Most Inspirational Moment
It's virtually impossible to select one particular moment - there are so many...Lake Titicaca's Uros Islands and people who welcomed us into their homes with open arms; Islas Ballestas for the birdlife; the changing scenery from the coast and desert up into the Andes and then into the Amazon basin; learning the difference between vicuna, alpaca, llama and guanaco; Cusco; the beautiful knitwear and jewellery - I defy anyone to resist temptation!, and the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. All the Inca sites we visited were fascinating, and our guide was able to tell us so much about this period in Peru's history. For me all of these are the defining moments but especially the Inca Trail - reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass, walking through the most beautiful forests on both the Pacific and Amazon watersheds, almost running up that last flight of Inca Steps to the Sun Temple and seeing Machu Picchu and Huanya Picchu below.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wilbert Ramos is an experienced, mature guide to whom you warm instantly. He clearly loves his country and is passioante about what he does, wanting so much for you to enjoy every possible experience/aspect of your trip. There aren't enough superlatives to describe Wilbert - he's an equal first in quality of guide I've met in many years of travelling. He's caring of his clients and staff driving buses, other guides, staff in hotels and when trekking, knowledgable, goes to extremes to help, nothing is too much trouble and he's tremendous fun to be with. Marks out of 10? 20 at least.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want to travel in the southern half of Peru then this trip is a superb way in which to see the diversity of the country, meet the people, try out different areas food and to trek - but you don't have to trek, you can spend more time in Cusco. If you want to trek the Inca Trail AND visit the other areas included in this trip then you do need to book early so Exodus can get your permit. Go for it, it's worth every penny.
