We tried something that is particularly en vogue right now: camper van life. On Instagram, you'll see #vanlife just about everywhere. It's what all the cool kids are doing these days: quitting their jobs, buying a cool old Volkswagen Westfalia and hitting the road. And then they post photos on social media to make us all jealous. I'm too old for that jazz, but I did think it would be the way to go for our Alaska trip.
We found a super high quality rig at Alaska Camper Van Rentals. I hadn't heard of them before, but they had amazing customer service and I felt comfortable from the get go talking with Wendy. Our Mercedes Sprinter had a bed big enough to comfortably fit Ian, Daphne and I as well as heat, a stove, water, a great sound system and a french press. Coffee is critical to our way of life. It had just about everything we needed, including a back bench seat in which to install Daphne's car seat. All in all, it was vastly more luxurious than tent camping, but less involved than an RV. And it was 4X4, which we needed to get to some of the places on our itinerary. An RV would have been tough for McCarthy and impossible on the Nebesna Road. We saw thousands of rental RV's on the Kenai Peninsula, a couple in McCarthy and NONE on the Nebesna Road.
I'm glad that we tried out #vanlife for a week. I can see it being perfect in the middle of summer when the weather was warm and dry. And it worked out just fine for us. We won't be quitting our jobs to participate in vanlife anytime soon (ever), but it's a great way of seeing Alaska!
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.