Nice agents , beautiful places to travel too , it's very cost efficient as well , so go take a look then a trip

Our agent was responsive and helpful throughout the planning process. The locations of all our hotels made travel around each city easy and accessible. Their service was also excellent. It was, however, the assistance from the agency staff in Japan that cemented my review. After my granddaughter broke her ankle, they were in touch repeatedly to tell us where and how to get a wheelchair for the day; offer suggestions for alternative, accessible, sites; and negotiate with organizers of scheduled tours. They were fantastic! While I was certainly pleased with the pre-planned aspects of our trip, the level of local support is invaluable. read more

This a great group. We did the Peru Salkantay trek. The transfers, lodges, food and guides were fantastic. I can't wait to return and do the Lares trek. Global Basecamps is organized and responsive; thanks for making Machu Picchu a trip of a lifetime! Amy Smith & Frank Mewborn, Bay Area read more

About 5 years ago, a friend an I booked a trip with Global Basecamps to MacchuPichu. through each leg of the trip, we had amazing guides and amazing experiences. We worked with Meagan and she really seemed to understand where we were coming from in terms of our wants and needs and tastes. 5 years later we were still reminiscing about how well the trip was planned ...so when we decided to go to India, we reached out to Meagan again. All the greeters were helpful especially our main greeter who really got us out of a jam when we missed our connecting flight from Delhi to Varanasi... without them, we would have missed a very rewarding segment of our tour. my only suggestion is to leave enough to to explore on your own, without the guide. It will be well worth the exploration... we need more of that... otherwise, the guides were knowledgable and beyond helpful. it was a memorable trip. read more

Global Basecamps were fantastic. We started from scratch and they were wonderful collaborators in building our dream honeymoon. Every step of the way was considered and executed without a fault. We're certainly using them again for our next big trip. read more

I had an outstanding experience when I booked my honeymoon in Japan through Global Basecamps. From start to finish, the customer service was above and beyond and we had the smoothest travel experience possible. I worked with Laura Hagler to plan and finalize our trip and she was excellent; thorough, responsive, patient, and full of great ideas. The level of care and detail shown to all our bookings to maximize the experience was apparent throughout. Aside from the very detailed travel packet and travel instructions we received, we were always pleasantly surprised to find out that our reserved seats on all our buses and trains gave us the best views possible. We had the unforgettable experience of seeing Mt. Fuji from our shinkansen and we would have missed it if we'd been seated on the other side of the train. Finally, Global Basecamps went above and beyond when I ended up needing to see a doctor while in Japan. Navigating a foreign healthcare system when you don't speak the language is pretty terrifying, but everyone at GB and at their partner organization in Japan worked with incredible speed and care to get me to a local clinic and get me back on my feet. They even put someone on the phone to translate for me at the doctor's office, and followed up with me to make sure I was being taken care of and make sure I was feeling better. What could have been a honeymoon disaster ended up being a very small hiccup and I was incredibly grateful for the support. I truly cannot recommend Global Basecamps enough. We had an unforgettable honeymoon and we plan to go through Global Basecamps for all our travel in the future. Thank you times a million to Laura and the GB team!! read more

Two weeks in Thailand and Global Basecamps nailed it! Allison Tucker really took the time to understand what kind of experience our family was looking for and then revised our itinerary accordingly until it was perfect. Our trip had everything... discovery, culture, active adventure and always a wonderful boutique hotel to return to at the end of the day. She even sent us off with a list of personal restaurant recommendations. Above and beyond in every way. We will definitely be calling these folks again for our next vacation. read more

Global Basecamps exceeded all expectations. I started the planning process with Allison Tucker and, while I had sites I wanted to see, she added so much insight and experience. Because of our amazing guides - Chi in Vietnam and Tek in Cambodia- we saw many more sites than I thought possible. In addition, their knowledge, experience and ability to share everything they know, was invaluable. Most importantly, we learned so much about daily life; they were so much fun to spend time with. I highly recommend Global Basecamps and these three people in particular. Can't wait to plan my next trip with them. read more

For my wife's 40th birthday we wanted to do something special, so we choose a 10 day trip to Japan. We found Global Basecamps through [http://www.zicasso.com]. My wife worked with Laura Hagler to arrange the trip and settle in on our plans. I wasn't paying too much attention as the trip was nearly a year away, but kept an eye on things. We had a few "must do" items on our list but we let Laura help us fill in the rest. My observations prior to departing: 1. Laura was knowledgeable about what we must do, what we should consider and what to avoid. 2. She allowed for ample "free time" and scheduled time 3. She helped us pick some great places to stay. 4. When we decided to make some changes, or changes were required prior to booking she was very easy to communicate and work with. We also traveled with a couple that wasn't going to depart at the same time, and Laura was able to coordinate our separate plans. In the weeks prior to departure we received all our pre-reading, and any necessary vouchers. I found the pre-trip package extremely well planned and helpful to orient ourselves to the trip. The trip 1. 4 nights in Tokyo at the Park Hyatt 2. 3 nights in Kyoto at The Screen 3. 2 nights in Hakone at the Gora Hanaougi I'll summarize by saying this trip was one of the highlights of our lives. The planned tours (we had 3 guides) coupled with our own time to explore and do what we wish meant we had an exhilarating, but not exhausting time. Japan Upon arrival in Tokyo we were greeted by a driver with a van who took us to the Park Hyatt. Waiting there for us was a packet with everything we needed for the rest of the trip. The local agency they work with did a fantastic job of making it easy to navigate Japan. We also appreciated the recommendation to luggage forward our bags to Kyoto so we could navigate the trains without our luggage. On our day of travel to Kyoto it was raining hard and we arrived and went to a Tea Ceremony so this was a great pro tip.... and cheap. Every tour and activity we had was great. The Sumo tickets we had were fantastic with a great view. The recommendation on The Screen was fantastic (it was not our first choice as our first choice was sold out). The trip to Hakone and the Ryokans we stayed at was really a unique experience for us. Two nights there (Laura's recommendation) was spot on and it felt like we were at one of the better Ryokans in Hakone. Everything went off without a hitch. No drama, no assistance needed... The train reservations were great (nice seats) and everything was on time and well organized. A note on dinner reservations. We used American Express Platinum Concierge to book everything. This made the complications of getting a table at places like Jiro's manageable. If yo have an credit card with a concierge service it's well worth using it. Final words We got exactly what we wanted... which was a trip we will remember and cherish for many years to come. We priced out one other agency with a very comparable set of options and were shocked that it was nearly 2x more expensive. I feel that Global Basecamps was very well priced for what we ended up getting, which was a trip on the more high end of travel experiences. We would have no hesitation to recommend them or use them again in the future. Note: this review is in pretty stark contrast to BJ. We fall into the camp of "disposable income to do it right". Things worked out very well for our trip, a combination of our planning, research, expectations and flexibility and we got more than we hoped which was already a lot. So we are quite thankful for that. Hopefully our review at least provides an alternate view. read more

This is a great place to help plan a overseas vacation. We used them for our trips to Japan and South Korea. They plan all your activities and accomodations from start to finish and will accommodate your requests for special activities. A great experience! Highly recommended! read more

We have used Global Basecamps for a trip Kenya and to Peru. Both trips were amazing. Global Basecamps did an excellent job organizing the trip for us. They are very good at creating a custom trip for your specific travel goals. They are extremely responsive and patient (we always have a ton of questions!). We just booked another trip to Vietnam with Global Basecamps for later this year! Yay! For all three trips we used Meagan Yash as our contact and she is GREAT! read more

We love Global BaseCamps and Laura Hagler! :D Amazing customized trip!! We visited Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, and Osaka all in 12 DAYS! Perfect amount of time was designated in each city. My favorite parts of the trip were staying at a Ryokan in Hakone (TOP NOTCH) and Exploring Dotonbori in Osaka. I do have to mention we loved the Ramen chain "Ichiran" that was in pretty much in every city we visited and ate at 2-3 times during our trip. I can only hope it makes it to Texas one day! GBC will send you the best booklet guides and info pack. There really isn't much work for you to do since they do all the accommodation and transportation planning for you. Quality Service, we couldn't have had it any other way! **If you're like us, and do research on your own on the cities you plan to visit, I don't suggest opting in for tour guides. In our experience, it was sub-par, but we may just have had bad luck. They were, however, useful for getting us around to different districts of the city (especially Tokyo) without thinking about how to get there, and after awhile, we got a handle on the subway systems.If you do decide a guide would be useful, we suggest half-day only. read more

I recently returned from a remarkable 12 day adventure in Japan and I couldn't have done it without the help of Global Basecamps. They helped me plan the ideal customized getaway. Everything turned out amazing. The only problem - the vacation wasn't long enough! We flew into Tokyo where we stayed for 4 nights. We had a morning tour of the grand city and private tea ceremony where we learned the art of tea making and how it's served. From there, we visited Kamakura which was on the top of my list. We saw soo much and yet had a lot of free time to wander the city on our own which was great because we were able to return to some of the places on our previous tours. We visited Mount Fuji (also on the top of my list) and spent the night in Hakone. The view from the hotel was extraordinary. Who wouldn't like waking up to the sight of Mount Fuji on a everyday basis? It was a sight out of National Geographic. We boarded the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto where we spent the remainder of our vacation there. We saw and learned the history of many beautiful temples and shrines throughout the area. We even tried on kimonos and walked through the Gion District. From Kyoto we visit Nara, Hiroshima and Osaka. All our tour guides (10 in total) were friendly, knowledgeable and just downright amazing! We even exchanged contact information to stay in touch. I award Global Basecamps 5 stars in all aspects. Every single transition from place to place was smooth. My agent at Global Basecamps even went out of his way to provided local directions. That's priceless to anyone who doesn't know their way around and is a bit apprehensive because of the language barrier. I recommend Global Basecamps to everyone - no matter what kind of vacation you are looking to go on. They will work with you until you are happy! . read more

We worked with Valentina to book a family trip to Costa Rica. Valentina was very responsive, listened to our likes and dislikes, and worked (very patiently) through several versions of an itinerary with us until we settled on the final version. She gave us many great options for activities and hotels. In the end, she and Global Basecamps knocked it out of the park! The trip hit all of our high points and their partners in-country were excellent. Everything ran exactly as planned and the quality of activities and operators were outstanding. We couldn't have asked for anything more. A big thank-you to Valentina and Global Basecamps for delivering a fantastic family vacation. read more

We traveled to South America recently and our trip was flawlessly coordinated by GBC. My husband and I are not exactly low maintenance when it comes to travel details, questions...etc and our contact at GBC was extremely patient, thorough and pleasant throughout the entire trip planning process. She understood our preferences and concerns and took them all into account when making recommendations on where to stay, what to see and what to do during our stay in SA. We definitely could not have put that trip together on our own and were able to maximize our vacation experience with the guidance of GBC. Definitely give them a call if you're planning international travel, they know what they're doing. read more

I recently returned from a 17 day trip to Thailand coordinated by Global Basecamps. This was my first time using an agency and I could not have been more pleased. I simply didn't have the time to plan a trip and frankly didn't know where to start. Michelle was full of knowledge, very responsive and totally put me at ease. The itinerary she put together was exactly what I was looking for- a perfect combo of cities, culture, countryside and beaches. I didn't have an enormous budget but they were very upfront about the costs. The hotels, tours, guides and drivers were all fantastic. It was great arriving in each city and being whisked away by the guides, we didn't have to stand in the airport fumbling with our maps! I can't recommend this company enough. I am already day dreaming of my next trip coordinated by GBC! read more

Glabal Basecamps provided a 13 day China trip for us. We were met at each airport by our local guide who adjusted our visit based upon the needs of our 4 person tour. Guides' English was great and they provided the individual assistance and gave us tours based upon our knowledge and background. We down graded hotels to save money, but we can't immanage what we gave up, they were excelent with great service, located in walking distance to great places to eat and visit and provided great breakfasts. I am looking forward to planning our next trip with Global Basecamps read more

We just returned from our Inca trail Trek in Peru and it was out of this world incredible! Valentina Michaels was our travel agent and she was outstanding! She was always prompt to respond and made sure that we had a seamless experience. We had a few snags on our return flights and Valentina was able to make sure our transportation was notified/updated immediately. We felt supported throughout the entire trip and we are currently in the process of booking two more trips with her! I highly recommend Global Basecamps and fully intend to use them for all of our future endeavors! read more

The trip was amazing! Global Basecamps really made our trip to Japan tailor-made to our interests and requests. Each activity that we did felt really worth it and satisfying and the hotels were all beautiful. The ease of travel inside of a foreign country was absurd since the company took care of all rides, tickets and passes that we needed. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We needed to call them 3 times in Japan for help since we forgot a ticket at one point and took a late train at another and their team members were quick and very helpful each time. Every single tour guide we met with was deeply helpful, knowledgeable and fun. They told us so many interesting things about the places we went and really made the different shrines/temples, which could have gotten a bit repetitive if we were alone, stand out and seem unique and exciting. The experiences we did all felt worth it and not once did we think that we could have skipped one of the activities. read more

We used Global Basecamps (GBC) rep. Laura Hagler for a trip to Japan. It was like pulling teeth to get therm to tune in to who we were and what we felt was acceptable for our trip. We finally settled on an itinerary that we felt was OK. However, the arrangements turned out to be minimally acceptable. We had 3 private guides on our trip and one was just horrendous. The docs from GBC said to let guides know if you can afford to use taxis because it would save you time and effort, but this guide insisted on using subways and walking us all over Tokyo, even when we explained that one person in our party had physical constraints. She insisted on taking us to see historical sites in Tokyo, when we specifically indicated that we wanted to see modern Japanese design and architecture in Tokyo (We saw a lot of historical sites in Kyoto). It did not matter what our objectives were or what our constraints were. This guide had her fixed routine and no matter what we said, we ended up following her parameters, not ours. We also asked for a private cooking class, indicating that we cooked sushi and other Japanese dishes at home. When we got to the class, it was a beginner's intro to making sushi class. Really? We traveled all the way to Japan to rehash what we already knew? We repeatedly indicated that price was not a huge consideration. We preferred to have the best experience for our trip rather than save one or two thousand dollars, Nonetheless, they consistently offered cheap and often inappropriate options that we researched and vetoed. Overall, GBC seems more oriented to young travelers on a budget, rather than older folks who have the disposable income to do it right. Given their performance, I would either use a more upscale service or do the research myself. Japan was a great trip, but the kudos belong to Japan as a spectacular destination. Not GBC as a travel agent/coordinator. === Response to Comment From Elias G. === I did not say that I did not like the itinerary prior to leaving. I said that it was a struggle to get the itinerary settled. We had to double-check everything and the things we took on faith, like the cooking class for people who already make sushi, meditation instruction for my sister who has meditated for many years, and one private guide were hilariously inappropriate. GBC took our input that we wanted a cooking class because we made sushi and some Japanese food and that my sister was looking for more "Zen-like" experiences, having meditated for many years, and comically misapplied that information. We took these things on faith because we hoped the rep understood what we wanted and we were not sure how to double-check these specific choices. There was also an element of "planning fatigue" because we had to spend so much time going back and forth with GBC over the itinerary. The saving grace was that the cooking instructor and the priest were wonderful people to meet and talk to, and our first private guide in Kyoto was truly excellent. I waited 6 months to do a review because I am very busy and wanted to let my impressions settle in. read more

I found out about Global Basecamps while planning a vacation with AirTreks. We visited six cities in two countries (Peru, Costa Rica) over 10 days. My rep, Meagan, was literally phenomenal. I'm a VERY high-maintenance client, and was contacting her fanatically from the time of planning, through confirmation AND while on the trip. Not only was she poised, calm and friendly, the services were BETTER than I could have imagined. We were greeted by guides in each locale that were expeditious and helpful, and we ended up being upgraded at two of our hotels. I can not recommend this service any higher, as the standard of service - and tolerance to my outbursts - were handled with aplomb and a smile. Kudos to Meagan, and kudos to Global Basecamps. The trip simply would not have been as enjoyable - or smooth - without them. read more

My buddies and I recently returned from an 8 day Inca Trail excursion planned by Laura Roundy at Global Basecamps and it was amazing!! I normally plan all my own travel but for this type of trip my companions felt more comfortable booking a planned itinerary through a company here in the States. I went along not really knowing what to expect but I'm so happy with the results! Let me first say that leading up to the trip, Laura was extremely helpful! She always responded to our questions in a timely fashion and in a professional manner. The documents she sent us in preparation for the trip were very useful in helping us plan what to bring to Peru. Upon arrival to Cusco, we were met by Erwin, a nice gentleman who ended up facilitating us on our transfers, introducing us to our guide and giving us great recommendations for Cusco throughout our trip. After three days acclimation in beautiful Cusco, we started at Km 82 to hike the Inca Trail. Once on the hike I fully understood that GB had partnered with a Peruvian company to fulfill our trail itinerary and we learned they work with one of the best companies operating on the Inca Trail. The equipment was all very good, sleeping bags and liners very clean, tents almost new, wonderful guide - but the real bonus was that we had porters. Yes porters always work the trail with every group but we arrived to the trail during local election time, which is really important to the locals and their families. There is a fine levied upon those who do not vote and Peruvians take much pride in their local governments so they want to be present at election time anyway. We were surprised to learn that our company not only paid the fine for the porters but also paid them extra to come and work with us for the duration of our trip! We saw other groups on the trail who had no porters, thus they had no tents, no food (except their own snacks) and most critically - no help on the trail. Needless to say, we felt very fortunate and well taken care of during our hike! All other amenities arranged by Laura before and after the hike were stellar. Hotels in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes were superior and all included meals super tasty. Everything went incredibly smooth during the whole trip and I am impressed by what Global Basecamps can arrange from afar. I highly recommend booking through GB for your adventure travel!! read more

We utilized GBC for a two-week honeymoon in Tanzania, and I could not recommend them highly enough. When they say they offer "high-level of customer service and commitment to responsible travel," they mean it and it's precisely what they delivered. A friend had taken a trip to Tanzania and utilized the local Tanzanian tour company, "Maasai Wanderings". She spoke highly of them and when I went to get in touch with MW for my early inquiries, I was put in touch with GBC. As I later learned, GBC is the official North America representative and handle all the bookings for Maasai Wanderings. From our experience, it seems they have a phenomenal relationship as communication was fantastic and the trip was orchestrated perfectly. Meagan was our rep at GBC and she was responsive, polite, and tolerant of my many questions (even the inane ones!). She was eager to learn more about what we wanted from the trip, and excited to help us plan and customize it to truly make it our own. At the same time, I felt very comfortable giving her discretion to book our lodging - as it would have been virtually impossible for us to review/compare hotels at each of the parks along the way, not to mention we wouldn't have had a clue about which ones were logistically feasible during our travels. We were pleasantly surprised with each and every place we stayed. While this review is about GBC and the services they provided, I also want to add how incredible Maasai Wanderings was. Really, our only direct involvement was with our Safari guide, BUT they were in charge of all the execution on the ground. The service was fantastic and my wife and I still can't stop talking about our guide, David. He was: knowledgeable about the wildlife (has a sixth sense), a ridiculously good driver (ya have to be there - but seriously he must be one of the best), he was extremely patient and always on time, and he had a paternal-like responsibility about him. He's also sharp and super interesting to talk to. Yup, so we liked him a lot! Still talking about how we miss him and how he should be the leader of the free world, etc Both of these companies have high-quality people and offer high-quality services. Perhaps you pay a small premium, but really their prices are super-competitive for what they offer and it is WORTH IT. We highly recommend and hope to be able to utilize their services again in the future. read more

I just returned from hiking the Inca trail in Peru and Global Basecamps planned the perfect trip! All their advice and info was really helpful in preparing for this adventure vacation. Everything from our driver and guides to bus and train tickets to the hike itself and the hotels we stayed in was just perfect and exactly what I was hoping for. The entire team at GBC was very knowledgeable and helpful and their partners in Peru, InkaNatura delivered a fantastic experience. Use them!!!! read more

My trip to Tanzania was one of the best travel experiences I have had so far I think. I love the country and the people. I just can't say enough and will not soon forget it. I went on the Machame 7 Day Mt. Kilimanjaro trek that was amazing and words cannot describe. Then went on safari and visited two tribal villages. Had a private safari and was out of this world. I will look forward to working with Global Basecamps one day in the future. I also want to say that their partner in Tanzania, Maasai Wanderings, is the best and their customer service, employees, etc. are outstanding. I highly recommend both companies. Thank-you to everyone at Global Basecamps....Asante Sana! Sandy D. read more

We used GB for a custom group trip in Vietnam Feb 2014 and couldn't be happier! We told them exactly the areas we wanted to visit and the activities our group was interested in and they created an unforgettable trip for us! The hotels were impeccable and the guides were amazing. All were knowledgeable, friendly and the transportation was our own private charter which was very helpful for a group of 6. Even when we had a hiccup on our trip and was a day late to begin our tour, they rearranged everything for us and we felt like we never missed anything. If you want a worry free experience go with GB! read more

Laura Roundy at Global Basecamps helped us plan our three week trip to Burma (Myanmar). Before deciding on this trip to Burma, she was super helpful when we were considering a trip to Morocco. Even with such an extreme change of plans she remained patient, calm & relaxed. She is extremely well informed and knowledgable about as aspects of travel and destinations. She was attuned to exactly how we wanted to travel and coordinated through Khiri Travel our exceptional guides, transportation, logistics and lodging. Our experience was seamless, we were taken care of from the moment we landed to the moment we left and we had a fabulous time! She is an outstanding Global Basecamps representative. read more

I took a trip to the Galapagos Islands and Colombia in Nov 2011. The trip was everthing we hoped for and Globalbasecamps help us plan pretty much everything. All there recommendations were awesome. Do yourself a favor and use these guys. read more

This was my third time using the incredible services and unique properties of Global Basecamps. For my recent trip to South Africa I wanted a unique Kruger safari experience. Mike at GBC was, as usual, extremely helpful and full of suggestions. We selected a four-day walking safari. The accommodations, food and staff were were awesome! I have safaried in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique using the traditional game driving format. I would tell anyone that enjoys nature, animals and adventure that you must go on a walking safari. And book it through Global Basecamps!!! You'll have an experience of a lifetime. John Monetta San Francisco read more

One of the easiest transaction I have ever experienced. Laura Hagler was amazing. Her responses to my questions were always timely and very pleasant. Tried booking first with a local travel agent and found they were not as knowledgable or professional and the products they suggested did not offer the personal touch GB offered. Booking a trip to a foreigen country can be a little intimidating. GB and Laura made it easy. read more

We had an amazing experience traveling to Tanzania this past summer with the help of Global Basecamps and their partner in Tanzania, Maasai Wanderings. The three very distinct stages of our trip (safari, beach and Stone Town) all offered unique - sometimes contradictory - views into Tanzanian culture, land and wildlife. Short of moving to Africa for a year or two, it's hard to imagine how we could have expected any more. I spoke with several travel agents before deciding to work with GBC, but none seemed to understand what my wife and I were looking for during our anniversary trip. Andres at GBC understood, and worked tirelessly to complete our somewhat last-minute plans. He was patient, available, responsive and extremely easy to work with. Andres had many recommendations for us, but also didn't hesitate to listen to suggestions. There were some minor hiccups in the final travel plans, but nothing major and nothing that detracted in the slightest from the overall experience. While we were in Tanzania, our only direct interaction with Maasai Wanderings was through our safari guide, Nickson. Nickson was the perfect host. Part bloodhound, part biology professor and part ambassador to Tanzania, he found more wildlife and incredible sights than we had any right to expect. There were no questions he couldn't answer. He was extremely knowledgeable about the animals and their habits and we learned a ton from him. We're already trying to decide where to travel next, and I'm sure we'll be contacting GBC as soon as we decide. read more

The travel agents were friendly and helpful in planning our trip to Thailand. The tour guides arranged were very good as were 2 of the 3 hotels. When we had major problems with one hotel however we got very little support from Global Basecamp and spent several days fighting with the hotel and getting the run around from the hotel, the local travel company, and Global Basecamp. Basically this "5 star" hotel had outdoor bathroom facilities which meant no privacy and having to use the bathroom in 90 degree heat. It was more like a 5 star camping experience. No one had told us and even the hotel's own website neglected to mention this. Global Basecamp had booked it despite having told them that our number one priority was a fully air conditioned hotel room. Bottom line we were stuck in that hotel for 6 nights which was almost a third of our trip. Global Basecamp told us they've sent many people there and we're the first to complain. We met no Americans while there so I doubt that's true. I will book hotels myself in the future and ask more questions about the amenities. Asking if the bathroom is air conditioned is a new one to add to the list when traveling outside the US. read more

We had a fabulous time on our 14 day trip to Japan in February 2020! Laura Roundy + team planned it all. My challenge was "where do I start?" This trip was myself and my 22 year old daughter. We didn't want to be hauled around with a group of people yet we wanted some guidance, too. Plus I didn't research a lot about Japan (as the trip was my daughter's idea) so I was relying on Laura to lead the way. We went over budget, # of days, things to explore, # of cities to see and more. Then we started to narrow things down. We had 3 days of a one-on-one guide (THE way to go!) and the rest was free time. HOWEVER, the free time was VERY organized with pre-planned activities and places to go. Laura served up ideas, I selected and she planned it. I told her it was like I had a 'fast pass' to Japan. It was nice to have tickets ready, train and subway passes, a day-by-day booklet and info on each place we visited. Our activities included: meditation with a monk, a formal tea ceremony, dressing in kimonos and education and a food tour. That was plenty. Japan in February - the weather was fabulous, faster time getting around, limited crowds - the cherry blossoms happen a little later but the 'no crowds' was worth it. The other days, again, were opened yet planned so it was a great balance. Thanks again for the incredible trip and memories with my daughter that will last a lifetime! read more

My wife and I spent two weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia on a customized itinerary from Global Basecamps. After talking over what we wanted and reviewing other itineraries, they came up with an itinerary that sounded perfect and turned out that way too. We had our own guide and driver at every stop that took care of us at every step. We soon learned not to worry and knew they would never be late. The accomodations, excursions, pacing, and attitude of the guides were all laudable. We can't recommend Global Basecamps too highly. Mark and Mary read more

I've used Global Basecamps multiple times and highly recommend them. The pre-trip planning experience is great. On both trips, they recommended hotels and activities that we would have never known about on our own, which ended up being the highlights. Also, the in-country support is excellent. All of the guides were very professional, knowledgeable and all spoke English very well. With all of the support before and during the trip, booking with Global Basecamps is a great value and makes international travel a very comfortable experience. I'm planning a solo trip to South America via Global Basecamps this Spring and given my previous experience, am confident that they'll dial up the right accommodations and activities. read more

My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon in Japan which was coordinated by Global Basecamps. It was A-MAZING! I don't know that we could have created as great a trip as GB was able to put together for us. Everything was so easy and well laid out. Before our trip, we received a packet that provided specific details for each day we were in Japan ranging from sample train schedules, places to eat, potential site seeing ideas, and so on. And they booked all of our passage in advance and had them sent to our first hotel. Seriously, I don't know how we would have managed all of that without them. They also set us up with awesome places to stay, great private tour guides, and tons of other helpful tips that you could only receive from true travel experts in that region. We were so happy with the level of customer service we received as well. They even called to check-in on us while in Japan. I can't wait for our next vacation so we can use them again :) read more

What are supposed to be my expectations when using a travel agency, such as Global Basecamps? In the age of the internet, why do travel agencies feel the need to NOT be transparent in their price quotes? Do they not understand that it fosters a sense of doubt about the whole experience? I am in the process of booking a safari to Tanzania for my honeymoon. I contacted Global basecamps mostly relying on the great reviews on Yelp. Michelle was friendly, and we were able to handle most of the communication via email. Having done some research, I suggested some locations that I wanted to visit and lodges i would like to be included. She came back with a different itinerary, without including the places i had suggested (mind you, I requested 2 quotes: 1 with her suggestions, and another using my suggestions). She figured that because mine was higher than my original budget I had given her, i would quickly pass on it.. BUT, the whole reason I asked for 2 quotes was so that I could compare what the cost/benefit would be for the upgrade. To me, this means she didn't listen to my original request, or she was lazy about it. This could have all been solved if Travel agencies were transparent and itemized all elements of the trip so we could work together to put the best trip possible. If I'm ready to drop $6,000, would I consider spending an extra $1,000 to have a significantly better experience? Maybe, maybe not... But that's not for the agent to decide or assume. My understanding is that Travel agencies don't make money off the traveler, but instead, are paid a commission by the lodges, hotels, and services used. So why not list the item prices? As unfortunate as this is, I have to use a travel company if I'm traveling to Tanzania. And luckily I've found a company that itemizes all of the costs in detail. they've been direct, straight forward, and to the point: With great suggestions and always giving me the options and allowing me to contribute input into the planning and price of my own trip. read more

Responsive, attentive, conscientious, creative ... all in all a great tour company. Worked with us to adjust to many needs and desires. Would definitely recommend them. read more

We just returned from a trip to Peru. I strongly recommend Global Basecamps to anyone wishing to plan a trip. They communicated regularly with me on updates and followed up on every detail. All accommodations were great, the guides were very knowledgeable and were always on time. I could not have been more pleased. read more

Global Basecamp provided a 6 day Japan trip for my husband and I including Tokyo and Nikko. For planning we worked with Andres Zuleta - he was very good at getting my feedback and understanding what i needed out of my short trip. I gave him a heck load of requirements including my concerns about expense/accommodations/expectations in Japan. I wanted to spend part of my holiday in a Ryokan and I also wanted to not be concerned with commuting. He succeeded in getting me passmo cards (mandatory if you are visiting Japan), 2-day trip transportation passes to Nikko, great hotel and ryokan selection, 2 Studio Ghibli tickets as well as contacts and guides during the course of my trip. Planning I'd give it a 10 out of 10. After we agreed on the price of the trip and paid for it, we received the package from him that included: a booklet for us with precise directions and information as to who we will meet, what to expect and optimal train routes to take (which I was extremely grateful for, as there are a TON of ways to get to a single location in japan using their commuter trains with multiple timelines). Within the booklet he even detailed that we would receive another package with local tickets when we arrived in our designated hotel in Shinjuku. Once we got to Japan - we were greeted by a contact within the airport - he greeted us, gave us some discount cards and our tickets, even helped us get on board our airport to hotel bus. He even gave us an airport bus guide and alternative transportation route in case we miss our airport bus. Having this guide was really nice since we were jet lagged and he was there in person to help us get acclimated to the airport to hotel transportation system. When we got to our hotel - Hotel Sunroute Plaza in Shinjuku - a nice little package with our studio ghibli tickets as well as more transportation tickets awaited us at the hotel checkin. This was a nice touch since we didn't have to worry about carrying a ton of detail information from US to Japan. We had our own itinerary while in Tokyo but the booklet provided to us had a lot of nice tips and tricks to get around Tokyo and the passmo cards we had was amazing since we could get around Tokyo easily with a 2500 yen credit per person. We totally used up our passmo ticket and even refilled it once. It was a really convenient way to travel within Tokyo districts. When we made our way to Nikko, a guide was waiting for us to take us on a tour of the shrines in Nikko. I wanted a guide, as I wanted someone with deep historical knowledge about Ieyesu Tokugawa and understanding of the art. Hiroko Ita was part of a husband and wife team of guides in Nikko and I really enjoyed spending 5 hours with her and hearing her historical stories and other stories (including funny tourist stories). She also took us to places to eat as well - since I was not familiar with Nikko, and as part of the tour package - my food was already paid for and she even gave us options of what we wanted to eat per our budget - instead of being stuck in one place to eat. I was really happy with having her around - since she gave us a lot of information, including maps, local places of interest (not part of the plan), with her personal recommendations of what we should try vs what most tourists like in Nikko (interesting part of it is she's not affiliated with any of these places, she just happens to live nearby and know the people here). She'd admit that some places are located close to the shrines and therefore have higher prices due to the fact of being conveniently located. Our onsen ryokan was amazing, I am glad Andres picked this ryokan - it's called Hotel Shikisai. Anyone going to Japan - I'd recommend this highly as a way to experience Japan.I had requested a less touristy ryokan because I did not want to stay in a regular hotel with a lot of americanized items. Even though the majority of the staff did not speak English - their customer service was still impeccable by using sign language for things we did not understand. I have limited understanding of Japanese language save for basic words and ability to read some of the kanji but I got around fine with just that. Overall satisfied with Global Basecamp - although i could probably get a better price deal with other agencies - what's great about global basecamp is their customer service and their agents placed in local places to make sure everything is ok. read more