Most Inspirational Moment
It's hard to pick just one inspirational moment but my personal highlights were:Seeing penguins in the wildThe Inca Trail... and arriving at the Sun Gate in the Sun - after two days of rain and hail (don't forget to pack a plastic poncho, it could become your new bestfriend!)The Amazon - wow, wow and thrice wow!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Carlos couldn't have done enough for us, even arranging and leading tours on the free days in Cuzco for the people who didn't do the trail. His knowledge was vast and he had a good sense of humour - which I think is a must when dealing with any group of people - Thank you Carlos for a fabulous holiday!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take enough memory cards for your camera - I blew through 1500 photos in the three weeks very easily and I didn't even think I was taking many pics!Definately take a plastic poncho for the Inca TrailWhen they said it could be cold in the Amazon, it really can (still a little in shock at the 3:45am wake up call but it was well worth it!)The food in Peru is amazing! Far better than I was ever expecting - and despite eating like a horse (and making the most of every help yourself buffet) I still came back lighter - result!Apply mozzie repellant in Arrequipe - didn't get bitten anywhere else but was chewed there.Walking poles are a must for the Inca Trail. I'd never used them before and they were an absolute god send for hauling yourself up the big steps and acting as brakes on the 'smaller' onesTake more than one jumper! I foolishly didn't and it can get quite cold at night and the air con on the bus can be a bit of a mixed blessingApply suntan lotion even when its a grey day (found this out the hard way, doh!)You can get sols (currency) in the UK - which I did and the exchange rate was pretty good. Try to keep the notes as small and 'clean'/untorn as possible though as they don't like them otherwise.If you don't have a loo on the bus, which we didn't, you could spend a couple of £ a day on the toilets and they generally cost 1 sol (25p) a pee (and you often needed your own loo roll and soap) so try to get change when you canYou will have an amazing time, go on, book it, you know you want to really!