Green Tortoise Adventure Travel

Let me start off by saying that this kind of trip is not for everyone. You do not get much privacy, tho you have an option of bringing a tent for select nights. Not all places having running water and you may not shower for a few days. Everyone chips in!
I took a 5 day trip with my husband and 10 year old daughter to Yosemite. I was a little apprehensive, but it was fantastic. Jake, our driver was professional and I felt in good hands. Our chef, did an amazing job providing delicious meals. Water was always supplied. Surprisingly there were other children on the trip, which was great for my daughter. All our stops made efficient use of our time and we got to see many amazing sites. We made good friends we hope to keep in touch with. Some people were annoying but that happens on trips like this. You never know what you will end up with. The Travel Service was easy to book, communicated well, and affordable. Things go wrong, in fact, our AC went out the first night and a replacement bus was there by morning!

Ah my first milestone review, the big 100, I decided to review a company that I’ve been travelling with for years and have never been dissatisfied with.
With my first trip being in 2000 as a teenager finishing his first time working on a Summer Camp, and my most recent being just a couple of years ago, I’ve been a rider for more than a decade. I’ve driven through 30 States of the Union with them and still talk with many of my fellow travellers and I look forward to my next trip. However, it does require you to open your mind a bit, help out and just enjoy the ride.
If you are thinking about taking a trip on the Green Tortoise, you need to really read the website, and figure out whether you are the type of person who is suited for a trip like this. GT started as a hippie bus and has continued to keep this tradition alive. It’s a road trip, and you’re going to be sleeping on a bus, but at least you’re going to have a nice flat mattress to sleep on. You will be helping out with the upkeep of the bus and the trip, meal preparation, bus tidying, cleaning up after meals, all need to be done and it’s a communal affair. Refusing to take part is a no-​no and won’t make you any friends. Do you like to leave your stuff all over the place? You’re probably going to lose it… Do you need many electrical items to help you through your day (laptop, ipad, hair dryer, blender, electric blanket) you’re going to be out of luck. Oh, maybe don’t plan on taking a proper shower every day, although in my experience, plenty of opportunities to jump in a river/​lake! Their website has all the information you need about what to prepare for and once you do book, they provide even more route specific information, skip this at your peril!
Still reading? Cool! Now that we got the difficulties out of the way let’s get on to what you will get to experience. Going to sleep in one place and waking up somewhere beautiful, I’ve cooked pancakes in the middle of a desert, gotten to look up at the night sky and see just so many stars I actually had tears at one point, been chased by a deer that thought I had food, visited both the highest and lowest points of Zion National Park, gone white water rafting down the Colorado river, was present at the funeral of Hunter S. Thompson. the list goes on. Your drivers will be your guides, your friends, your chefs and your teachers. Pack well and be prepared for long walks, late nights and great views.
In terms of how it works, you can see from the photos how a typical bus layout is arranged. Big items of luggage are in the cargo hold and accessed on a ²⁄₃ times a day basis when the bus is stopped for a while. Rucksacks are kept on board with everything you need day to day. During the day, the bus is sorted for seating, long padded benches at the front, two dinette tables in the middle and a larger mattress/​bench are at the back. At night however, the footwells are covered over and covered with mattresses to form a flat sleeping area at the front and back, while the seats on the dinettes raise up to form bunk beds. Across the ceiling the cubbies that are used to store your bookbags during the day are in reality bunks at night.
While the buses don’t have a built in kitchen, they carry one underneath the bus in one of the storage areas, open it up and you’ve got folding tables, crates of plates and bowls, propane tanks, burners and flattops and all the cooking vessels and tools you might need. Set it up alongside some washing stations and you are ready to go. Cooking a meal together takes a little time but many hands make quick work, its part of the communal aspect of it all. Food is generally vegetarian, as the bus doesn’t have powered refrigeration, only coolers stocked with ice. Raw meat is an issue to keep cold. Meat will generally be replaced with soy products (tofurky, soyrizo, etc.) which actually tastes pretty good! On occasion though, when available, they’ve provided real meat (shrimp gumbo cooked in Louisiana swamp remains a highlight). They normally set this up for breakfast and dinner, with a separate table set up at breakfast for creating lunch sandwiches (you can always skip this and buy your lunch, but nothing better than eating it at the top of a trail). They’ll provide water for drinking and making tea/​coffee at meal times, but anything stronger than that is on your own dime.
By road is certainly the best way to see the US for me, and the Green Tortoise is one of the best ways to do it. There isn’t a concrete itinerary, just certain waypoints that must be reached at set times, but in between those is up to the whim of the drivers and the passengers on board, if the group wants to stay longer in one location just be aware that it’s at the cost of something possibly a lot more impressive later on (we found out the hard way).
So book a trip (maybe start with a short one if you’re not sure and take a longer one the next time), it will be the best trip you’ve taken in a while!

I came back from the Mendocino trip which was so amazing. As a first timer, knowing nothing about the trip, I signed on at the end of the season. Our guide Tess and Doug are wonderful, being locals and knowing their backyard. They did not guide us, but hosted us just like family. The group who signed on was equally laid back and a wonderful group of great conversationalists. It was a 2 day trip, full of activities, beautiful sights and coastlines, Mendocino, Fort Bragg and wine and beer tastings. Hiking and camping in the woods to see the tallest redwood was a WOW!
Dinner went without a hitch, with everyone chipping in, and we rolled out the American experience of building a bonfire, and roasting smores for the Europeans.
I highly recommend this trip for any locals who has yet to visit Mendocino without having to drive the route themselves.
As for the tourists, it is the perfect way to see the beautiful and rugged coastline outside of the big city and experience small town Americana.
Kudos to Tess and Doug, and the owners for running such a well oiled program. 2 thumbs up, everyone.
Bea Chia

I just back from two days Mendocino trip and it was fantastic! We toured beautiful seashore、light house、hiked in redwood forest、strolling in nice little town Mendocino and camping in the forest with bonfire! The schedule is well arranged by Green Tortoise driver and tour guide. We made the meal together with lots fun! Most important we met interesting people with good conversation. It’s not the ordinary travel agent sightseeing tour, it has more and unique interpersonal communication. I would recommend anyone who are interested in explore places in more local way to sign up Green Tortoise trips.

I got back (this morning!) from the three day/​four nights trip to Yosemite and it was amazing. I had no idea how badly I wanted to go to Yosemite until we got there. This trip is jam packed with beautiful scenery, clean, fresh air, and unique destinations only to be found in this National Park.
This particular trip is a good one for first time group travelers who aren’t sure about camping and roughing it with strangers, because this type of travel isn’t for everyone. If you want a mattress and sheets, your own private shower to use anytime you want, and can’t handle pit toilets, this trip isn’t for you. It’s a camping/​roughing it/​sleeping under the stars or on the bus kind of trip. Also, be aware – the employees are NOT there to pamper you, to take care of every need you might have. They ARE there to help you, provide good advice and get things rolling on meals. You are there to HELP with everyone! And speaking of the employees, our driver – Bernie – and our cook/​guide – Adam – were fantastic.
What do you see of Yosemite? Lots. You sleep on the bus the first night to get to Yosemite and then they take you to Yosemite Valley. We went on the Vernal Falls hike, which is pretty rough going near the top – about .3 of a mile of steps straight up to the top of the falls. But the view is worth every step you take up and the terrifying trip back down. Other members of our group went on to Nevada Falls which is again strenuous, but worth it. We had plenty of time to do those hikes, plus since a few of us only went to Vernal, we explored the rest of the valley on the free shuttle.
Day 2 is outside the park – you go to Mono Lake. If you don’t know what that is, google it because it is gorgeous and strange and perfect. After that, you relax and Lake June and SHOWER! This day is really light on hiking which is exactly what you need after a tough first hike day.
Day 3 is more awesome hikes – the first is to Lambert Dome. Adam and Bernie told us it was «easy» which is not quite accurate but beautiful is not even close to accurate for how amazing it is at the top. So totally worth it. After that we went to Olmsted Point lookout – also beautiful, then on to see the Giant Sequoias.
Along the way – the scenery is gorgeous and the bus windows let you take it all in. You go over Tioga Pass twice and it’s spectacular. The meals are so much better than I ever expected. Hot breakfasts most of the time, yummy vegetarian meals for dinner – veggie curry; burrito/​taco bar; salad, garlic bread and pasta. It was beyond what I ever expected.
If you want to do a trip that you feel like you earn the views, earn the food you eat, and want to sleep under the clear, starry (cold) skies, this is the trip for you! (Be warned – when they say to bring a heavier sleeping bag, they mean it. Most people were chilly overnight when we camped, but in my sleeping bag – rated around 40 degrees – I was nice and toasty. Also, if you can bring your own pillow, you’ll be glad you did!!!

Took my son who had just finished Kindergarten on a week-​long trip last summer. We both had the time of our lives. Planning another week-​long trip this coming summer for the whole family — taking my husband and our older son as well.
You can read about my trip in detail at
I hope I will be able to take a GT trip every summer… if I had enough money, I’d do the month long Alaska trip, or go all the way across America and back. Maybe, someday.

I stayed in US for 9 months and I think I enjoyed various kinds of experiences here, but I can say this Green Tortoise was one of the greatest experiences I had in US!
I joined in 9-​day tour, Canyons of the West.
I hadn’t heard about this Green Tortoise Adventure Travel from any of my friends in San Francisco until my boss recommended me. And I wanted to go to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while I was in US, but if I hadn’t heard the review from her, I would have been hesitant about joining this bus tour and have gone there with my friends by paying a lot of money for other tours instead. Because I’ve never heard or seen this type of tour! Bus tour all the way to Canyons for 9 days and we’ll sleep in the transformed bus? Sounded too mysterious for me!
However, I highly recommend giving it a try. I met awesome people, went through awesome tour, and had many interesting experiences :)
Other people say many good points of this tour, so what I specifically liked in this tour was many international people from different backgrounds cooperate with each other to complete this awesome tour! I really appreciate other tortoises.
Hope to join other tours in future!

Green Tortoise Adventure Travel is AWESOME in countless ways. To date, I’ve been on three different trips (Marine Headlands day trip, Burning Man, and Canyons of the West). I can say that I’m a 100% satisfied tortoise and will be returning for future trips. What I like about the Tortoise:
1) You don’t have to drive. You have affable, funny drivers for trips that get you there safely while you sleep, socialize or even drink (local laws depending). Drivers also give you keep information on how to maximize your time in each locations, like what are the best hikes or bars to check out. Yes, it’s awesome. My favorite were the night drives between different national parks in the southwest. There’s something so satisfying about waking up at sunrise to a breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon when you feel asleep in Goosenecks. 2) The food is the bomb dot com! A lot of the meals are vegetarian and vegan friendly, but there are also meat options. Food was delicious with lots of variety. I never got bored of the food. Helping cook the group meals is optional but very fun! You get to socialize and joke with your fellow chefs. 3) The clientele of the Tortoise is a fun, interesting bunch. Many tortoises are international guests from the Green Tortoise Hostel in SF, so if you like accents and diverse viewpoints like I do, then you are in luck! 4) Green Tortoise customer service is phenomenal! Any question I had in advance of my trips was answered immediately. 4) the tour bus is super comfy! I loved the bunks above. I sleep very well! And the bus was always perfectly climate controlled. The tables for playing card games were great part of the bus design. The front aisles of seating facilitate conversations between passengers. 5) The value of the Green Tortoise is outstanding. If you tried to replicate a similar trip carpooling with a group of friends, you would go broke. The cost for transport, camp reservations, and food was very affordable for all that is offered. It pays to travel in a large herd of tortoises! 6) I could go for days about how great Green Tortoise Adventure Travel is, but I think you get the picture. It’s simply amaze-​balls!

I have gone all across the country and around the western half of the U.S. with the Green Tortoise and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I knew how to drive a bus, I would work for them. I started traveling with the Tortoise in 2008 and have pretty much gone on one of their trips every summer ever since. I’m kind of addicted.
I love the communal living and sharing, meeting travelers and like minded people from all over the world, seeing how amazingly beautiful the U.S. is, hiking by day and sleeping under the stars by night, preparing meals together, sitting around the campfire playing guitar, singing, talking, and being part of this crazy adventure with a bunch of total strangers who by the end of the trip become dear friends.
In addition to all of the above, I travel with the Tortoise for personal reasons. When I am on the bus, I feel like I am my true self. No one knows me at the start, no one judges me, and no one expects anything of me (except to participate in the community, of course). It is truly a vacation from the madness of every day life and the people who can make life crazy. I love switching off my cell phone and just being in this Green Tortoise head space where all I think about is where we are, where we are going next, what we’re making for dinner, and sitting around the campfire with a plastic cup full of wine. I disconnect from the world and connect with the people I am sitting around me.
The Green Tortoise is not your typical vacation. It is an escape and anyone going on the trip should think of it as such. You will not do things the way you normally do: You will not shower every day, though you will probably soak in a hot spring instead. You will not be served meals — you will help make it. You will not get cell service in most places you go. What you get is jaw-​dropping scenery and out of this world hikes, a lot of laughing and hilarious stories from your bus mates, a good nap in the back of the bus, time to write in your journal, a chance to befriend someone from the other side of the world. You get out of the Tortoise what you put into it. If you are gonna whine about having to help prepare dinner or wash a few dishes, then you are missing the point.
Being on the bus can be challenging of course. There’s not much privacy and there can be disagreeable people on the trip who just want to complain about everything. But what in life isn’t challenging? Traveling with the Green Tortoise is a learning experience and I feel like I come away from a trip having learned something about myself and from other people. I most certainly have a greater appreciation for nature and the beauty of the U.S. and I want to see more of it.
I also want to add that the drivers are awesome. If you have ever been the driver for a road trip and your car mates drove you nuts with their requests and complaints, then you can appreciate how hard their job is! A driver once told me the easiest part of the job is driving the bus and I can believe it. They don’t just drive the bus. They are our guides, our «fun facilitators».
The Green Tortoise has taken me places I never would have thought of going on my own. I look forward to being on the bus again, meeting more awesome people who will become life-​long friends, and hanging out with the super cool, super knowledgeable drivers who inspire me with their own adventures. Before one trip ends, I am already planning my next one. Thank you Green Tortoise!

I fly across the country to do Green Tortoise trips on the west coast, so that has to be a big endorsement right there. The concept of economical, sociable, and interesting ‘adventure’ travel is well-​executed. As long as you are somewhat responsible, community-​oriented, and conscientious, these can be good experiences. Even transformative. YMMV. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. Sometimes it will inspire you with poetry, like this one:
Green tortoise is great
For travel across the west
and beyond your mind

It will be the best thing you will do on your holiday!

Thanks Kyle for the clarification. A lot of things went wrong on my trip, and even with an explanation, I still think it deserves a 1 star rating. Please read my original review.
First of all, I don’t mind if the drive took 6 hours. That would be more preferable because when you park, you shut off the AC. Imagine sleeping on a bus with 30 people with no air circulation or AC. It’s not very pleasant at all.
I also don’t mind cooking as long as there’s a proper kitchen. Communal cooking could be fun, but the facilities (or the lack of) provided were extremely inconvenient. It took 3 hours to cook a basic meal, and honestly, I really don’t think it’s possible to achieve what we did in under 2 hours. The set up was very inefficient. You had to carry a bunch of food, tables, cooking utensils, dishes, cleaning stations, etc. I think an hour of that could be cut if we had disposable cups/​utensils, so we didn’t have to set up dish washing stations and carry a bunch of water and everything. Unless you change your cooking configuration, I assure that you will waste at least 2 hours every day on cooking your meal.
Also, the guide was obviously inadequate. Not surprisingly, she doesn’t work there anymore.
I think the biggest problem I had is how this trip was advertised to me. When you say meals are included, you expect meals to be served for you. You wouldn’t expect to have to spend 3 hours setting up and cleaning everything. You wouldn’t expect ONLY vegetarian meals (especially after a long day of hiking). Information was purposely left vague.
When you say you’ll be camping out, you expected to be camping out close to Yosemite, not an hour and a half away in a relatively shady campsite.
We only had like 5 hours to spend at Yosemite on the first day. That, by far, was the biggest disappointment.
I stlil stand by my ground. Find a group of people who want to go to Yosemite by yourself at your own hostel and organize your own trip. I assure you it will be CHEAPER and more convenient/​comfortable.

EVVIVA!
This is an excellent run company, it was great in the day too, when it ran commuter buses. Anyone who wants to see new things and not just the tourist camp cites– take this bus.
If you like, seeing America in the Raw, and the Tourist spots as well: the Green Team (Tortes) Delvers! Also, If you just want to walk off — your free, just get your arse back to the bus…
The bus, is built to turn into a big bed, and has bunks: lots of space for those who like lots of personal space. Sorry you light sleepers: humans do snore and well make noise, but the sound of the engine and the light music covers that!!!
On a social emotional curve– you get to meet people from around the world. There are lots of young minds — well educated and well traveled. In the USA, we are being trained for cultural competency: this is an excellent way to integrate your knowledge, learning new things, and ask if the information you have is correct or out of place.
The EU has many web pages on culture and getting along for all and especially the youth, so should the USA. The Green Tortes allows you to see the outcome and as well becomes a great teacher — for our fellow men and women are the best teachers. I loved seeing the tribe get to together.
The Green Team Tavel guides are cool, nobodies fool, so enjoy, for they have seen everything under the sun, as it goes with human folly — so for the more unkind type: good luck! Send me a post card!
Yeah, but,(I say travelers) the Road guides are cool and know the way and are good solid people: who can teach you about camping, nature and the area, and best of all their happy and enjoy what they do —lots of fun and sharing and some elbow greece there, too… lots to learn and share!!!
Some suggestions for the Green T: on the knowledge front: Typographical maps: the plastic ones =3 D. For Yosemite. This works to give people a real visual idea of where they are at. I used it in Mammoth: as a naturalist: A woman owns a book store in (M.L) near the ranger station: Sales them!
1 small book on:
John Muir (21 April 1838 — 24 December 1914[1]) was a Scottish-​born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, have been read by millions. His activism helped to save the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States.
Would like to see a Book on Aphorism and Idioms on the Bus or this web page as a prep — to world sayings and phrases — US American live sheltered lives
For language, culture and learning is fun!!! And prevents misunderstanding: here is web page from American National Public Radio
World Language Phrases and Aphorisms: Nice laugh!
Audio Feed: Enchanting World of Idioms: world wide stuff:
…
Also for My Mostly American Brothers and sisters.
Conceptual Map of World Languages:
…
This is a neat way to see the world and no, it is not a trip where you: have to follow an Itinerary: so roam and feel!
Nice streams to walk in: at my first stop — I had a cup of coffee in my hand 70 yards out from the group in a stream singing: HA! Good times rolling!
Ideas: By a gallon container of water — cheaper then buying lots of bottles and you can wash your face and hair in the morning with it. Keep Apricots, oranges or other fruits with you: nuts too. Sandals to get on and off the bus and to cruz with… I am sure you know the rest.
Jessica: just a thought: label the creates: 1 –10, A-​B or with names, might work — seen it done before — stops all the guessing — when your staging the food scene — I hope you play Willie Nelson:
I am on the Road Again!
Thank you Jessica and My Bus Driver — who’s age is in my zone for sharing a great time, and teaching me what they know and love… on the Road to Adventure and just relaxation.
We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Moving us all down the Highway so life won’t pass us by!

End
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,
To the poster below. sorry to hear you wanted a first class Ahawenee visit — wrong idea — good luck in the future — by the way: 200.00 is not even a good night out with a woman: food, taxi, flowers wine, dance and more
Good Web pages:
National Park Service Info on Yosemite
Here is some help for you: www​.nps​.gov/​y​o​s​e​/​i​n​d​e​x.htm
You can visit this world famous lodge (Ahawhee) King of England was here with the Queen! Free too roam there.

after 4 trips I keep coming back.
My favorite trip is the Baja whale trip. The whales will swim up to you. This is not a joke. Forget about going on a ocean whale watching trip. The Baja Laguna where the whales breed is the best.
I’m a picky eater, and their food is really good. Why? cause they use fresh ingrediants. I’m a vegan and they will do their best for you. If you have an eating issue, it’s best to be part of the cooking crew.
Oh, traveling while lying down, playing cards, chatting people, reading without getting dizzy on the bus is a great way to go. I also like traveling in groups with other «Europeans».
When I was at the BAja trip, there were groups of retired people, and groups of young people in their 20s. … We all got along very well. Laid back, easy going, team players; my type of crowd.

The way that I want to travel the world.
The Green Tortoise is an adventure in every way.
It will open you eyes — wide.
I guarantee that you will look at the word a little differently, after a trip with Green Tortoise.
There are certain things in my life that I don’t mind being predictable and repetitive — ie — comfortable bed and Good Earth meals.
But there is a part of me that loves the spontaneous. That loves unexpected — life changing– adventures.
Which is what Green Tortoise is.
In every way.
Every one of Green Tortoise’s routes and trips have moments of breathtaking beauty. Whether it be the scenery — or the human moments — along the way.
The conversations, life lessons and meals, which I shared on my recent Death Valley trip were often just as eye-​opening and wondrous — as the majestic natural marble we climbed. As the dazzling orange and rustic red mountain painted terrain, which we gazed at. And the simple beautiful notion of 27 strangers traveling together in a musical enriched bus for four nights and three days, which inspired an epic Thanksgiving weekend.
What makes the Green Tortoise so remarkable is the love and energy which goes into it. All of their drivers are unique and inspiring people. They drive the Green Tortoise — because they believe in it. They believe in living life to the fullest. And believe that traveling can be affordable.
When you’re surrounded by good people like this, passengers from all over the world with different perspectives and stories, delicious healthy food, mother nature at her finest, up-​lifting music, and a general — just go for it and with it — attitude — you can’t help — but be touched.
I will definitely be planning a future Canyons of the West trip.
Seriously can’t wait.
Trust.
PS. You have to be open to sacrificing a little personal space (when full = over 30 people on a traveling green — adventure — bound– bus)

As of now I have had 3 amazing trips with this company.
The 2 most recent ones were Death Valley and the 2 week Xmas Baja one
Climbing into any moving vehicle slightly inebriated after a T-​giving meal is always a gamble. but once again GT proves their greatness. Lulled into sleep by the gentle hum of the bus only to awake to a 4 star breakfast right in the heart of Death Valley was a perfect way to start the trip.
Having been on one trip to Baja before I knew what I was getting myself into with the company in this quick jaunt to the desert. A jam packed viewing of all of Death Valley’s highlights in including Ubehebe Crater, Golden Canyon, stove pipe dunes (it rained when we were there OMG), mosaic canyon, Zabriskie point, and Badwater basin. each night finishing up with an amazing not typical camping dinner. If you are lucky enough to get «Concrete Jimmy» as your driver beg him to make his special red tomato sauce. so good…
I’ve also gone twice to Baja with them 2 different years (and I’m sure I’ll go back) and it is most certainly the best. This trip can be a bit more laid back with nothing more than lounging on the beach or trying some of the activities offered like snorkeling, mule riding, kayaking, and fishing. There’s nothing better than a turkey cooked over the fire and a holiday without family drama.
While it’s never advertised enough, the food which is usually included in any of these trips is amazing! Sushi, fish tacos, clams, full on holiday dinners with green been casserole, stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes etc and the encouragement of cooking with your fellow travelers helps break the ice in getting to know other people and enhance your cooking skills!
As someone that tends to travel on their own, this company provides a very safe, exciting, and unique way to experience a vacation. The trips are extremely affordable and I have made many new friends I may have never met otherwise.

I adore the green tortoise! I took it from San Francisco to the Oregon Country Fair. I knew I was in the right place immediately. The feeling of comraderie starts right away. People who want sleep in the back (already folded down into a big bed) party people in the front. I stayed up most of the night drinking beer, playing card games and singing silly songs with a bunch of people. Several of then work for the tortoise and I look forward to seeing them again when I book the thousands of other trips I plan on taking.
Ours was just an overnight trip so I didn’t experience the food, but I’ve had it described to me by those who have and I can’t wait. I met a few ‘hippies’ who I LOVED, but I also met, a nineteen year old from England (that’s 35 in British years!) a girl who was having her 22^nd birthday, several older people, a school teacher, a russian woman, lot of musicians, one of the most self possessed twelve year olds I’ve ever met. (It says something to me that her parents let her do the tortoise drive by herself, it really is that safe) We all watched out for each other. They have a buddy system, where you all talk to someone you haven’t met before and make sure they make it back on the bus.
We stopped to pee, for beer runs, food. But mostly we drove all night and laughed our asses off. I even got a new nickname, «Juggs Nelson» it’s a long story.

I love the Green Tortoise!!! (and I am not even 100% hippy… not even close) ;)
My husband did the Yosemite trip last year and loved it and thought it would be fun to try the Northern Pioneers trip together for the 4^th of July Holiday. We travelled by bus from San Fran to Elko, NV to Jackson Hole, WY, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, rural areas of Utah down to our final destination of Zion National Park (and then back to SF). A trip totalling 9 days and some of the best fun I have ever had meeting people from ALL over the world making new friendships and learning new things. We hiked a lot and saw so many beautiful scenes of the USA. The great thing about this tour is that they don’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. They take you to a destination, give you suggestions on what to do in the area and tell you to meet back at the bus at a certain time. There were days when I didn’t feel like hiking, so my husband and I rented a motorcycle in town and road around all of Jackson Hole. The schedule is flexible and can accommodate anyone. We even had a 10-​year old boy on the trip with his parents and it didn’t hinder our experience at all.
Now I will admit, the Green Tortoise is probably not for everyone. If you are high maintenance and have no tolerance or patience, you will not enjoy yourself and I am being totally honest about that. You will not be able to do your hair like you do at home… you can forget wearing makeup and your toe nails and fingernails will be dirty the entire trip. Your cologne will consist of bug spray and for some body odor. We got lucky on our trip and hardly had anyone who smelled that bad. When you are out in the desert in over 100 degree weather, people will get sweaty and stinky but it comes with the territory and people have to be mindful and aware that it might not be the most pleasant experience travelling. We were not able to shower every day and on some days, I wore my clothes twice in a row. It happens… everyone did it… and it wasn’t gross.
Aside from that, you really connect with nature and its more of a communal way of eating on the Green Tortoise. For the most part, they only make vegetarian meals to accommodate everyone but they do have lunch meat for sandwiches and on our trip stopped several times at places to eat if you really need to eat meat. They also allow you to bring your own alcohol and food (limited room of course). With the cost of the trip, most meals are included and it’s a very healthy way of eating. I ate so much fruit and veggies on this trip, that I came home feeling pretty alive and my body thanked me for it. I also learned so many new ways to cook and new meals to make at home that we made with some propane and a few pots and pans. I tell ya, these guys can make some pretty fantastic gourmet-​type meals with just a few items!
Sleeping can be quite interesting. For 4 nights we slept on the bus while the other nights we camped in our own tent. Sleeping on the bus with 29 other people was an interesting experience and luckily the bus sleeps up to 35+ so we had room but it can get cramped and cozy. It was pretty cool to see this regular sized bus transform into sleeping quarters within a few minutes!
I really can’t say enough about Green Tortoise! I loved it and plan to take trips in the future with my husband and hope to rally some friends to join us. I agree with Shaunna’s review… you need to be a laid back, go with the flow type person for a trip like this or you will freak out. Nobody on the trip cares about your hair or lack of makeup or the brand of clothes or backpack you carry… it’s all about making friendships based on who you truly are. I now have 29 new friends and if you are ever as lucky as we are to have Lukas and Jimmy as your bus drivers… you will truly have an amazing experience with them. I miss them all so much!
If you are seriously interested in joining the Green Tortoise on one of their future trips, feel free to contact me here. I am full of useful information and tips about what to bring or not to bring, advice and other things travelling with the Tortoise.
See you on the green bus with your back pack and sleeping bag!

Green Tortoise absolutely is as good as it gets. Good meals, trustworthy and friendly fellow travellers, driver was a real gem, and it was the best mother/​daughter trip ever.
It was in the mid-​nineties, and I still get their catalogs in the mail, and love the sound of their trips.
Our trip was just from San Francisco, CA to somewhere in Oregon.
The spiel our driver did while we were in Vacaville was priceless. All about state mental hospitals & the rights of human beings diagnosed with mental health issues, and such.
The food was so good. It wasn’t a very long drive and most of it was during the night while we slept, so I think there was only one meal.
My dear old friend was waiting for us in Oregon. What a colorful and affordable way to drive up the coast!

Embrace the hippie within and enjoy the trip of a lifetime! I’ve been on 2 Tortoise trips, one to Baja and one short trip to Death Valley, and enjoyed both immensely.
The trips are cheap, your fellow travelers will be a diverse and wonderfully weird group, food is out of this world, and GT knows tons of off the beaten track places to visit that would take hours of research to discover on your own. The drivers are super cool, and since you’re often moving during the night you don’t «waste» nights in a static way, you wake up somewhere totally new to see parades of whales, desert wildflowers… whatever!
Everyone is expected to help out at mealtime, quarters can be cramped on the bus, hygiene gets laxer as the trips get longer, but when you smell and everyone around you smells you don’t smell it anymore. Not for the faint of heart but a rollicking good time-​check your brain and worries at the door and get on the bus.