Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

1.  Giant sloth appearing above us in the jungle on the night-time animal hunt.2.  The clouds parting above Macchu Picchu 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was outstanding.  He was well informed in all aspects of history, geography, wildlife etc but also fulfilled his role as group leader admirably, inspiring confidence as well as interest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When it says camping, it means high quality tented accommodation.  Equipment portering, tea in the morning and superb meals is  not what I normally understand by 'camping'......And don't be put off by the apparent length or altitude of the walk.  The guides will lead you through it whatever your ability!

Suggestions

A description that we have used is that 'we felt looked after' on the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most insperational moment of the trip was the actual Inca Trail the whole walk was fantastic and was just ore inspiring. We has some amaizing views and the trail was great fun to walk along, around every corner and up every hill their was something different to see and do. The best part of the whole trip was after 4 days of walking, walking up the last few steep steps of the Sun Gate and seeing the classic Macchu Picchu veiw in the distance was brilliant. The whole group were speachless, and was good to have the whole group to make it to this point. I had carried a couple beers with me for 3 days (i bought some at the last place available) were quite heavy to carry, but was well worth it when I got to the Sun Gate I cracked one open and all the groip and myself had a swig, and all the other groups cheered and clap and thought what a good idea. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say, Fabrizzio was amazing. He did a fantastic job, nothing was every to much trouble. he was with us the whole trip, was a fountain of knowledge and always made sure we were ok and that we were safe.I could not of asked for anyone better. Also All the staff and leaders from all over the trip were brilliant. I especially thank the cooks from the Inca Trail who mustered up some fantastic 3 course meals. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I learnt a fair bit from this trip, as it was my first big trip. Dont take to much, I did and didnt use it all. Make sure you take a very good 3-4 season sleeping back and liner (preferbly silk) It can get cold at night in the mountains. Walking boots for the trail, walkcing shoes for the excursions, I took sandals for the evening, but during the day it did get too sunny to wear them and some people burnt themselves..  A wide rimmed hat is essential, and a strong sunscreen (25+). Pack pleanty of imodium and dyralite nothing worse than getting a dodgy tummy, and if you can take some mint tea bags as they help settle the stomach greatly. Drink pleanty of water and gatorade whilst their, its very important to stay hydrated. I got sunstoke one afternoon and it was horrible. 

Suggestions

Dont even think about it, just book it... this trip was fantastic, if you dont do it, you will regret it for ever. The only thing I would like to say to exodus is that everything was fantastic, the only small problem I had was with the camping on the trail. the 'Thermarest' mats had come to the end of the life, they were no longer self inflated which meant we had to self inflate them by breathing in them, which has germ risks as other people would have done that before us, and also they have been used so much now that the flam inside them had compressed so they wernt as firm and compfy as they should have been, and some of them smelt really badly. But apart from that, it was all good.  

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be difficult to pick just the one moment! The Amazon rainforest was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the jungle on the nature walks seeing all of the different animals and creatures that live there.  Reaching the top of the Accoccosa Pass on the Moonstone trek was amazing and well worth the effort. The views when on the tops of the mountains were incredible and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek J

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Fabrico was really good, well organized and made all of our arrangements for us sorting everything out making our two weeks trouble free. He also looked after us well, and made sure we remembered to drink plenty of water and to put sunscreen/ insect repellent on. The local guides should also get praise. Emerson and Hugo in the rainforest were great and spotted all sorts of insects and animals we would have walked right passed. Even a 6m anaconda when we were canoeing on the lake.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I can highly recommend doing the moonstone trek as an alternative to the Inca Trail; there are no real restriction of your luggage weight as it is carried by horses. The views when on the top of the mountains are amazing and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek. Prior to getting to Macho Picchu you can book the Wayna Picchu mountain trail. The Climb is a bit of a hard slog but well worth the views at the top looking out over Machu Picchu (assuming the weather is good). It takes about 2 – 2 ½ hours to do the full loop including the Great Cave. Machu Pichu - best to opt for the hotel rather than camping, as this would have been less rushed. It was a bit hectic getting to the hot springs and then only having a hour to enjoy them before having to get back to the campsite for the evening meal. It would have been less of a rush to have booked a hotel in town allowing you to enjoy the hot springs followed by a meal in a local restaurant. ·         Good waterproofs are a must especially on the trek; mine were good and meant I was dry when we reached our tents in the evening.·         Some Euros would be handy for snacks if you are travelling via Europe (Madrid) ·         When you arrive in Lima change quite alot of dollars into soles straight away and get small notes (they give you 20s and 50s you need much smaller than that). The trip notes suggest you can use dollars (and you can) the exchange rate is not very good and we it was easier to use soles. ·         Don’t forget the Deet 50 or 100 a must for the jungle, sun screen and walking poles for the trek. ·         Pack as light as you can and be organised, work out what you need for the jungle and trek. It will make repacking your bags much easier as you are limited to what you can take.

Suggestions

Gifts for the local home stay on Amanti Island - It would have been good to bring something from the UK rather than the market in the port. It was hard to chose an appropriate gift as you do not know if the family you will be staying with will have children or not! The reed islands were disappointing - it was extremely interesting to see how the islands were constructed and how the people live on the islands, but this was followed by the hard sell of their items (which were on offer everywhere) before the next boat load of tourists arrived. Tipping got somewhat tiresome as it was hard to work out who you had to tip and how much (Tour Leader, Local Guides in the Jungle, Titicaca, the bus driver to Puno, all staff on the trek).   You should visit Peru at least once in your life and this trip is a good way to see it.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have two really, one was climbing the steps and walking through the Sungate & seeing Machu Picchu, the other was seeing the sunset on the 3rd night camping - that campsite is at about 3700m right at the clould level, watching the clouds drift in and out revealling some amazing scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Fabrizzio was really good, well organized, looked after us and knew his stuff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear some of your walking kit on the plane (I will for my next trip) and possibly with a change of underwear in your carry on luggage.  It didn't happen to me but a few of the folks in my group had their luggage go missing on the way to Peru, Exodus were very good at arranging for it to catch up but they were still without it for a day or two. Don't forget to take some euros to buy snacks if your going via a European airport (I forgot)!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was the first real trek I had every done and getting to the top of dead womans pass on day 2 of the trek was a fantastic feeling. Arriving at the sun gate and waiting for rest of group to arrive and have our group photo was a special moment and one of the guys had carried a can of beer since the start of the trek which we all shared to celebrate seeing Machu Picchu for the first time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say to do him justice as Fabrizzio was AMAZING such a star leader. Nothing was too much trouble, he had such a laid back style but was so informative and always made you feel that everything was taken care of which is just what you need on a trip like this. He was so friendly and would want him as my leader on every trip if possible!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip! It's full on and you are always on the go but it's all worthwhile. The rainforest is fab def take a head torch! For the trek, a walking pole really helped me but I just bought mine in Cuzco for 40 soles (£10) and also a poncho in case it rains 20 soles (£5). When you go to lake titicaca they recommend you to buy a present at the port just before you go to your local family but I wish I had taken a present from home like others had such as luxury soaps,candles, games for the kids. My trip was recommended for solo travelers and I was lucky enough to be given single occupancy due to numbers in the group and this is something I would pay for next time as it's nice to have some time on your own at the end of a hard days trekking! Fab trip with fantastic memories and can't wait to get my next one booked!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Classic Inca Trail and arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was good.  It was a big group and he obviously assessed our individual capabilities and kept an eye on us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not a trip for the faint hearted, but well worth the effort. 

Suggestions

Peru is certainly a place to visit at least once.

Most Inspirational Moment

the moment you get up the final steps to the sun gate at Macho Piccho was quite sureal, we've been walking for four days and all in need of a good shower and we bump straight into the average tourist on a day trip to the sites.  We had just experianced something those tourist would never know about, the trial itself as i say amazing.  the views when on top of the mountains were incredable, so don't miss out take the trip and and do the trail!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Carlos, was a great guide and made all our arrangements for us sorting everything out making our life over the two weeks very easy.  I will say that i think even Carlos suffered from the pace of the trip as it's non stop for the whole two weeks and even he got a little ratty at times.  That said he was still a very good guide and worth every penny of the tip at the end.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prior to getting to Macho Piccho you can book the Wayna Piccho mountain trail (the entrance is in Macho Piccho) and it takes about 2hours; but the sites are unbelievable and the infrastructure the incas put in place on that mountain was quite amazing and adds to the whole experiance.The only other thing i can say is be carefull what you eat if you have a delicate belly like me!!

Suggestions

Just do it!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass on day 2 of the inca trail was an achievement, both for me and for the group. It is not easy, but it is worth the personal challenge. Take it slowly!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was excellent, very knowledgeable about Peru and particularly Cusco and Machu Picchu. He is a highly experienced trekker and was able to set the right pace for everyone, resulting in very few people getting any signs of altitude sickness. I would happily go on another trip led by Rene.Throughout the trip, we also had local guides - Wilson on the trek, Elle on Lake Titicaca and Richardo & Elvis in the Jungle - all were excellent. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink lots of water to prevent altitude sickness. Take a pair of flipflops (with socks as it's cold) to change out of your boots in the evenings of the Inca Trail, and also a walking pole is essential as there are a lot of steps and it's hard on the knees. Also, take a spare camera battery for the trek - you don't want to run out of power at Machu Picchu. 7 Kg luggage for the Inca Trail is not a lot, so think light when you're planning the trip. Take some high factor suncream as you burn quickly at altitude. Try the Cocoa toffees and of course the Pisco Sours! Be prepared for a lot of early starts and a lot of bag re-packing!

Suggestions

This is a great trip and covers a bit of everything. I would strongly recommend it. Both the jungle and the inca trail were highlights for me.The inca trail is not easy, especially with all of the steps, but a little training beforehand, taking it slowly, using a walking pole and drinking loads of water all helps!

Most Inspirational Moment

Realiosing that we were in great hands whcih gave the whole party the confidence to tackle the inca trail and know they would succeed  Arriving at machu picchu and mixing with all those americans who had come by train- we all felt very superiorThe homestead  and the people on lake TThe cloud forest-wow

Thoughts on Group Leader

A real gem was highly organised gave out clear and consise directions, nothing was too much trouble and a laugh ( coupled with the  phase will tell you about that later , usually the dificult walking bits) , knowledge of Incas unbelievable.  He along with wilson emerson and edwin made the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not like the brochure says a walk in the cotswolds , but the whole holiday is great.  

Suggestions

mention more prominently the opportunity to get things d cleaned even by 8 am after arriving at 10pm in Cusco.  Also the balance between rain forest inca trail and Lake T is really good.  the hotel in Lima is really nice.   Thankyou for a great holiday charlie and helen ledward  

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be difficult to pick one highlight as the trip is so diverse.The rainforest was excellent and we both loved the nature walks and all of the animals and creatures we saw. The accomodation was specatacular too. Not in a 5* hotel way but it fitted into the environment perfectly and really added something to the stay.The Inca Trail was tough in places but enjoyable with exceptional support from the porters and guides. No-one really suffered from altitude sickness etc but I'm sure this was partly because we were so well fed, watered and looked after. As the trip notes suggest as long as you are reasonably fit you'll be fine. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was brilliant. Not only was he passionate and knowedgable about Peru he was funny, helpful and even gave photography tips to everyone! We can't say enough about how much Juan added to the trip.The local guides should also receive praise. Emerson and Edwin in the rainforest were great and Emerson must have the best eyesight of anyone I've ever met to spot baby caiman, in the dark, from about 100m away! Wilson plus the porter team on the Inca trail were also very good. How the chefs create the meals we had during the trail in a little tent I'll never know.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When you arrive in Lima change quite a bit of dollars into soles straight away. Although the trip notes suggest you can use dollars (and you can) the exchange rate is not very favourable and we found it much easier to have soles instead. Also, try and get small denominations (20 or lower) as many of the smaller shops and stalls have trouble changing anything bigger.Pack light. We thought we had but we still had far more than we needed. We were able to get laundry done on arriving in Cusco and again after the trail and with a 7kg limit on your trail bags and not needing much for the rainforest (light clothing and long sleeves and legs) you'll find a lot of what you take doesn't really get used. Don't forget layers for the evenings on the trail and on the homestay! Waterproof ponchos seemed to work better than the bag covers when it rained heavily on the trail too. Only about 2soles in Cusco if you ask around.

Suggestions

If you have the time and can afford to fly in a day early to have a free day in Lima would break up the travelling at the start of the trip. It was pretty intense for the first two days and if we were to repeat the trip we'd definitely look to do that.Other than that just take a good sense of humour and enjoy yourself!