Fui con mi guía, Marco Antonio, a Copacabana y últimamente a Isla del Sol. Estabamos en coche por 3 horas y media, pero a mi me gustó porque ví muchas cosas interesantes como el paisaje, burros, chonchos, personas con ropa tradicional, e escuché a música de latinoamerica en el coche y hablé español también. Tuvimos que cruzar el Lago Titicaca, un lago muy bonito, en una barca de pasaje. Estaba muy pequeño porque solo podía transportar 2 coches. Caminé en Copacabana y fuimos en un barco para ir a Isla del Sol. Caminé Isla del Sol y subí hasta el Ecolodge Estancia. ¡La vista estaba magnífica! Vi ruinas, y muchas mujeres con muchas cosas en sus espaldas. Tienen vidas difíciles. No hay vehículos, solo animales como burros, caballos y personas que caminan.
TRANSLATION: I went with my guide, Marco Antonio, to Copacabana & ultimately to Isla del Sol. We went by car for about 3 ½ hours, but I really liked it because I saw the countryside, pigs, donkeys, people dressed in traditional clothing, listened to Latin American music, & was able to talk in Spanish. What could be better? We crossed beautiful Lake Titicaca in a small ferry boat, that could only hold 2 vehicles, walked around Copacabana, & took another boat to Isla del Sol, where we explored some more, including visiting ruins, and climbing to Ecolodge Estancia. Beautiful views! There are no vehicles on Isla del Sol. People walk on pathways carrying things on their backs, plus there are pack animals like donkeys & horses that carry things. Life appears to be quite difficult.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.