MT Sobek - Mountain Travel-Sobek - Emeryville, California

Tara Buffington

My recent trip to Botswana and Zimbabwe with MT Sobek was nothing short of spectacular. The wildlife, scenery, accommodation, people, and food were all perfection! Everything was organized impeccably from start to finish - I didn't need to worry about a thing. Communication was on point. If you want to visit Africa (and believe me, you do!), I highly recommend Mountain Travel Sobek!

Tish Stevenson

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.

Also, my trip was 6 months ago and no one from MtSobek ever reached out to me as the google response from MtSobek says.....

Bill Fehr

Terrible and not safety aware. My daughter and I did the Everest base camp hike with Mt Sobet, which I translate to Man what a Sorry mistake. My daughter got very sick, the guide blamed it on her period, totally bizzar. And he did so in front of the group, like that’s a fact. Once to proper medical care it turned out that she had Covid, E Coli and a UTI. His recklessness is unmatched in my 100 plus adventure travel trips in my life. Run from these people.

Janet Offensend

We recently returned from a truly fabulous three weeks in Japan. We thoroughly enjoyed our 11 days with Jun and the group in Kyoto, Koyasan, Nara, the Nakasendo and Tokyo. Jun is really a wonderful guide—Sobek is lucky to have him! He was thoroughly organized about getting us through a rather complex travel plan with the utmost efficiency. He set a steady pace as we moved about, but was very patient as we lingered in many places to take photos. We appreciated the cultural and historical information he shared, which seemed to get more expansive as we all got better acquainted. We also really enjoyed his personal perspective on Japan, which is somewhat unique given his time abroad and life in corporate Japan before becoming a guide.

We had high expectations about the experience in Koyasan, based on recommendations from a friend and its place on the itinerary was a major reason we chose to go on the tour. It more than met our expectations—the place itself (even in the rain!) is magical, and the monastery stay was truly a high point in our trip. I believe that having to pare down my luggage for those two days was really important to getting the most out of that unique spiritual experience.

The varied accommodations and meals were each special in their own way. The rooms at the Cross Hotel in Kyoto and Celestine Hotel in Tokyo were compact, but both hotels were really well designed, fresh, comfortable and well located. The inns in the country were considerably nicer than we expected (no complaint about that!). Experiencing the simplicity of those accommodations, along with the lovely meals, the onsens and special experiences (traditional music, tea ceremony, and visit to the lacquer factory) opened our eyes to a totally different Japan.

Hiking on the Nakasendo, seeing the countryside on foot in all kinds of weather, watching regular people go about their daily lives and spending time in the charming post towns created deep, beautiful memories of rural Japan.

We are so glad we decided to experience Japan with MT Sobek on this walking tour

J S

Our family of 4 had the pleasure of traveling with Mountain Travel Sobek in Yellowstone this past summer.

Our family recently returned from an unforgettable Yellowstone adventure with Mountain Travel Sobek, and we couldn't be more thrilled with our experience. From the moment we inquired about the trip to the last farewells, the service was nothing short of excellent.

The pre-trip service was incredibly thorough. All our questions were answered promptly, and the team made sure we were well-prepared for what lay ahead, from gear recommendations to detailed itineraries.

Once we arrived, it was immediately clear that the guides were top-notch professionals. Not only were they extremely knowledgeable about the park's history, flora, and fauna, but they also had a genuine passion for what they do. They made sure every member of our family, from the youngest to the oldest, was engaged and safe throughout the journey.

The accommodations were an added bonus. We stayed in rustic national park lodges located within the park itself, bringing an authentic touch to the trip. The convenience of being so close to our daily activities allowed us to maximize our time enjoying the breathtaking landscapes instead of worrying about long travel times.

And speaking of activities, there was never a dull moment! From hiking and wildlife spotting to thermal feature exploration, each day was a new adventure carefully curated by our guides.

In short, Mountain Travel Sobek delivered an experience that exceeded all our expectations. We returned home not just with beautiful photos, but with memories that will last a lifetime. If you're considering an adventure trip, we couldn't recommend Mountain Travel Sobek more highly!

Cindy Williams

I had a bad experience interacting with a customer service representative with Mountain Sobek Travel. I spoke to her about a trip with my family in Chile. We have members of our family who are not the best hikers and I wanted to know if the guides were able to help accommodate our needs. The representative didn't know who the guides were, which was odd to me, and told me she'd follow up on the information. A couple of months later and I haven't heard back. It's sad to see this organization has performed so poorly over the last few years.

J B Schmidt

Great Experiences with MT Sobek, Beyond the Epic Hikes!
Our last trip was in 2021 and will be going again to Europe this summer. We love these hikes and we have been lucky enough to have excellent guides and experiences on all three of our trips. They always accommodate different levels of fitness. The cultural and gastronomic experiences outside of the actual hiking have also been amazing. So happy you survived the pandemic!!

Barak Ben-Gal

Best adventure company I've traveled with - HIGHLY recommended based on my recent Japan trip.

I recently had the pleasure of taking Mountain Travel Sobek's Kumano Kodo trip, and I can honestly say it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. The trails are well-maintained and the scenery is absolutely stunning. We hiked through lush forests, past towering waterfalls, and along the banks of crystal-clear rivers - some of which had natural hot springs on the shore. We also visited many ancient temples and shrines, which gave us a glimpse into Japan's rich history and culture. From small Oji’s to more elaborate multi-temple structures, the feeling was always one of deep respect for nature.

Our guide, Tomo, was knowledgeable, friendly, and always adding to the rich tapestry that is Japan. She made sure we were always safe and comfortable, and he helped us to appreciate the beauty of the Kumano Kodo in a way that we never would have been able to on our own. I also appreciated the small group size, which made it feel like a more intimate and personal experience.

If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding hiking trip in Japan, I highly recommend Mountain Travel Sobek's Kumano Kodo trip. It is an unforgettable experience that you will cherish for years to come.

In addition to the amazing hiking and cultural experiences, I also appreciated the fact that Mountain Travel Sobek is a responsible travel company. They take great care to minimize their impact on the environment, and they support local communities through
their sustainable tourism practices. They use small ryokans that were close to nature and ao far away from the hustle and bustle of Osaka and Kyoto. I felt good knowing that my money was going to a company that is committed to making a positive difference in the world.

Overall, I would highly recommend Mountain Travel Sobek to anyone looking for a great tour company for Japan. They offer a variety of trips to suit all interests, and they have a team of experienced and knowledgeable guides who will make sure you have an unforgettable experience.