Galapagos Cruise & Tours

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-- Galapagos Cruises --

Susan Larson ( Cruise on Millennium, Oct 2008)
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 ( Cruise on Diamante, Sep 2008)
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 (Islands and Incas + Cruise on Coral II, Sep 2008)
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 (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Coral I, Sep 2008)
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!

Karen Lauridsen ( Cruise on Millennium, Aug 2008)
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!

Ross Wishnick ( Cruise on Galapagos Legend, Jul 2008)
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 (Machu Picchu by Train and Galapagos Cruise on the Guantanamera, Jul 2008)
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 (Samba, Jul 2008)
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 (Samba, Jul 2008)
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 (Wildlife Odyssey trip with a Galapagos cruise on the Millennium, Jul 2008)
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.

Sandra Faw ( Cruise on Encantada, Jun 2008)
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!

Eileen Heady (High School Student Group, Darwin, Jun 2008)
It was a very student-group-friendly trip. Our students learned a lot. Sergio, our naturalist guide on the boat, has an amazing wealth of knowledge and was able to communicate with children in that special way that the best of teachers possess.

Sandy Faw (Encantada, Jun 2008)
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. Some of the most fabulous soups I've ever tasted!

The days on the Encantada were wonderful - an experience of a lifetime!

Wexler Duffy Family (Millennium, Jun 2008)
YOUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION IN ECUADOR, THE MILLENNIUM, THE TRANSFERS , THE HOTEL WERE AS PERFECT AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN. WE ENJOYED EVERY ASPECT OF THE TRIP AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU HOW PROUD YOU SHOULD BE OF YOUR STAFF, GUIDES, COURTESY AND FLEXIBILITY YOUR PEOPLE PROVIDED.

MOVING AROUND A FAMILY OF 12 FROM AGES LATE 70'S TO 10 AND 11 ISN'T EASY, AND YOUR FOLKS WERE ALL GREAT. THEY WERE ON TIME,WELL ORGANIZED IN EVERY ASPECT. WE WERE THRILLED TO BE IN SUCH GOOD HANDS FOR THE TRIP.

THE BOAT WAS GREAT-THERE WERE TWO OTHER COUPLES ON BOARD WHO BECAME GREAT FRIENDS AND WERE CHRISTENED AS OUR ADOPTED FAMILY BY OUR GRANDCHILDREN. THE CREW COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE HELPFUL. THEY WERE PRACTICED AT MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE GRANDPARENTS AS WELL AS THE KIDS. MY HUSBAND I OFTEN SKIPPED THE TOUGHER PARTS OF THE HIKE AND THEY WERE RIGHT THERE WITH A ZODIAC TO TAKE US BACK TO THE BOAT. THE FOOD WAS SIMPLE BUT GOOD AND VERY AMPLE. MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAD A BIRTHDAY DURING THE TRIP AND THEY DID A FABULOUS BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR US. OUR NATURALIST WS TERRIFIC AND STAYED WITH US UNTIL WE LEFT FOR QUITO. THE SNORKELING WAS SENSATIONAL AND WELL PLANNED EVERY DAY.

SO I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADVENTURE LIFE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO A SPECIAL TRIP WHEREVER YOU OPERATE AND ESPECIALLY THE GALAPAGOS. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING--FOR SETTING US UP AND ... Read All

David Harris (Guantanamera, May 2008)
I've traveled over most of the world and have been part of a lot of tours, and Luis was the best ever. His English was excellent and he truely cared about giving us the best experience possible. You have a winner there! Betty was also aways behind the scene making adjustments to the schedule and working out the details so that we had no problems. Great staff.

Food was great all the way around. Great variety, very healthy, and good tasting.

Adventure Life goes out of their way to make sure that you receive the very best experience possible.

David Proell (Guantanamera, May 2008)
Luis in Ecuador was one of the most fun guides we've had on our many travels around the world.

A brief story might be best to explain the fun we had. We had the idea(after Luis took us to the fruit and vegetable market in Cuenca), that if it could be arranged, we would go to the market and buy all kinds of unique fruits and veggies, he would talk to the cook at the Hotel Crespo and they could prepare us a variety of Ecuadorian dishes. Of course Luis arranged this, we brought back nearly everything in the market and a feast to feed a King was prepared. An unbelievable experience not to be forgotten. Thanks again Luis!

Sarita Martis (Galapagos on the Galapagos Voyager and Sacha Lodge, May 2008)
I received personal and very professional service from both Jessie Ham and Marissa Jensen. I plan to take a trip to Chile in Feb - March of 2009 and will be contacting Jessie on the same.

The accommodations were superb!! The experience of boutique style hotel in Quito, location, cleanliness and service were great. Sacha lodge was so heartwarming the surrounds and unique style.

The guides were really very helpful, warm and easy going. Especially the naturalist guide Pablo at Sacha lodge, his wisdom, knowledge and sharing was invaluable and so humbling.

My Ecuadorian adventure to Galapagos, Andes and the Amazon rank right at the top with my other 2 all favorite destinations - viz, New Zealand and Kashmir in India. Traveling alone, I experienced utmost safety, comfort, warmth. The service and friendliness of the guides, staff and crew was remarkable. The small group size, personalized attention, easy going non -hurried experience is simply priceless. I did not feel overwhelmed and rushed. Could leisurely explore and feel the culture and even practice my Spanish! Adventure life is the first company I will approach for quotations and planning of my tour to Chile in Feb 2009. Continue the good service and tour planning that you excel in, as there are several folks who value your offering. Will be my pleasure to recommend you to others planning a visit ... Read All

Carol Sisco (Encantada, Apr 2008)
Our guide on the Encantada, Juan, and the crew were amazingly helpful and friendly. Animals were stunning, showed no fear. Loved being so close to frigates in mating season, nesting boobies, land and sea iguanas, sea lions. Almost unbelievable.

Michael Wood (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Millennium, Mar 2008)
The assistance with the Galapagos flight check-in in Quito (which is complex, confusing and poorly signed) was particularly invaluable. Two guides just dealt with it - one getting the passes and one dealing with the luggage while we just stood and boggled. Amazing service. We also arranged an on-the-fly unplanned city tour when we arrived in Quito. Your local office dealt with it instantly and the guide even called ahead and got a museum to stay open late for us - wow!

I can't praise all the guides enough. Always helpful, always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Their enthusiasm for their countries and their profession was infectious. These were people who enjoyed what they did and were proud to do a good job.

You seem to have a good and well deserved reputation locally. We had an absolutely fantastic time and would unreservedly recommend you to our friends.

Donald Urena (Galapagos Voyager, Mar 2008)
Reilly Sullivan did an excellent job of answering all my questions and providing my pre-departure package in a timely manner.

Traveling in Ecuador was a unique and fantastic experience. Simply stated, it is a land of beauty. We had the opportunities to climb Mt. Cotopaxi, raft the Rio Blanco and visit an orphanage. We found the people to be friendly and generous and the food to be very delicious. The Galapagos Islands are everything you might expect and more. However if the opportunity presents itself, explore the mainland. Ecuador is a county rich in history and fascinating sites. Follow the advice of fellow travelers (or use a guide) and explore the beauty of Ecuador, you’ll be happy you did

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-- Finch Bay Eco-Hotel --

Sean Yutzy (Finch Bay Eco-Hotel, May 2008)
I do not think that the snorkling was given enough print time in any of the books reviewed for the regular traveler.I was able to swim with seals, sea iguanas, sea turtles, penguins and several species of sharks. None were fed/baited or harrassed in any way. We saw manta rays jumping out of the ocean and a large school of dolphin swam with the boat for 20 minutes. We stood on cliffs and watched black tip sharks attack schools of mullet. The hotel was great, food-great, guides-great, tourists--well, just OK but for me the ocean was worth the price of admission. I think that for those who might not be interested in taking 300 more pictures of the "different" iguanas on the next island the ocean produced diversity and excitement without going to the hassle of scuba.

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-- Galapagos Multisport --

Barbara Lewis (Galapagos Multisport, Oct 2008)
Rebecca & Renee answered all of my husband's MANY questions promptly and with great information.

I would recommend this to to anyone that wants an adventure filled (aka non-stop) vacation.

We had the most awesome time. The other members of our trip were great and a joy to travel with. The trip was everything that I expected and more. Snorkeling with baby sea lions was extra special.

Rodney Lewis (Galapagos Multisport, Oct 2008)
Our tour leader, Fabisimo, was the best and despite him being sick during the trip, he never complained and did more than necessary to make the trip great for all of us.

Overall, could not have asked for a better trip which was our second with your firm. We'd recommend your trips to all of our friends. Exactly the adventure we read about and planned for. We went to bed each night, exhausted and happy.

We thought our previous Adventure Life trip to Costa Rica was great but this multisport to Galapagos was even better. The activity plan was well laid out and our guide was outstanding.

Rhea Guertin (Galapagos Multisport, Sep 2008)
Our Guide Alfredo was just the best. The local guides were good also helpful. Both went out of their way to be helpful to me.

The trip was just what I expected. We saw and did what we wanted. I have always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands and was very happy to find a land based tour . Being able to see more of the Islands by the diverse activities was very good. Seeing up close a sea lion nursing her young was just great. Getting to see the birds I had only read about and the snorkeling was spectacular.Seeing things I didn\'t expect like the Galapagos Air Force( Blue footed boobies diving in formation) was a highlight. As you can see I did ENJOY!

Jennifer Lile (Galapagos Multisport, Jul 2008)
The standard pre-departure material sent to us was very helpful, but we especially appreciated the quick, personable responses from Adventure Life staff whenever we called or emailed with a question.

Every hotel was amazing--far better than we expected in every way. In fact, we've never stayed at nicer places in all of our travels. We almost felt a little guilty! Our absolute favorite was Casa Opuntia ...the rooms, the food, and the service were perfect. We honestly could have stayed forever.

Alfredo spoiled us for all other tours ... I can't imagine anyone leading a tour better than he does. He had the knowledge and skills of a seasoned guide (which he is) but the enthusiasm and passion of someone just starting out. He was funny and approachable, and he always welcomed our questions. He not only said that it was his job to make us happy and comfortable, but he always made sure that we were. He even took me surfing during an afternoon of free time, which cut into his own free time! We would love to go on ANY tour he's leading ... I have no doubt he's one of the best guides in the business.

The tour exceeded every expectation we had. We'd never been on a tour before, and we were actually concerned that it would feel restrictive after traveling in Ecuador for nearly a week on our own. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for: action- and ... Read All

Nathan Pajor (Galapagos Multisport, Jan 2008)
It was better than expected. We feel like the land based tour of the Galapagos was the ideal way to experience the islands. We loved every part of it. Jan, our tour leader in the Galapagos was excellent. He did a great job explaining things and making things interesting.

Lisa Marie Jagielski (Galapagos Multisport, Aug 2007)
Having traveled with Adventure Life last year and having a great trip I had high expectations of this one as well, but it far exceeded them! I cannot say enough good things about our guide Fabricio. He was friendly, very enthusiastic, knowledgable and more than competent. When we had a plane delay and were short on time, he always had a plan B. When he saw we all had had enough of the ocean, after getting seasick on the boat from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal he again had a plan B for us. He was very alert and responsive to our needs, sometimes he knew what we needed even before we did. He far exceeded my already high expectations!

Again I don't really have the words to describe how great this trip was other than to say I had very high expectations and it far exceeded them. When I go on vacation I want to have fun, be active and see new things. I want to go to bed each night exhausted from a full day of activities. I got to do all of this on this trip. The Galapagos Islands are an amazing place. The animals are unique. The terrain and plants are so wierd it seemed like we visited other planets at times, not just another part of the world. I can't recommend this trip or Adventure Life enough!

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-- Galapagos Multisport --

Chris de Esparza & Marejka Shaevitz (Galapagos Multisport, Dec 2007)
We didn't come in with a lot of expectations, except to have lots of fun. Outside of that, we've described to our families and friends that this trip felt like a page right out of National Geographic or a scene right out of the Discovery Channel.

We had Luis as a private guide for day trips to Otavalo and Mindo - and he was an absolute delight to have with us. In addition, we had Juan Fernando as a tour leader on the Galapagos - and he was a fantastic guide. He was personable, friendly, flexible, brought a sense of humor, knowledgeable, responsible, and overall excellent. As for local guides on the Galapagos, our favorite guide was "Gallo" on Santa Cruz Island - his knowledge and experience were unsurpassed, and his laughter was contagious.

The variety of activities was exactly what we were looking for. We also appreciated the pace of this trip - there was always something to see or do. Our trip leader was particularly helpful in helping us brainstorm ideas for things to do during our free time (e.g. a spontaneous hike to observation decks on San Cristobal, a sunset swim at Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz island, etc.).

Larry Hardoon (Galapagos Multisport 10 Day, Mar 2007)
"In a nutshell - we had a GREAT trip from start to finish. The driver who picked us up early Sat morning to take us to the airport was very friendly and conscientious. He stayed with us until we were checked through on to our flight to the Galapagos. David who picked us up in San Cristobel and was our guide for the first day was really friendly, knowledgeable, and similarly conscientious. He provided a wonderful introduction to the Galapagos and we enjoyed our first day's activities (hiking and snorkeling) very much. For the next seven days of our trip, Sebastian Jurado was our guide. He really did a FABULOUS job with our group. We couldn't have had a better, more enthusiastic, friendly, personable, conscientious, competent, knowledgeable, guide. The kids truly enjoyed his company and we and they spent extra time with him outside of the planned agenda. I'm sure that one of the reasons we had such a good time was our good fortune in having Sebastian all to ourselves. He was able to devote 100% of his attention to us. He arranged everything perfectly. Since we were the entire group, flexibility was totally possible. His English is really perfect, though the kids conversed with him in Spanish much of the time. They all only spoke English for my benefit (I studied French). The planned activities were terrific. We enjoyed a couple of great long ... Read All

Kevin and Janet Conway (Galapagos Multisport, Dec 2006)
This was a five star tour and we had a great time! We loved our guide, Miguel, in fact we want him to be the guide on our next trip.

Pepi Leids, Taylor, Wyatt, and Cody Buchalter (Galapagos Multisport and Otavalo & Banos, Jun 2006)
Accomodations on Santa Cruz, Isabella, and Quito were excellent. Our guide, Alfredo, was the best. He loves kids and my nephews had a blast. He made the trip in the Galapagos really fun!

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-- Hiking Galapagos --

Renate Johnson (Hiking Galapagos, Oct 2008)
Our tour leader Sebastian was very informative about Galapagos and caring about everyone's welfare in our group.

Pepe at Hotel Optunia on San Cristobal is a great cook!!! Great view. Staff at Hotel Fernandina very helpful with phone calls and e-mail. Casa Marita on Isabella had a great view and beautiful sunset!!!

Gayle Kearns (Hiking Galapagos, Jun 2008)
Very impressed by the whole experience. I have traveled extensively and Adventure Life was A-1 in all areas. I was most impressed with the travel guides, Sebastian and Jan that stayed with us in the Galapagos. I learned SO much from them about the wildlife, culture, etc. They were very patient with all our questions and demands. I talked to them about a return trip and look forward to visiting the islands again in the future.

Laura Read (Inca Pathways, Jun 2008)
Teddy contributed hugely to our enjoyment of the trip. He was fun, knowledgeable, responsible, thoughtful. He fit perfectly with us as a traveling companion, and gave us many laughs along the way. Also, his enthusiasm about architecture, history, birds and flowers is wonderful.

Susan McLeland (Hiking Galapagos, Mar 2008)
I cannot say enough good things about our guide, Sebastian. He is personable, enthusiastic, organized, friendly, knowledgeable, encouraging, and above all else, patient. He made sure that we fit in as many once-in-a-lifetime activities as possible at the same time that he worked to balance every member of the group's individual needs. Everywhere we went the locals greeted him with real enthusiasm, and I can understand why. It speaks well for your company that you attract such competent, compassionate and spirited guides.

I didn't want it to end. We loved all of the activities and really appreciated Adventure Life's agents taking care of the details so we were free to just enjoy them. We'll always treasure our memories of this tour. Thanks for providing us with an adventure that was exciting, challenging, fun and educational for every member of our family.

Nevokshonoff Family (Hiking Galapagos and Sacha Lodge, Dec 2007)
I'd recommend this tour to anyone interested in Ecuador. We feel that we were able to get an excellent overview of the country in a very short period of time. The trip was well organized and each guide was well informed and obviously well trained. The tour was everything we expected . . . and more. I never thought for an instant that I'd ever swim with hammerhead sharks!!! It was crazy, and with my wife, and 10 and 12 year old kids, too. Fantastic.

Kris, Mollie, Lucas & Aidan Jensen (Hiking Galapagos, Nov 2007)
Our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos far exceeded our expectations. We have never done a packaged 'tour' before and were concerned it would lack spontaneity and privacy. The reality was the quality of the guide, the well-thought out agenda and attention to detail provided an experience we could never have created on our own. Our kids (10 and 7) will remember this trip for its adventure, culture, animals, great food and friendly people. We could not have asked for more. Outstanding!

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-- Islands and Incas --

Robin Storey (Islands and Incas + Cruise on Coral II, Sep 2008)
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 (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Coral I, Sep 2008)
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!

Michael Wood (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Millennium, Mar 2008)
The assistance with the Galapagos flight check-in in Quito (which is complex, confusing and poorly signed) was particularly invaluable. Two guides just dealt with it - one getting the passes and one dealing with the luggage while we just stood and boggled. Amazing service. We also arranged an on-the-fly unplanned city tour when we arrived in Quito. Your local office dealt with it instantly and the guide even called ahead and got a museum to stay open late for us - wow!

I can't praise all the guides enough. Always helpful, always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Their enthusiasm for their countries and their profession was infectious. These were people who enjoyed what they did and were proud to do a good job.

You seem to have a good and well deserved reputation locally. We had an absolutely fantastic time and would unreservedly recommend you to our friends.

Suzanne Stroh (Island and Incas (Legend), Aug 2007)
I can't say enough good things about our experience in Peru. It is so culturally rich and colorful and such a physically beautiful country. Our time there was handled very smoothly. What really opened our eyes to Peru was our wonderful guide, Washington Gibaja. Actually, he was beyond wonderful! He is pleasant, knowledgeable, thoughtful, considerate, organized, flexible, sincere, and helpful. He has a lively sense of humor, shares his cultural heritage with proud enthusiasm and lives the principles of helping others every day. Washington shared many Inca traditions and stories, gave us both Quechua names, and generally put a human face on what it means to be the descendent of the Inca culture working to preserve the best of the traditional ways in these modern times. I can truly say that meeting him may prove to be life-changing as I think about the ways I might continue to be associated with the principles he shared with us! Visiting Peru with Washington as a guide made me feel that I would return in a heartbeat.

In the Galapagos portion of the tour, the food was excellent and has dining room service to match. The MV Galapagos Legend is the best-run cruise ship I have ever encountered. The ship itself is gleaming white, clean and polished, attractively and comfortably furnished. The transportation back and forth on the pangas is done with ... Read All

Kathie Keane and Grace Becton (Islands and Incas 13-Day, Dec 2006)
Our guides made our trip wonderful!

Casey Kaptur (Islands and Incas -- Beluga, Oct 2006)
The Adventure Life Incas and Islands trip was excellent. Every aspect was as good or better than we had hoped. The Adventure Life contacts were always where they needed to be, pick-ups were prompt, the hotels were very nice, and the tours excellent.

I can't say enough good things about Ayul Acuna. He was a superb guide, but perhaps even more importantly, just a wonderful man who obviously took great pride in his country and his culture. He made our tour of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Macchu Pichu a tremendous success.

Thanks for a great trip!

Rick and Barbara Desautels (Islands and Incas (Fragata), Dec 2005)
We had an exceptionally great trip! Our guides, both in Peru and the Galapagos, were excellent - very personable and very knowledgeable. All of the members of the crew on board the Fragata were exceptionally cheerful and helpful.

Clair and Jonson group (Islands and Incas (Eric/Letty/Flamingo) + Kapawi Lodge, Jul 2005)
The staff on the trip was great. Our transfer person in Quito even helped us by running back to get our camera that we forgot at the hotel! The tour was amazing. It was more than we expected in so many ways!

Jonathan Siekmann (Machu Picchu by Train + Inti Raymi, Jun 2005)
The tour was everything we expected and more! Peru is such a charming country. I really appreciated the values and spirit of Adventure Life. I got a sense of them from the website, and the reality on the ground reflected my expectations.

Jonathan Siekmann (Machu Picchu by Train + Inti Raymi, Jun 2005)
The tour was everything we expected and more! Peru is such a charming country. I really appreciated the values and spirit of Adventure Life. I got a sense of them from the website, and the reality on the ground reflected my expectations.

Layman Family (Salcantay Trek + Peru Amazon, Jun 2005)
What a fabulous trip! Everyone was warm and friendly, especially to our nine-year-old twins! Adventure Life does an outstanding job of finding the best local operators who made our tour so special. Thank you!

Mike Rossell (Inca Pathways, Jun 2005)
I had never visited South America before, so I wasn't sure what to expect! Likewise, I hadn't realized how much there would be to see and experience. It was very helpful that our guide was a Cusco local - it was so nice to have this local knowledge. On other holidays the tour guide has often been an enthusiastic European who quotes from guidebooks, so this was a welcome change! The best part of the holiday for me was probably the Puno/Lake Titcaca area.

Frances and Robert Gillis (Islands and Incas - Fragata, May 2005)
Our trip was excellent! If we had custom made this trip, it would have been the same as what we experienced with this tour package. We were surprised at how comfortable and relaxing it was on the boat. We were also pleased with the quality of and the quaint character of the hotels. Our guide in the Galapagos was very knowledgeable and his love of nature and his work was contagious! Our Peruvian guide was also exceptional. His shared not only his knowledge of his country but also his spirit and devotion to his land and his people. He made us feel like more than just tourists! What else can we say? You provided us with the perfect blend of creature comforts, nature, and activity. We were lucky to have found you!

James and Christine Ryan (Galapagos Deluxe Cruise - Cachalote, Mar 2005)
The tour was excellent! The crew on the Cachalote was the best!! We loved every minute with them.

Jennifer Nicole Miller (Islands and Incas, Dec 2004)
I would recommend your comany to my friends. Peru was filled with color, from the people to the food. I enjoyed the markets in Cuzco Pisac. Ollaytaytambo and Machu Picchu were very spiritual places. It was wonderful to have two full days for Machu Picchu. Galapagos is a biologists paradise. I hope to go back again with you. Our trip was, without a doubt, one of a lifetime.

Susan Karpeil and Martin Stanley Karpiel (Islands and Incas, Dec 2004)
In Cusco we had the extreme pleasure of being guided by Ayul. By far the best guide we have ever had our 30 years of traveling. He was knowledgeable, but not too much, fun, exuberant, entertaining, very athletic and compassionate. We cannot say enough good things about Ayul. As I mentioned earlier, he is the best guide we've ever had (we have been to 82 countries) so I have a good basis for comparison.

Lisa Urness (Islands and Incas, Oct 2004)
Thank you so much for a fantastic adventure! My husband and I will never forget it! Peru was an enchanted land, both culturally and scenically. Ayul Acuna was incredibly enthusiastic and introduced us to all aspects of Peruvian culture and antiquities with such humor and charm. We have no doubt that we would have missed many fascinating places had we chosen a different tour. The Galapagos leg of our tour was great fun and very relaxing. The Fragata is a wonderful yacht and the food was excellent. We have been home less than 24 hours and I'm already planning our next trip with Adventure Life to Costa Rica - I'm not kidding!!

George and Mary Beth McClain (Islands and Incas, Oct 2004)
This tour was better than we ever expected! We look forward to another "adventure" with Adventure Life. What else can I say? We kept pinching ourselves to make sure we weren't dreaming. It really was a much better trip than we though it was going to be. We had a wonderful time. THANK YOU ADVENTURE LIFE!

Brad Heric and Tara Parker (Islands and Incas, Jul 2004)
A life adventure. A fantastic honeymoon. A whole new world - well, three worlds we explored and loved. Thank you for making it go so smoothly for us!

Gregory Morrison (Islands and Incas + Sacha Lodge, Jul 2004)
Ayul in Peru was perhaps the best guide I have ever had in tours of >16 countries. He did tons of extra research and brought materials to heighten his oral presentations. Ayul was Superior!!! I understand why your company gets rave reviews. I concur.

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-- Wildlife Odyssey --

Roberta Koenig (Wildlife Odyssey trip with a Galapagos cruise on the Millennium, Jul 2008)
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.

Gail and Abigail Malone (Wildlife Oddyssey: Legend, Apr 2007)
The tour was superb. Sacha Lodge was unforgettable, and Pinsaqui was gorgeous. We felt coddled- every detail was attended to. I would use Adventure Life again without hesitation.

Christina Lemes (Wildlife Odyssey and Galapagos Cruise aboard Sulidae, Dec 2006)
I was blown away, especially at the hacienda in Otavalo. Hotel Eugenia was very charming and I loved the Sulidae and Sacha Lodge. All of my tour guides were excellent and extremely helpful. I am recommending this tour to everyone I know. I am highly satisfied with Adventure Life and my tour experience.

Dotty Woodworth (Wildlife Odyssey , Aug 2006)
The pre-departure support from Adventure Life was excellent. I called with a question about items for the orphanage and got excellent information. I loved every minute and my photos have made all of my friends jealous.

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