Miru Adventures Reviews 52

This was our second safari trip with Miru. In the back of my mind, I thought it couldn't possibly be as good as the first trip. But, it was. Many differences in locations, but the same quality of accommodations and activities. Lex is an excellent guide, sharing so much more than just wildlife sightings. We observed behaviors and, in doing so, really felt we were experiencing the "real" Africa. Everyone we met at the camps was professional, knowledgeable and warm and welcoming.

Traveling with Miru, we were well informed of all arrangements early on, apprised of things to make our trip easier (from clothing to weather and medications, etc.), and treated to cultural experiences at each camp.

It was obvious everywhere we went that Lex is very well respected for his knowledge and experiences. He was a very conscientious host, managing our group so no one was ever left out and we always knew what was planned.

I can't say enough about traveling with Miru--I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Date of experience: April 01, 2025

Saudi Arabia is in its nascent state as a destination travel country. Its tourist industry is evolving at a rapid pace to suit the preference of international travelers. I appreciate Miru Adventures to explore this country in this early phase of Saudi Arabia tourism. While the country offers a prescribed route for all visitors, Miru is able to tailor a special group program to be unique from what the rest of the travel industry offers. There were occasions where our schedule and itinerary were not in alignment. This might be related to cultural and expectation difference. Our guide, Shirley Campbell and the Miru team were able to resolve such issues tactfully and maintained congenial relationship. Saudi Arabia has many natural beauties, cultural and historical interests, besides experiencing the amazing progress and modernization. Madinah offers a special and rare glimpse of Islam pilgrimage for all non-Muslim. It was one the highlights. I recommend visiting this country now before it is inundated by the mass media.

Date of experience: February 01, 2025

This was a tremendous trip to a beatuiful place with incredible wildlife and scenery. From the moment I landed in Nairobi to the moment I left Kilimanjarao, everything was organized and executed perfectly. What took the trip to another level was the expert, one-of-a-kind leadership of Lex Hes and the knowledgeable local guides who added their expertise as well as their unique perspectives of residents of these amazing countries. Lex's knowledge, experience and delivery of detailed information about wildlife and the natural world is singular. His people skills are equally impressive-he made the trip fun and educational for all. I highly recommend this trip if it is offered in the future.

Date of experience: January 29, 2025

Best Africa trip out of 6. With Lex as a a true African naturalist how can anything go wrong. Everything was fabulous. We are ready to go back again.
Olle Larsson

Date of experience: January 29, 2025

A very interesting tour of most-probably, the happiest place on earth. We had great support from our expedition leaders, Rich and Shirley. Our local guides, Ugyen and Kinlay and their team were extremely insightful, kind and helpful. As it was our first visit, the tour took in most of the important sights, a festival and the important temples and monasteries. The highlight was attending the Black neck Crane festival, which we attended dressed in local costume. Our guides, Ugyen and Kinlay were able to find local dresses for the ladies and organized for the men to obtain ghos, the typical male costume. We really enjoyed being with the local people, who appreciated that we were appropriately dressed.
Our guides made just about every aspect of the tour special. From attending evening prayer sessions with the monks, to donating Ugyen and Kinlay made our visit a real success.

It will be necessary to return and visit the country in more depth, to spend time hiking in the mountains and learn more about the Bhutanese approach to Buddhism.

Date of experience: November 03, 2024

The people were very supportive and knowledgeable. Made the trip memorable

Date of experience: December 03, 2024

Besides the country being beautiful, having fascinating history and culture, and amazing temples and fortresses, our guides were some of the best I have ever had. Rich Pagen and Shirley Campbell are extraordinary and just the right amount of talking versus letting us just enjoy a place in silence. The local guides (Uegen and Kinley)were also some of the best I have ever had- informative, passionate, but also the right balance of talking versus allowing just contemplative enjoyment of the places. The planning, helpfulness, humor and personalities of all the guides plus the sheer beauty of Bhutan made this an amazing trip. I also appreciated their insistence on certain early morning start times to avoid crowds and see sites obscured by later day weather (e.g. the Himalayas).

Date of experience: November 06, 2024

It was a small intimate group with a fantastic guide and Amber who did everything to look after us in the best way possible. We saw so much on our trip and stayed in wonderful diverse hotels full of charm and all unique in their own way!
For me this trip was something I will never forget 😀

Date of experience: November 15, 2024

Brad, Rich and Murph made the trip incredible as always. The staff of the Spirit of Freedom were phenomenal and went above and beyond to make it a wonderful and memorable trip. They were all fabulous!

Date of experience: September 20, 2024

This trip was truly unique, a chance to visit rare forest elephants and other animals in the Central African Republic, gorillas in the mountains of Rwanda, and abundant safari wildlife in a luxurious setting in eastern Rwanda ... all led by Lex Hes, our absolute favorite guide.

Date of experience: September 17, 2024

The trip was comprised of a balance of culture and nature. We had a variety of experiences and learned a lot about Bolivia, the culture and its people. The short time in Chile was an added bonus.
The only caveat is the altitude, which some may have trouble adjusting to.

Date of experience: May 19, 2024

For a first time tour by Miru/Inside Expeditions, Bolivia/Chile was a unique and exceptional trip. It was well planned and executed thanks to Rich Pagen. His inclusion of Ralph Eshelman with his knowledge of Bolivia and geology was an excellent choice for a lecturer. Condor Travel was superior for in-country logistics. Their experience showed in the quality of the guides, transport, hotels, and activities selected for this trip that were all important and seamless throughout the itinerary. Gonzalo, Wilber, and Yasu were each experts in the their jobs as lecturers, coordinators, and as helpful fellow travelers. The drivers were also top-notch. A long road trip avoiding delays or flat tires was evidence of their skill and knowledge. It was greatly appreciated the extra effort on Rich’s part to plan ahead and pre-order meals to save time.

The highlight of the trip for us was really the entire cross-country route over the Altiplano from Sucre to Calama. It was special to be in Sucre for Independence Day festivities, to visit the Mint and mine in Potosi, and to experience Tarabuco on market day. Tarabuco was a good substitution as it has an authentic market as opposed to the touristy Calle de Bruhas in La Paz. It is a center of textiles and has a very good tourist restaurant as well. It might be good to have a textile lecturer or visit the textile museum in Sucre for a future trip. However, individually, it was the great Salar de Uyuni that was the major attraction that didn’t disappoint. The island and lunch on the salt flat was spectacular.

The only minor disappointments were missing the Jaen Street museums in La Paz and the observatory in Chile. As a suggestion, the visit to Valley of the Moon might be moved before lunch or even eliminated. It was not an important site in learning about La Paz and Bolivia. I understand the use of ‘observatory’ in the itinerary was in error. However, along with the Salar, it had attracted us to this itinerary and we had looked forward in seeing one of the high altitude observatories in Chile. It may be better to drive out into the desert for a full view of the night sky rather than the visit to the local astronomer. While the concept was good, it was distracting within the town and difficult to understand the lecturer’s speech.

It was pleasure to travel with such an intrepid group. While the trip was adventurous, it was not difficult. However, given the age and size of the group, there were some challenges. Rich and Ralph gave extra care so that everyone could participate and feel successful. It was a credit to the experience of the whole group that made this journey such a positive experience.

Date of experience: June 11, 2024

Rich, Ralph and the group of travelers made the trip awesome. However, the written descriptions of some of the activities, were very inaccurate. For example, the “gentle hike” on Sun Island was inaccurate. It was an arduous hike arriving a a lovely ecolodge at 14,000 feet. One day on 4 by 4s was included in the description, but it was actually three long days on very rough terrain.
Our group ranged in age between 67 and 90. We accomplished it all with big smiles, but the description should be amended to reflect reality.

Date of experience: May 21, 2024

Our trip to Bolivia and the Atacama Desert was really great for so many reasons! The itinerary was fascinating and gave us an excellent overview of the country. The activities were varied so there was always something fascinating to see or do. I loved seeing LaPaz from the cable cars, staying in the oldest hacienda in Bolivia, seeing the Uyuni salt flats, staying at a beautiful hotel made of salt and experiencing the surreal beauty of the high mountain environment of Bolivia and Chile. We saw lots of amazing wildlife in unusual settings, including rheas, vicuñas, viscachas and 3 species of flamingo. Most of our local guides were very good. Our tour of the mint in Potosi was excellent! One of the highlights of the trip. It was also great to be in Sucre on Bolivian Independence Day and see the parades and celebrations. The trip was a great mix of cultural tourism, scenery and wildlife.

Date of experience: June 13, 2024

We so enjoy travelling with Rich and Kristin. They are well informed, helpful, easy going, and they laugh at most of our jokes, i.e. they both have a great sense of humor.

Date of experience: May 29, 2024

As always traveling with Rich and Kristin is informative, extremely pleasant, entertaining and they actually are extremely concerned about how the trip is going and trying to make it as good as possible.
I feel safe going with them and know it will be great time.

Date of experience: May 02, 2024

Everything about it was well done and the food was delicious!
Couldn't ask for better!!!

Date of experience: May 06, 2024

Great leader and fantastic safari experience

Date of experience: March 04, 2024

Personnel their knowledge and attitude.
Lex
The guides
The employees of every place we stayed.
And number one: The animals
I am 83 and this was by far the best vacation I have ever been on.

Date of experience: February 05, 2024

I thought it was a wonderful experience, as it was my first trip to the Asian continent.
The logistics of the team and the crew of the Champa Pawda were excellent.
The guides were very attentive and cordial, their leader Richard attended us with warm joy, enjoying the trip with the group, being one more.

Date of experience: November 15, 2023