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Quetzaltenango (Xela) Activities

Monte Verde Tours

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: absolutely nothing

Not good for: hiking

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Lonely Planet review for Monte Verde Tours

Does a variety of volcano hikes and offbeat tours in the Xela area, including beach trips, ecotours and tours of local coffee farms, as well as shuttle bus and guided bike tours.

 

Traveller reviews for Monte Verde Tours (1)

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    Dishonest, changing prices, unsafe equipment

    catrinafunk does not recommend this,

    Planned a trip to celebrate my husbands 40th b-day. He is a very active hiker/climber & we were going to celebrate by hiking Tajumulco. We wanted a private trip with a mule/horse carrying our (my) gear. Reservations were made & confirmed 2 months in advance, with additional emails confirming equipment availability & final trip plans the week before.

    We were asked to check in the nite before, pay & pack gear. When we arrived, we were told to come back at 645 but that we needed to pay now. We did so (to the secretary who could not speak English via the owner on the phone). We were told to bring out backpacks the next day & we could empty all our stuff out into trashbags & pack the gear that needed to be taken. Fortunately, we had our own bags so were able to complete this the nite before.

    When we arrived, we were hastily given a sleeping bag, mat & about 10 old plastic water bottles filled with water (some with only the pop off tops - nice for opening in the bags!!). We were then quickly dumped off on a street to catch a chicken bus with our guide who could speak minimal English. We confirmed 3 times that morning (as well as the nite before) that we would have a horse/mule waiting for us.

    After arriving to the base of the volcano, it quickly became apparent that no mule/horse had been arranged. Our guide graciously called the owner (fortunately I had the number). She said "Oh dear. Well that is going to cost more money." I had all my information printed out with explicit emails stating what was to be included. She stated - sorry, you are just going to need to pay more money now if you want it.

    So, at the last minute, we hired a local boy to bring my bag to the top of the mtn. My husband carried his pack. Our guide (a private contractor) was gracious throughout. Once we arrived at the top of the mountain we discovered that our lunch & dinner meals that were included amounted to a loaf of store bought white bread, bologne for lunch & a single bowl (not full) of spaghetti each for dinner. Not a very hearty meal after climbing a 14K mtn.

    I had brought my own sleeping bag & mat as we have very good gear & I did not want to risk it. My husband ended up with a sleeping bag that was rated to 50degrees (not minus!!). He slept in all his clothes & down jackets wrapped around him.

    We had a great climb & made the most of it. When were returned to Xela exhausted - the office was closed & we had to wait 45" for someone to arrive so we could get our stuff.

    This was all topped off by being called by the dreadful owner after we had arrived at our next destination to ask if we had used 1 or 2 sleeping bags, because only 1 was returned. SHE was the one that gave them to us!!! All this after forcing us to pay more money & have suboptimal equipment.

    Never Never Never use this company. Much better off with quetzaltrekkers!! They were hiking that day with a large group & much more organized & professional.

    Good for: absolutely nothing

    Not good for: hiking

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