Most Inspirational Moment
The satisfaction of completing the ascent of Dead Woman's Pass. The night sky and sunrise at every campsite. The meals provided during the whole trek were incredible. How the team could bake a cake at the top of a mountain I still don't know! Excellent food, hearty portions, and catered to very diverse food preferences and allergies. The porters were really made to feel like part of the family and it was lovely to hear their stories, as well as the stories of our local guides.
Thoughts on Group Leader
William was exceptional. His experience, love of the mountains, professionalism and care for both clients and porters was outstanding. He was mentoring assistant guide Luis, who is well on the way to becoming an excellent lead guide. They both had to deal with two medical events on the trek; this was done efficiently, safely and with no impact on the rest of the group. Their local knowledge was so extensive, ranging from local flora and fauna, to culture and history. In particular, William's recollections about his grandmother being a local healer, the love for his mother, and his beliefs in the traditions of the circle of life was both emotional and thought provoking.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Exodus's itinerary is what sets it apart from the other companies. The choice to leave camp 3 later on day 4 of the trek (rather than around 3am like the other companies) so that you can rest in Machu Picchu town before touring Machu Picchu site is what sets this itinerary apart. We couldn't imagine having to do the trek, tour the site, and travel back to Cusco on the same day.
Luggage note - This is not an Exodus issue. We flew with Iberia and were told emphatically at Heathrow by their staff that luggage would go all the way through to Cusco (final destination). However, on arrival at Lima (and after leaving the baggage hall) we found out that this information was incorrect. It was a little stressful to retrieve our luggage before the next flight. Our advice would be to check the carousel before leaving the baggage hall to save the stress.