I'll travel to CA this summer by myself and intend to join a tour started in Vancouver. In order not to spend so much money on the tours fees , I choose the moose bus tours which I found on the internet with a reasonable prize and great freedom. I haven't been CA before ,so I'm not sure if it is reliable. can anyone share experiences with me about this tour. My trip will last 11days which include visiting few Lakes along the way from Vancouver to Jaspar and certainly the Rockie mountain. what I concern most are the accommdation , and the quality of their buses . thanks for sharing~!
1
secretcover1
Eric,
Ask them for an itinerary and pm me the details. I've never heard of the and I live in BC. I can then give you a more informed opinion.
Dave
2
xyzzyx
The Moose travel network is probably the biggest backpacker-oriented bus tour company in Canada (certainly the biggest one to cater for a British market anyway), so I'm surprised that 1 hasn't heard of them. I've only heard good things about them, but personally I think their prices don't really justify the convenience.
3
ericwhassup
Thanks you very much Dave and XYZ, I have asked for more information about the tour. It's really a backpacker-oriented. All the things on the trip I need to organize by myself . what the prizes includes is just the transport cost. And they only reserve the dorm room for me on few nights I'm travelling in the bus, I need to book the Extra through the Hostel's website. It's quite trouble but I enjoy so much coz it's a part of my adventure and a treasurable experience. I need to spend a lot of time to plan my itinerary~!
anyway, thanks again~!
4
copperspoon
That company is always hiring new drivers so it must be a shitty job with a high turnover/burnout rate-no doubt this reflects on the experience/value of the tour.
5
ericwhassup
OH...really? they are always hiring new drivers?? Does it mean the tours operated with a low standard?~Anyway I'm rdy for accepting the worst consequence. :)
6
BCRobyn
The reason why secretcover1 doesn't know about the Moose Travel bus is because he probably don't know much about BC's backpacking infrastructure (which is marketed to international visitors, not Canadians). Most locals have little knowledge about this, I've found.
The Moose Travel bus has been around for a while now. I actually met some of the people that worked there last summer, and they seemed really stoked about what they offered.
I've also had friends from Australia use it to get between Vancouver and the Rockies, and they at first though it was a long time to be on the road, but were glad they did it because they got to see things they wouldn't otherwise get to. I've also noticed the job ads in the newspapers, but I think it has more to do with the nature of the job - it sounds stressful... you're playing tour guide, but you're also driving a bus, and you're organizing accommodation for your passengers, you're never at home, you're always on the road, and it's seasonal... seasonal jobs tend to have high turnover rates anyway. Then again, I've never taken the tour. But everything I've heard about it is positive. If you can't drive yourselves, it's better than flying or taking the Greyhound if your main goal is to see the scenery and get out and do things while you are getting from Point A to Point B. Accommodation, as far as I know, is all prearranged at the local hostels. I know they deal with SameSun hostels and perhaps Hostelling International. Basically, whatever's available - they'll make sure you have a bed. But you are also allowed to make your own arrangements if you prefer.
7
BCRobyn
I would actually consider phoning them if you have concerns. They seem to be very friendly and, from my experience, will go out of their way to help/answer questions.
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