Experiences
Straight talk from folks who have taken trips with Wanderlust.
“I’ve always loved hiking outdoors and l thrive on new challenges. When my friend introduced me to Erik, founder of Wanderlust Ventures, and I heard about the trek he was pulling together, I could hardly contain myself! Erik’s enthusiasm is contagious and he is a natural leader too. He pulled together a group of 9 people, based in various cities across the US, to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro in Spring 2010. I only knew 3 of the 8 others before, but at the end of the trip I felt like I’d known them all my entire life! We had so much fun every step of the way: singing while we walked; laughing, and gorging down huge amounts of food, in our homey dining tent.
The experience was out of this world. It was physically demanding and fantastically rewarding. Quite simply it was the best vacation I have ever had. A complete escape from a fast-paced, materialistic world. It was just us with the simple mission of getting up that mountain come wind, rain or shine – and, as it turned out, a snow blizzard too. This genuinely was the best thing I’ve ever done and I love Erik for making it all come together so seamlessly.”
- Amanda Symonds, London
Erik has a way of talking me into things I never planned on doing. It’s one of his best and most annoying attributes. As far as my experience with him as it relates to Wanderlust Ventures, I was part of the trek he organized to climb up Kilimanjaro’s Machame route. I can honestly say it was without question one of the most incredible and eye-opening experiences of my entire life. He did an amazing job organizing every aspect of the trip – the guides, equipment lists, research on medicine – both required and preventative (altitude sickness, malaria, yellow fever, etc.). Erik made it really easy to just go down a checklist of to-do’s leading up to the trip. He even gave recommendations on workouts to prepare for the days of climbing.
The climb itself was truly an amazing experience that would take me much longer to write about. Being so far away from home with ZERO access to internet or even phones was liberating. I could get all soppy about how the enormity of the mountain and the beauty of nature humbles you and gives you a truer sense of things, but… well I guess I just did! Not to mention the Tanzanian culture and people… there were just so many cool aspects of the trip.
It’s worth mentioning that he also paid enough attention to details that more than half our group ended up with a 23 hour layover in Amsterdam on the way to Tanzania. Very cool and definitely fun times. Also, as we were walking down the mountain, in typical Erik fashion he was negotiating a fast ascent and/or weekend safari with our guide… for immediately after we got off the mountain. We ended up doing a safari (only because it would’ve been illegal to do the fast ascent) and seeing most of the major animals (lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras… about 1000 baboons…) The lions were right next to our SUV – it was really amazing. My personal favorite part of this safari was the Ngorongoro Crater, where we saw most of the major animals. It was just all-around beautiful.
I highly recommend Wanderlust Ventures. I’m sure I’ll end up using WV and Erik again at some point. There’s really no telling what kind of trip he’ll organize.
- Chip Battoe, Chicago
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I’ve always considered myself to be adventurous, adrenaline seeking, even somewhat of a vagabond and to have met someone else like that was very refreshing. Erik planned my trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro and believe me when I say that it was one of the best planned and well executed trips I have been on, and I consider myself well traveled.
I don’t mind planning trips myself, but following Erik and his efficient and very cost effective itinerary was a nice change. The actual trip and climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro can’t be described on some website. It is magical and unless you do it you won’t understand.
I’m already looking forward to my next adventure with Erik and Wanderlust Ventures. Erik was right in saying that the word wanderlust describes him perfectly. His joy of life and the outdoors is worth taking note of…and following.