MT Sobek - Mountain Travel-Sobek in Emeryville

Review №1

2023-08-06 17:08:31

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.

Review №2

2023-09-08 18:30:58

Our family of 4 had the pleasure of traveling with Mountain Travel Sobek in Yellowstone this past summer.Our family recently returned from an unforgettable Yellowstone adventure with Mountain Travel Sobek, and we couldnt be more thrilled with our experience. From the moment we inquired about the trip to the last farewells, the service was nothing short of excellent.The pre-trip service was incredibly thorough. All our questions were answered promptly, and the team made sure we were well-prepared for what lay ahead, from gear recommendations to detailed itineraries.Once we arrived, it was immediately clear that the guides were top-notch professionals. Not only were they extremely knowledgeable about the parks history, flora, and fauna, but they also had a genuine passion for what they do. They made sure every member of our family, from the youngest to the oldest, was engaged and safe throughout the journey.The accommodations were an added bonus. We stayed in rustic national park lodges located within the park itself, bringing an authentic touch to the trip. The convenience of being so close to our daily activities allowed us to maximize our time enjoying the breathtaking landscapes instead of worrying about long travel times.And speaking of activities, there was never a dull moment! From hiking and wildlife spotting to thermal feature exploration, each day was a new adventure carefully curated by our guides.In short, Mountain Travel Sobek delivered an experience that exceeded all our expectations. We returned home not just with beautiful photos, but with memories that will last a lifetime. If youre considering an adventure trip, we couldnt recommend Mountain Travel Sobek more highly!

Review №3

2023-09-06 13:40:53

I had a bad experience interacting with a customer service representative with Mountain Sobek Travel. I spoke to her about a trip with my family in Chile. We have members of our family who are not the best hikers and I wanted to know if the guides were able to help accommodate our needs. The representative didnt know who the guides were, which was odd to me, and told me shed follow up on the information. A couple of months later and I havent heard back. Its sad to see this organization has performed so poorly over the last few years.

Review №4

2023-10-04 12:01:00

Pioneer in Adventure Travel with 54 years of providing the very best active adventure travel experiences on all 7 continents. I like their tours so much I joined the team! Mountain Travel Sobek really is the best of the best!

Review №5

2023-08-09 20:02:01

Best adventure company Ive traveled with - HIGHLY recommended based on my recent Japan trip.I recently had the pleasure of taking Mountain Travel Sobeks 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 Japans 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 Sobeks 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 throughtheir 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.

Review №6

2023-07-27 02:11:54

Did the Alpe Adria trail with Mt Sobek and it was amazing. What made this trip so special is our guide Primos. Highly recommend

Review №7

2022-02-16 18:03:01

Great Experiences with MT Sobek, Beyond the Epic Hikes!Our last trip was in 2021 and will be going again to Europe this summer. We love these hikes and we have been lucky enough to have excellent guides and experiences on all three of our trips. They always accommodate different levels of fitness. The cultural and gastronomic experiences outside of the actual hiking have also been amazing. So happy you survived the pandemic!!

Review №8

2022-08-07 21:38:58

My friends and I just returned from the Cordillera Blanca trek of the Andes Mountains in Peru. The planning, implementation, advice on training, as well as the outstanding guiding by Ian, Verhelio (sp) and Lucia, was outstanding. Marco served us not camping food, but cuisine. This is a hard trip so train and plan but worth the work. The views cannot be described, nor the feeling of accomplishment when cresting a high pass. If you are thinking about this trek, do it.

Review №9

2022-02-20 11:34:36

Ten years ago, my wife and I did a Mt. Blanc Circuit trip and got nothing but terrible restaurants and cheap motels. Later, I talked to the founder of Mountain Travel/Sobek and got nothing but apathy. I crossed MT/Sobek off my list and have been doing Backroads and Butterfield trips ever since. Same price, but infinitely better accommodations.

Review №10

2017-02-13 00:03:56

My daughter and I recently took a trip to summit Kilimanjaro followed by a 4-day safari game drive on the Serengeti. We both agree it was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives and we owe most of that to MTS. They handled the details of the trip flawlessly, making all the logistics very seamless and easy. The staff and guides were all amazing - friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and clearly motivated to make our experience successful and fun. The food by far exceeded expectation in quality and quantity, as did the camp accommodations. All in all, I would not hesitate to travel with them again and I would gladly recommend them to any friends and family interested in taking an adventure trip.