The buffet breakfast of fresh and native fruits and bread as well as other traditional delights was a great preparation for our hiking day with Juan Barrios our guide for the remainder of the trip. We quickly became appreciative of our seasoned, well read, fun and very personable guide. Not only that, he conducted the symphony of our Viaje de Peru. We felt very lucky throughout our travels to have Juan with us.
As we walked through the markets and cathedrals and also the ruins of Sacsayhuaman our goals for the trip began to unfold. Yes, we were hitchhiking in the galaxy, but we were also rubbing shoulders and talking to children and adults as we showed respect when haggling for coffee prices or baby alpaca scarves. Each of us was familiar with Spanish, the native language of many, and felt comfortable speaking. The Quechuan language is very different. While their language is unwritten, it is taught in the schools along with Spanish. There are many private Catholic schools and seeing school children in uniform is common.
Juan wove the threads of history into a tapestry. His knowledge of the Inca civilization became a leitmotif in our travels during the next two weeks culminating in our visit to Machu Picchu.
He had filled this day with knowledge, fun, and great hiking. We were happy to retire and anticipated our next day of adventure.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.