MT Sobek Reviews 

Hiking the Kumano Kodo is a truly memorable opportunity to immerse oneself in beautiful, mountainous forests of cedar, cypress, and golden gingkos, while encountering shrines small and large all along the way. It was fascinating and uplifting to learn more about Japan's uniquely syncretic spirtiualism and its relationship to the natural world. MTSobek's planning, services, and guides were fantastic!

Fabulous trip. Great guides. All the details taken care of. Flawless execution.

From start to finish, MT Sobek creates unparalleled itineraries and provides superb guidance in a way that allows you to simply enjoy a beautiful part of the world without having to lift a finger in regard to logistics. I took the Slovenia Julian Alps Hiking trip in June of this year and it was absolutely incredible! The guides were extremely knowledgeable & experienced, patient, and great at ensuring the entire group got what they wanted out of the experience. We did encounter some inclement weather on some days, but the guides were expert at providing alternate routes/options without missing a beat. The food on the trip was phenomenal and well thought out. We had everything from 5-star dining experiences to off-the-beaten-path home-style cooking. The lodges were carefully selected with stunning views and comfortable rooms. This trip truly was one of a kind and MT Sobek made sure to make it special!

I recently had the opportunity to travel to the Dolomites in Italy on a hiking trip with Mountain Travel Sobek. It exceeded all of my expectations. The dolomites’s breathtaking landscape served as a backdrop for our wonderful journey, and the meticulous planning by the MT Sobek team, ensured that almost every moment was filled with inspiring beauty and deliciousness.

Hiking routes routes were meticulously, chosen, allowing us to traverse a variety of terrains, from lush meadows to rugged mountain passes. Our knowledgeable guides from the region provided fascinating insights into the regions, natural history and cultural significance.

What truly set this trip apart, however, with the attention to detail in every aspect. From the cozy Mountain Lodges where we rested our weary legs to the delectable local cuisine that delighted our palates, MT Sobek left no stone unturned in ensuring our comfort and enjoyment.

If your hiking enthusiast looking to explore the stunning dolomites, I can wholeheartedly, recommend MT Sobek‘s dolomites hiking trip for an unforgettable adventure.

Our family of 2 parents, 3 children (22,19,15) attended the August 2023 Yellowstone/Grand Teton trip. $27,000 before airfare to eat Wholefoods sandwiches for lunches, cafeteria vouchers for dinners, hotel included breakfasts and substandard hotel accommodations which were not booked correctly. Our daughter is a vegetarian and multiple times there was not a vegetarian option. This Company fails on execution of logistics, cut corners on food and accommodations to the extent it negatively impacted our trip. If we weren’t stuck in the park, we would have flown home.

I recently had the pleasure of taking Mountain Travel Sobek's Kumano Kodo trip, and I can honestly say it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. The trails are well-maintained and the scenery is absolutely stunning. We hiked through lush forests,
past towering waterfalls, and along the banks of crystal-clear rivers - some of which had natural hot springs on the shore. We also visited many ancient temples and shrines, which gave us a glimpse into Japan's rich history and culture. From small Oji’s to
more elaborate multi-temple structures, the feeling was always one of deep respect for nature.

Our guide, Tomo, was knowledgeable, friendly, and always adding to the rich tapestry that is Japan. She made sure we were always safe and comfortable, and he helped us to appreciate the beauty of the Kumano Kodo in a way that we never would have been able to
on our own. I also appreciated the small group size, which made it feel like a more intimate and personal experience.

If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding hiking trip in Japan, I highly recommend Mountain Travel Sobek's Kumano Kodo trip. It is an unforgettable experience that you will cherish for years to come.

In addition to the amazing hiking and cultural experiences, I also appreciated the fact that Mountain Travel Sobek is a responsible travel company. They take great care to minimize their impact on the environment, and they support local communities through
their sustainable tourism practices. They use small ryokans that were close to nature and ao far away from the hustle and bustle of Osaka and Kyoto. I felt good knowing that my money was going to a company that is committed to making a positive difference
in the world.

Overall, I would highly recommend Mountain Travel Sobek to anyone looking for a great tour company for Japan. They offer a variety of trips to suit all interests, and they have a team of experienced and knowledgeable guides who will make sure you have an unforgettable
experience.

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.

Alex our guide made Greece come to life and was undoubtedly the best part of the experience

This is a beautifully designed trip, with a variety of hikes on 3 islands with distinct cultures and geology. The restaurants were fantastic, and the hotels very nice. What made this trip exceptional, however, was our guide, Alex Giannios. Alex is both interesting and deeply knowledgeable about his he area’s history, terrain, and culture; he is patient, a good leader, and a lot of fun.

This was truly one of the best experiences of my adult life. I traveled with MT Sobek in 2022 with friends and we all can't wait to go back. Sobek is truly a top-notch operation, from the service in the office, the orientation, the AMAZING food and of course the guides! Everything was handled perfectly!

Much like writing a review for other travels - I want to read something that actually tells me about the trip. Well, first and foremost - if you are considering using Mt. Sobek for your trip to the Galapagos, don't look any further at any other companies. Book it now and book it on the Endemic. This boat is amazing, a bit more expensive, but worth every penny. The rooms are amazingly spacious, they each have a deck of their own, such privacy. Food is excellent, the crew of the boat could not be better and - most importantly - the guide that we had was absolutely stellar. This was a trip of a lifetime and if you are thinking of the Galapagos - do it. You will not be disappointed!

"If you are looking to explore India, Mt Sobek organized a very special trip for five weeks just for us that allowed for a full cultural experience and unique outdoor game drives. Mt Sobek's India partners who were our contacts in-country are the best in the business."

I feel a responsibility to inform you of our experience . I have been on several long treks as well mountaineering expeditions, and never have I had such a shockingly unprofessional , un-safe experience. This is MTS’s most strenuous, challenging trek. It is extremely remote , and goes down a glacier with multiple river crossings, steep hillsides , and loose rock. Our American guide seriously injured his ankle at the start of the trip , one of the senior employees was on our trek and wouldn’t send him home. It was very dangerous for him to go on a 15 day trip , he voiced his concerns many times along the way . He needed other guides to help him. If injured , evacuation can take days. He was sent again on the trip after ours , they didn’t have a replacement guide. An injured guide puts the group in jeopardy , the trip should have cancelled if no healthy guide was available . Also , I have Celiac and was assured when we checked multiple times that gluten free food would be provided . The Pakistani cook had no idea what that was, and I had very limited options the whole trip. I lost 12 lbs and was hungry the whole time. I asked MTS if I should bring my own gluten free snacks , they no ,it’s extra weight and they would be provided . They weren’t . Such a physically demanding trip made little food very challenging .
MTS didn’t take the well being of their clients or safety of their guides seriously .

I couldn't have been happier with our two awesome guides, the two mule wranglers, and help from the resupplier on a two-week trek through the California Sierras. I had prepared myself for the rigors of the hike, but unfortunately I got hit early on by some kind of bug that made me exhausted by the physical trekking, so I was by far the slowest hiker and decided to leave the trip at resupply, a little over halfway through. Everyone was kind and helpful to me, and the two guides were superb in staying with me at my slow pace, figuring out how to plan the hikes so that the fast and medium-pace hikers were happy, and not pressuring me to leave. The resupplier picked me up, drove me back to the hotel where I had left my car, and helped me get a room for the night. I have to say that the kindness of the guides and the concern of MTSobek was awesome.

Our ultimate hiking tour to both Chile and Argentina was everything I had hoped. Not only were our guides, Andre and Lucio in Argentina, superb, joyful, incredibly attentive and caring, instructive, healthy and amazing athletes; they also shared so much historical and naturalist information that made the land's flora and fauna come alive. I loved that we all wanted to be in nature hiking so much. Most importantly, the group was fantastic! We were all in the same age group and I loved so many women who could share hiking in this beautiful place together. All the elements made this the best guided travel experience I have ever been on.

The staff was delightful, friendly, fun and helpful. All arrangements were taken care care of, which made the trip relaxing. From airport to airport we did not have to wonder what was happening or why there was a delay as they kept us informed and made sure we were prepared. While in Quito, free time in old town would have been nice. The tour was interesting but could have used time to wonder for an hour or two. The islands were beautiful and interesting with each one have it's own unique qualities. Our guide answered all the questions thrown at him. He was patient, accommodating and knowledgeable. The food on the boat was good, not great. Having a snack upon returning from the excursions was appreciated and fun. The selection of non-alcoholic beverages was limited. All in all a trip of a lifetime. I would recommend MT Sobek to anyone looking for a hassle free vacation adventure.

Wonderful trip
Terrific people

We participated in the Ultimate Hiking Tour of Patagonia - both Chile and Argentina. This was the most amazing trip that we have ever taken. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. Our group of 8 hikers couldn't have been better and more compatible. All 3 of the guides that we had were the best people to be taking us on this tour/series of hikes, in that there were the consummate professionals and so completely full of information about the history of the area, all of the flora and fauna, etc. The accommodates were extraordinary. We couldn't have asked for anything more. Hopefully we will be able to do yet another trip with Mt. Sobek somewhere else in the world!!

Wonderful Patagonia trip. Experienced and caring guide. Well planned program

Love this company! We have traveled with them multiple times. They employ 'fixers' in each country to help if things change. They employee local guides with extensive knowledge (nature, customs, etc.).