AdventureSmith Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.