This morning was very warm and sunny. In our windows we saw blazing snow on mountain peaks and people walking without jackets. It was the best weather for our plans this day. It was reserved for visiting the National nature park Tierro del Fuego.
Our hotel was placed halfway between the city center and the park, so we took a taxi to get there. The taxi dropped us at the ticket office and left. We bought tickets and got a park map.
The park was unexpectedly large. The nearest path was to a Beagle Channel beach, and began at about three kilometers from the tickets office. We walked there cheerfully.
Then the weather changed. Clouds covered the sky, and the wind became very strong. We just saw the water ahead when the rain began. When we reached the coast, everything but the water surface and beach was covered with mist. A family of Magellan Gooses stood near the beginning of the path, waiting for us. Nobody was around, but fortunately the trailhead was marked, and we stepped on it, starting a long 8 km walk to Alakush hostel.
After a few minutes we had reached a wild forest. We hesitated a little bit, wondering if we were going the right way, but met two people, going in the opposite direction. After a hundred meters we had caught up with a group of Americans. Our mood improved, the rain had stopped, and the fog dissipated slightly.
The tail had been washed away by the rain so we went slowly. The weather changes all the time and we were tested by the rain, snow, wind and sun. We saw some birds and nice landscapes. There were many trees, interesting and unusual for us. Some of them were covered by fungus, which looked like yellow golf balls. These balls are named llao-llao, or Indian Bread. It is edible! Unfortunately (or may be fortunately?) we learned about it only later.
It took us about 5 hours to reach Alakush, instead of 3 hours like we expected. We were dirty, wet and cold. Not to make a big point of it! We were very happy, when we entered inside a warm and dry house.
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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.