North America Luxury Mountain Biking Trips & Packages Tours & Trips

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

What travelers are saying

"I had an absolutely fabulous time on InquisiTours Wine & Rails tour. We had amazing food and wine, saw some incredible sights, everything you'd expect, but it was the unexpected that made this a WOW trip. Guy's spirit and great story telling, along with the little surprises he had planned (and some he improvised) along the way were exceptional. And although I went only knowing one other tour member, by the end of the trip it was like hanging out with old friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with. I can't recommend InquisiTours enough even if, and maybe *especially* if group travel isn't your norm. (Disclosure, I was comped the trip and attended as part of the media, but all of the above is an honest representation of my experience and I would do it all over again on my own.)"

What travelers are saying

"I went on a week long trip in Napa and Sonoma and had an incredible time. The trip was so well organised - we went through the most beautiful parts of Northern California and the roads were blissfully quiet. The food stops were really well organised too - a particular highlight was stopping among the redwoods for lunch. I loved the way that you could go at your own pace - there was no pressure to keep up with anyone, and you could also zip off on your own if you wanted to, as the GPS trackers on each bike kept you on route. I really couldn't reccommend it enough!"

What travelers are saying

"A year ago my family and myself took a sailing trip to the Greek Islands. We hired a skipper named Reinhard Fallbacher (Ray) for the trip based on a recommendation from a respected and dear friend but also based on his reputation and experience as an Edelweiss Tours team member. Regretfully, although the trip itself was very good and under the most friendly and cordial environments, this man was not accountable for the cash advances we made for the trip. Firstly, he never gave us an account (of any kind) of the trip’s expenses in terms of our deposit, as agreed upon. Secondly, he never returned the money that we were owed from our deposit (upwards of 1,500-2,000 euros). Thirdly, and perhaps worse of all, despite our many friendly and amicable attempts of sorting this matter out through email, WhatsApp texts and even phone calls, Ray has avoided for more than a year. I sincerely wish I wouldn’t have to involve Edelweiss Tours in this situation but I thought, both the company and fellow adventure seekers like myself, should be aware of this person’s behavior. I believe the tourism industry is based on trust and reputation and I felt compelled to convey this situation to others. Despite me and my family being extremely friendly, this man betrayed our trust and our friendship. Rodrigo Gonzalez Mexico City"

What travelers are saying

"This was the ultimate vacation. I cant wait for the opportunity to go back again. Great accommodations and fantastic food. Above all else, the service you receive from each and every employee is first class. Horseback riding is definitely a must. Rides are based on experience level so whether your a newbie or experienced rider, you will enjoy yourself. They pair you up with a horse that you will ride for the duration of your stay. After a day of riding you can go relax your aching muscles at the spa, which is made up of tents situated by the river. My first thought when I saw them was that it was going to be rugged. Boy was I wrong! The ultimate in pampering and luxury all in a rustic setting. Dont forget to book yourself a soak in the copper tub after you enjoy a facial, scrub or massage. This is a place my husband and I cant wait to go back to."