Andrew Browning

Accommodations Review

The hotels in Quito and Cuenca were very nice - particularly the one in Cuenca, which like many hotels there is a converted home of some wealthy resident. The accommodations on La Pinta were roomier than I had expected, with a large bed, big window and a bathroom with excellent water pressure and plentiful hot water. The boat, with 41 tourists on board, was just the right size.

Meals Review

The meals we had on our own on the mainland were good, particularly the breakfasts in Quito. On the boat, we enjoyed the meals very much, though breakfast and lunch buffets were clearly the highlight and the sit-down dinners were less impressive. We also had salmon our first night on the boat that could have been fresher. However, the lunches more than made up for the minor glitches.

Crew & Guides Review

All of our guides/naturalists on La Pinta were good. They were very knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. In Quito, we had a good guide, notwithstanding she had a limited palette of locations to work with. Our guide in Cuenca was excellent too. All guides and naturalists were very proficient in English, though when we were off the boat, we tried speaking Spanish as often as we could.

The arrangements were perfect. Not a glitch in the entire nearly two weeks. I was so pleased that drivers and guides were always there when they were supposed to be there and made us feel like we were in good hands.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was great. That's why I'm planning a trip to Peru through him. Information was provided in a very clear and relatively concise manner. We kept the trip instructions close at hand, particularly when on the mainland. The only thing I did on my own without instructions to prepare for the trip was to visit the Mayo Clinic's travel clinic, where they made sure certain vaccinations were up to date and prescribed Diamox for altitude sickness in case I had an issue, as well as something for stomach upset (which was really not an issue).

I am just very happy to have found AdventureSmith. The agency and agent, Andrew, were recommended by friends of ours who were on the same boat as we were some years ago. I am looking forward to working with Andrew and AdventureSmith again when my younger daughter and I travel to Machu Picchu. I have already mentioned AdventureSmith to several people.

Traveler Advice

Just that they should do their homework to get the most out of the trip, bring the proper clothes (we traveled very light but were just fine), and check in with a doctor to make sure you don't spend days dealing with altitude sickness or have some other issue (after visiting the doctor, we bought DEET mosquito repellent which was not necessary all that often, but we are glad we did). I took Diamox and my wife (who did not take any meds) had just one day on arrival in Quito when she had a splitting headache, but then we both hiked for a couple hours at nearly 13,000 feet and we were both fine. I will definitely make sure my daughter and I have Diamox before we land in Cusco.

Meals Review

Lots of variety.

Crew & Guides Review

The leaders were very knowledgeable. It was great the way they kept the three groups from coral one and two separated on the island visits so you felt like it wasn't such a big group.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Only thing we were unaware of, on arrival in Baltra, bus ride to dingy, to 45 min bus ride, to another dingy then to boat. Andrew was very helpful in booking the trip! I would use them again as well!

Accommodations Review

The room was great, except the window did not open so we couldn't get fresh air.  The ship temperature was too cold.  But the shower was great, the bed was nice and comfortable, the pillows great, just wonderful.  

Meals Review

Loved all the fruit and salads.  The meat was overcooked.  Maybe some less sweet desserts.  But really, the food was terrific.  

Crew & Guides Review

If anything, Juan C. was too cheerful.  Great guy, great attitude.  Most of the guides were good.  They are not world class, but then they have to be local guides under the law, which limits who can be a guide.  Luckily, Michael Jackson, the world expert on the Galapagos, was on our trip so he was great to talk to.  Walter, Benjamin,  Gilda, and Enrique were great.   

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew provided us lots of information,  kept us apprised of what we needed to know, and helped us with all aspects of the trip.  We made our own flight arrangements.

Traveler Advice

Do it!  Be prepared to walk over rocks and wet areas.  Do not miss any of the activities.  They are all wonderful.  We thought the trip was expensive, and we had never taken a tour before.  The trip more than exceeded our expectations.  It was fantastic.  But expensive.  

Accommodations Review

The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good.  Get fitted sheets. Easier on stewards and passengers. But vessel was great. We knew what to expect so no surprises. The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition.

Meals Review

Amazing work given the limitations of the galley. Breakfast and lunch were perfect to fuel us up and keep us energized. Appetizers were a highlight. I very much liked the portion size at dinner. Soup needs work. Too much of same dark base. Think miso or chowder, but minor. Great baked goods.  Service was A+++ from Val on down.

Crew & Guides Review

No one better than Rab, Betty Lou and Linda. Gold standard. Rab shared personal experiences and emotions and displayed encyclopedic knowledge of every subject. Clone him. Betty Lou's talk on her career was fabulous. The whole team was knowledgeable, personable, helpful, available, great in crisis and enthusiastic. How can one be with Rab and not get excited about the events or with Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn and not learn? 

Photography staff was first rate. Brian and Drew knew everything and explained it clearly. Divers, Jim and Lynn, added a whole different dimension to our experience. Local guides were essential to understanding Haida and Kwakwaka wakaw cultures. And the Watchmen gave such authenticity to our experience. Loved Ranger Molly. Wow!!!! No weak individual on this team.

Itinerary Review

Haida Gwaii, Gwai Hannas, Old Massett, and Alert Bay were strong cultural experiences which made the whole trip worthwhile. The nature walks were well chosen and instructive. Sometimes after dinner talks were repetitious, but small issue.

Zodiak tours were uniformly outstanding and exciting. The excursion into the sea near the Hobbit Hole was a memory for all time as was Rabs talk about Vitas Bering and George Stellars. Whew, all good!!! Glacier visits were well done, awesome, and sobering to see the impacts of climate change. Potlach dances were highlight also as was the ability to meet Jim Hart and Christian White. Legendary and inspiring. Gwaii Hannas was magical.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was, as always, excellent. Made our trip prep easy. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation.

Traveler Advice

Embrace the experience. Pack lighter/take less. Read some history like Muir's Travels in Alaska, history of decimation of tribes by European exposure and books on Northwest art.

Accommodations Review

The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the ship sailed so smoothly that I could tell if we were cruising or anchored. Bathroom was quite adequate.

Meals Review

The food was inconsistent, though many meals were great, some were not as good. Pancakes and french toasts were so dry that they were some of the worst. Some meals were rather salty. Overall, I was quite satisfied, however.

Crew & Guides Review

All naturalist guides were excellent and were clearly passionate about their work and sharing the wilderness with us.

Itinerary Review

The opportunities to land on pristine rainforest bay areas with untouched wilderness was simply magnificent. My best day was Kelp Bay in Baranof Island, where we had a fantastic encounter with 2 bears in the salmon stream. I will never forget that for the rest of my life. I was hoping to see more marine wildlife, but that did not turn out to be the case during our week. The fantastic bear encounter made up for the entire week, however.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew has been the best consultant ever. Always prompt, always full of information and detailed in his response. I have never had a better person to prepare me for a trip. Anyone would be so fortunate to have Andrew's guidance.

Traveler Advice

Be prepared for whatever weather that Alaska throws at you. It rained the entire week, and so good waterproof gear is a must. Don't expect to find wildlife up close -- it does not happen reliably, or you might get disappointed. Make the most of each day and get the most out of the naturalists.