Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
Search our site.
Green Tortoise Home Green Tortoise Adventures Design your own trip! Green Tortoise Hostels Make a Reservation! Learn More About the Green Tortoise Interact with the Green Tortoise and Fellow Travelers Contact the Green Tortoise
Testimonials and Feedback - Green Tortoise

Curious what other riders had to say? Select a trip from the drop-down menu below for a sample of previous rider feedback from that trip. Testimonials from Previous Riders - Green Tortoise
Adventure Trips:

Alaska Loop

Excellent itinerary, plenty of choices for things to do. This trip was exactly what I anticipated it would be. It far exceeded my expectations and I can't wait for the next Green Tortoise adventure!

Melinda, July 2008

Alaska - the Last Frontier! The cheap price! 30-plus travelers on a green bus!!

Quan, June 2008

I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to discover the Last Frontier. Only one thing I didn't like on the trip: that it has to have an end. Apart from that, the whole thing was amazing! Thank you to GT, Ritchie and Ollie. Hope to see you again.
Comment or suggestions about the itinerary?
Just perfect. Don't know much about the rest of the State, but all the places that are covered are worth it.

Aurelie

Our drivers were honestly the BEST in many ways. Great cooks too. They did a heroic job.

Gretchen

this was a great trip, and i had a really good time. it was truly a great introduction to alaska as a land

Tom, August 2007

I was coming alone, and I liked the fact that I could meet other people who would be traveling alone and like the same kinds of things as I do (camping hiking etc). And the cost helped too! I'm so glad I decided to go with the Green Tortoise! It made my trip such a memorable experience I can only hope that others in the future will be as great. Thanks!!

Lynn, August 2007

Comments or suggestions about food?

impressive. luxurious given the budget. a little better than I would feed myself on such a trip. adds to the experience. good times.  I really enjoyed it.  I'm thankful GT does this trip.

I love Alaska. In addition I really wanted to take a trip by myself, without traveling alone. The Tortoise was perfect! The food was fantastic!  Our driver did a great job with the recipes and coordinating food prep for 23 people. I just got off the phone with my sister telling her what a great time I had!! I came back home with so many stories and pictures!

How were the drivers?
Both excellent. Definitely a big part of what made the trip great. Thanks for making such an adventure possible at such an incredible price. I really appreciate it!

Julie, August 2007

^ Top  |  Alaska Loop Adventure

Alaskan Expedition

The group was nice! I liked the mixture of age and nationality!

Michele, July 2007

How were the drivers?

Went above and beyond the call of duty.

Jeff

... it was a great trip. I will recommend it highly.

Robert

How were the drivers?

Both did a good job of driving.
Anonymous

Being transported to my next destination while I am asleep on the bus is a great concept. I prefer to travel at night, so I am not wasting daylight hours getting from A to B... Also I like the relaxed attitude that most passengers have, I think the Green Tortoise website does a good job in preparing people on what to expect on trip and helps get the right type of person on the trip.
Glenn

^ Top  |  Alaskan Expedition Adventure

Baja Beach Daze
The best surprise for my partner and me -in our 50's- was that half of the passengers were teachers on break; I was worried that it would be a bus full of energetic, wild, students on school break. In fact this was a fantastic group of varied ages, nationalities, energy levels, all eager to learn about each other and have fun together .

About the food: You exceeded expectations. I mean, fresh fish, raw fish, sushi, raw clams and fruit and salad all the time.  What feasts!

Elizabeth, March 2008

I thought the itinerary was excellent, well planned, and I enjoyed the amount of time we had at the beach camp; while it was laid back there were still plenty of activities and things to do.
Sarah, March 2008
One of the best trips of my life. Having that much fun should be illegal! Keep up the good work. I've got memories that will stay with me a lifetime.
Amanda, Baja Whale Watching Special
The hike down to the Alligator Head from above the beach at Agua Verde was fantastic!
Jay, December 2007
Our drivers were/are INCREDIBLE! I felt very safe and very cared for. They made it REALLY fun -- so much more than just drivers -- guides, cooks, mechanics, camp counselors, medics..."

Diane, February 2007

Itinerary -- great. I liked the long secluded camping times (especially the GT's own Playa Verde) interspersed with town.

Joanie, December 2006

I like the idea of lots of camping out overnight, it was great just parking for several days in one spot and just kicking back. The camp site was awesome, a great setting, great food and great fellowship among all the passengers and drives, and the folks who were at the campsite. i love taking Tortoise trips, i rave constantly to all my friends, and highly recommend all your trips. I'd love to do 'em all. Keep adding different trips so i'll never run out of new adventures.

David, March 2007

both are excellent nice laid back, friendly personalityyou can tell they are trying hard to do things right.

Winnie

What a cool company! It was a great mix of people from many
countries and generations.

Laurie, November 2007

If you like traveling and meetting different people this is the way to go.

Dev, Febraury 2007

^ Top  |  Baja Beach Daze Adventure

Best of the West

Really enjoyed meeting all the varied people from across the world. Keep on doing what your doing- it's certainly unique, and I'll be recommending your trips.

Phil, July 2008

The food was great, really nutritious and healthy and easy to help prepare. Our driver was a great chef.

Suzanne

The Tortoise isn't about good friends on a vacation, but new found family on an adventure.

Bob and Hunter

I had a great time, cant wait to go on another one!

Tom

The trip was great because we saw so much in this short time. You
can never do this on your own. We had action, beaches, big town and also
parks and quiet places to hike.

Tanja, June 2007

Our driver was fantastic, great leadership qualities, good cook, and was chilled out and relaxed without negating his responsibilities. He also lent me his backpack anbd gave good advice for the hike into the Grand Canyon, which I appreciated greatly and also worked hard to find a sentimental item which went missing at the end of trip.
Suzanne, June 2007

^ Top  |  Best of the West Adventure

Big Apple to Big Easy
Comments or suggestions about food?

GREAT!! smoked salmon and fresh fruit for breakfast... better than in [the] Hilton :)

I've been on the green tortoise 4 times now and I have never had a bad experience.  I've met a lot of new friends and hope to meet more.  I tell my friends about it all the time so hopefully my next trip will be with you guys.  Keep up the good work and keep the bus rollin. Cheers!
Jay, September 2007

^ Top  |  Big Apple to Big Easy Adventure

Burning Man
Actually going out on the NYC sidewalk to shake the playa dust out of my tent today...but the impact of the trip will linger on. Thank you so much for being there and making it a great time...

Karen, September 2007

it's fun, conveinent, the people are great and it's a nice way to meet people from all over they world. I love going up with you guys it's always a blast and I look forward to it every year.

Tim, August 2007

I liked the idea of transportation, food, and water already being included. I just had to show up and not worry preparing all of these.

Joan, August 2007

Did the pre-departure information we provided help you prepare?

Yes and office staff were great, patient and informative.
Julienne, August 2007

Burning man is a whole other planet--unlike anything, anywhere, anytime in the history of human existence.
Jeff, August 2007
Burnig-for-dummies. no fighting for camping space, water, food, what more do you want
Brian, August 2007
What attracted you most about this trip?

Convenience and cameraderie
Barney, August 2007

What attracted you most about this trip?

-The convenience, company, economics and environmentally friendlier aspects...
Karen, August 2007

^ Top  |  Burning Man Adventure

Cactus Crawler
I ... wanted to make my way across the southwest for a contrast. Ending in New Orleans was ideal, as I have already seen the east coast, and love the Big Easy. Good trip all around.

Tom, August 2007

What attracted you most about this trip? 

International people from all over the world plus a bus where one can sleep.
Goryaev, September 2007

What attracted you most about this trip? 
An atmosphere of international people.

Ekaterina

^ Top  |  Cactus Crawler Adventure

California Coastal Crawler
This was the best trip I've ever taken alone. Didn't expect to meet such lovely people who enjoyed sitting around camp fires as much as myself!

Sylvia, July 2007

It was great -- I loved the flexibility because that's so uncommon on most tours.

Shaina

Comments or suggestions about food?

great! really fresh and delish. i enjoyed pitching in and helping -- community building.

awesome trip, not too many people, bus was very comfy and a great way to travel, places we stayed were cool, views were spectacular. i cannot speak highly enough of this trip. i had a great time and was disappointed when it ended.

Damian

... great for meeting new people, seeing amazing sites and all inclusive...!!
Had a blast, keep up the good work!!

Anne-Marie & Elaine

^ Top  |  California Coastal Crawler Adventure

California Cruiser
The drivers were so much fun!  They all knew what they were talking about with regards to the places we visited!

Amy, August 2007

^ Top  |  California Cruiser Adventure

Canyons of the West

I felt very comfortable and perfect. The idea with the upper bunks and the "sleeping landscape" that transform into cosy couches is just gorgeous. You shouldn't change anything about that.

Peter, June 2008

Took perfect care about our bunch, always nice, relaxed, but well organised and professionel. They couldn't have done better!

Katja, June 2008

I had a great time- nice locations, great drivers.
stunning views. One of the best things i did in my life.

Menno, April 2008

Seena and Lucas were great drivers. I felt I was in good hands for the duration of the trip -- they gave thorough, clear instructions and guidance for our adventures, and their driving was excellent.

I loved the trip. I got to see so much of our beautiful country and it was nice to have the experience of the Tortoise people to give recommendations for hikes, places to eat, things to see, etc. I also had so much fun meeting all the people on our trip. I think we counted 15 different countries represented by the passengers on the bus!

Holly, May 2008

How were the drivers?
Good drivers, good leaders, good cooks, good guides. I admire the way they handled different situations and always keeping their good humor.

Louisa

I truly enjoyed how diverse our bus group was. There were people from 14 different countries, aged from 8 to 69 years-old, and everyone got along well. I felt as if I had jumped into a community full of love and support of my life's upcoming adventures.

Lisa

I have seen brochures of green t for years and finally decided to go. the people were great the trip was well organized but relaxed the landscape was exquisite. the drivers were very impressive.

Rebekah, September 2007

The special kind of travelling - also with a group of unknown people (at the beginning) and friends (at he end). The food was better than I expected, even though it was vegetarian! I havn't got a need to eat meat! The tour was quite well planned. The bus is an experience on his own! Well done!

Carsten, July 2007

Always amazing: the "OY's" (omelet yourselves), eggs cooked in a bag, brilliantly organized by Ariel!!! The Thai curry by Andy, using authentic curry sauce!!! the Mediterranean meal, handmade falafel and hummus!!!! the Pizza at Gooseneck???!!!

Ferdinand, August 2007

Traveling on the Green Tortoise is a great adventure -- always a good time with really good people.

Larry, August 2007

Great itinerary -- happy that we got to enjoy everything that was listed plus some extras!!! I had a wonderful time. Thanks.

Valerie, August 2007

I was happy that the group had participants from 8-70 years of age. Now I know I can go with green tortise if I get children, and when I get retired.

Anna, August 2007

I would say that this was one of the best experiences of my life, up there with watching my sister be born and my first year away from home. I got to have incredible, thought and emotion-provoking conversations with 34 unique, amazing people from 14-15 different countries ... It was amazing. Thanks for existing, Green Tortoise!

Amber, August 2007

What made you choose this trip?
Cheap possibility and more fun than traveling by car!

Miroslav, October 2007

^ Top  |  Canyons of the West Adventure

Canyons of the West - LA
I got to see several areas I wanted to see and some I had never heard of before. It fit perfectly with my schedule, and I was traveling alone so the concept was perfect! All four drivers (I was on two buses) were great, nice and very helpful.

Marie-louise

How were the drivers?

Very understanding and nice ... Thank you!
Howard, September 2007

Thank you so much for the best holiday I've had!! I met some awsome friends(hopefully for life) Saw things that were out of this world and did things I never imagined i would be able to do (hike Angels Landing, Grand Canyon the list is endless!) keep up the good work and see you again soon :-)
Nick, September 2007
Being able to see so many of the canyons, and the wide range of activities that were offered to us... - The trip into valley of the gods was probably the highlight as it was just so otherworldly and awe-inspiring!

Emily

The food was excellent and way above my expectations having been on a trek america tour last year.

Emily, September 2007

^ Top  |  Canyons of the West - LA Adventure

Cross Country: Northern Crossing

The time spent hiking in the Ruby Mts., rafting the Salmon River, accessing Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, and visiting the unique community of ST. Croix Falls, WI, dining and Jazz in Chicago, and seeing Niagara Falls, all for the first time, was just part of a great experience.

Doug, August 2007

Our drivers were brilliant. They organised us very well despite the numbers on the trip. One driver brought a great sense of humour to the trip and constantly entertained and the ther driver's singing round the campfire was priceless. They were both brilliant and made the trip even more special. This was the best trip I have been on. The itinerary was great and I was amazed how much time we had to stay in the locations we visited. The drivers were just brilliant and I cannot compliment them enough - they worked so hard during the two weeks I just don't know how they managed it. It was a fantastic trip and I can't wait to travel with GT again!

Jill, August 2007

What fantastic drivers! they were entertaining & got us everywhere safely

kathleen, August 2007

The trip overall was absoluelty amazing, everyone on the bus was lovely, I saw and did so many things I never thought I would, it was a fantastic experience. Our driver was fantastic, he tried so hard to organise everything and make sure that everyone was involved in the activies, so that everyone would have a good time.

[The drivers] were absolutely fantastic!! a real credit to the company! really knew their stuff. Big Thank you to both of them!!

Naomi

What attracted you most about this trip?

Many things attracted me about it: I knew it would be fun, educational, a chance to interact with many types of people from all over the world, no driving or trip planning for my family, good food and no meal planning to do, and I thought it would be a great experience for my 2 kids (ages 9 and 13). My husband also went. I figured it would be tough to travel cross the country with just our family and have nearly as much fun as with the GT. My kids (especially the 13 year old) could hang out with other new "friends" and not be with Mom and Dad if so chose (which he did!) and yet still experience a shared family vacation.

Lida, August 2007

^ Top  |  Northern Crossing Adventure

Cross Country: Northern Dream
IT SOUNDED LIKE TONS OF FUN AND IT WAS!

Johnny

i had an amazing time on this trip and i would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind sharing close quarters to be able to share great memories.

Kristen, August 2007

everything was great, just the right mix of national parks, canyons and cities. thanks for a wonderful time.
Our driver was great at getting people actively involved in group activities. Luv u guys & gals !!!!!

Djhutysn, August 2007

food was awesome! Thanks for vegetarian food.

Lily

^ Top  |  Northern Dream Adventure

Cross Country: Southern Crossing
What attracted you most about this trip?

The distance the trek covered in such a short space of time & the cost!
Lauren, September 2007

It was the best thing I have done since I have been in America and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see the country in a fun way.

Stefanie, September 2007

How were the drivers?

Our driver was amazing and she went out of her way to get me a cake and celebrate my birthday with everyone. She made sure things were running smoothly and was very approachable.

Kyla, September 2007

Great ideas with the cookouts. The food is always fresh and the menus were delicious.
Johanna, September 2007
What attracted you most about this trip?

It was cheap. I also liked the idea of sleeping on the bus and seeing tons of stuff. It seemed like a less touristy, more young and fun kind of trip.
Amy, September 2007

^ Top  |  Southern Crossing Adventure

Cross Country: Southern Dream
-Excellent places to visit, and great that most of the driving was done over night so we pretty much woke up in a new state every day, but also had the chance to camp under the stars sometimes. - This Green Tortoise trip was the best 2 weeks I have ever had. I made some great friends and saw some awesome sites. It started off by being something I needed to do to fill my time, but ended up just being too short. I would definitely do it again and would recommend it to anyone. And staying in the Green Tortoise Hostel in San Francisco was the perfect way to end my trip. I couldn't have had a better time!

Neeti, September 2007

Did the pre-departure info we provided help you prepare? 

Yes. It is always difficult to know what to expect from a new style of vacation but overall it was helpful. A huge thank you for an awesome two weeks!
Christopher, September 2007

I had so much fun, there was so much to do, see and everyone was really cool
Anonymous, September 2007
I had a really good time, met a great group of people and think the whole idea of the GT is cool.
Lucy, September 2007
Anything else?

Not right now - wish I was back there though and judging by the comments on Facebook, so do many of the others!

Michael, September 2007

^ Top  |  Southern Dream Adventure

Cross Country: USA Explorer
What attracted you most about this trip?

The fact that as a girl traveling alone I would be safe. Food was delicious. Maybe we could have had more meat.. I'm going to look now on your website for recipies of some of the meals. Our drivers were great at making sure we got see as much as we could and have as much fun as possible.

Tessa, August 2007

Comments or suggestions about itinerary?

It was organized really well.
Emily, August 2007

^ Top  |  USA Explorer Adventure

Death Valley National Park
Bill and Sena were great both very friendly and helpful Bill provided that extra magical desert touch when he sang and played his guitar around the camp fire,and Sena had some classic tales of her bus driving days!
Patrick, March 2008
Thanks to all my fellow passengers, and the drivers, for making the trip so much fun. It was great meeting people from so many different countries, as well as the U.S. I had a fabulous time!!!
Mary, March 2008

 

Would your ride the bus again?

Absolutely!!. (My husband was a professional driver) The bus ride was very comfortable - Even in heavy traffic, the drivers maintained steady speed (no lurching or quick braking), seldom needed to make lane changes due to traffic congestion. The drivers seemed to know the route very well. No hesitations as to where to exit traffic, etc. They both deserve a hearty "Well Done". I was fearful that I might have motion sickness
from sleeping on the bus, however I'm happy to say I was OK the entire trip. Temperature on the bus was comfortable.
Mona, March 2008

This is the second trip I have taken with my son. We went to  Yosmite when he was 8. It is a great way to travel with a kid. I was able to relax, play with him and enjoy myself instead of stressing out over driving and preparing meals. Traveling on the Tortoise has given us unique travel experiences and fun memories to share.


Jackson became the bus mascot. He taught our new foreign friends how to make s'mores and play Marco Polo at the Hot Springs. The driver and our fellow passengers seem genuinely delighted and interested in hanging out with him. It has opened his eyes to how big and marvelous our natural world is as well as helped him realize the world is full of warm, generous people from all over. As a parent, I can say with confidence that the Tortoise has been a GREAT experience for me and my son. You WILL see us again!!!!!!
Chelsea, March 2008

The drivers were great and fun to be with. I always enjoy Bill's fireside guitar and songs.

Sequoia (a.k.a. Robert)

Making ice cream in the bus was a great ice breaker activity...The hiking was great and beautiful... Food was great and plentiful.

Cheryl

Food was awesome, actually I was surprised how good it was. I loved the breakfasts.

Stana, Febraury 2007

Our drivers were both awesome. I felt extremly safe and comfortable with both of them driving and would defently take any trips they where driving.. I love traveling on the Green Tourtise its an awesome way to travel and i loved watching and participating in the Miracle on the bus :)

Diana, January 2007

Gave everyone a good cross section of what Death Valley has to offer.

Thomas

Thank you so much. This trip stay in my memories forever ... It' s been one of the best experiences in my life!

February 2007

^ Top  |  Death Valley Adventure

Gold Coast Loop
Always felt safe when Tom was behind the wheel! Very professional in ability and attitude. I love the Green Tortoise! Such a fun and quirky way to travel.

Jennifer, January 2007

I had a thoroughly great time and made some super friends. Being the only person from "down-under" was not a disadvantage as everyone made me feel welcome. The variety of ages of people on this trip surprisingly worked well. I will recommend your tours to adventurous people in New Zealand. Thank you ... Green Tortoise.

Felicity, January 2007

How were the drivers?

Really good... well organized, helpful, entertaining and they got us everywhere on time.
Jerzy

Comments or suggestions about the itinerary?

We came back one day early from the canyon to spend in El furte and it was one of the best days we had on the trip. Cool little town that should be seen in the daytime.
Mark

Waht made you choose this trip? 

Being able to see and do things that would have been difficult on my own.
Patrice

^ Top  |  Gold Coast Loop Adventure

Maya Dream Weeks
Includes the Caribbean Cruiser, Jungle Boogie, Yucatan Explorer, La Ruta Maya, Tropical Trek, and The Whole Enchilada Adventures

I felt an overall sense of generosity...there was a lot of
care in providing ample delicious food and the drivers were
generous with their energy and time...seemed to do much more than
required baseline service. They were with us "all the way" and had
what seemed to be unending energy and good will. They integrated
totally with the group. I am very grateful to all !!!  Oh, also the
changing of the group was handled very sensitively and thanks to
our driver for getting us into haiku!

Marjorie, March 2008

This was my first GT trip, and I will take more in the future.
While I made fun of the "hippie bus trips" when my wife took them
alone, after experiencing them I am sold; I don't know if a trip to
Mexico would have been as good without the entire group, and the
guides.

Rob, March 2008

Comments or suggestions about the itinerary?

-Incredible. There were things that I never imagined we would
get to do, even from reading the itinerary and a guide book. Our drivers
were able to organize activities and adjust the schedule to make
everything smoother.

Jonathan, March 2008

Seriously, the week was perfect for me and I really enjoyed myself. I wouldn't change a thing. I imagine we encountered some 2 pretty unique events: a slumber party in a mexican pool hall and a late night ride around town in a party bus. Those are some great  memories. I was really impressed with how hard our drivers worked for us, and I could tell they were having fun as well.

Jim, March 2008

It was excellent. Ruins were unbelievable; cenote, Aqua Azul, waterfalls were absolutely amazing.

Angus and Marylin, March 2007

The tortiose provides the best vacations that I've ever had. The richness of having different age groups and backgrounds can't be beat. Peolpe that choose the tortoise are amazing. I'll keep coming back for more.

Sandwater, March 2007

Comments or suggestions about itinerary?

Amazing. Even the stuff we didn't get to was replaced by other really cool stuff. I like how sometimes we went off and did random things too, that was fun.

Cristina, March 2007

With the tortoise you can get unbelievable accessability to the people, the culture and the sights. A great experience and I have already had many people look into taking a trip.

Eric, March 2007

Everything was wonderful. The cooking experience was friendly and fun. The food was delicious (our driver has the best recipes!) and fresh. Everyone was cooperative, like when we were able to make four versions of a dish -- spicy vegetarian, spicy meat, mild vegetarian, mild meat.

Holly, March 2007

Don't change a thing. The food was always fresh, tasty and,oh my god, healthy.

Mike, March 2007

^ Top  |  All Central American Adventures

Mojave Desert Loop

Excellent enjoyed everywhere we went, was always a choice for all types of people. Our drivers were excellent really made the trip fun and made everyone enjoy them selves whilst helping out and making everyone feel comfortable... Everything was really good about the trip and thank you.

Phil, August 2007

^ Top  |  Mojave Desert Loop Adventure

National Parks Loop

I had a fantastic time. I wish I had done a trip like this sooner. As you know, it's more than just a way of seeing the sights. I met some really great people whom I hope to stay in touch with. I learned some things about myself. It was personally rewarding as well as relaxing, challenging, and fun.

Anonymous, July 2008

Drivers were seriosuly cool cats. Our driver was a laugh throughout and was kind enough to lend us his spare tent (Such a hero, the mosquitos were eating us alive).

Robert, July 2008

Comments or suggestions about food?

Surprisingly, really good (I was expecting typical camp food!). No improvements to be made here.

Adrian

I had an amazing time on this trip. It was definitely one of the best times of my life!

Sarah

Comments or suggestions about food?

It was great how everyone was able to get involved and help out.

Ken

The worst part of the trip was the end, I really enjoyed the hole experience and next time I have a chance I will travel again with Green Tortoise. It was a great opportunity to see parts of the US and meet some brilliant people.

Sam

Comments or suggestions about food?

I was absolutely satisfied, actually it exceeded my expectations by a lot.

Peter, July 2007

The itinerary was amazing as each day we went somewhere stunning and you never stopped, with each day being filled with stuff to do. It was also really good being able to swim everyday as it made you feel cleaner. I had such an amazing time, i miss the bus so much and will definetly recommend you to everyone! Couldn't have asked for a better trip!

Katie, July 2007

Although I principally chose this trip for the value for money, I will be taking other Green Tortoise trips for many other reasons. I am by no means a physically active person and so was a little apprehensive regarding the amount of hiking we would be doing and anticipated that I would be opting out of a lot of it and sitting by lakes waiting for weary hikers to return. However, once on the trip, my attitude changed considerably and because hiking was such a major focus on the trip and the vastly more sociable option, I ended up partaking in nearly all of the hikes, including the mega Angelís Landing in Zion and heading half way down into the Grand Canyon. This was something I never believed that I would be able to do and it was all down to the amazing support and help I received from the Tortoise drivers and passengers. The attitude of the drivers and passengers made the trip and I have made many long lasting friends who I am sad to leave behind. I have connected with these people in ways that I never thought I could and the diversity of the travelers meant that I have mixed with types of people that in normal society I would have never socialised with. The Tortoise has given me the experience of a lifetime and I am deeply sorry to say goodbye, although I anticipate it wonít be for long!

Fran, August 2007

Our driver had to be one of the coolest most chilled out guys I've met, totally sound and such a laugh.  The drivers made the trip! They added that extra component to make it one of lifes best times. - A brilliant adventure, with incredible food and life-long friends. One of lives best memories!
Rachel, August 2007

^ Top  |  National Parks Loop Adventure

Northeast Loop
It gave me the opportunity of visiting a lot of places in the east coast in a short time and in a very easy way...I really had a great time! An experience I will always remember.

Noemi

^ Top  |  Northeast Loop Adventure

Northern Pioneer
What attracted you most abot this trip?

It involves more than just seeing beautiful places, but also meeting great people & having a great community experience.
Adi

It was brilliant all the places were amazing and it still allowed time to relax and rejuvenate. Fantastic.

Tempe

Outstanding. The food was great. Really fresh, always a bit different and filling. It was healthy and tasty. What more would you want.
Plenty of good and good tasting food. Loved the boiled omelets and pizza! This was my 18th trip with the Tortoise and certainly not my last. The passengers were one of the more interesting groups I've ridden with as far as diversity in ages (three families) and nationalities.

Lou, July 2007

Thanks so much for providing an affordable and awesome way to travel.

Alysia

What attracted you most about this trip? 

Shoe-string organisation, legendary drivers who get you in the
secret spots, simple sane life with everything included, quite a lot of
sports and adventurous activities, nice co-travelers who are likely to be
looking for the same things.

Hugues

^ Top  |  Northern Pioneer Adventure

Northwest Loop
How were the drivers?
Our drivers were knowledgable and worked hard to make the trip enjoyable. I love travelling on the Green Tortoise, it was my 4th trip in 3 years, and I thoroughly enjoy the experience each time.

David, August 2007

I can say the trip was a lot of fun! Everyone was friendly. After the long hikes we got to swim in hot springs or in the river.

Lilian, August 2007

Our driver had great communication skills and got on well with everyone...I will hopefully be back next year!
Clare

^ Top  |  Northwest Loop Adventure

Pyramids And Playas
I can't think of any way to improve the itinerary without lenghtening the trip. Things were well timed ... For instance, we'd get to a ruin on a day when we had it to ourselves.

Christopher, April 2007

We had a great time and we're really glad we took the Tortoise trip, thanks for the opportunity to travel with y'all.

Wendy, January 2007

Our drivers were both excellent on this trip and really put in that extra bit of effort to make the whole trip a fun and well organised experience whilst saving us money at the same time.

Adrian January 2007

We had a great time and we're really glad we took the Tortoise trip, thanks for the opportunity to travel with y'all.

Wendy and Nick

Our driver was a superb cook. She ran a clean, efficient kitchen, and was very aware of special needs. When the rain was a downer, her dinners were uppers.
Robert, January 2007

^ Top  |  Pyramids And Playas Adventure

Southern Migration

The food was good and the Green Tortoise way of travelling where you can lie down to sleep on the bus is really cool. Also, being able to drive to off the beaten track places and pitch a tent and have a campfire is something you don't get on other trips and not always something you can do on your own.

Ria, January 2007

It was a great variety of locations - beach, town, mountains, jungle, ruins- some of everything. a great introduction to this vast country!

Johanna, January 2007

I always felt taken care of and my questions were answered...This was a great experience, I have yet to be dissapionted by a GT trip, the more i go on, the more i come back.

Victoria, January 2007

Comments or suggestions about food?

Superabundant and astonishingly good. A rolling embassy of San Francisco.

Don, January 2007

Would you take Green Tortoise again?

For sure!
Melanie, January 2007

Our drivers were hilarious!

Patrick

^ Top  |  Southern Migration Adventure

West Coast Wonder

Went to the places I wanted to go, and good value for money. Thanks for a great trip!

Catherine

What attracted you most about this trip?

Exotic locations - a healthy mix of culture, beaches and camping.
Andrew

^ Top  |  West Coast Wonder Adventure

Western Trail

Seeing such a variety of places: beach, big city, desert. I think the best part of this trip was the people we met and the friendships we developed. Simply going somewhere new is fun, but sharing it with a bunch of new friends made this trip truly memorable.

Max, July 2008

Didn't blow my budget and we went to the places I wanted to visit -- you saw the contrast of the organized urban life and the wild nature (both very beautiful in [their] own way).

Ann, July 2007

How were the drivers?

AMAZING!!! entertaining,good organized, friendly, funky, LOVED THEM!!!

Eva

It was the most incredible week! Will definitely do it again!, Was so relaxed while still being able to take in soo much incredible scenery with some awesome passengers and drivers.
It seemed to be good for people traveling on their own. You meet new people and discover the best of California (places I always dreamt about going to). Cheap, but without you losing out on the good stuff. Organised without drivers having to be too hard with you.

[The food was] lovely and really fresh.. Just what you need after a long day on the road where you might have eaten a little too much fast food.

Ann

I had an absolutely awesome time - I loved California, met some great new friends and the GT bus (Venus) was brilliant -- definitely the best way to travel. Thank you to all the GT team -- you rock!

Louisa

A really memorable experience. From the bus to the Green Tortoise Hostel, what an awesome job you all do!

Kara, August 2007

Comments or suggestions about food?

Perfect because we have fresh fruits for breakfast and vegetable for dinner.

Raymond, August 2007

I had a blast and met such great people. I would recommend green tortoise to anyone.

Anne, August 2007

Good mix of places and activities.

Michael, August 2007

^ Top  |  Western Trail Adventure

Yosemite National Park

Thanks for a brilliant trip, I'd strongly recommend Green Tortoise trips to anyone. Great atmosphere, fantastic people and an unbeatable way to see America.

Eugene, July 2008

We both had a wonderful time and came back feeling as if we'd been gone for 2 weeks. Besides the great drivers, food, organization, and sight-seeing, the people on the trip were wonderful. It was a real treat to meet people of so many different backgrounds.

Madaleine, June 2008

The driver was great. Excellent disposition, At night, he brought out a guitar and musical instruments to play around the fire. It made for wonderful camping experience. I could see many of the visitors from out of the country really enjoying themselves.

Eric, June 2008

I keep telling people about the green tortoise bus tour. Hopefully they all have the same great experience we had. We didn't know each other before the trip, but 3 or 4 days on a bus feels like a 3 or 4 weeks...and then everybody goes back to their life or their travel around the world...but we still keep in touch...it's so great.

Nurhan, June 2008

What attracted you most about this trip?

Sense of community, cooking together, camping, exploring on your own at your pace. Affordable fee, getting to know people, and I wanted to see Yosemite's great scenery!

Hiroko, June 2008

Cheaper than any other alternative, and the "adventureness" (not a set schedule, lots of time on your own) attracted me.

Lindemarker, May 2008

Excellent Food. Lots of variety. Even though i'm a big meat fan and most of the meals were vegetarian, it was still really good.

Richard

Comments or suggestions about food?

WONDERFUL! Especially the curry and Mexican food. Really grateful it was so healthy and vegetarian-friendly.

Jessica

i am very happy that i found you, and that organizations like you still exist. i will recommend you to anyone. i had an awesome time!
I loved to be with those people from all over the world, almost all of them in my age-group. They have been great, and it definitely was the right decision to come alone, because you find new friends so easy. When you're with a friend, it probably keeps you from trying to interact with all the others, and this exactly was the best part of the whole trip for me!! GOD, i miss my group, can't help tears. I loved the bus, I couldn't have felt more comfortable. Actually, I would have stayed on it way longer, if I could have ;).

Lara-Lena

Great people, great teamwork and a hell lot of fun! Thank you again! I love getting on the bus in the night and when you wake up, you are where you want to be!

Kirsten

Comments or suggestions about the itinerary?

It was nice...we got to see all of the highlights of the park.

Jenna

it gave me the possibility to see places otherwise difficult to reach, but without being too trapped in a touristic context.

Alessandro

I was impressed by the drivers because they were always driving very carefully without any sudden stops or accelerating. I often feel a bit sick on bus trips because of this but never on this one. It's also nice that they weren't driving too fast.

Lucas

I was very impressed with the company as a whole. The team were great, the style of the bus meant that I made friends very easily and I have no complaints whatsoever.

Dalany

fantastic food... was expecting bare minimum and brought snacks but didn't need them - great quality and plenty of it!!

Laura

Food was fantastic -- our driver cooks brilliantly -- and healthily!!!! Spur of the moment decision, but definitely liked what I experienced.

Helen

The fees would barely cover gas expenses if I were to do the same trip on my own!!! who could ask for more! I've brought back tons of brochures for my cafe in Spain and our clients are drooling.. You'll soon have an increase in spanish riders! ha!

Seraphine

Great itinerary. Amazed at how much I saw in such a short period of time...Green Tortoise Rocks!

Rocky

As a former Camp Councilor myself, I see that skill taken to a higher level. Facilitator, Councilor, Peace. Maker, Travel Guide, behind the scenes motivator, etc, etc. Oh, and did I mention that they were all four great DRIVERS, too? We were at all times in good hands! Being omnivorous I had some worries about the lack of meat, but found the fare quite good, satisfying, and sufficient for the strenuous hiking involved. There was always the option of outside food at many of the stops. I never needed to use that option but was glad it was there...

Paul, July 2007

What attracted you most about this trip?

Value for money, one step up from camping, see things easier than on your own.

Lisa, August 2007

^ Top  |  Yosemite National Park Adventure