Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to pick out just one. Machu Pichu, obviously and the many other Inca sites we visited. Condors at Colca Canyon stand out; we lost count but certainly about a dozen when we felt we might be lucky if we saw even one. Cusco was a lovely place and, while I know you have to warn travelers about the dangers tourists attract, we didn't feel threatened anywhere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian Echegaray was simply great. There was nothing he would not do for us and acted as a Llama herd, gathering us together when we strayed. He took us to some wonderful restaurants we probably wouldn't have found on our own and seemed to have encyclopaedic knowledge of his country and all its facets. Ho found us great local guides, made arrangements for those of us who wanted to do optional tours, got taxis for us, in fact the holiday could nt have been the same without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really. We went at the start of the 'rainy season' and saw two heavy showers in two weeks. Having said that it is difficult to plan your clothing requirements but that applies to a lot of places. The only real advice - just enjoy Peru!

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pick just one as the whole trip was fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food is uninspiring, so don't go with high expectations. Wi-Fi is very limited so warn family/friends that communication will not be easy!

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moment was the exciting descent down a series of hairpins on the penultimate day of the trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Daniela and Guiseppe took very good care of everyone. Daniela's knowledge of the places we visited also enhanced the quality of the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Two really. Looking down from the 'bowling green smooth' viewpoint over Choq, in all its solitude. On this my second visit to MP, finally getting the classic view overlooking the city in all its glory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Frank was very good at his job. Informative about all aspects of the Inca culture. Showed a love both for Peru and for the mountain people of the Andes. Crucially he also had a good sense of humour!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for testing walking conditions. My walk was in November but we experienced very hot sunshine. This made the steep zig zagging ascents and descents very hard. Walking poles extremely useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst we had lunch on the 3rd part an elephant herd passed us by, including a what we were told a 1 year old baby elephant. Furthermore, seeing most the animals in harmony with each other made us wonder sometimes why humanity cannot do this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leader were great and brought a lot of fun to the trip. They were very easy on changing the plans (for example to go swimming) to suit what we would like to do, which was great. Organisational wise (only real downside), I would have hoped for us getting told at the airport to prepare our bags. Packing bags in the darkness, which we had to do and not knowing what we expect in the camps would have been beneficial. I packed far too much of the wrong things, because I didn't know what to pack in the darkness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack you bags (for the canoe trip) at the airport when you arrive!!! It is the last time you have light. Bigger bag for clothes and things, small bag for thing you need to walk around when you stop (majorly water) - possibly large water bottle is actually enough + dry sack with camera. Water is available the minute you arrive on the campsite, so no need to buy loads of water like on other trips. Money: You actually only need money for tipping and on the first/last day, otherwise there is no possibility to use your money.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having tea in the centuries old house in the tiny village of cats.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was excellent and dealt with problems as they arose very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Perhaps spend another day in Agadir on your own just to enjoy the modern site side resort promenade and beach on your own. Once in the Anti Atlas there is little civilisation and no opportunity to wash. When it did rain one day we stayed in a local gite, but in the more remote areas be prepared to become and stay wet.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing around 150-200 elephants converge at the National Park on Day 3 and watching them play and interact.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was a very experienced group leader with a great sense of humour and organisational skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good trainers/walking shoes as they are required for some of the walks. There seem to be quite a lot of 'special' days when no alcohol available.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up at dawn, in a frost covered tent, before getting to see the sun rise on the mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sonam was brilliant fun to be with. He took good acre of all of us and made sure that any backmarkers on the trek part were supported. He was kind and engaging and had a wicked sense of humour. He also brought the best cook ever to cook for us on the trek.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trek is less strenuous than Annapurna but it's still at altitude and the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. It got really cold in the tents and the ground was harder than you think! I'd suggest getting the thickest, warmest inflatable mattress you can afford and making sure you pack good quality merino and a really decent sleeping bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Matera around the cave houses, seeing the cave where the bones of a 28000 year old skeleton were found, going into a 600 year old trulli that was still being lived in, walking through the olive groves enjoying the countryside vistas, sampling the local produce at fabulous picnics put together by our lovely guide, visiting Ostuni the white city, the list goes on. In short we thoroughly enjoyed our week and would do it again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We loved Marinella, she loves her job and her country, she is a mine of information and does her best to make sure that everything runs smoothly for everyone. We enjoyed her sense of humour and her company, she is an absolute delight. We were impressed by Marinella when one of our group members had an accident (before the walk even started ) and she had to balance care and organizing her as well as guiding the group, she must have been under a great deal of stress but she handled the situation professionally and we never felt that she could have done better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you do this trip in November make sure that you take warm clothes for at night and good walking boots.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the summits were brilliant. It was difficult terrain. A lot of loose stones underfoot so I had to walk with poles which I don't usually do but it was challenging and the guide really helped. The scenery was beautiful and the local villages of Guadalest and Benimentall were lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was fantastic. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour. He was incredibly passionate about his country and very knowledgeable. His guiding was faultless, made excellent sandwiches - really! Respected and managed people with different levels of experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely need ankle support boots and poles. Bring thin layers.