The High Inca Trail: 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 15 reviews.

Nicholas Edwards
THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Written October 2010
This was a brilliantly organised trek, let by an inspired guide. The route to join the Classic Inca Trail, although very challenging, was wonderful, we only saw a couple of other fellow trekkers.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Can't decide between:
Camping just below Chiriasqa with 360 degree views - magnificent.
Viewing Machu Picchu from Sun Gate for first time. We thought we had got used to the Inca ruins but this was something else and so emotional.
Seeing condors in the distance on the side of a mountain.
What did you think of your group leader?
Fantastic. Carlos (Carlitos Lechuga) was a constant source of amazement with his knowledge of not just the Inca way of life and their history but also goegraphy, fauna and flora. He has become one of our friends, such a genuinely lovely man. We were so pleased to meet his wife and two sons as well. Carlos gauged our fitness suberbly and he knew within five minutes our arrival at the various stops.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You don't need as many clothes as you think and pack those you do take in clear plastic bags.
Do as advised by your guide and resist alcohol and large late meals for the first few days. None of us had problems with the altitude following these rules.
Do plenty of walking beforehand and try everything out before taking it. This is especially important with boots which should be well worn in.
Take a good camera.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first experience camping since leaving school, don't ask how many years ago! I loved it. This is my second Exodus trip (my wife's fourth) and it most certainly will not be the last. We were looked after so well but not overbearingly so. All in all, a terrific holiday.
Marion Neale

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Written July 2009
My inspiration for doing this trip was to visit Machu Picchu but the trip turned out to be about so much more than just that. Visiting Peru and camping in the Andes was an unforgettable experience and not just a holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were several inspirational moments - reaching the top of the Inca Chirisaqa pass; the location of our campsite at Phuyupatamarca with the promise of our first glimpse of Machu Picchu the following day and the climb up Wayna Picchu for a stunning view over Machu Picchu probably rate as the most inspirational points.
What did you think of your group leader?
Carlos was great. He made every effort to ensure our trip was as well organised as possible. The camp staff were amazing too and did an excellent job, particularly in preparing our meals in very primitive surroundings.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes warn it may be cold overnight when camping, perhaps below freezing - and it was! Be prepared for that.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a great trip with an excellent itinerary. I'd particularly recommend doing the High Inca Trail for the chance to experience being somewhere relatively remote (apart from our group and a few locals we saw only one person in 3 days in the early part of the trek) before joining up with the classic Inca Tail on day 4 of the trek.
Without exception, every restaurant we visited was excellent, far better than I might have expected.
Stephen Taylor

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Written July 2008
A superb but strenuous trip, with more variety than you'd expect and great support throughout.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too numerous to mention.
The holiday felt like it was divided into parts-a few days in colonial and backstreet Cusco, the isolation and mountain beauty of the High Inca Trail, the more crowded (but not too much) Classic Inca Trail with the flora and fauna along the way, the exploration of Macchu Picchu, the more relaxed time exploring Ollantaytambo & Pisac, and the last couple of days based back in Cusco with the optional rafting trip made this a varied and worthwhile holiday. All our expectations were fulfilled and in many cases, exceeded. A great itinerary, well worth every penny.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rene was a great guide. Knowledgable and enthusiastic, he ensured we went away from Peru with a good knowledge of Inca history and architecture, and plenty of good memories. From getting the trekkers going in the morning to providing support on the often hard trail, he and his team of assistant guide, (Wilson and his flowers of the Andes book) cooks (Julian & Senon-Gordon Ramsay eat your heart out-these guys can provide mountains of pancakes out of thin air), porters and wranglers made sure all we had to do was get up in the morning and walk. The local Exodus affiliate company were also helpful, organised and made sure everything ran like clockwork, which is more than I can say for KLM, who flew us to Peru.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do the optional rafting trip-it's a great laugh. Take your credit card for the bargain alpaca products in Cusco. Prepare to be shocked when you see guinea pig on a plate! Plenty of biting bugs, so pack the DEET! Lima is beautiful, if a little run down, and the museum is very interesting. The city tour adequately fills the time between the flights from Cusco and home.
KLM mislaid 2 out of 4 travellers bags along the way from Heathrow to Lima, so take at least a change of underwear and T shirt in your hand luggage. The local team are on the ball though, and got the lost bags to us in Cusco within 2 days. Also, if you fly KLM, and are a vegetarian, contact Exodus or KLM direct and make sure your meal is booked well before the flight, as no dietary options are available in flight. 12 hours is a long time without a meal.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Do it and enjoy it.
Mark Thomas

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Written July 2008
a fantastic holiday great food . the guide was fantastic with a wealth of knowledge about the ruins, wildlife and plant life
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
seeing machu picchu for the first time through the sun gate and also the veiw from the pass at 5000m
What did you think of your group leader?
a complete legend, very well organised nothing was to much trouble a vast wealth of knowledge funny and likable
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
there is a 10kg weight limit on the inca trail and if you hire your sleeping which weighs about 2-3kg it can leave you short on the amount equipment you can take, also there are restrictions
Robyn Cribbins

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Written July 2008
I learnt a lot and had a great time. The guides Rene (on the Inca Trail ) and Victor ( in the Amazon rainforest ), were very knowledgeable and I learnt a great deal from them. It was my first trip to South America. It was very different to what I had expected, but it was very good. The camping was well organised.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Actually two very inspirational moments. Seeing Winya Wayna (no idea if it is spelt correctly ), which is an Inca site we went to the day before we reached Machu Pichu. It is absolutely beautiful and we were the only group there, which allowed us to really appreciate it.
Seeing a boa constricter up very close in the rainforest. It is an utterly beautiful animal, and I felt priveliged to be able to see it in its natural habitat.
What did you think of your group leader?
I thought both leaders were very good. Rene (High inca trail) was very knowledgeable about the Inca ruins and the terrain, and I learnt a great deal. He also set a good pace when we were hiking. He was very concerned about the welfare of the members of the group.
Victor ( in the rainforest extension ) was extremely knowledgeable about the plants and animals. I was not aware that the jungle contained so many useful plants. He was also very good at spotting animals and pointing them out to us.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If at all possible do the Rainforest extension. It is truly amazing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The camp we stayed in during the Rainforest extension was absolutely gorgeous. I got very attached to the hammock on the porch.
The restaurant at the hotel we stayed in in Ollaytaytambo was not good. Since we were all tired we decided not to go out, which was a mistake. The waiter tried his best, but the kitchen sent the wrong orders, some of our group got their starters after their mains, and the food was cold. Considering there was only our group and a family of 3, this shouldn't have been too difficult.
The cooking whilst we were in tents on the High Inca trail was superb. Our whole group was astounded as to what the cook provided. I especially liked the pancakes.
Selena Virrels

the feeling I felt when I went over the pass was overwhelming... and the team spirit throughout was

Written November 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

our leader was superb... picking out the nature, the views... really turned it into a 'adventure'
getting to the top and just feeling a massive sense of achievement.
the really fantastic group of people - all very supportive of one another.
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What did you think of your group leader?
absolutely superb - he totally made the holiday what it was. if you do any form of performance pay - then this man should be way up at the top of the scale. he was delightful company, knew how to relate to all the personality types in the group, really was excited, was extremely knowledgeable - superb.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
make sure you're fit enough to do it - there would be nothing more humiliating than being stuck on a mule...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
really noisey hotel in Cuzco was frustrating to be in
Stuart Mckie

High in the Andes - truly unforgettable

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The climb up to the sun gate then down into Machu Picchu was a breath catcher and made you feel very humble to be there.
A great shared experience and a wonderful memory.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely fantastic ! wealth of local knowledge, pride in his heritage ,and always made sure our every requirement was met.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If trekking ,prepare in advance. Do not assume the trips are easily achievable. Remember to make provision for tipping !
Drink loads of fluid if you are at altitude and wear a hat in your sleeping bag at night ( seems to prevent headaches )
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Having been with other trekking company's and been able to compare I have to say that Exodus are the most professional and will certainly receive return custom from me in the future, in fact already looking at trips for next year.