Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The journey along the trail was amazing.  I haven’t got the words to begin to describe the views....you need to book NOW and see for yourself! The second day up to dead womans pass was hard, but I loved every minute of it.  Felt such a sence of achievement when I got to the top. Of course the emotional arrival at the sungate....we were all smelly, dirty and must have looked a sight standing next to the day trippers in their flip flops and white shirts....but we earnt that view!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was fabulous, extremely knowledgeable and very proud of his country.  He always had a smile on his face and would make sure we did too!  Carols was also fantastic and supportive. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take wet wipes for the trek.  I didn’t need them myself but I would recommend blister plasters.  Take warm clothes for the night on the mountain including wooly hat! Take full advantage of your time in Cusco, explore the old town and have a few Pisco sours!  Take a good camera with lots of spare batteries.  I took quite a few movies which capture so much more than a photo and have been great to watch back. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The Sun Gate, brought tears to my eyes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutley fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable, sense of humour, aproachable. Her vocabulary was good.Kept us informed all the time of what would happen next. 

Most Inspirational Moment

More than a few.  Flying over the Andes from Lima to Cusco and seeing the mountains and the snow. Experiencing the Inca civilization in its different forms along the trial.  Travelling up river by boat through the Amazon and hearing the sounds of the rain forest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene, our group leader, was very knowledgeable and organised.  Being from the Inca tradition, he knew the history of the culture and what purpose the Inca builings were created for.  He understood the spiritual nature of the journey on the trail (the Inca oneness with the mountains). He also co-ordinated the logistical exercise of organising the camp and the porters along the way very competently.Equally, I really appreciated Erik's understanding of the rainforest, his uncaany ability to spot the wildlife and know how the plants could be used as traditional medicines. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get to Cusco and then the rain forest, be prepared for quite a lot of travelling, but it is worth it.Read the trip notes, as there are weight allowances on the Inca Trail and to break items down again in going to the rain forest to a light day pack.Take a spare set of clothes to change into at the rain forest lodge, ever if you are encouraged to travel light.Have the recommended vaccinations and anti malarial tablets. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the ancient Inca paths through the Andes and reaching Machupicchu was magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Rene Huaman was fantastic, knowledgeable, supportive and with a heart of gold. Also Carlos the assistant leader was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take comfortable walking boots and a good camera.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up ridiculously early to see a sunrise that didn't seem like it wanted to appear, then suddenly did so. The mountain tops peeked through the mist and cloud and set us up for a great final day of the trek.Having pretty much exclusive access to many deserted Inca sites on the way that Machu Picchu could almost have been a disappointment. It wasn't of course!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabricio seemed very laid back - almost too relaxed at first - but actually had everything under control and was very knowledgable about the Incas and the natural features, especially the plants of the cloud forest. He was joined by Edwin as assistant leader on the trek and he was brilliant - setting a really good pace for the group and always having an extra bit of information up his sleeve.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather can change within minutes and it rained a lot - even in the supposed dry season - so buying one of the cheap coloured ponchos was essential (we made a rainbow group). Lots of warm clothes for the evening and a good hat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Once we arrived in Cusco at the start of our trip we were very well looked after and the Trek itself was amazing ,two of the highlights being climbing to the highest point of our mountain ridge campsite at dawn to watch the sunrise and coming through the Sun gate at the top of Machu Picchu to behold the amazing Inca settlement

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Fabrizzio was a lovely guy , nothing was too much trouble ,his English was amazing and he was so good to one of our party who was too ill to do the trek.The assistant guides were also lovely with a great sense of humour and some of the girls in our group wanted to bring Edwin home with us. His knowledge of flora and fauna was great as this part of the trek interested us a lot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My best tip is to buy a plastic poncho in the sacred valley at the start of the trek as we used ours a lot and took great 'rainbow' photos with all of our group in rainbow order of colours.It was very cold at night so thermals were invaluable and a 3/4 seasons sleeping bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through The Sun Gate and seeing the view below us truly incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great. One of our party had altitude sickness and wasn't able to join us for most of the trip..he was very supportive of her and ensured that she was able to join us for the last day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take good waterproofs even in the Dry season!

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 2 of the trail was a tough day, reaching Dead Womans Pass was a real sense of achievement and of course Machu Picchu was just breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maritza our group leader was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, nothing was too much trouble for her and she left us all with lots of happy memories.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cusco was quite chilly at times so make sure you take some warmer clothes but dont forget the suncream either and dont bother with high heels as its all hills and cobbles. Think carefully about what you're going to pack in your kitbag, they do weigh them to make sure they're not over 7kg. Toilet wipes and antibac handgel are an absolute must, the toilet facilities on the trek are pretty basic to say the least! and a trekking pole is a great help.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for me personaly was seeing machu picchu for the 1st time as i went through the sun gate its a moment which ill treasure for ever, it was a very emotional and spiritual moment one to trteasure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Bobby and Frank were very knowledgable throughout the walk both understood and spoke very good english both had a great sense of humour and i thoroughly enjoyed their company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a cheap blow up lilo for sleeping on , wear your walking boots through the airport my luggage was lost and had to hire boots that were uncomfortable and gave me blisters on top of my blisters, take a good quality plastic poncho with you it will keep you much drier than any expensive jacket as drying your clothes is impossible.

Most Inspirational Moment

arriving at MP from above

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marvellous

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get trained !