E-mail a friendVOYAGES Testimonials
Catherine Waltman (Dec 2008 - Earth, Fire and Water)
I believe Monika initially was providing us help and then it was Marissa from then on. All support was excellent. I had several "last minute" questions and she always got back to me right away.
Again excellent. The Bergerac at San Jose was great. We got to stay in Room 14 on our arrival with a wonderful balcony. Tiskita was fantastic and so were the other lodges. We were very comfortable at all times.
Again, given all the logistics that had to happen, the drivers were always on time. We waited maybe 10-15 minutes after our flight back from Tiskita but Jose our guide said we were not scheduled for an hour later. I think they had moved our flight up. But even this did not cause much delay.
Jose Romero, our guide for Arenal and Monteverde, was fantastic. We could not believe the 3 of us had a private tour guide. We were interested in birds and wildlife and he helped us find and identified for us many, many birds. He was always friendly and witty and had a great attitude. We want to get him again the next time we go to Costa Rica!!
Our drivers was absolutely great - even on the winding dirt roads to Monteverde. The food at Tiskita was incredible. Yes all staff was excellent that we came into contact with and everyone went out of their way to be sure we were satisfied.
Tiskita food was very good. Of course, they had their fruits from the orchard ...
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Susan Etheridge (Nov 2008 - Cruise on MV Aqua)
Everyone at Adventure Life was fabulous. I will recommend you to our friends. Probably the most organized trip I have ever taken.
The El Dorado in Iquitos was the best they have to offer, clean and comfortable and quiet. It made for a great place to relax while in busy Iquitos.
The people on the Aqua were spectacular, intelligent, friendly and knowledgeable. Please send others their way as they really do provide a great way to see the Amazon.
The food was top quality - every meal was as if one were dining in a fine restaurant. Without a doubt the best food I have ever had on a trip - every meal was a work of art, beautiful, fresh, and flavorful. How they can accomplish this in the middle of the jungle is beyond me. The place was immaculate, fresh clean white linens, cool and comfortable rooms cleaned 3 times a day. Great crew always smiling and helpful. The crew of this ship seemed like a large family and very proud of what they were doing.
My advise is if you can afford this - this is the way to see the Amazon. Despite the luxury, you get deep into the jungle and visit sites with no other people around. We visited local villages and went well into the flooded jungle to see monkeys, so many sloths, tons of pink and gray dolphin, and the birds were abundant and so exotic. The guides were amazing and clearly loved what they did. All 3 were local ...
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Susan Larson (Oct 2008 - Cruise on Millennium)
Small groups were nice since it allowed us to take more or less time at each site as our interest demanded.
Guides were spectacular! Every request was attnded to. Every question answered.
Meals on the boat, Millenium, were Excellent. Cook was very creative. Portions were just right. The variety of fruits was wonderful. Accommodations to my meal restrictions was sensitive.
Most exciting event: One day as we were drying off after snorkeling, one of the other snorkelers told me that a white tipped reef shark was following me. He waited to share this information until we were back on board the boat because he didn't want to scare me. While the reef shark may have been harmless, the next day while we were snorkeling, our guide started shouting, "Shark! Shark! Get back in the boat! Shark!" We scrambled back into the boat. There were actually two bull sharks about 8 meters in length and judging by their posturing, they were looking for dinner. Bull sharks, according to other experienced divers, are the most aggressive sharks in the world. In spite of the scare, I felt our guide was in total control and handled the situation with calm assurance.
Doug Lucas (Sep 2008 - Cruise on Diamante)
Mansion del Angel in Quito was charming with a very pleasant and helpful staff. Accommodation on Diamante was basic but comfortable which was what was expected.
Our guides in Quito (Andres) and on Diamante (Alejandro) were truly outstanding. We could not have been better served.
We still can't believe the cook was able to produce such wonderful meals from such a tiny galley. Our only complaint might be that there was too much however we didn't gain weight because we were so active on nature hikes.
Galapagos is a very special place and cruising on a boat as small as Diamante was exactly what we had hoped for. This trip ranks a very close second with our safari in Kenya and Tanzania two years ago which we don't believe anything could equal. Each day and each island we said nothing could top this - and then the next day and island did exactly that. Watching a frigate bird steal a fish from a sea lion and observing a flock of blue footed boobies "dive bomb" in formation onto a school of fish were two of the many many highlights. Learning to walk with care lest one step on a herd (or whatever the collective name is) of marine iguanas was a most valuable lesson.
Robin Storey (Sep 2008 - Islands and Incas + Cruise on Coral II)
Teddy, our guide in Peru, was terrific, and the naturalists in the Galapagos were knowledgeable and very friendly. Everyone else who helped us with our travels were wonderful.
Especially enjoyed the barbecue dinner. Food was plentiful - not gourmet but adequate. Snacks following our outings were appreciated!
Important to pack lightly; be prepared for tourista and consider how you'll deal with the altitude (we took Diamox which worked well so we had no problems). While in the Galapagos, you are very out of touch with no news, internet and little cell phone coverage. That can be very relaxing but good for people to know that in advance. Very disappointed with the international cell phone we bought to use on our trip. Make sure you have lots of memory cards for your digital cameras! Fellow travelers were great and it was fun to meet people from all over the world. For most of your time in the Galapagos, there are no stores so don't think you can pick up what you need in a shop.
James Storey (Sep 2008 - Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Coral I)
Our guide in Peru,Teddy Romero, was excellent - a real wealth of historical, archaeological, and naturalist knowledge. The naturalists in the Galapagos were very good too.
The total experience in the Galapagos was fabulous. The boat was very comfortable and the crew was very nice and accommodating. We had day after day of jaw dropping sights and otherworldly vistas. The naturalists were very good and made sure that we saw all the various animals and learned about their habits. There was a good mix of hikes, beach walks and snorkeling. Each island had its own unique wow factor. A real photgrapher's paradise. I was very happy with the way we saw the Inca lands. Some people took the train right from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back, but by taking the car trip through the sacred valley, we say far more and got a much better appreciation of how extensive the civilization was. We spent the night in Ollantaytambo and even got to hang out in the town square for the Friday night festival. My compliments to whoever arranged for us to get the two front seats in the train to Machu Picchu - with full plate glass window view!
Ronald Hoile (Sep 2008 - Cruise on Spirit of Endeavour)
Coming from UK I found the pre-departure support both by e-mail & phone calls excellent. Felt I had a personal service.
Spirit of Endeavour cabin (deluxe) was great & the catering was amazing (or awesome as you Americans would say!)
Captain Mike & crew clearly had our interests at heart & sailed into amazingly narrow waterfalls, ice etc. We chose an American ship to avoid the British public (with whom we work every day). It worked...the ships guests were cosmopolitan - Americans, South Africans, Australians & us. Made some new friends too.
Karen Lauridsen (Aug 2008 - Cruise on Millennium)
The tour was fantastic!! We had an amazing trip! The islands were beautiful and the guides knowledgeable and fun!
This trip was more than we expected! Adventure Life was above and beyond our expectations. Thank you for an amazing trip to the Galapagos Islands! We look forward to traveling with Adventure Life!
Lynn Jensen (Aug 2008 - Cruise on Antarctic Dream - OW)
The Antarctic Dream is a wonderful ship. The dining room views are awesome. We were in one of the suites, which had a slightly strange odor. The smell was so strong in the other suite that it couldn't be used, which is quite sad.
More than I could possibly imagine. The captain of the AD was incredible and took us places I never imagined I would see. I can't tell you how great it was. And the other passengers were great -- so fun to meet them and adventure with them!
Blue ice flows in the Arctic with blue skies above are unimaginable. But when the lanky young polar bear with deep black eyes wandered curiously down to the ship to stare at us, it was a life changing experience. That night, with the sun still above the horizon, we took the zodiacs out to the ice flow and stood like the bear on the floating islands of ice. The sea was perfectly flat and the sunlight streaming orange. I could have stayed on that flow forever. PS I have pictures to prove it! (not the stay on the ice flow forever part....)
Paul Butler (Aug 2008 - Cruise on Antarctic Dream - OW)
The Antarctic Dream was very good. Accomodations were fine. There could have been more choice of food, but what they served was great.
The staff was excellent. The captain and First Officer were so helpful and enthusiastic!!!
We saw bears, Walrus and many other sights and sounds. The tour leaders were excellent, and if we had come any closer to bears, we would have been lunch!
Michelle Roarty (Aug 2008 - Cruise on Professor Molchanov)
Our expedition leader, Troels, was fantastic. Excellent balance of enthusiasm and ability to lead/manage a large group of people.
Our luggage didn't arrive and when we phoned our contact for advice the contact was extremely helpful and supportive. Also, all the information was useful and timely.
Ross Wishnick (Jul 2008 - Cruise on Galapagos Legend)
The details, the planning, the excursions all went as well as we could expect. We were particularly impressed/pleased with the quality and knowledge of the guides.
We were very happy with Mansions del Angel. It was very convenient to use them as a base for our travels. We left excess luggage their each time we had an overnight or longer excursion.
The food on the Legend was great. Soledad was terrific as the ship's organizer. The pre-planning (the meeting) for each day's activities was great...though sometimes a little longer than necessary. Food was great and always enough. Service was great as well. If you looked up, the waiter was there.
Missoula, Montana...who would ever think that's where you would plan a trip to Ecuador. But that's where you are. That's where I planned the trip. And that's where I tell friends that they should consider your services. Jessie Hamm and Rebecca Parker did what they said they would and did it well.
Adventure Life made our Adventure to Ecuador...to the Volcano, to the Jungle, to the Northern Highlands, to the Galapagos perfect.
Rick Ress (Jul 2008 - Machu Picchu by Train and Galapagos Cruise on the Guantanamera)
Jessie Ham and Reilly Sullivan were very helpful in getting the trip set up. They were quick with responses to our questions and made the process easy.
Teddy Romero was outstanding for our Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu portion of the trip. He's one of the best guides I've had in all my travels. It was apparent he really cared about the history and meaning of the places we visited.
Machu Picchu cannot be experienced through pictures and documentaries. It was breathtaking to see it in its setting and feel the aura of the site. Awesome!!! The Galapagos also cannot be prepared for. The actual experience was amazing. I want to go back to both places and see more.
The food on the boat was very good and the cook even made a cake for my birthday which was the last night on the boat. The crew was excellent.
It was apparent he really cared about the history and meaning of the places we visited. I will definitely use Adventure Life again to travel south. Everyone did a wonderful job!!! Thank you very much!
Barbara Belonax (Jul 2008 - Samba)
Eugenia Hotel was very good. Accomodations were great. Each of the members of the Samba were helpful, polite, courteous. I was so scared being on a ship for the first time in my life and they kept reassuring me that everything was going to be fine and that I was safe.
It was the trip of a lifetime and a wonderful way to begin my retirement. Adventure Life-You did a wonderful job. From Danielle helping us out at the very beginning , to Franklin on the Samba and the Galapagos Islands-a million thanks to each and every one of you.
Evelyn Albert (Jul 2008 - Samba)
The Eugenia Hotel was fine. People were very helpful and kind to us. The boat accommodations were tight but we loved the ship the Samba in every other way.
Our tour guide Guillermo while we were in Quito and Otavalo was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, kind and a lovely person. I wanted to especially mention this to Betty our contact person in Quito. In addition, our guide Franklin on the Samba was amazing. He helped me personally so much because I went on the trip with a knee injury. He was strong, professional, so knowledgeable. The staff on the boat were extraordinary as well. All in all the trip couldn't have been better or the service more excellent. It will be trip I will remember for the rest of my life.
We had 3 excellent meals on the ship every day. We love Freddy our cook who could cook when the ship was rocking and rolling.
During one of our last outings as we were coming back to the ship, I had a spiritual experience. We were on a glassy sea at dusk, with one rock on the horizon. It was just a few of us in the dingy. I thought what an incredibly beautiful planet we live on. I hoped that our species works hard to protect what we have and not destroy our world. The Galapagos Islands are so amazingly beautiful as is all of nature.
Roberta Koenig (Jul 2008 - Wildlife Odyssey trip with a Galapagos cruise on the Millennium)
Our accommodations were excellent at all points along the tour. Our hotel in Quito was good, and we were very impressed with Sacha Lodge and the Millennium. Food, accommodations, services, etc.
Our two guides at Sacha Lodge were great. They managed to tailor our hikes to our capabilities and we were able to see and do all we had intended to. They were friendly, informative and just very willing to lend a hand, especially when I got stuck in the mud.
The food was marvelous. I had hoped to lose a few pounds, but it didn't happen. Sacha Lodge had some of the best food I've tasted outside of a 5 star restaurant. Some of the recipes were unique, but delicious. Three desserts at lunch and 3 different ones at dinner made many of us weep.
Carol Ellett (Jun 2008 - Cruise on MV Orlova)
We made good visits to the villages of Ivujivik and Kangisujuak. At the latter, one of the elders talked about Inuit life, women did throat singing, and then we were served food they'd prepared - bannock, Arctic cod tartar, and wonderful mussel soup. The village also had an interesting small museum. We were privileged to have excellent wildlife viewings. Bearded, ring and harp seals, two walrus sightings, (one with 5 of them swimming in a group), musk ox with 2 young on Diana Island, and to top it off two polar bear sightings. The first on the thick billed murre filled cliffs of Aptovik Island. The bear was looking for chicks or eggs that fell off the steep cliffs. Then in Ungave Bay we came upon a mother polar bear and her two 6 month old cubs on a wee iceberg. She slid into the water, swam a little towards us, then did a quick turn, dumping the cubs into the water. When they climbed back on and she headed away from the ship, one of the evidently frightened cubs climbed up too high on her neck, and she swatted it to get away from her head. It was the trip of a lifetime!!!
Sandra Faw (Jun 2008 - Cruise on Encantada)
I loved the boat (despite a bit of sea sickness)! Clean, comfortable, adequate hot water for showers, pleasantly cool cabins. Lobo de Mar, Santa Cruz - wonderfully big room!!! Beautiful facility! Supplied drinking water! AC and hot water for showers! Good breakfast. Hotel Volcano, Isabela - comfortable rooms, nice bathrooms, great balcony and delicious breakfast! AC worked great, but no drinking water supplied. Owner quite pleasant. (Note - we stayed at the Secret Garden in Quito.)
The food on the Encantada was marvelous! Lots of vegetables and fresh fruits. Some of the most fabulous soups I've ever tasted!
Judith Yaker (Jun 2008 - Fragata Photography Charter)
Captain Efren was absolutely wonderful! His staff was wonderful as well - the Captain was a good role model. The crew worked above and beyond the call of duty. Since we booked the whole ship (there were 16 of us), we had control on what and when we could photograph. The crew got us up at 5 every morning, a cooked breakfast at 5:30 and on shore by 6 a.m. so we could photograph under perfect light. They worked hard - really hard - and they all had a smile on their faces. They were absolutely the most fantastic crew I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I would go again with them in a heartbeat.
The food was wonderful, and it makes one wonder how and when they get such great produce to make those wonderful salads. Everything was excellent!
Anita Weiner (Jun 2008 - Fragata Photography 10 Day Charter)
The crew of the Fragata was great. They were accommodating to our needs as photographers. We had a lot of equipment and they helped us getting it on and off the boat. We even changed the meal times and the crew went along with all the changes.
Being a group of photographers there's always something to complain about. But I think everyone got what they wanted from the trip. Several were most interested in the snorkeling and there was plenty of snorkeling time
This was my first experience with Adventure-Life, and all the staff in Montana were patient and helpful as we made our arrangements. This was not an easy group to please, but it all worked out very well.