INCE TRAIL & AMAZON RAINFOREST

Hi Wayne

I am on this trip - also alone - but from past experience it won't take long for us all to get to know each other. Website says there are only two spaces left so should be full group. Really looking forward to it - Peru was recommended by fellow travellers on Venezuelan trip last year.

Heather

Hi heather,

Nice to meet someone else going on the trip. Its not on the dates and price list now so look likes its all booked up which is good, i really like to meet new people and make new freinds on these trips.

i really cant wait for the trip i'v been wanting to visit peru for so long now, is it wrong for me to be wishing the weeks away he he.

This is my first trip with exodus, have you been on any with them before?

wayne

 

Hi again

Not been with Exodus before but with Explore which does similar trips and so far just had something in itinery which I preferred to Exodus's. This time however I preferred Exodus's itinery. Lots of people I've met on trips have been with Exodus as well as Explore and say they're very much the same. I'm really looking forward to Peru - went to Venezuela last year and loved it particularly the jungle and talking to other people on the trip made me decide to do Peru this year. Just hope I don't get hit with altitude sickness. Am going on my first Exodus holiday in June - Lycian activity week - lots of messing about in water.

heather

Hi, I'm coming on this with my husband Ken, it's our first Exodus trip but we have friends who recommended them. It seems such a long way away! But time to think about getting fit...

Have you guys done any trekking before?

We'll have to talk nearer the time about how we're getting ready!

Becki  

hi Becki and Ken

I have done three treks with Explore because on those I preferred Explore's itinery but this time I preffered Exodus's. I gather from other travellers both companies are pretty equal. Main thing on this trek is I think flying into high altitude and you can't train for that - you might suffer from altitude sickness - or you might not but it's pot luck! Personally I am really looking forward to the Amazon - my trip last year was to Venezuela and I loved the jungle. Counting down the months at the moment!

 Heather

Hi becki and ken,

Nice to meet you, thats 4 of us now, looks like the trip is fully booked so should be really good and we all should have an awesome time.

i have done some walking and basic trekking in the usa and canada, but this is my first trip like this. I'v been wanting to visit peru for so long now both the amazon and the inca trail will be amazing, i'm just counting down the weeks now.

i have stared to do some longer walking and hitting the gym in the last week or so, want to make sure im fit and nothing will ruin my dream trip lol (i'm sure nothing can).

hope to keep in touch up to the trip

wayne

 

 

 

 

Hi All,

I'm also travelling alone of this trip, its the first time I've been trekking and the first time I've holiday'd alone, but I am very much looking forward to it!!!

Little bit nervous about the jungle part, purely from a bugs point of view, but am sure I'll be fine!!

Look forward to meeting you all soon!!

 

Sarah

Hi sarah (hi all),

Nice to meet you sarah, that makes five of us and the trip is deff fully booked up.

 Only 14 weeks left really can't wait now. Just starting to have my jabs now (not so nice lol).

 my e-mail/msn is  waynecalcott@hotmail.com  so if anyone want to chat about trip or anything just add me

 wayne

 

Hi Sarah and everyone

Don't worry - I remember my first trip alone - aaaaagh! Within about 24 hours we will feel like old friends and possibly be insulting each other like mad! I have my travel clinic appointment next week but hopefully having been to Venezuela last year all I'll need is a new Malarone prescription. Hope to have survived my busiest time at work and moved house by the time we meet.....

Heather

Hi Wayne and Heather (and all other travellers of course!!),

Thanks for your responses, I imagine we're going to have a fab time and yes only 14 weeks to go!! I think I should be ok on the vaccination front as well after going to Kenya a few years ago so will just need the malaria tablets (well thats what I'm hoping!!).

In your previous experiences do people tend to group together in the UK airport or in the destination one?

(By the way I am in fancy dress in my profile picture!!)

 Take care

 Sarah

Hi Sarah

 

Last year most of our group going to Venezuela bumped into each other at Heathrow whereas the year before going to Nepal I kept bumping into people with the same company but on a different trip and didn't meet anyone from my group until Kathmandu! If we're travelling on the same flights and have several hours in Madrid it would be good to meet up. I'm undercover in my profile picture!

Hi everyone

I have a new travel nurse at my surgery and she is recommending I have the rabies jabs although I haven't had them before when it's been suggested as a possible. Is anyone else being recommended to have the rabies vaccination or is she just being a bit over zealous?

Heather

hi heather,

I'v been reccomended the rabies vacc as well from my travel clinic, its a 3 dose course as well and its £120.

I'v decided to go fot it because its reccomended if your going east of the andes although some web sites say if your going for over 2 months you need it.

Bats are a major problem with rabies it says. I need 6 vacc in total lol

wayne

 

 

Thanks Wayne. Has anyone ever been able to tell you how animals know you're there for less than 2 months and not to bite you? I've seen this "recommended if staying for more than 2 months" for other places and risks too! It only lasts 2-3 years so I'll have to be sure I go to another risk area next year at least to make the most of it!

Heather

PS Your surgery isn't in Cambridge is it?

 

Hi Heather, everyone

my clinic is in northamptonshire, im from there also.

I know what u mean about jab what the diff between 2 weeks and 2 months makes i dont know can get bitten in 1 day lol.Will deff have to make the most of the jab, another nice trip next year lol.

Is everone on the group flights, what time do you all fly out of london

wayne

Hi all, 

I checked with my nurse and basically the rabies vaccine doesn't prevent you from getting rabies but buys you time to get to a hospital for an antidote or treatment. So I guess the longer you're away and the further away from civilisation you are the more you need it. Don't think we're going to go for it.  

In the meantime we're trying to do more walking and serious gym time (not that successfully!). Not been on a walking holiday before, never done more than a day at a time!

We're not on the original group flights as they were fully booked so we're going with Iberia a little earlier on Friday night, anyone else joining us?

Becki  

Hi All

Have just been catching up with all your comments.  Phil and I are coming as a pair, can't wait now, it feels like forever ago we booked.  We are going for our jabs next week and was wondering about the rabies, so your chat has helped.  This is our first trip with Exodus, also recommended by friends who did the Inca trail and said it was fantastic.  We have been going to the gym and just about to start some walking in the new boots in the hope it keeps away the blisters.

Catch you all soon.

 Sara & Phil

Sara, Phil

So what have you decided about rabies vac - I'm still undecided! Only one seems to be having it so far. I have been busy buying and selling houses and today finally exchanged contracts on sale so can get back to thinking about Peru 

Heather

 

Hi Heather

I am thinking not, although there was a rabied bat attack a couple of weeks ago in Peru.  If it definitely protected you I would have had it, but I am thinking if weare careful, we should be OK.  Will see what the nurse says when I see her in a couple of weeks for all of the other lovely jabs! 

Sara

Hi all just finished the coast to coast and it was BRUTAL especially on the Cumbria section. 

Conditions were pretty awfull I spent most of the 12 days watching my boots and not the countryside.

Have badly injured me calf ligaments and will have to cry off this trip due to the injury.

Best wishes to everyone and good luck with dead womens pass climb at altitude.

 David

Hi Guys,

Had our jabs this morning, a health three before work, after talking to the nurse we deceided to go for the Rabbis and Hep B as well. 

We are flying from Heathrow T3 on BA7069 @ 06.20 can't wait. 

Phil

 

Hi

 Just need to have rabies - first jab tomorrow.  I'm on 7.25  BA7053 from Heathrow T3 then LA5101 from Madrid at 12.40 - maybe we're on same onward flight ?

 

Heather

hi all,

Just had my 3rd rabies jab so im all done now, the yellow fever made me a bit ill but got over it in 3/4 days. I'm on 6.20  BA7069 from Heathrow T3 then LA5101 from Madrid at 12.40, i think we may all be on the same LAN flight.

 Only 7 weeks left now i really cant wait. I have just about got all my kit now, only waterproofs to get i think(hope)lol. Is anyone taking different footwear for the jungle section to the trek bit, I am just taking 1 pair of trek boots for the whole trip.

wayne

Hi

 Guess I'm lucky to be on slightly later flight from Heathrow - as long as

it's not late and misses connection! Maybe I'll stick a big Exodus label on my hand baggage so those of you who have already located each other might spot me at Madrid! Have had first rabies and arm not too bad, two more to go. Footwear - I shall probably take trekking sandels as will wear those round camp at night. Have just moved house and when I locate info will see what they say about jungle footwear - suspect not sandals - maybe trainers? Depends on temperature as to whether I will be itching to get my boots off. Must get some dollars soon - but haven't figured out how many yet. Looking forward to getting going now and have weekends on Dartmoor and in Snowdonia in the next month so hope to be fit.

Heather

Hi everyone!

I'm also coming on the Inca Trip this October and just gotten round to creating a profile. I'm busy trying to arrange jabs and figuring out which ones I need. Your conversations above really help. This will be such a great experience. There's 4 of us travelling from the UK and another one of our group coming from Australia. Flying from Heathrow through Madrid on Sat at 7:45.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Allan

Hi everyone, My name is Chris and I am also on this trip (going alone). In regards to jabs I have had- yellow fever hep b tetanus typhoid. I am not having the rabbies one. Ill just run away from any dodgy looking animals or people with the rabies jab can protect me, lol.

Hi Chris Had my second rabies jab last week and felt as if I'd GOT rabies! Luckily short lived and better by time I had to run 1.7 miles 2 days later - I don't run but it was for charity. Not looking forward to 3rd jab. I'll send you my scale of fees for protection duties if you like! Just been and got my first 100$ as a start. I'll get 100$ every couple of weeks until I've figured out how many I need. Can't wait to set off. Heather

Hi All, Heather - I'm on the same flights at you, yippeeeee!!! Moneywise - are people going for US$ or the local currency? or a bit of both? Only 4 weeks to go!! Sarah

Hey all,Sarah I’m taking us dollars only and changing some out there in to sol the exchange rate is better if you change it out there. I have $400 so far I’ve been getting $100 at a time when I have the cash, I have no idea how many I’m actually going to take.I have just got my waterproofs now so that is everything I hope, Just counting down the days now. Hopefully the kit bags will arrive from exodus soon, see how much room and what weight restrictions there are because I have quite a lot of stuff I might need to cut it down a bit lol.Wayne

 

We're just making a list of all the things we need to buy and borrow before we go - it's enormous! Trying to work out what type of coat to take, whether to take a ski jacket or not. I've had half my jabs, just yellow fever to go, and then to get marlaria tablets. Is anyone on the Iberia flight? We're on the IB7759 at 00:15 from Madrid on the Saturday. Not long to go now!

Hi all, Beck i'm taking layers rather than one big coat, it will be easier to carry and it's also better to take things on and off. Yes the kit list is a big one, we have bough some rucksac's which have a camel pac chamber so no need to carry water bottles as well. Who's taking walking poles Sara is but can't decieded if I need them or not? P.s we are not related to shrek re pic, it's the light honest. lol Phil.

Hi Missed out on a lot of conversation while I have been yomping round Dartmoor all weekend. Snowdonia in 2 weeks - good run in for trip but not deliberate just co-incidence that I am away with previous fellow holidaymakers. I too am just taking dollars and I am taking poles as they have other uses even if I don't end up using them to walk with! Looks like Becki and Ken will have settled into hotel at Lima by the time group fliers arrive and have the beers lined up?? And Phil - you've got your nickname now. Heather

Thanks Phil - might just go for layers, will see what happens when we start packing! Bought loads of equipment at the weekend, it's strange buying for all weather - waterproofs, thermals, baselayers... I think we might buy walking poles when we get there if we need them, I read you can do this, and I imagine they would be cheaper. Was going to ask if people are taking water bottles or camel back pouches, we're undecided as yet. Becki

hey all, Got the final joining instuctions today just 3 weeks and a day left, counting them down now. I think family and the guys at work are getting fed up about hearing about peru now lol. I am taking poles as iv been told the downhill parts of the trek(dead womans pass) is a killer on your knees. Becki im taking water bottles(i have got 2 x 1 litre bottles) because in cuzco it says you can buy bottle carriers and they are not very expensive. I have decided to stop buying things now because i will not have the room and will go over 20kg weight restiction lol, my sleeping bag alone is 2.5kg. Has anyone decided on how many dollars they are taking yet? i really have no idea with tipping and optional excursions as well. wayne

Yippee only 3 weeks, I can't wait!!! (Although I have a significant birthday between now and then which I'd rather not have!!) Money - no idea how much I'm taking, but I shall be getting all US$ as per your advice (thanks guys). Wayne - where did you get your 1L bottles? I've been struggling to find any big enough. Luggage wise - are people taking "normal" luggage or big rucksack type thingys? Sarah

Hi all, Sarah i got my 1 litre water bottles from millets they are the aluminium type ones, they sell laken(which i got) or the euro hike ones. As for luggage im taking a big rucksack 60+10 litre as my hold luggage and a daypack 20 litre for the hikes and as carry on luggage (i hope there is enough room lol), The kit bag that exodus send im just using for the amazon and inca trail parts(the porters get to carry this one) you can keep your main rucksack stored at the hotel while you are on the trail. wayne

We got ours at Go Outdoors, we just got one each as are still wondering whether to get a camelbak as well. But the amount we have already spent on stuff I think it will be the cheaper water bottles that win! We're taking a big rucksack each and then a smaller day pack. Less than 3 weeks!

Thanks guys, your advice is much appreciated!! 2 weeks and 5 days!!!

Has anyone got their kit bags yet? We haven't.

Hey I phoned exodus today and they are waiting for the supply to come in, he said they hope to despatch them by friday or monday latest. wayne

Thanks for phoning Wayne - saves all of us doing it! I am sitting with ice round my ankles at the moment having wrecked them on Dartmoor. Snowdonia this weekend is apparently hands and knees so hope ankles OK by the time we hit Peru! Got a new mouthpiece for my Platypus today as original one has given up. Think that's nearly it - counting down the days. Heather

Hi I've now booked my coach to Heathrow and will be camped out in the terminal from about 3am. Did the same last year and Terminal 3 is pretty dead! Anyone else going to be hanging around? Heather

Hi Heather, Hope your ankles are getting better. Phil and I are staying in a hotel near Heathrow the night before, so not sure what time we will get to the terminal yet, will have to let you know. We are take big bags with wheels for the hold luggage and day sacks as carry on - just need to check everything fits. Last of the jabs tomorrow, thank goodness. Not long to go now, can't wait!

Hi all 17 days and counting(getting a tad excited now lol), Got everything now so gonna do a check on weight at the weekend i think i will be ok though. Heather im going to be at the airport around 3 as well, Im on the 6-20 flight so if you and anyone else wants to meet up for a coffee i'll be around. Wayne

Hi all, We're on the midnight flight from Madrid so will already be on our way to Lima! We'll see you all at the hotel on Saturday. You all sound pretty organised and ready, we just have a huge pile of stuff that has been accumulating, need to start sorting and checking we can pack it all! Went to Boots yesterday and bought up every medicine we could possibly want, just in case! Feel as if our fitness regime has dwindled since the weather went downhill, but people keep telling me that the less fit do better at altitude as they go slow, so I'm believing that! Becki

Becki I'm with you on the organisation, or lack of. Unusual for me but as away three long weekends in a row cannot think too much about packing for Peru until next week when I have had my last weekend away. Currently sorting gear for Snowdonia! Also having just moved to much smaller house I have no room to sort anything out so it has to go in kitbag beside my bed and then I'll climb over it until we go. Looking forward to seeing you in Lima. Wayne I'll put my second Exodus label on my handbaggage. I have short brown hair, 5 foot 6 inches tall, medium build and agewise look somewhere in my 50's - but am not! Heather

Heather / Wayne - I should see you at Heathrow around 3.30am ish. I also am disorganised, but slowly accumulating things and deciding what I'm taking, just need to get packing now although shall hold off doing that until the week we go otherwise I'll only end up unpacking to check I have something then have to repack!! Need to do my trip to Boots for the essentials then think I'm done!! I just want to get going now!!! Sarah

Hi, Thanks Heather I await the costs. All of you seem so organized. I am also on the 6:20 flight to Madrid so I will also be around at 3am. Chris

Hi all, Just wondering what you are doing about sleeping bags i've just emailed exodus for details about hiring in Peru vs bring our own from home. Any thoughts, I had asumed I would just take my own but after reading some of the notes in the arrival zone of this web site not so sure.

We've borrowed some from friends (3-4 seasons). Hadn't read any comments so not sure what the concerns are but we have 'road tested' them here and they're very warm!