Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

talking to Fabrizzio, Hernan and Lizbett, our wonderful trail guides, about their pride in their Inca heritage ...wonderful first evening meal on trek - asparagus soup, stuffed trout fillets, with rice and al dente mixed vegetables, followed by bananas flambeed in brandy with hot chocolate sauce - worth going for the food alone!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was experienced, knowledgeable, hard-working, encouraging - all you could expect from a guide and so much more!  I had a chest infection and initially doubted my ability to complete the trek but he was hugely supportive and encouraging, and inspired me with the confidence to do it comfortably.  He was also very good at ensuring group cohesion while giving everyone the chance to do their own thing - never once did we feel regimented to do anything. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate to book ... it's a great trek, and lots more besides. Take swimming gear for Aguas Calientes and the hotel in Nazca ...

Most Inspirational Moment

The Inca Trail which was the reason for going. What an experience and fortunately the weather was good.however second would be learning about the anti plano and Lake Titicaca and meeting some of the local Imara Indians.  So many memories i could go on forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos was excellent and very attentive. We were a little nervous i think at first and he sensed this and kept us entertained.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Use Exodus, read the trip notes and enjoy!

Suggestions

just a very big thank you for a holiday of a lifetime!

Most Inspirational Moment

The trail was the reason I booked it and I wasn't let down by it.  Amazing views

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good.  Very knowledgable, could answer all questions and very patient

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the Sun Gate and geting that first view of Machu Picchu was a fantastic moment. But in fact, every day on the trail was fun and had great scenery. I also loved the (optional) dune-buggying/ sand surfing just outside Nazca. It was so much fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Fabrizio, was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. On the first day, I suffered from quite bad altitude sickness. He was very reassuring and kept an eye on me to make sure I was OK. I'm very grateful for how he looked after me. I was fine the next day and I didn't really have any problems with altitude the rest of the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Personally, I wish I'd left my sleeping bag at home and hired one when I got there. It would have left more room in my pack. The sleeping bags that were hired out were absolutely fine and our leader sorted out the hiring of them.There is plenty of driving on this trip so it's good to have plenty of good songs on your ipod and don't forget the charger!

Suggestions

I really enjoyed my trip and I'm planning on doing another trip with Exodus to South America soon. That speaks volumes I think!

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for myself was walking through the sun gates at the end of the Inca Trail and the first moment I saw Machu Picchu. Its been a life long dream to see it and after four days of hiking along the trail, it was so worth it to see it for real. It definitely did not disappoint and I've never smiled so much in all my life - a truely fantastic moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was superb - he really made the trip. He was so caring and was constantly asking if we was ok or needed anything. he was really passionate about the history of Peru and gave us so much information and made it a really enjoyable trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The altitude is probably the biggest thing to overcome. Drink lots of water and cocoa tea and remember to take it easy for the first 1-2 days. There's no rush to see everything and you will appreciate aclimatising first down the line.

Suggestions

This was a once in a lifetime trip for me and I have lots of very good memories as well as photos to remember it by.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sense of being pulled through the Sun Gate by the full rays of the sun giving that first sudden full sight of Machu Picchu! I burst into tears. Camping on the ridge above Phuyupatamarca, gorgeous sunlight. climbing up for a better view of snow capped Mt Veronica with the sun setting and seeing a full Broccken Spectre, absolutely amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was the best guide I have ever come across. His English is amazing, his knowledge fantastic, his photographic knowledge unbelievable and very very attentive to everyones needs. He was very caring and patient.IN FACT he should be the only guide you ever use!!! Keep him fully employed so as not to lose him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont forget full waterproofs any time of year! Hot water bottle for tent.

Suggestions

Fantastic trip. Please, please organise me a trip to go to the Serengeti 2013!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Best bit of the trip without doubt was the moonstone trek, and the night on the high plateau after the highest pass on the trip. That campsite was very special... but then so was the following night on the inca terracing over the sacred valley...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan our group leader for the whole trip was fantastic, absolutely great guy, full of energy and enthusiasm and just so easy to spend time with.Jesus our trek leader was also a really great guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Peru doesn't seem to have weather as we know it - it has so many microclimates you can be boiling hot and freezing in the same hour nevermind day so particularly if you do the moonstone trek you'll need to pack for everything from shorts/tshirts/sandals to snow!

Suggestions

Great to meet so many local people on this trip and so many community run tourism enterprises. I really felt like our money was well spent in the country directly with local people in the highlands.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the Dead Woman's pass. When I looked at the terrain profile after the first day on the Inca trail, I thought I'm never going to make it. But, it turns out that it looked way more difficult than it was.Another highlight was going swimming in Paracas and watching the sunset while being in the water. Simply stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Holger was great. He was not only very helpful, he also has very good historical knowledge that adds value to the overall Inca experience on this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles, walking poles, walking poles. I normally don't use them, on the Inca trail I wish I had.Knee protectors also come in handy. When you go to the Ballestas Islands, make sure you're 'water-proof'. We got completely soaked - but it was worth it.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu as I never thought I would get to see it. It was an amazing experience. Especially as when we got there it was all misty but as the day went on the sun got out and the views were amazing and got some great pics. If you do not do the Inca trail go up to the Sungate, takes about 45 mins to and hour to walk but is well worth. The views are amazing.Also what was great was the people who were on the tour. Got on really well in the solo group and although I only got to camp one night I really enjoyed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Houylca (sorry if I spelt it wrong) was amazing. He was very good at explaining things and was great at organising it so I could get back from the group as well as organising people to take me off the Inca trail when I was ill. A great guy and was really interesting to talk to. Also the resturants he took us to were really good, especially the fish restaurant on the coast.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would not bother taking a sleeping bag I would hire one. Leaves more room for souverniers! Also pack light for the Inca trail. Also I do not think you need to take 2 water bottles. Water is provided on tour and plastic water bottles are fine. I would just take the one water bottle.I would defo take an Ipod as the travelling from Cuzco to Lima takes a long time and if you can not read on a bus an ipod is essential.Also it is worth getting Sols as although it says take dollars, everywhere takes Sols. So I have would have a mix of both.

Suggestions

Take a couple of batteries for the Inca trail as when I meet up with the group many people were on the last batteries when you got to Machu Picchu. So would advise taking a couple of spare batteries depending on what camera you have.Tip well the porters and your guides.Also if you are flying through the US make sure you get both boarding passes as a lot of missed our flights to Lima as cock ups between Contiential and United!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The most exciting part for me was the experience of the Inca Trail.  Lots of things I would rather not have done ie chemical toilets, camping on hard ground but all this was put in the shade by the experience of climbing above the clouds.  The scenery was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very professional and caring.  I was ill in Puno but he very quietly showed his concern and arranged for me to sit at the front of the coach.  He was very knowledgable about all aspects of Peru and the archaeaology of the sites.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the advice of the Tour Leader and I am sure you will learn a lot and enjoy the experience of the trip as fully as possible.

Suggestions

Go with an open mind and experience everything you can.