Inca Trail & The Amazon Rainforest: Peru Trekking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 72 reviews.

Richard Reeder

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written June 2008
A very good and diverse mix, Amazon, Inca trail and lake Titikaka. However I think the walking rating of moderate was a little underestimated, I found it quite hard.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Camping above the clouds on night 3 of the inca trail, having walked through some stunning cloud forrest on the way up to camp.
Although I did not think it was my kind of thing beforehand the stay with locals on lake Titikaka was very good, exceeded my expectations.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very good, managed to deal with all situations and issues within the group very well. Very knowledgable on a wide range of subjects and also knew when to leave it to the local guides.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I think the tipping guide in the trip notes is quite a bit under what was actually required, budget for more than the guidance shown.
Be prepared to be Ill, almost everyone was, which makes hikking at altitude that bit harder, deconjestant would be good, blocked nose at altitude is not easy (as I found out).
Also dont buy any duty free from Lima, unless you are flying direct to your home airport. Even though they seal items any connecting flight in the EU will cause it to be confiscated.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I know on a hikking holiday you are supposed to rought it a bit but some of the hotels were not as good as other Exodus holidays we have had. In Lima they did not produce breakfast before we had to leave the first morning. In Cusco the hotel had no hot water the first night, which would have been nice after 5 days in the Amazon (which was very cold) with only cold water, the same staff seemed to be doing everything, they seemed a bit under staffed.
I am not sure why but all accomodation seemed unable to get the beds correct, single poeple got double beds and couples were given twin rooms every time. They only seem to have 2 options, single (1 bed) or double (2 beds), it would be good to introduce the difference between a double bed and a twin room where possible.
Michelle Bradley

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written June 2008
Have been on 12 of ur trips so no probs with you generally! great trip but your trip notes not good/accurate and v misleading re tips.The fact that trek stated as moderate is possibly misleading...even us seasoned trekkers found it v hard at 4000m on steep hills! need to be fit!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Surviving inca trail
What did you think of your group leader?
main guide Carlos great and quietly efficient!
things always were sorted, luggage arrived in places and he was very helpful when people ill or needed help
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The fact that trek stated moderate is possibly misleading...even us seasoned trekkers found it v hard at 4000m on steep hills!
Take more money than stated for tips
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Myself and others spent $300+ on tips...not a problem but would have been nice to expect it! I needed to go to cashpoint several times during hols! ...and wasn't the only one! trip notes did not say this!
Bus drivers, boat drivers expected tips and we had lots on most days! local leaders....we often had 2 so that made it more and all tips seem to depend on size of group.... we had to tip the people on the floating island for their time and showing us how they lived....the families at the lake titicaca homestay needed to be tipped over and above meal costs...musicians at home stay evening... children doing entertainment on walk at homestay... and your inca trail guide re tips was way off re how to allocate and the amount! porters expect about $25 each per group....we had 13 porters for 9 of us.... as well as cooks that was nearly $40 each and then $10 for asst guide. then we were double tipping as had to do main guide for 14 days on top!! good value but would be worth flagging it up.... u said tips discretionary.... local guides were clear that it was expected...
Also hotel at Cusco needs changing.... not enough staff.... breakfast late so impacted on trips..... they lost keys for safe boxes, food not available first night as no staff! its also not nr main rd
Not ur fault but flight back delayed 4 hrs so missed connections and they lost baggage.... received today - 3 days later!
Christine Chapman

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written June 2008
I was disappointed in the jungle, the weather was cold and the eco-lodges had no hot water during our three day stay. However the local guides, Daniel and Elvis were fantastic, knowledgable and interesting to listen to and share time with.The Inca trail was a lot more challenging than expected but the sense of accomplishment on reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass was sensational. Could not have been achieved without the support, encouragement of the group, and guides, they were all fantastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The scenery, the unbelievable scenery especially on the Inca trail.
Reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass!!!
The homestay on Lake Titicaca, getting to know the Islanders, the friendliest people I have met.
The first site of Machu Piccu
What did you think of your group leader?
Carlos was exeptional, trustworthy, knowledgable, there when needed not intrusive. Willing to share his knowledge, especially around the spirtual/beliefs of the Peruvian/Inca people.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you are fit, the trek is extremely challenging and I feel that Exodus needs to rethink the rating (moderate) that goes with the trip.
If vegetarian or special diets check that the airline has your requirement, KLM did not have vegetarian meals for three of us travelling together.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is the 3rd Exodus trip I have been on and it did not fail to impress. The campsites were away from the crowds, the food was really good (however iffy tummies restricted the amount eaten) It is amazing what can be cooked over on a gas ring!!
The guides throughout the trip, group leader and local guides were fantastic, professional, knowledgable reliable, encouraging and good fun.
Akshay Sule

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written June 2008
The entire trip was a fantastic experience! The inca trek was the highlight of the trip for us. Stay in Amazon and lake titicaca were also gr8.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The 3rd night camp high in the Andes looking down on mount macchu-picchu was really special!
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader took care of all the paperwork, bookings and formalities. Being a local person, the group leader could give us good insights to local lifestyles and local foods.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it!!
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 ?!?
David Southon

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written April 2008
A wonderful combination of experiences - the rainforest (humidity, wildlife, river travel), the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (beautiful flora, demanding walking, many Inca ruins, fascinating scenery) and Lake Titicaca (floating islands, staying with the local people).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Our first glimpses of Machu Picchu from the Gate of the Sun was a truly uplifting experience!
And to see a live (and free-range) tarantula in the rainforest was equally thrilling!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Holger, our group leader, was outstanding. His knowledge of Inca history and culture was first rate, and he brought the Inca Trail and the wide variety of Inca ruins to life for the group. His organisation, attention to detail and his leadership, particularly supporting those of us who struggled with the altitude, was exceptional.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trail, and the altitude, can be something of a problem. You need to be reasonably fit to cope with the demands of the trail, and you need to drink gallons of coca tea to cope with the altitude.
Cleanliness was not a problem and neither was the food.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our group got on particularly well, and the wide age range (30 to 70) was actually a positive!!
The organisation of the whole trip was first class throughout, and our porters and cooks on the trail could not have done anything more to make the trip so good.
If you have any doubts about this trip, ignore them!! It was a great adventure!!
Stephen Savage

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Written April 2008
Cusco,Titicaca and Inca trail excellent;Amazon trip just a little long/lacking variety.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Brakfast on the Inca trail at closer to four thousand feet-blue sky, Glacier peaks and below a carpet clouds around the waists of mountains !
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan M sensible thoughtful and full of practical experience! Excellent guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take warm sleeping bag on Inca Trail! To reduce altitude sickness risk- no alcohol, eat early in the eveing and no meat...!(It worked for us anyway!)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Good trip-well structured and effeciently organised. Group leader Excellent!