarzan swing that was essentially a free fall out of the trees.
Following the ziplines, we hopped into Polaris ATVs and splashed through puddles and around the winding jungle roads. Most of my kids piled into an ATV with one of the guides. Poor Matthew was stuck riding with me and complained that I drove way too slow!
From here, we hiked up the hill to one of the longest ziplines I've ever seen, a Superman line 3/4 of a mile long that we rode laying down with arms extended (like Superman flying). This was the highlight of the day for most of us as the line lasted long enough to really enjoy the scenery and was fast enough to thrill even the most adventurous in our group as we sped between clusters of jungle treetops.
Just when I was thinking the day was over, we put on flight jackets to try our skills at 'skydiving' in a wind tunnel. This required a LOT more skill that regular sky diving as you had to maintain a perfectly balanced position with arms and legs extended in an X shape to catch the wind. We each had two guides helping us, one inside and one outside the tunnel. Even with the help, we only managed to get a few feet above the ground, but it sure was a blast trying!
After skydiving, we all headed to a giant waterslide to wind back off the mountain and to our waiting snacks!
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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.