AdventureSmith Reviews

Douglas K. - Littleton, CO

"Completely Satisfied"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

We were completely satisfied with the Islander and I can't imagine having a better experience. There was absolutely no drop off between any of the guides, the food was excellent, and the daily planning of activities was consistently first rate.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

You set forth in a straightforward manner all of the comparative information necessary for us to make our decision about which ship to take, including information that, although I may have been able to dig through the various websites to obtain on my own, saved us a lot of time and made it easy to compare the options. You were always prompt and attentive to detail. I will certainly be recommending you and your company to others. This was our first cruise of any sort, and although my wife and I still most enjoy the many benefits of unguided travel, we will surely contact you again if we decide to take a trip of the kinds offered by your company.

Rita W. - Morrison, IL

"Well Prepared"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

This was the most organized, well-planned trip ever!! Every single detail, right down to clothes to bring, was superb. When we arrived at Denali, the North Face Lodge folks knew who we were and where we were going to stay with our room assignment.

We most enjoyed the lodge's sense of community. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful, even on the hikes. The hikes were tremendous! UnCruise was exceptional! They slowed down, pulled over, and even stopped the engines to get as close to wildlife as possible. The weather was so good that we went into harbors and inlets they hadn't gotten to go to all summer.

Anchorage was beautiful and we enjoyed our extra day there, biking the trail and going to the museum. We had great companions on each trip, but there were many Australians having the best time of their lives on the cruise. They really know how to party!! Juneau is very much a tourist trap but we still enjoyed fighting the big ship people and looking around. We also liked Mendenhall Glacier and getting close to the waterfalls there.

We did not want a vacation of just sitting around watching the world go by (although there is a time for that as well!) but rather we wanted to be active to the extent that we could. At Denali and on the cruise we could choose what activity fit our level, and it turned out perfect. This trip fit our wishes of wilderness, wildlife, and adventure to a T!!

Accommodations Review

Superb! Top-notch cleaning of our rooms.

Meals Review

Every meal at North Face was outstanding! Much of it was grown on-site and was fixed and presented beautifully. They even picked wild blueberries and made blueberry tarts!!

The cruise meals were good as well, but you can't get that fresh quality on a boat like you can on land. They were very timely served and hot things were hot and cold things were cold. I was full every day!

Crew & Guides Review

I cannot remember our moderate hike guides' names at North Face Lodge, but both were excellent and very knowledgeable! John made a most superb leader, along with Andi, and were gentle with their bell before announcements.

Katie, Dani, Sarah, really all the crew on board the Wilderness Adventurer were beyond great. They were also knowledgeable and helpful. They were highly trained and had kind, fun-loving spirits.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Most excellent! We were well prepared for this trip, right down to the rubber boots, which we really didn't need on the boat because they had plenty of all sizes. But our boots came in handy for the rest of the trip. Shuttles, buses, flights, trains, really every mode of transportation was on time and had friendly drivers.

I can't thank you enough for the best vacation I have ever had. When I had questions, you either called me or emailed me in a timely manner, which alleviated any concerns I had.

I know at least three people who want to "pick my brain" about this trip, and you will be highly recommended.

Traveler Advice

Go for it! Its worth every penny, and you won't regret it.

Rob B. - Scottsdale, Arizona

"The Arrangements Were Perfect"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

4 /5

All the arrangements were effected without a hitch. Drivers and guides met us at the airports and hotels. They were never late - in fact, they often came early. The expedition on La Pinta was just right for us - the itinerary, boat size, and amenities were perfect. Lastly, the trip to Cuenca was interesting and we very much enjoyed the architecture, restaurants, scenery, and the nearby gem of a national park.

The trip was all about the Galapagos Islands, and they did not disappoint. Seeing how treating animals with respect results in a very peaceful coexistence was eye-opening. I came away with some amazing pictures and experiences, including swimming with playful sea lions and stepping around iguanas and tortoises. That said, Cuenca was wonderful. We may very likely go back there after I retire to spend the winter months at least one year. What a beautiful city!

Quito is a big city and not particularly attractive. Our tour guide was good, but that did not change the fact that it was not somewhere we would want to spend a lot of time. We were told not to go out at night (though one restaurant had a free car service and it was worth the trip), versus in Cuenca where we went to a great restaurant about fifteen minutes from our hotel and walked back along the city streets after dark with no concern. There are some areas to avoid, but generally it seems to be a very safe city that also boasts clean tap water (though a several day acclimation period is recommended).

Accommodations Review

The hotels in Quito and Cuenca were very nice - particularly the one in Cuenca, which like many hotels there is a converted home of some wealthy resident. The accommodations on La Pinta were roomier than I had expected, with a large bed, big window and a bathroom with excellent water pressure and plentiful hot water. The boat, with 41 tourists on board, was just the right size.

Meals Review

The meals we had on our own on the mainland were good, particularly the breakfasts in Quito. On the boat, we enjoyed the meals very much, though breakfast and lunch buffets were clearly the highlight and the sit-down dinners were less impressive. We also had salmon our first night on the boat that could have been fresher. However, the lunches more than made up for the minor glitches.

Crew & Guides Review

All of our guides/naturalists on La Pinta were good. They were very knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. In Quito, we had a good guide, notwithstanding she had a limited palette of locations to work with. Our guide in Cuenca was excellent too. All guides and naturalists were very proficient in English, though when we were off the boat, we tried speaking Spanish as often as we could.

The arrangements were perfect. Not a glitch in the entire nearly two weeks. I was so pleased that drivers and guides were always there when they were supposed to be there and made us feel like we were in good hands.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was great. That's why I'm planning a trip to Peru through him. Information was provided in a very clear and relatively concise manner. We kept the trip instructions close at hand, particularly when on the mainland. The only thing I did on my own without instructions to prepare for the trip was to visit the Mayo Clinic's travel clinic, where they made sure certain vaccinations were up to date and prescribed Diamox for altitude sickness in case I had an issue, as well as something for stomach upset (which was really not an issue).

I am just very happy to have found AdventureSmith. The agency and agent, Andrew, were recommended by friends of ours who were on the same boat as we were some years ago. I am looking forward to working with Andrew and AdventureSmith again when my younger daughter and I travel to Machu Picchu. I have already mentioned AdventureSmith to several people.

Traveler Advice

Just that they should do their homework to get the most out of the trip, bring the proper clothes (we traveled very light but were just fine), and check in with a doctor to make sure you don't spend days dealing with altitude sickness or have some other issue (after visiting the doctor, we bought DEET mosquito repellent which was not necessary all that often, but we are glad we did). I took Diamox and my wife (who did not take any meds) had just one day on arrival in Quito when she had a splitting headache, but then we both hiked for a couple hours at nearly 13,000 feet and we were both fine. I will definitely make sure my daughter and I have Diamox before we land in Cusco.

Julia F. - New York, NY

"Perfect for Our Family"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

The boat was perfect for our family - lots of opportunities to do things and learn a lot. Glacier Bay was spectacular and we loved having the ranger along. Tracy Arm was the next best day - we loved the feeling of isolation we got by being a small boat where others couldn't get to. We met really interesting people. I think a small boat attracts like minded people. They were also really welcoming and open to chatting with our kids.

Accommodations Review

The boat was really comfortable and had everything we needed.

Meals Review

Every meal was great - if anything there was just too much food! Don't think we needed 4 course lunches when dinner was so delicious.

Crew & Guides Review

Loved having [guide] Mark along on the trip - he was so knowledgeable and really inspired the kids on all the walks we went on with him.

Joe G. - Denver, CO

"Amazing Trip!"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

What an amazing trip! Friends of ours went on the same trip last year and they said they loved it. They complain about almost everything so we thought if they liked it, we would. And we did! Every aspect of the trip was wonderful. All the flights worked out, the staff was excellent, the guides excellent, and our fellow travelers wonderful.

Snorkeling was wonderful. Saw ten white tipped sharks in a school, ten hammerhead sharks in a school, and 30 eagle rays in formation. Penguins, sea lions, and lots of schools of fish. Wonderful! It was all wonderful. Perhaps we had to get to the airport earlier than needed but otherwise everything was perfect.

Accommodations Review

The room was great, except the window did not open so we couldn't get fresh air. The ship temperature was too cold. But the shower was great, the bed was nice and comfortable, the pillows great, just wonderful.

Meals Review

Loved all the fruit and salads. The meat was overcooked. Maybe some less sweet desserts. But really, the food was terrific.

Crew & Guides Review

If anything, Juan C. was too cheerful. Great guy, great attitude. Most of the guides were good. They are not world class, but then they have to be local guides under the law, which limits who can be a guide. Luckily, Michael Jackson, the world expert on the Galapagos, was on our trip so he was great to talk to. Walter, Benjamin, Gilda, and Enrique were great.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew provided us lots of information, kept us apprised of what we needed to know, and helped us with all aspects of the trip. We made our own flight arrangements.

Traveler Advice

Do it! Be prepared to walk over rocks and wet areas. Do not miss any of the activities. They are all wonderful. We thought the trip was expensive, and we had never taken a tour before. The trip more than exceeded our expectations. It was fantastic. But expensive.

Jocelyn C. - Somersworth, NH

"Worth Every Penny"

Overall

5 /5

Accommodations

5 /5

Meals

5 /5

There was not one thing that could have been done better on this trip. Chris at AdventureSmith spent A LOT of time with me picking just the right ship for the Galapagos trip, and the Islander completely exceeded my expectations. The entire trip was excellent; a lot of different activity options everyday - hiking, snorkeling, swimming, lectures, zodiac rides - something for everyone. Lindblad was one of the most expensive trips we could choose from to see the Galapagos and it was worth EVERY penny. The quality of the naturalists and staff could not have been better, and I think the quality of this trip comes down to the quality of those leaders. Also, the Islander was the perfect combination of comfort and casual.

Accommodations Review

Islander was an elegant ship extremely clean, comfortable, and perfectly decked out for all the expeditions we went one. Plenty of wet suits and equipment to borrow.

Meals Review

FABULOUS. Wide variety of food selection which was all delicious.

Crew & Guides Review

The trip leader (Lynn) and the naturalists were the BEST part of the trip. They knew so much about the region; we would not have had this great an experience with any other leaders.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Great communication from Chris at various intervals before the trip; all documents and info came in timely fashion, and leading up to the trip he called to make sure we didn't have any problems, questions etc. Great customer service. Chris was awesome about getting me comfortable with the choice of vessel and explaining in detail all aspects of the trip. Great outfit.

Traveler Advice

Go for longer trip (8 days or more) rather than a shorter trip, because each island really is different from each other. Splurge to go on Lindblad.

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