UNIQUE DESTINATIONS
TURTLE TOURS, INC

Toll-Free: (888) 299-1439 Phone: (480)488-3688 Fax: (480)488-3406
Turtle Tours, Inc.
Box 1147, Carefree, AZ 85377
E-Mail: turtletours@earthlink.net

Group Tours: Comments from Happy travelers!

"You have a fascinating way of luring people from one intriguing adventure to another. Beware! Turtle Tours are addictive." "Del" Del Junco, Mali, Ethiopia, Middle East and Mauritania

“Mali was wonderful. The people, their interesting cultures, their beautiful architecture and their pervasive friendliness, seem surprisingly untouched by the 2Oth century and by western influences. We felt as if we were living in a very different and fascinating world. We recommend that anyone interested in a truly unique adventure should go to Mali as soon as possible, it seems too good to last!" The Ryan Family, Wisconsin

"With Turtle Tours you're in for a fantastic adventure that exceeds all your dreams, even if you think you've been everywhere and seen everything." Dr Larry Decker, AZ, Mali and Ethiopia

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for a spectacular, memorable and magical trip. The Wodaabe were more beautiful than I could have imagined, and photographing them was sheer joy. I seem to sleep very little these days, but when i do, the dreams are always in Africa". Amanda Jones, travel writer and photographer, CA

"GREAT thanks, once again, for a fabulous trip. The Wodaabe surpassed my highest expectations. I'd go again in a heartbeat. I'm certain I am one of your biggest fans." Shelly Johnson, CA

"Irma, words still cannot describe the feelings I continue to cherish from my experience with your lovely Wodaabe family. It's not often in the 20th century that one comes across a group of people so innocent and indearing." Andrea Yee, CA

"Can't thank you enough for our wonderful trip to Niger. Your relationship with the Wodaabe in general made a trip that cannot be equaled. The whole trip was an experience that goes beyond words..." Christine Jent, CA

"Thank you again for the spectacular time in Mauritania. It was just great in every respect. Your Tuareg guide and support staff were outstanding. I absolutely loved the Sahara adventure and it was a special privilege to do this trip with you. It's hard to imagine such a wonderful desert experience with anyone else!' Norman Brown, NM

“I’m interested in tribal people and I find Irma Turtle to be unique among tour leaders offering programs that include sensitivity to the people along with ecological considerations of their land. The extraordinary effort of planning and preparing trips to these difficult destinations is an admirable feat and, I like to sit back and leave those problems to someone else so I can take photos... I've been to Ethiopia twice with Irma Turtle as well as to Niger...l plan to be a constant traveler with Turtle Tours.” John Watson, CA

CUSTOM TRAVEL: WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

MALI

For many years I had wanted to see Mali, with its Dogon Country and Timbuktu. I am in my late 70's.. so I took a private 17-day tour of Mali with Turtle Tours, including a brief side trip to Burkina Faso in February, '96. I was able to travel at my own speed within my limitations, and important to me, stop for photos at any time. My daughter Jean accompanied me. A special treat was a private performance by a troupe of about 15 Dogon dancers. Several musicians added appropriate sound. Turtle Tours had ordered this special show for us, and the only other spectators were a few locals. We felt like royalty! Our very likable guide, Malek, was well informed and spoke excellent English. Our driver did not speak English but made up for it in attentiveness, politeness and careful driving. Both were very thoughtful, assisting me as needed. We felt comfortable and safe everywhere. It was a most enjoyable trip. Turtle Tours is to be complimented." Kendall Svendsen

"Thank you for helping the Stephenson family realize a wonderful West Africa adventure. Your assistance with the custom itinerary to Burkina Faso and Cameroon was invaluable....We had a great time and appreciate your help. We are thinking seriously about Niger or Ethiopia and trying to dream up some kind of extension which would be as good as Burkina and Cameroon were." Rex Stephenson

"I was very impressed with your ability to organize an outstanding trip for me to Mali on extremely short notice. Every single aspect of the trip functioned like a Swiss watch. Guire, my Dogon guide, performed superbly in getting where I was supposed to be on time, dealing with the Dogon and other native people and in introducing me to the locals at each stop. Also, I had an excellent time in Morocco with my personal guide, Mohamedid Mohammed. We traveled the "great circle" route from Fez down through the Middle Atlas to Erfoud, Erg Chebbi over to Taroudant, Essouira and up to Marrakech. Mohammed did a great job as a guide and driver." Joe Regan

"Our trip to Mali was an incredible adventure, even for two seasoned travelers like us. The personalized itinerary you prepared for the two of us to accommodate our joint vacation time made the trip possible. Our guide Malek and driver Manya were knowledgeable, helpful, kind and friendly...and we relied on their guidance and good company. They made our overland journey easy and comfortable and were always willing to teach us about their country and take us to extra areas of interest while still giving us many opportunities to explore on our own when we wished. We were fascinated by the ancient West African rituals, individual tribal customs, the colorful markets we visited, and the villages and towns of the various ethnic groups...This was truly a "wondrous voyage" and we thank you for making it possible. What adventures do you have in store for us the next time." Jerry and Sandra Ehrlich

"Everything was just perfect. My guides were knowledgeable, efficient, and fun to be with. I would certainly encourage your clients to see Mali as soon as possible. The country is a treasure trove of history and culture, not to mention the friendly Africans and lovely scenery. The forts along the coast of Ghana are worth a visit too. Togo and Benin were excellent and fascinating. Everything went as planned and there were not any problems. Keep up the good work." Gerrett Copeland, Jr.

"This is just a note to say "thanks". The trip was wonderful! Ethiopia was a mysterious, inspirational country. it was one of those places where the more you see, the more you know remains to be seen. I particularly liked my guide, Yemealem. Besides being knowledgeable in the ways that guides are supposed to be knowledgeable, he had honor and integrity and a caring attitude that went deeper than the demands of the job required. He is a good ambassador for his country. As for Yemen, this is one of those countries where I could return and do exactly the same things a second time, and enjoy it even more. The culture is fascinating, the architecture is striking and the landscape is spectacular. My driver and guide were wonderful. I've had scores of good drivers and guides over the years, but I'll remember these two as among my favorites. They were excellent company and my guide Ibrahim, one of the most knowledgeable guides I have ever known. The trip was inspirational and fun! Thanks again." Yvonne Kaspar

"Our trip to Yemen and Oman ranks well up among the best trips we've ever taken. The arrangements which you made were overall excellent and we are very appreciative of your efforts to make this a really quality trip for us. Ahmed Al-Humaidy, our guide, could not have been better. We probably have never had a better guide in all our travels. Fazal, our guide-driver in Oman was eminently satisfactory." William and Elaine Wagner

"What a tremendous trip...the guides in Yemen and Syria were superb - you are using the BEST tour companies! The guide in Jordan was good...the rest were exceptional. Ahmed in Yemen and Immad in Syria you should ask for whenever you can. Your clients will love you for it...Again, it was just an experience we shall cherish forever." Bill Reddick

"From the very moment I stepped off the plane in Delhi, my every need was taken care of... In Ladakh every door was open to me. Meals with Ladakhies, special sections of monasteries...my special diet needs were all seen to. As a woman traveling alone I was treated as a Maharanee until the time I was put on the plane home. Thanks, Irma!. I mean every word!" Ginny Forsman

"What a trip! It was super from the beginning to the end. Leh was much like Tibet but the hotel was surely better than the one in Tibet. Our guide, Jigmad, was very knowledgeable about Buddhism and so accommodating to get us many unusual experiences... I've done five tours with Turtle Tours and they have all been great." Ginny Holshuh

"We went to Ladakh and were very impressed with the arrangements that had been made for us. The country is beautiful and the people most interesting and kind to tourists. All in all this was a very rewarding and relaxing trip that we would recommend highly to any of your future clients." Sue Leverton and Jake Holshuh

We want to thank you for making Patagonia a unique experience for us. Our wanderings in Patagonia was a trip of perfection. The mixture of awesome mountains, coupled with an extraordinary range of sea mammals and birds of all kinds, gave us a unique opportunity to expand our knowledge of yet another place of beauty on our planet. Thanks to your meticulous planning, we did not need to concern ourselves with the mundane details of hotels, transportation etc. Our guides were more than knowledgeable, and saw to every need. Best of all, they made sure that every day was a new adventure. We have done a great deal of solo traveling, in out of the way places, over the years. This is the first trip where all the prior planning and arrangements were of such high caliber that all we had to do was concentrate on enjoying where we were. Ruth and Irving Heisler, New York.

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