Most Inspirational Moment
It is hard to pick a favourite day or sight, as there was something special on each day. Personally I love snowy mountains so seeing Salcantay was special. Camping near the base of Salcantay was very memorable – a campsite in a spectacular setting, hearing and seeing avalanches, seeing the milky way and waking up with frost inside the tent!! On these first three to four days of the trek we had the trail pretty much to ourselves, and we were the only group at this particular campsite.
I also particularly enjoyed reaching the end of the Inca Trail at the sun gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. The setting, scale and craftsmanship is most impressive.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rolando was a fabulous guide with an encyclopaedic knowledge about pretty much everything! He is very passionate about his country, its history and culture. He imparted his knowledge with great enthusiasm, had a great sense of humour and was very encouraging if anyone was struggling e.g. on a steep section of the trail. He was also very organised, including arranging our departure times each day on the trail when we joined the main Inca Trail so we had the trail mostly to ourselves, with just a few porters. This meant we avoided the crowds and only saw other groups at lunch stops and the campsites. It was also a pleasure to spend time with assistant guide Javier on the trail.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You really can and do experience four seasons in one day on this trip so be prepared for temperatures ranging from what felt like plus 30 degrees down to about minus 10 degrees Centigrade. Take a full set of thermals, including thermal socks. If you take a metal water bottle this can be filled with hot water after dinner creating a hot water bottle for the coldest nights. It's best to take a proper cover, or if not use a hiking sock!
Take a toilet roll and antibac hand gel. Not all toilets in Peru supply such items!
On the free day in Cusco on return from the trail we booked a private guide and transfer for Rainbow Mountain which was spectacular. It was also possible to arrange to trip to Moray, Moras and the nearby Incan quarry in the Sacred Valley.
Before you book the Lake Titicaca extension I would recommend checking with Exodus whether they have booked the tours to see the Uro Indians and Sillustani with a private guide. The four of us that did the extension were put with mixed tour groups for the morning and afternoon. This worked okay for the Uros Indians as the group was small and all English speaking. However for Sillustani there was one guide for two buses covering both English and Spanish speaking groups – basically the group was far too large meaning this afternoon was my least enjoyable of the full trip, the rest of which was very good.