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Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks
Highlights
Themes
National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys
What travelers are saying
"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."
Visits
Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Kenai Fjords National Park, Mt. McKinley, Seward
Highlights
Themes
Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys
What travelers are saying
"The Perfect Agency for USA tours. This holiday was to be the gift to both my wife and i that we promised ourslves upon retirement and we could not have picked a better agency to arrange it. Touring New England in the fall staying at clapboard B&Bs', perfect. Thanks to our advisor Monica and the team for making our dream into a reality. Their attention to detail was amazing. They know their business alright."
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Chugach Mountains, Denali, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Valdez, Wrangell
Highlights
Themes
Cultural, Hiking & Walking
What travelers are saying
"A really excellent trip. Interesting and varied itinerary with many highlights, although Hoi An, including the cookery class, and the Hạ Long Bay cruise are worthy of special mention. We - myself, my wife, our daughter and her partner - were expecting a group of up to 16.......it was just the 4 of us, so a private tour and our tour guide - Long - was just absolutely brilliant, not only with the daytime excursions, but recommending to us/taking us to/joining us at so many really good restaurants, introducing us to many culinary local pleasures. Thank you so much, Long!"
Health Safety +
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward
Highlights
What travelers are saying
"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward
Highlights
Themes
High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife
What travelers are saying
"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali
Highlights
Themes
Nature & Wildlife
What travelers are saying
"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."
Health Safety +
Generous cancellation
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward
Highlights
Themes
National Parks, Nature & Wildlife
What travelers are saying
"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Seward, Valdez, Wrangell
Highlights
Themes
High Adventure, Trekking & Expeditions
What travelers are saying
"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Seward
Highlights
Themes
Cultural, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative
What travelers are saying
"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"
Visits
Alaska, Anchorage, Denali, Denali National Park, Seward
Highlights
Themes
High Adventure, Trekking & Expeditions
What travelers are saying
"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"
Best Denali Tours by Price
Gail
Jul 2023
Seeing the wonderful scenery of Alaska, particularly the Wrangell and St Elias National Park.
Tour: Outdoor Alaska
Trusted Customer
Jul 2023
Really liked our guide Ken, He was full of knowledge, friendly and helpful. The highlight of our trip was either seeing three types of whales or walking a glacier. B...
Tour: Outdoor Alaska
Wendy
Aug 2022
Too much time spent in the minibus getting from A to B, however, I don't know how you mitigate this as the distances are so large. Very disappointed in the wildlife...
Tour: Outdoor Alaska
Jean
Jul 2022
Kennicott and Seward plus Denali, for the variety of experiences.
Tour: Outdoor Alaska
Additional details
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