Discover the contrasting landscapes of Peru, as shaped by ancient civilizations
This tour combines the Inca Trail, one of the world’s great treks, with a taste of Peru’s diverse landscapes and cultures. Along the way, we visit Lake Titicaca, where indigenous groups inhabit floating reed islands, and the barren coastal deserts with their mysterious Nazca Lines. Cuzco is the ideal base for archaeological discovery and for embarking on the spectacular Inca Trail trek to the inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Wonders of the World. Our classic Inca Trail trip is designed to give you more time to enjoy the trail by arriving to Machu Picchu in the afternoon for iconic photos and overnight in Aguas Calientes. We return the next morning, fresh and well rested, for our in-depth tour of Machu Picchu and train back to Cuzco.
Highlights
Walk the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
Rest and refresh after your trek with overnight in charming Aguas Calientes
Travel by private bus, train, boat and one internal flight
15lb (7kg) personal weight limit on trek
Countries visited: Peru
What's Included
All breakfasts, five lunches, three dinners
11 nights in hotels and three nights of full-service camping
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers
Full porterage throughout trek
Exodus kitbag
Inflatable sleeping mat while camping
What's Not Included
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$20)
4Days of Walking & Trekking
Pace:
Approximately five to six hours of walking per day
Terrain:
High altitude; good paths, lots of steps
Day 7
11 km / 6.8 miles
Day 8
10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 9
12 km / 7.5 miles
Day 10
9 km / 5.6 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
The use of a local guide means our customers are well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food, and by supporting other local enterprises.
The porters we work with are not directly employed by our local partner, but we work with the same communities each year; they are fairly paid and we also supply uniforms, walking shoes and provide safe transport and community support for them. Our trek manager is a leading figure and consultant for the Porters’ Federation, which campaigns for the fair treatment of porters in the region.
We’re passionate about the welfare of our porters. Alongside setting the golden standard for fair treatment, we’ve taken the next step with our pioneering Porter Project. In Peru, despite trekking the Inca Trail numerous times, most porters never have the opportunity to visit the stunning ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. We’ve taken the initiative to fix this and started a project in 2018 to ensure each of our porters has the opportunity to experience an important part of their own cultural heritage. We can now proudly say that more than 165 porters have been involved in this project, and our mini-documentary Carried Away about our porters has raised awareness of the awesome job these porters do.
Funded by the Community Kickstart Project, our operator is working with Medlife to deliver emergency food parcels to the households of porters and other staff members who have continuously worked hard to guide our clients along the iconic Inca Trail.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
Trekking trips have little detrimental impact on the environment and our entrance fees for the archaeological sites, museums and churches we visit, including Machu Picchu, help support their maintenance, restoration and upkeep.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
We operate a zero-impact policy on the Inca Trail removing all waste from campsites and separating it so that it can be easily recycled or composted. This ensures no rubbish or plastic is left behind in the places we visit.
Our local operator has been certified and verified by Rainforest Alliance since 2015.
Our Animal Welfare Policy ensures all our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regards to working animals and wildlife viewing.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Through our Planet Promise, we have pledged to halve the carbon footprint of our trips by 2030 and made rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Vegetarian options are available at majority of accommodation and restaurants.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
What happens when one Irishman takes on the Inca Trail – as a porter?! In 2016, Jarlath McHale took on Peru’s most famous trek, the Inca Trail. In 2017, he went back to complete the same four day route – but this time as one of the porters who so inspired him first time round. Filmed and edited by our own videographer.
Welcome to Lima, the busy capital of Peru. There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling into the hotel. You are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima – please read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for information on how to confirm your free transfer.
There will be a noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held.
Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Arrive Lima
Welcome to Lima, the busy capital of Peru. There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling into the hotel. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima. There will be a notice board in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held.
Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Day
2
Drive south to Paracas and tour the Ballestas Islands; to Ica
We set off around 5.30am and drive south (four to five hours) to the port of Paracas. Here, we take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, a national park with one of the highest concentrations of marine birds in the world. There are also sea lions here and the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the hillside, only recognisable from the sea. The boat trip lasts around two hours, and once we’re back on dry land we drive for around an hour to Ica, in the heart of Peru’s wine-growing region. At the Huacachina oasis, just outside Ica, there are high dunes where we may have time to try sand surfing (optional).
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Jazmin (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
3
To Nazca; Nazca Lines viewing platforms; optional scenic flight
We arrive at Nazca in the afternoon with time to marvel at the Nazca Lines from viewing platforms. These are one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. Afterwards, for those who wish, there is the chance to take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (optional).
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
4
Head into the Andes to Abancay
We turn inland from the coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes on a long (11 to 12 hours) but spectacular drive. This region has only recently become easily accessible due to an upgrade of the Abancay-Chalhuanca road. We may see vicuñas (a smaller wild relative of the llama), as this area is the largest vicuña reserve in Peru, while flamingos are also usually sighted at high Andean lakes near the road. The altitude here can make physical exertion difficult (the highest point we reach today is Negro Mayu at approximately 15,090ft/4,600m). We stay in Abancay tonight and we recommend resting after the long drive.
Accommodation: Hotel de Turistas Abancay (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
5
Continue to Cuzco; afternoon free to acclimatise
We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping en route to visit the unique Inca Saywite stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the Vilcabamba mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes, and we should expect stunning scenery throughout today’s five to six-hour drive.
Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
6
Free day in Cuzco to explore Inca ruins and Spanish churches
Cuzco has a multitude of attractions in and around the city, both active and historical, and today is free to explore. An optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Pisac ruins is available, as is the option to try paddleboarding on a high-altitude lake on the plateau just outside the city.
Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
7
Start Inca Trail trek from Km82; walk along Vilcanota River; climb to Huayllabamba
Early this morning, we transfer (1hr 30min) from Cuzco into the Sacred Valley. Reaching the town of Ollantaytambo, we drive for one hour along the final stretch of road to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, recognized among adventurers as Km82. After greeting our trekking crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the fabled Inca Trail trek. Our route today runs alongside the Vilcanota River, beneath the snow-capped peak of Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and settlements, until we reach the terraced Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue up the Cusichaca Valley to camp near the village of Huayllabamba (9,186ft/2,800m).
The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Today’s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman’s (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky.
Over Runquracay Pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca
After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise.
Walk down Inca steps to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Vilcanota River far below.
Reaching Wiñay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of the trail (by Inca standards), through cloud forest and wild orchids to finally reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate).
From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind… congratulations, you made it!
Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for a shower and comfortable bed for the night.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu; return to Cuzco by train and by road
Well-rested and refreshed, we return to Machu Picchu this morning for our guided tour. Machu Picchu is an architectural and engineering marvel, the staggering mountain backdrop making it even more dramatic. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu still holds today.
This afternoon, we catch the train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (1hr 30min).
Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
12
Drive across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca, visiting Inca sites en route
Today we travel for 10 hours by private coach along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular. There are scheduled stops at interesting sites to break up the day and all along the route we feel the immensity of the Andean landscapes. A packed lunch is included today. This afternoon, we arrive into Puno (12,470ft/3,800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day
13
Day trip to floating reed islands of Uros and Taquile
We take a boat to the floating island of Uros, where the Uros people have been living on reed rafts for centuries. Although many have now moved to the mainland, there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands anchored close to Puno. A reasonable amount of their income is now provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and barter with mainland communities to obtain essential daily items.
After, we continue to Taquile Island, home to a community known for their remarkable weaving and traditional lifestyle. The panoramic views of the lake from the island are incredible, and it is often possible to see the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. There is the option to eat lunch on the island before we return to Puno.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
14
Transfer to Juliaca; fly to Lima
Today we transfer approximately one hour to Juliaca Airport and fly back to Lima in the afternoon. In the evening, there is the chance to go for a final meal together at one of the local restaurants (at own expense).
Accommodation: Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
15
End Lima
Begin your return journey home after breakfast. Alternatively, journey into the wilds on our Amazon Rainforest extension and explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of the abundant wildlife that lives there.
Meals included: Breakfast
Depart Lima
The morning is free, and the overnight group flights usually depart around lunch time or in the early afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Arrive London
The group flights arrive into London this afternoon.
Extend Your Trip
Amazon Rainforest extension (Pre-tour, from Lima)
Easily accessible via a short flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and home to an astonishing array of wildlife and plant species. Spending three nights at a lodge in the incredibly rich Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to explore dense forests. The detailed itinerary can be found here.
Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.
Code: XPLA
Post-trip Extensions
Amazon Rainforest extension (Post-tour, from Lima)
Easily accessible via a short flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and home to an astonishing array of wildlife and plant species. Spending three nights at a lodge in the incredibly rich Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to explore dense forests. The detailed itinerary can be found here.
Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.
Code: XPL
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip is rated Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please note, it is essential you read the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu regulations in the Important Information section of the Trip Notes before you book this trip.
The size of Peru means this trip involves some long drives and you should be prepared for this. However, the buses we use are comfortable and the scenery is outstanding, plus there are several stops to break up the long journeys. The road between Nazca and Cuzco involves long descents and ascents on winding mountain roads and this, combined with the increase in altitude, may affect you if you are prone to travel sickness.
The Inca Trail is an Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging) trek. There are four days of point-to-point walking with full porterage, reaching a maximum altitude of 13,830ft (4,215m), average 10,005ft (3,050m). Though not without its difficulties (in particular the ascent and descent of the first pass, known as Dead Woman’s Pass!) this trek is possible for anyone in good health and fitness. However, we would not recommend it to someone with no trekking experience. If you are not a regular walker you should put in physical preparation beforehand. The trek is also not particularly suitable for those with bad knees due to the number of steep and uneven steps, particularly on the third and fourth days of the trek.
As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes. We run the tour from Lima to Lake Titicaca to allow for gradual acclimatisation and have days in Cuzco (11,155ft/3,400m) before the trek, which should be ample time to adjust.
Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru; while these are generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to travel. Occasionally, your leader may have to adapt your itinerary in response to this.
Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and vary depending on the group’s pace.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel El Tambo Uno, Avenida la Paz 1276, Miraflores 15074, Lima Phone: +51 1 2194080 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Lima Location end: Lima
Vaccinations and Health
Peru
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Visa
Peru
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
All breakfasts, five lunches and three dinners are included in the price of the tour.
Peruvian cuisine is loved for its flavours and originality; it’s well worth digging into the local delicacies. Among these are ceviche (seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry), and various hearty soups including the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca steak. To drink, there’s pisco sour, the national beverage.
Drinking water is provided as tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader buys large water containers from which you can refill your bottle.
Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffets, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. We cannot guarantee that wheat-/gluten-free products are available for breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.
Where lunch and dinner are not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.
On the Inca Trail, hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided. These usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Snacks are also provided. Tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek.
Weather
The diverse geography of Peru results in a very varied climate between different regions.
Lima, Ica and Nazca fall within the coastal desert region of Peru, with a mild climate and very little rain all year. From April to November, the sky is almost always grey and cloudy and the air humid. Average daytime temperatures in Lima remain 18C-24C (64F-75F) during this period, with July and August typically being the coolest. Nights are also mild, typically 15C-18C (59F-64F). From December to March, the skies in Lima are clear and temperatures at their warmest but elsewhere in the country this is the rainy season.
Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry season, characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (20C/68F on average) but night times only 5C-10C (41F-50F), except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights are often close to, or a few degrees below, freezing. In the Andes, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and rapid and unexpected changes.
Lake Titicaca is high, lying at 12,470ft (3,800m) above sea level. At this altitude, the sun is strong but the air can be cold, and nights can be close to freezing. You need to bring warm layers and a waterproof or windstopper.
Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are in the cloud forest and, as such, attract large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can be heavy but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from July to August.
Peru is affected by El Niño, a weather phenomenon where warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years.
Hotels and full-service camping
For this adventure in Peru, we have 11 nights in hotels and spend three nights camping. The Inca Trail is offered on a full-service camping basis with full porterage, meaning our camp staff put up and take down the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day and enjoy your time on the trek.
While the hotels usually used on this trip are named in the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable places we stay.
Ica: Hotel Villa Jazmin (night 2)
Surrounded by dunes and pisco distilleries, Hotel Villa Jazmin is an oasis of comfort in Ica. After a day of touring in the desert sun, Villa Jazmin invites you to relax by the pool and enjoy a cold drink from the bar (we recommend a pisco sour made with locally produced pisco).
Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 7-9)
For three nights, we sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. It’ll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents. We also have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. Boiled and filtered drinking water is provided in the mornings, at lunch and dinner so we can refill our water bottles. Additionally, a bowl of warm water is provided each morning and evening for washing. We stay in official campsites where additional bathroom facilities are available.
Aguas Calientes: Inti Punku Machu Picchu (night 10)
The Inti Punku Machu Picchu hotel is centrally located in Aguas Calientes, a small town alongside the Urubamba River. It has clean, contemporary rooms with private baths and hot water, making it a perfect place to relax and take in this unique setting far below the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Where to begin? Lima is an incredible city. Paracas was beautiful. Nazca was mesmerizing. Titicaca was… Mediterranean and the Inca Trail itself was just such a moving experience. Standing at the Sun Gate watching others arrive and become completely overwhelmed with emotion made it really hit home just how lucky were to be there. You simply have to go.
Most Inspirational Moment
When I stepped foot on Machu Picchu our leader smiled, held out his hand and said "Congratulations, you completed the Inca Trail". The trail is testing, but you dig deep and keep putting one foot in front of another. You put the effort in and you're handsomely rewarded.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely brilliant!
Christopher Hunt
Reviewed October 2022
Inca Trail, Nazca and Titicaca
A great trip, really well organised.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at The Sun Gate at the end of The Inca Trail.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Holger was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable, looked after us really well and was really friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Peru although dollars are needed to pay for excursions, tips and souvenirs.
Francisco Oliveira
Reviewed September 2022
once Upon a time... (era uma vez...)
After 3 years postponed, this was our last chance to make Inca Trail. Was it worth? YES. Would I do it again? in another life for sure!
Most Inspirational Moment
For sure the Inca Trail, the camping, the effort to overcome difficulties and finally the Machu Picchu view at the top of "oh my god" stairs. The silence, the stars, the landscape.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Holger is a professional with a deep knowledge on Perú culture, very experienced in "reading" customer´s needs and ensuring a stress free daily rhythm. Thank you Holger for your knowledge, care and support!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be physically prepared, specially for the Inca Trail. There are no constraints on age (our group age average was well above 60). Be careful with the food and follow Exodus recommendations strictly .
Zayna Davis
Reviewed June 2019
peru adventure
Overall a fantastic trip would use exodus again.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of it i loved every single part all amazing and breathtaking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wilmer was the best tour guide i have ever had! I have done many many tours and wilmer was by far the best. Her was funny and helpful and his knowledge of peru was so brilliant. I learnt more than i ever imagined.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The inca trail is tough but once you have climbed the final OMG steps you realise just how worth it the hike and climb was!!
Johnny Deol
Reviewed October 2018
Great Views, Difficult Andes Trek, Crowded Reed Islands, Expensive Country
Without doubt, Peru is a beautiful country, and our trip proved that the Andes is one of the most majestic mountain ranges on the planet. The highlights of our trip were:
1. The beautiful Ballestas islands off the coast of Paracas, where a lot of sea lions lazily dotted the islands along with dozens of penguins and lots of birds. We also saw interesting species of crabs and other shell animals.
2. The 4-day hike along the Moonstone Trek in the Andes – this was the most enjoyable part of our trip. The stunning views of Mount Veronica on the 3rd day kept us in awe, and the climb to the summit of the trek at 4,600 metres above sea level. We also walked through lovely meadows and farms along the way.
Funnily enough, Machu Picchu was not the highlight of the trip, even though it was a nice experience to be there, it somehow seemed crowded and overflowing with tourists, taking away the calmness and serenity that is typically expected of such places.
Be warned that the Moonstone Trek is a difficult one, and altitude sickness is a reality. You will feel the lack of oxygen and are most likely to feel nausea, headaches and vomiting. I did throw up on the 2nd day of the hike. Also note that altitude sickness can afflict anyone, even the most well-built or muscular or athletic of people. Just because you are very fit and may even be an athlete or sportsperson, do not think that you are immune to altitude sickness!!
Peru is an expensive country, and the prices are marked up at tourist places, and shopkeepers will not negotiate prices lower than 10%-15%. You may find some products cheaper in Lima than in the tourist towns like Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu.
** Warnings:
– Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill without your consent in advance.
– There is a “tipping” disease in the country, and you will find many occasions where the tour leader will ask you to give a tip to just about every service person you encounter, like a bus driver, the backup/alternate driver, the boat captain, etc.
– If you are a vegan or vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, you will need to choose your food carefully and remind the waiter many times. They do not seem to understand or appreciate these dietary restrictions too well.
– Even simple things like a cup of coffee are overpriced in certain towns like Pucara, on the way to the city of Puno.
Overall, Peru is a lovely country, but go there knowing what to expect.
Safe travels!
Most Inspirational Moment
The 4-day Moonstone Trek
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good guy overall, very knowledgeable and sociable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, do not expect the Moonstone Trek to be a walk in the park. It is pretty difficult, I would personally rate it at Level-6/7 out of 10.
Be prepared to throw up, get a headache, nausea, get goddamn tired and curse Exodus along the way :)
But if you are willing to endure some discomfort for the rewards of stunning views of the Andes, you'll find that it is an investment worth the pain!
Remember: Walk at your own pace, don't try to impress anyone by walking fast as you could faint, take enough breaks and rest stops, keep drinking water frequently, wear ample sunscreen and insect/bug cream or spray, and most importantly - listen to the advice of your tour leader on the trek. He is the best and most experienced person in the group, and knows what will help and what will hurt.
Pauline Patterson
Reviewed August 2018
Stunning snow topped Andes
Peru is a wonderful country with its varied landscapes and diverse cultures. Nothing can quite prepare you for the stunning vistas in the Andes and the once in a lifetime experience of the Inca trail, culminating at the Sun Gate and that first view of Machu Picchu. All this led by our outstanding guide Bobby and shared with a lovely group of people. A BIG thank you.
Most Inspirational Moment
Undoubtedly that first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after 4 strenuous but amazing days on the Inca trail. It was quite an emotional experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
What a legend Bobby is! THE most fantastic guide, who shared his passion and knowledge of his country and immersed us into its heart and cultures throughout the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1. Read the trip notes carefully
2. Get yourself physically fit for the trek which I personally believe is higher than the moderate level 3 graded by Exodus.
3. Altitude will have an affect!
4. There are long drives but the scenery is always extraordinary and do help you acclimatise to the altitude.
5. Days were pleasantly warm but the nights very cold particularly on the trek and in Cusco, so layers are essential..
6. It is worth taking the optional extra flight over the Nazca lines to fully appreciate the extent of the carvings.
Martin Perrett
Reviewed August 2018
Inspirational treka
Not just a holiday, more of an adventure!
Most Inspirational Moment
Achieving day 2 of the Machu Picchu trek to Dead Woman’s Pass. Although not long as a days trek, the rise in altitude to 4200 metres was tough!
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader, Bobby, was excellent in every department. A more capable, competent and helpful guide in all probability does not exist. His involvement with the group was welcomed by all and resulted in the trip being a huge success for the group participants.
The information he provided on the various sites visited and the relevant history was most interesting and created further discussion within the group.
With regard to the travelling and accommodation, Bobby took full control and made our holiday somewhat carefree, thankfully!
A big thank you to Bobby!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take warm clothing for the camping part of the trip as the nights can be very cold!
Shirley Perrett
Reviewed August 2018
Nice trail,Titicaca and Nazca
A superb trip, very well planned and executed. The views were just amazing and the porters food incredible. We were so well looked after. Our guide, Bobby, was excellent and so informative. He knew all the best places to eat as well! Hotels were all good and we would thoroughly recommend the experience to others.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at Dead Woman’s Pass.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bobby was brilliant, he couldn’t have been better.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of thermals for the camping part as it was so cold at night.
Kim Stansfield
Reviewed August 2018
July 2018 Inca Trail and Peru
Excellent Guide, Bobby (Ubaldo), helped the group understand so much about Peru’s history, culture, fauna and amazing achievements of the Incas and preceding tribes, and all done with real sense of humour. Off the Inca trail Bobby continued to look after us, so the small group that flew back to UK were looking for him to help sort us out at Gatwick. The porters and cooks were also brilliant, not sure how they covered the route so quickly and made food and camp sites so comfortable. Also helped having a really friendly group of fellow travellers. All-in-all a brilliant experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing on a high point in the Andes above the camp watching the sun come up - red glow spreading across the mountain peaks, magical.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bobby (Ubaldo Quispe) was brilliant - gave so much insight and things to think about, always joking, but real sense he was looking after us and getting things organised. Missed him when we got back to UK!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If weather clear, take advantage of flight over Nascar lines, but don’t eat for a couple of hours beforehand. Really brings home the scale, but involves a lot of weaving. During Trail, take things slowly, but the guide will explain things like that.
At Machupichu you are limited to small bag/ ruck sack, had left our small bags behind, would have been good to know about the limitation before leaving Cuzco.
Susan Percival
Reviewed July 2018
My holiday of a lifetime Peru and Mchu Picchu
This has been my dream holiday for as long as I can remember. Nazca lines, Andes, walking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. It was more than I could have hoped for. The amazing scenery welcoming people, amazing food, Pisco sours and a friendly enthusiastic Tour guide. Without the long coach journeys we would have missed all the amazing scenery! The flight over the Nazca lines truly amazing and well worth doing. Day 2 of the trail definitely the hardest but the thrill when you reach Dead woman’s pass is nearly as inspiring as reaching the Sun gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. I was ill at the end of the holiday so missed Lake Titicaca.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching Dead Woman's pass was as equaling inspiring as the emotion that overwhelms you when you reach the Sun Gate and see Machu Picchu for the first time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group Leader Willmer Delgado was an amazing ambassador for Exodus and for Peru. His knowledge of Peru and its history had us all enthralled for the whole 15 days in Peru. Nothing was too much trouble including helping track down my missing suitcase . Our assistant guide on the trail Kleverth was along with Will very patient and being one of the slower walkers who suffered with altitude sickness I was never made to feel like I was holding anyone back.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Drink the coca tea when offered to you as it does help on the trail. Don't let the coach journeys put you off, the scenery is amazing, you get to see Vicunas and Alpaca's roaming free, Condor's and Flamingo's.
Above all enjoy the whole experience, a few early mornings wont kill you!
Optional Single Supplement+USD 690 Available upon Request
Inca Trail permits sold out - Alternative Moonstone Trek available
Inca Trail permits sold out - Alternative Moonstone Trek available
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Land Only Trip PriceUSD 4950
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Optional Single Supplement+USD 750
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Optional Single Supplement+USD 750
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Land Only Trip PriceUsually USD 4948Now USD 4705Saving USD 243Usually USD 6898Now Saving USD 243
Book with USD 1176 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 750
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 4950
Book with USD 1237 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 750
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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