INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

17 days from GBP2,699 to GBP3,099 including flights
Tripcode: TPJ

Countries Visited: Peru

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 55 reviews.

Mel Jones

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written September 2008
The Amazon jungle was breath taking and Machu Picchu was every bit as special as it looked in the pictures.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Having the red howler monkeys as your wake up call in the jungle. Seeing all the Inca ruins for the first time on the trail. Meeing such a great bunch of people that made the trip very special.
What did you think of your group leader?
Cesar was a sociable and helpful person. He was passionate about the Inca people and especially proud of the city of Cusco which was his home. I still cannot remember some of the spanish he desparately tried to teach me.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We did use the blue kit bags, but packed one in a larger bag so we could leave most of our gear at the Exodus office when we went to the jungle. We didn't really need walking books for this section as it was pretty dry, just sturdy trainers. Always wear some sort of long sleeves and trousers even at night, I got eaten alive and had deet on when I wore shorts. Do expect to be shocked by how cold it can be at the hotel in Cusco, take something to wear in bed girls. Having read a lot of feedback about this trip with regards to stomach issues, I took pro-biotics during the trip and had no trouble at all. I even chanced the guinea pig. On the trial I recomend that you take some sort of body cloth. We always had a bowl of water to wash and therefore kept quite clean. It can get quite warm on the trial so zip offs are a must. A good sleeping is a good investment as it can fall below zero. I did not find the trek that hard, although a lot of people suffered with headaches. Make sure you drink loads and go slowly and admire the view. The hot springs at the end of the trail were a little stressful as you had to fight with everybody else to try to shower (having not had one for 4 days) but the springs were lovely (bit dirty) and the cold beer made it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The journey to Puno was too long and not very interesting. The visit to the Uros Indians was disappointing to find out that they don't live there all year round, it was just for the tourists. When we arrived at Amantani island we were fed like kings and the people friendly despite the language barriers. I was a little disappointed with the fact that we did not eat our evening meal with the family, I thought it was supposed to be a real homestay experience. To be honest though, as interesting as it was to find out how these people lived, it was a an anti-climax to the holiday. We would have preferred longer in the jungle and on the trek as a lot of time was wasted travelling.
However, I was so impressed with the organisation, we never had to wait for our buses, planes or any connections. Although the choice of hotels were not brilliant, definately not standard of 3 star I am used to.
Do expect to tip everybody, although it can get a bit much in the end.
I would recommend this trip and will probably book with Exodus again.

Mel Jones
Alexandra Lewis

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written April 2008
An excellent trip that was very well planned and used the best local guides. A busy tour encompassing all the best bits of Peru!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing Machu Picchu at dawn and watching the sun come up casting shaddows over the buildings.
Enjoying the hot springs with a beer at Aguas Callientes after four days walk along the Inca Trail.
Visiting the communities on the floating islands and the boat ride on Lake Titicaca - very interesting demonstrations given by the families and they were very welcoming.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hilda was very helpful throughout the trip, but could have explained early on in the tour that at each stage the local guides would be the best source of information in their own area.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You do need to follow the advice given by Exodus.... some of the people on our trip did not take a three season sleeping bag and were cold at night!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
An excellent trip! We got engaged at the top of Kilimanjaro on a tour with exodus and have now had our honeymoon on the Inca trail. We are extremely happy with the level of service provided by exodus and would not consider using another rival company.
We are currently trying to decide on the next trip - possibly the Antarctic ?!?
Timothy Isaac

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST - Moonstone trek

Written November 2011
This was my second holiday with Exodus and something I had been considering for some time and never booked it, I am so glad I did as it was an excellent trip. Everything was very well organised for us throughout the whole trip, which meant we did not have to worry about anything. You get a full and divers perspective of Peru all of which was extremely enjoyable. The group I was with was really good and we all got on well, the Jungle was an unforgettable experience and the scenery on the moonstone trek was just amazing. I can highly recommend doing the Moonstone trek as an alternative to the standard Inca trail.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It would be difficult to pick just the one moment! The Amazon rainforest was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the jungle on the nature walks seeing all of the different animals and creatures that live there.
Reaching the top of the Accoccosa Pass on the Moonstone trek was amazing and well worth the effort. The views when on the tops of the mountains were incredible and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek J
What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide Fabrico was really good, well organized and made all of our arrangements for us sorting everything out making our two weeks trouble free. He also looked after us well, and made sure we remembered to drink plenty of water and to put sunscreen/ insect repellent on.
The local guides should also get praise. Emerson and Hugo in the rainforest were great and spotted all sorts of insects and animals we would have walked right passed. Even a 6m anaconda when we were canoeing on the lake.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I can highly recommend doing the moonstone trek as an alternative to the Inca Trail; there are no real restriction of your luggage weight as it is carried by horses. The views when on the top of the mountains are amazing and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek.
Prior to getting to Macho Picchu you can book the Wayna Picchu mountain trail. The Climb is a bit of a hard slog but well worth the views at the top looking out over Machu Picchu (assuming the weather is good). It takes about 2 – 2 ½ hours to do the full loop including the Great Cave.
Machu Pichu - best to opt for the hotel rather than camping, as this would have been less rushed. It was a bit hectic getting to the hot springs and then only having a hour to enjoy them before having to get back to the campsite for the evening meal. It would have been less of a rush to have booked a hotel in town allowing you to enjoy the hot springs followed by a meal in a local restaurant. ·         Good waterproofs are a must especially on the trek; mine were good and meant I was dry when we reached our tents in the evening.·         Some Euros would be handy for snacks if you are travelling via Europe (Madrid)
·         When you arrive in Lima change quite alot of dollars into soles straight away and get small notes (they give you 20s and 50s you need much smaller than that). The trip notes suggest you can use dollars (and you can) the exchange rate is not very good and we it was easier to use soles. ·         Don’t forget the Deet 50 or 100 a must for the jungle, sun screen and walking poles for the trek.
·         Pack as light as you can and be organised, work out what you need for the jungle and trek. It will make repacking your bags much easier as you are limited to what you can take.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Gifts for the local home stay on Amanti Island - It would have been good to bring something from the UK rather than the market in the port. It was hard to chose an appropriate gift as you do not know if the family you will be staying with will have children or not! The reed islands were disappointing - it was extremely interesting to see how the islands were constructed and how the people live on the islands, but this was followed by the hard sell of their items (which were on offer everywhere) before the next boat load of tourists arrived. Tipping got somewhat tiresome as it was hard to work out who you had to tip and how much (Tour Leader, Local Guides in the Jungle, Titicaca, the bus driver to Puno, all staff on the trek).

You should visit Peru at least once in your life and this trip is a good way to see it.
Christine Schulz

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written October 2011
This holiday certainly gives you a full and varied insight into Peru and I enjoyed all the different aspects of it. I'm glad I walked the Classic Inca Trail, but it's certainly not an easy option!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking the Classic Inca Trail and arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was good. It was a big group and he obviously assessed our individual capabilities and kept an eye on us.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Not a trip for the faint hearted, but well worth the effort.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Peru is certainly a place to visit at least once.
nicola forster

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written October 2011
Booked this trip in February and was so excited to go and it surpassed all of my expectations- so well organised, fantastic group and loads of amazing experiences well done exodus!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It was the first real trek I had every done and getting to the top of dead womans pass on day 2 of the trek was a fantastic feeling. Arriving at the sun gate and waiting for rest of group to arrive and have our group photo was a special moment and one of the guys had carried a can of beer since the start of the trek which we all shared to celebrate seeing Machu Picchu for the first time!
What did you think of your group leader?
What can I say to do him justice as Fabrizzio was AMAZING such a star leader. Nothing was too much trouble, he had such a laid back style but was so informative and always made you feel that everything was taken care of which is just what you need on a trip like this. He was so friendly and would want him as my leader on every trip if possible!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Book this trip! It's full on and you are always on the go but it's all worthwhile. The rainforest is fab def take a head torch! For the trek, a walking pole really helped me but I just bought mine in Cuzco for 40 soles (£10) and also a poncho in case it rains 20 soles (£5). When you go to lake titicaca they recommend you to buy a present at the port just before you go to your local family but I wish I had taken a present from home like others had such as luxury soaps,candles, games for the kids. My trip was recommended for solo travelers and I was lucky enough to be given single occupancy due to numbers in the group and this is something I would pay for next time as it's nice to have some time on your own at the end of a hard days trekking! Fab trip with fantastic memories and can't wait to get my next one booked!
Paul Cartwright

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written October 2011
Fantastic holiday, this was the first Exodus holiday that I've been on and I'll certainly be booking another. The group I was with were really good, the trip into the Jungle was an unforgetable experience and the scenery on the Inca trail was amazing (the people from the group I've spoken to back here have all commented they wish they were back out there)! The trip was also really well organised, we didn't have to worry about sorting anything out.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I have two really, one was climbing the steps and walking through the Sungate & seeing Machu Picchu, the other was seeing the sunset on the 3rd night camping - that campsite is at about 3700m right at the clould level, watching the clouds drift in and out revealling some amazing scenery.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide Fabrizzio was really good, well organized, looked after us and knew his stuff.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear some of your walking kit on the plane (I will for my next trip) and possibly with a change of underwear in your carry on luggage. It didn't happen to me but a few of the folks in my group had their luggage go missing on the way to Peru, Exodus were very good at arranging for it to catch up but they were still without it for a day or two.
Don't forget to take some euros to buy snacks if your going via a European airport (I forgot)!
Justyn Barbery

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written October 2011
Absolutely fantastic trip, I enjoyed every moment of it. From the first minute to the last minute their was something to do, something to see, the whole trip was full of suprises and surpassed all my expectations. Peru is a exceptional place, Exodus do such a grand job, I came back from my holiday a different person, a better person.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most insperational moment of the trip was the actual Inca Trail the whole walk was fantastic and was just ore inspiring. We has some amaizing views and the trail was great fun to walk along, around every corner and up every hill their was something different to see and do. The best part of the whole trip was after 4 days of walking, walking up the last few steep steps of the Sun Gate and seeing the classic Macchu Picchu veiw in the distance was brilliant. The whole group were speachless, and was good to have the whole group to make it to this point. I had carried a couple beers with me for 3 days (i bought some at the last place available) were quite heavy to carry, but was well worth it when I got to the Sun Gate I cracked one open and all the groip and myself had a swig, and all the other groups cheered and clap and thought what a good idea.
What did you think of your group leader?
What can I say, Fabrizzio was amazing. He did a fantastic job, nothing was every to much trouble. he was with us the whole trip, was a fountain of knowledge and always made sure we were ok and that we were safe.I could not of asked for anyone better. Also All the staff and leaders from all over the trip were brilliant. I especially thank the cooks from the Inca Trail who mustered up some fantastic 3 course meals.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I learnt a fair bit from this trip, as it was my first big trip. Dont take to much, I did and didnt use it all. Make sure you take a very good 3-4 season sleeping back and liner (preferbly silk) It can get cold at night in the mountains. Walking boots for the trail, walkcing shoes for the excursions, I took sandals for the evening, but during the day it did get too sunny to wear them and some people burnt themselves.. A wide rimmed hat is essential, and a strong sunscreen (25+). Pack pleanty of imodium and dyralite nothing worse than getting a dodgy tummy, and if you can take some mint tea bags as they help settle the stomach greatly. Drink pleanty of water and gatorade whilst their, its very important to stay hydrated. I got sunstoke one afternoon and it was horrible.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dont even think about it, just book it... this trip was fantastic, if you dont do it, you will regret it for ever.

The only thing I would like to say to exodus is that everything was fantastic, the only small problem I had was with the camping on the trail. the 'Thermarest' mats had come to the end of the life, they were no longer self inflated which meant we had to self inflate them by breathing in them, which has germ risks as other people would have done that before us, and also they have been used so much now that the flam inside them had compressed so they wernt as firm and compfy as they should have been, and some of them smelt really badly. But apart from that, it was all good.