Again today I was tempted to hike to the Towers, but swayed by our guide´s description of the French Valley hike as a trek that has a bit of everything. How true that was!
We took a catamaran across a small lake to the start of the hiking trail. The beginning of the trail was a bit sad, winding for the first couple miles through the recently burnt forests - a fire started by a camper had swept through approx 10% of the park in December. The smell of charred wood still hung in the air, but the trail brightened as we passed by another lake and walked parallel to the stunning blue water for the next couple of miles. Finally we entered unburned forest and we could appreciate what has been temporarily lost to the fires. The air cooled and small flowers dotted the trail edges. We crossed a hanging bridge and then started the steeper climb to the French Glacier. Ultimately, we finished at a stunning viewpoint of the glacier and a 360 degree view with higher peaks on all sides. We heard something that sounded like thunder and Rafa, our guide, pointed to an avalanche at the top of one of the peaks were snow from one of the hanging glaciers cascaded down onto French glacier. As I looked at the mountain more closely, I found it was difficult to tell the waterfalls apart from the avalanches that happened with surprising frequency. The warm temperatures combined with the rains of the previous days created the perfect conditions for these snow falls. We were far enough away that they posed no danger at all, but it was marvelous to watch. The only way I could tell the avalanches from the waterfalls was to wait and see if they stopped as the waterfalls would continue at the same pace while the avalanche would start as a heavy burst that subsided. It was a beautiful setting and the weather was the best yet with clear skies and warm temperatures.
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.