Whether we are planning travels for
an adventure group, cultural group - the trip of a lifetime for a
group of friends, or the perfect honeymoon for a couple, we create a journey
beyond the ordinary. Here are some of our fantastic reviews!
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In August 2006 we came to
Pakistan on a trip organised by Vertical Explorers. We were a little
hesitant about entering Pakistan (not to mention the technicalities of the
trek) at first, but after pre-trip correspondence with Syed, and
subsequently meeting him at the airport our minds were put at rest.
We found the people of Vertical Explorers and of Pakistan in general to be
extremely welcoming and helpful throughout our trip. Our 16 day trek up to
the famous "Snow Lake" and over the Hispar-La remains one of the most
memorable trips of our life. Since then we have trekked in Nepal, Chile, and
India but the un-spoilt remoteness of this part of the world cannot be
beaten.
The organization of our trip cannot be faulted. We experienced a few
difficulties with the weather on the pass, but our reliable guides and
porters helped us all they could, throughout the experience, making it as
pleasurable as possible. For a full blow by blow account, please see my blog,
here;
http://bentubby.blogspot.com/2006/08/lost-on-glacier-in-pakistan.html
We look forward to returning to Pakistan in the near future to do some more
trekking in this beautiful part of the world. Vertical Explorers will
certainly be our first port of call, and we recommend them to anyone
considering trekking in Pakistan.
Ben and Kerry Tubby,
Cambridge, UK
5th April, 2007
http://bentubby.blogspot.com/2006/08/lost-on-glacier-in-pakistan.html
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My wife and I used
Vertical Explorers for a month long visit to
Pakistan in 2005. Our guide was
Shigri who also helped us plan the itinerary. From first to last nothing was
too much trouble for Shigri, despite some challenging weather conditions
forcing us to change our route half way through. Pakistan is a
beautiful country with fantastic trekking opportunities and stunning
scenery. Arranging a trip with a guide was not significantly more expensive
than travelling independently, but gave us the security of being with a
local to open doors and helped to give a unique insight to a fascinating
country. I would have no hesitation in recommending Vertical Explorers
Jerry Dunn
Travel Inspirator
Independent Travel Made Easy
http://www.travelinspirator.com
London, United Kingdom
13th March 2007
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Robby and I had a
wonderful time in Pakistan with Saeed and Wajid Ali. We actually written up
our experiences and posted some photos on our website.
http://www.thinkbigadventures.com/central%20asia/centralasiaindex.htm
you can share it with your
future potential clients if they are curious as to the type of service VE
provides.
Trip was really wonderful and we are amazed that we were able to see and do
so much! We are sorry we didn't have a chance to meet you, but hopefully
there will be more opportunities.
Saeed was very professional and we enjoyed him as our guide. From our
reception at the airport to the departure, he always did his best to make
sure that we were having a great time. Wajid Ali was an excellent
driver...very safe and reliable. Both of them definitely represent VE very
well.
We were quite grateful that Saeed and Wajid Ali were so flexible for our
needs. Although we asked for the Regale Internet Inn (Lahore), once we saw
it and there were only dorm rooms available, we were quite pleased that
Saeed recommended an alternative. Same for the hotel in Peshawar...Saeed
booked us at the VIP house instead of the one we asked for, and it was
fantastic. So the lesson we learned is to allow you (VE) to recommend hotels
to us! Not the other way around...because your company has much more
experience and knows which hotels guests will be happy with.
For attitude, service, responsiveness, both Robby and I felt very lucky with
Saeed and Wajid Ali. Both of them are very easy to get along with, very
polite, respectful and friendly. I think the only fault is that they were
too eager to please, and we made them very tired throughout the tour! We
felt quite bad that they weren't getting a lot of sleep each night, but both
of them assured us that it was quite normal for them to sleep very little.
We weren't able to see everything that we wanted to, but part of that was my
fault since I knew I had requested many sights in such a short amount of
time....I think that to do everything we wanted to, we would have to spend
about more days.
The vehicle was kept immaculately clean by Wajid Ali, who had a lot of pride
in keeping it clean, safe, and away from potential accidents! He is very
careful, and a very good driver. We were very happy with him.
Saeed was really wonderful and we have a very good impression of Pakistan
because of him! He always went out of his way to help us. For example, we
had to reconfirm our tickets, and PIA said that our names were not on the
list, and only 10 seats were left. Saeed made all the necessary phone calls,
found out where the local PIA office was in Peshawar, and helped us rebook
our flight. He was really invaluable, and we were quite happy with his
services and care.
So overall, we loved our experience with VE and would definitely recommend
your company to potential clients. We hope to visit Pakistan in the Summer
of 2008, and if we do, we will be in touch again.
Best regards,
Becky & Robby
Georgia, United States of
America
http://www.thinkbigadventures.com/central%20asia/centralasiaindex.htm
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I must certainly thank you and Vertical
Explorers for preparing such a wonderful trip for us! We had a superb time
and it couldn't have gone more smoothly. Traveling, guide scheduling - all
went so comfortably. Everything ran smoothly from the first to the last day,
very well organized and completely hassle free. We especially loved Swat for
its beauty of the land and mountains! and the tranquility of the lakes.
We had excellent guides everywhere - they met us on schedule, they took
great care of us and showed us the personality of their own culture. We were
certainly welcomed as Americans and appreciated - which surprised me because
given the history of the US over there.
Thanks again for putting together a trip that gave us a lot of people
contact and much countryside visiting. It was truly memorable
Joe, Lucy, Ben MacLean and
Claudia Dodge
New York, USA
24 January, 2007
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We just wanted to thank you
and your company for providing us with an experience of a lifetime. In
December we have spend a week in Swat and Kaghan region with the crew of
Vertical Explorers. They have demonstrated an extreme professionalism and
skill even in tough situations. Excellent comfort and food compared to the
severe conditions we were. Thank you once again, and if anyone we know
is thinking Pakistan, we will send them your way!
Pam Solvang & Pat Gavin
20 December 2006
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Everything was exceptional -
I honestly can't thank you or praise you enough for your thoroughness,
attention to detail and over-the-top effort and friendly attention in
planning this trip for us. It was a great trip! At Shigar people treated us
royally. I felt like a guest of the family, and their place is as nice as
you said it would be. The food there is excellent. I put on a few pounds in
spite of walking and riding. I especially enjoyed seeing the stars at night
and the sunrise, sunset at Duikar Hunza.
We stayed at lots of different places over the course of our visit, but one
that I really liked and recommend was the Shigar Fort Residence. It is a new
place just at the bank of Shigar river, nicely set up on a hillside, very
clean and private. The dining area is wonderful - sort of a tented affair
with stone floors. Everything you shared about Northern Area was right on
and gave me the confidence to venture forth into an unknown land.
Natasha Spillane, Mooil kim and Peter Kendall
New Zealand
12 November 2006
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In August 2006 my wife Lucy and I made a 14–day trek from Askole to Hushe,
the Baltoro valley and Gondogoro La. This was organized by Vertical
Explorers, recommended to us by friends in the Fell and Rock Climbing Club
of the English Lake District. They had originally met Shair Ali, a few years
earlier when he was working as a guide for individuals or groups, throughout
the Karakoram.
Our guide on trek was Ali, an engaging 24 year old from Shigar, who is a
student at college and hoping to become an engineer. In addition we had a
cook and an assistant cook, both from Shigar, porters, all of whom worked
extremely hard and were great fun to be with. Lucy and I had a robust and
spacious North Face tent to sleep in; we also had a kitchen tent and
separate dining tent. As we got higher and being late in the season the
dining tent was very cold in the evening and on reflection it might have
been easier (and warmer) if we had all eaten together in a larger kitchen
tent.
The section from Shigar to Hushe passes through remote valleys and involves
crossing on high pass with stunning views of major 8000 meter peaks. This is
in contrast to the picturesque and fertile Shigar valley, which during the
popular summer months can be busy with trekking groups, but being late
summer was quiet and the locals engaged with harvesting their crops and
bringing livestock down from the higher pastures.
I have been trekking and climbing in the Karakoram and Himalayas,
intermittently, since 1986 and over the years have used a number of
different agencies to help with the arrangements. I can honestly say that
Vertical Explorers provided the best and most personalized service that I
have ever had. I will certainly be using them again and have no hesitation
in recommending them to others.
Tom and Lucy
Sydney, Australia
2 November 2006
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You operate a very organized and efficient company where by
safety of your clients is paramount. However this commitment to safety does
not impede on the immense joy and fascinating insights into the cultural
diversity that your company provides. The dedication of all the staff
is genuine & sincere with regular service well beyond the expectations of a
business relationship. I thoroughly recommend VE to any individual who would
like to experience the best of Pakistan.
Mark F.
4202 Yuculta Crescent
Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada
August 2006
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Working with Vertical
Explorers' team is an absolute pleasure; they clearly give great value to
the qualities that make a successful planner/ operator partnership: trust,
equity, creativity, mutual compromise, and tremendous hard work.
Charlie Keenan
Ireland
15 August 2006
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We had an outstanding time and guide in South Pakistan and were enthralled
with the historical places of Uch Sharif, Pak Pattan in south, as well as
many other great historical monuments. Itinerary was accurate, accommodation
very comfortable, we were pampered all along
the trip to south, with excellent meals provided at breakfast, lunch and
supper. Keep us informed of other great trips that you plan & we hope in the
not too distant future to return to Pakistan & North too! The trip was just
wonderful!
Beth Innes,
Georgiana Mentis
Vaucluse,
2030,
NSW.
Australia
25 February 2005
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What a wonderful experience to visit
Northern Areas, V E organized an adventure which was truly incredible,
combining, sightseeing, exploring, hiking, with an adequate amount of play
time. The
service provided by V E is second to none.
Ali’s dedication to providing service well such as company, staffs, village
community project work, host family staying etc is truly unique, a credit to
him + company.
I must conclude by saying this was
perhaps the most incredible journey I have taken.
Now we are settled back in. Thank you so much for all the last minute
arrangements.
Maria,
Birte Milne
and Mark Neubauer
Denmark
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