Today, we're set for some serious hiking. We don't get as early a start as we'd like (hello hangover!) and we make it to the entrance to Mombacho Volcano at around 10 AM. It takes some finagling to figure out how we're getting to the top. We find out that the big trucks go up only once an hour or so. We're stuck waiting, which is no big deal seeing as how we're stuck at a coffee plantation. To this day, Ian still says this is the best coffee he's every had. We load up on caffeine and wait for the big truck to come. We hook up with two brothers from the U.S. that are doing the same rough itinerary that we are and start a friendship based on the fact that we all want to do the same hike today. When we get to the top of the road, we get ourselves a guide for long hiking circuit and start walking. Our guide is quick - she says she does the long circuit sometimes 3 times a day. This is good because we all want to hike fast. We get amazing views from the top of the volcano and the boys find a vine to swing from, doing their best Tarzan impressions. We come to the end of our hiking circuit and take the big truck back down to our little rental car that could. We drive through the Pueblos Blancos a bit on the way back to Granada. I immediately wish we could have spent more time exploring them. They are quaint and show a more local flavor of the country than the touristy Granada. We have dinner overlooking Laguna de Apoyo and make friends with the restaurant's owner, Charlie. Strangely enough, this is the name of our favorite bar back home.
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.