Most Inspirational Moment
The first night walk in the jungle, it had everything I'd hoped for. The sounds, smell and aura of the place was incredible. the walk started 81 paces from the front door of my lodge I could not believe I was so close to nature at its peak. The whole place was alive and everything had its own place in the order of things, the human world could learn a great deal from this rather than cutting the place down. To look one way and there was a goliath bird eating spider staring at me, and looking the other way and a wandering spider being right there was a sight to see. Howler monkeys in the tress and solder ants all working together moving leaves; wow what a place!! Catching piranha's come a close second never thought I'd do that.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had 4 leaders all of which played there part amicably. Edwind was the main guide; going out of his way to please us despite being unwell, answering a multitude of questions and caring for me when I had heat exhaustion, cheers for that. Moises was the jungle guide and he knew everything; even Tarzan couldn't catch this guy out. Jose was the guide on the Moonstone Trek; which is both amazing and a killer at the same time. He put up with me cursing and shouting during the big climbs so thankyou for that. Juan did Puno and did what he could to make the short stay good.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The altitude is Cuzco was not an issue for me at all, but other people on the trip suffered in some form, so I cant comment on the taking of altitude sickness pills, as everyone I spoke to didn't take them at all. Bu the choice is yours. Be ready for some early starts, one was at 03.00!!, but this is necessary due to the distance needed to travel, and I hope you enjoy unpacking and repacking; by the end of the trip I could do this blindfolded. Unless you are a regular hiker with the love of uphill climbs you need to train to do the trek itself, I did for 5 moths prior to the start and it still pushed me to the limit and I would have failed without preparation. Take plenty of layers clothes wise, as the temperatures vary massively from day to night (28c to -2C) in one day, and ensure your walking boots are well worn in; you do not want feet problems at 4700m trust me. Take industrial strength repellent, and don't bother with this environmentally friendly stuff on the market, it may be good for saving the planet but the bugs don't care, I got eaten alive in the jungle using this stuff. Remember "save your skin, you can save the planet when you get home"
