The 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 79 reviews.

Abbi Hardiman

THE INCA TRAIL

Written November 2009
Definitely an experience of a lifetime! I'm not sure if I've ever been so tired on a holiday but it was worth every minute.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Cesar was great, very knowledgable and keen for us to see and experience everything. Wilson, our assistant guide was also excellent, he was so patient and not once seemed to mind having to stay at the back with us. They were an ideal team and were able to support the group with our varying levels of stamina
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Drink loads! Even it you don't feel thirsty or hot. I suffered from dehydration on one day because it hadn't been as hot and I hadn't found the walk that day as strenuous and so didn't drink nearly enough. And coca tea, even just cold in your flask really does help with the altitude!
Make sure you've got plenty of wet wipes and hand sanitiser with you, and insect repellant even if you're only doing the Inca Trail - you can get pretty bitten on the last day of the trail
Go at your own pace you'll find it easier to manage the effects of altitude and you'll appreciate the scenery more!
If you're a light sleeper, perhaps take your own thermarest mat - the ones we were provided were adequate but a little thin for me as I could feel the bumps in the ground
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had been wanting to do this trip for years but being unable to convince friends to go with me, I decided to go on my own. I didn't once feel uncomfortable about being a solo traveller and although you can opt for a single supplement if you are travelling alone, for me it added to the experience sharing with someone.
Exodus were excellent, from the booking of the trip to seeing us on the plane in Cusco and we were extraordinarily well looked after, especially on the trail. The food was excellent, and our guides and porters were very caring, especially if we were feeling a bit under the weather due to altitude.
It was the most amazing trip; I only feel my words wouldn't do it justice if I tried to explain any more! If you aren't quite sure, just go for it, you won't regret it!
Emma Shubrook
THE INCA TRAIL

Written November 2009
Book it! A life changing awe inspiring trip! Just make sure you heed the reality check warnings!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to pick one, but something that springs to mind is looking back at the path we'd walked up from the top of Dead Woman's pass, I couldn't quite believe I'd done it!
In the Amazon rainforest add on, definitely caiman spotting. I never thought I'd be 1 metre away from a 2 metre long croc!
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leaders on the trek and in the rainforest were brilliant. Cesar ("Robocop" as he never stops!) and Wilson on the trek were the most knowledgeable, patient people I have ever met. They inspire you to keep going even when you really really don't want to walk up or down any more steps (and there are a lot of them!); they can tell you about the history of the place, the flora and fauna; they were excellently organised and nothing was too much trouble. Dietary requirements were never an issue and I always felt that they were keeping an eye on everyone to make sure we were all coping, but never made us feel like we were being pushed out of our own pace. Slowly slowly became Wilson's mantra with us and he was so right, our sub group were not ill unlike the pace setters at the front and we got to see so much on the walk.
Edwin (the snake charmer!) in the rainforest was also superb. Very well organised, extremely knowledgable and able to spot animals the rest of us would have missed. Fantastic!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Inca trail:
Anyone of average fitness would cope with this walk but it definitely helps to be as fit as you can be, simply because you have a lot of travelling and long days to cope with. It is tiring but in a virtuous way!
Do not expect luxury hotels. Apart from the first night in Lima, everywhere else was clean, hospitable and well organised but basic.
DO AS YOUR GROUP LEADERS TELL YOU! And i'm not great at that myself, but it really pays to remember that they DO know what they are talking about. You do not know how you will react to being at altitude, so take it slowly and don't push yourself. You see so much more and enjoy the whole experience more if you go slowly.
The Cusco walking tour is worth doing even if only to get your bearings and get to know the rest of the group a little.
The Sacred Valley trip on the second day in Cusco was interesting, you do see a lot, but it was a very long day. We didn't get back to the hotel until 10pm and had no time to get ready to set off for the trek the following morning. Exodus should perhaps review this.
Walking poles are certainly useful on the trek to help with the steps (there are loads of them!).
Take knee supports if you have any inkling your knees may not like climbing up and down steps for 4 days.
Comfy well worn in walking boots make life much much easier.
Long sleeved lightweight shirts for on the trek (and the jungle) are best as they keep the sun off you.
Thermals to sleep in on the trek are a good idea.
A couple of pairs of trousers and a clean top for each day of the trek (plus underwear of course!); thermals, waterproof lightweight coat, hat, fleece is all you need clotheswise on the trek.
Mosquito repellent from day 2 on the trek (the lotion is better than the spray) as there are mossies and sand flies that like a nibble of any unsuspecting humans!
A head torch is a must for the trek and the jungle. Take a spare torch, you can't cope without one.
A hydration pouch is essential.
Do not forget your camera, extra memory card and battery!
The hot springs on the last day of the trek are grotty, but you can at least have a shower so from that point of view they are worth it!
When you are in Cusco Cesar arranged for us all to go for dinner as a group. Do try the Inka Grill, mmmmmmmmmmmmm oh and alpaca is worth trying too.
Amazon rainforest:
This is totally different from the Inca Trail but amazing in it's own right. I am so glad we did this add on!
Very high humidity. Be prepared, it knocks you out!
Take your headtorch, there is no electricity in the jungle!
Mosquito repellent is essential.
Binoculars will enable you to see loads of animals close up.
Camera with a good zoom is invaluable for this part of the trip.
It is never quiet in the jungle, it's amazing! Especially when you get woken up by a howler monkey, OMG I will never ever forget that sound, it's indescribable!
General:
The recommended tips are a minimum i would say. Everyone works very hard and they really make the trip, but particularly so on the Inca Trail when you see the porters literally running past you with chairs, gas cannister, your kit, tents and everything else you could ever need and making it look easy when you are struggling to put one foot in front of another! Tip them a lot, they deserve it!
Take a first aid kit with you. I didn't really need anything thankfully but other less prepared people did. Obviously personal choice but as a minimum i would include: blister plasters, rehydration sachets, painkillers, diahorrea tablets, anti histamines.
Take toilet roll.
High factor suncream is essential.
Have a day off work for when you get back, you'll need it!
Do everything you possibily can and enjoy it! Absolutely amazing trip, i can't recommend it highly enough.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really can't recommend this trip highly enough. There is so much to see and do that you feel like you're constantly saying 'wow!' (and to be fair I probably was!). Our group had a mixture of ages and backgrounds and it worked really well. The scenary is spectacular, you just can't capture it in the same way on camera, and the sense of achievement is immense when you've done the trek. The jungle add on was so worth it too. It's completely different to the Inca Trail part of the holiday. We saw so many animals, we were really lucky. Again, just do everything you possibly can.
Above all, HAVE FUN!
Happy travels!
brenda peacock

THE INCA TRAIL

Written July 2009
An amazing experience, stunning scenery, a great personal challenge and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!!!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of 'Dead Womans Pass' has to be one, walking through the Sungate another, but every day you saw something you thought couldn't be surpasses, and it was.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was Juan Manuel Diaz - great personality, knew loads about everything, flora, fauna etc., and knew just how much to encourage us during the most difficult stretches.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walking poles, a camel bag for water, these were essential, but above all, enjoy!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Definately not a holiday in the usual sense of the word, but a wonderful experience never to be forgotten. The tour guide and great group of people I walked with made it a holiday to remember. Exodus organised everythin perfectly.
Helen King

THE INCA TRAIL

Written April 2009
Fanastic holiday, one to remember forever. It was my first time with Exodus and thought they were first class.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being woken up at 5am and watching the sun rise over the moutains when we were above the clouds was amazing. This was at our highest campsite and was the highlight for me.
My other highlight was finishing the hard but great trek but being in desperate need of a shower. Then arriving at the Hot Springs and bathing in the baths with a cold beer!
What did you think of your group leader?
Fabricio was superb. He made the Inca Trail. He was passionate and knowledgeable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't forget your swimwear for the Hot Springs!
Don't under-estimate the difficulty of the trail. Day 2 is really hard going.
Take a pillow for your sleeping bag. The ground is very hard and the mat provided by Exodus is very thin. Also, take a head torch for the camping - I found it interesting trying to use the toilets at night with a hand held torch!
If you don't have walking poles, a stick can be bought from the locals on the way to the start of the trail - this does the job.
Scott Telford

THE INCA TRAIL

Written April 2009
As keen walkers it had been a long held dream to walk the Inca Trail and to visit Machu Picchu, and in deciding to book through Exodus turned out to be one of our better decisions, the support and advise before departure and during the trip was invaluble and helped make a dream holiday come real.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Obviously the reaching of the sun gate and the first sight of Machu Picchu is hard to top as being the most inspirational moment of the trip it was sheer magic and unforgetable, but that distracts from other equally inspiring moments of which there were many, from the huge feeling of achievement in reaching dead womans pass, the awe inspiring views from campsites on day 2 & 3 (awesome). The tour of Macchu Picchu and climbing Waynu Picchu and the magnificent vista from the top was also truly inspiring. It would be unfair to the trip to pick one moment and truthful to say the whole trip was inspirational.
What did you think of your group leader?
What can i say about as group leader, an absolute star. Passionate and extremeley knowledgeable about his wonderful country. Showed everyone amazing respect and made a point of getting to know everybody by name, which can't have been too easy in a group of 16. Helpful and considerate particularly with those in the group who felt the effects of altitude worst, advising and encouraging and giving medical assistance when required. Also very witty with a great sense of humour which puts people at ease and by the end of the trip it felt like we were leaving a friend behind. If all group leaders are like Carlos i will definately be taking another Exodus holiday.
Also a special mention to the 2nd guide Admiel (not sure spelling is correct) as with Carlos an absolute gentleman and fantastic guide, and finally the porters maximum respect they do an amazing job with upmost profesionalism
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Preperation, just be doing a little research we felt the the trip was enhanced by knowing what to expect and appreciate the magnificent views and archeological sites. If not sure hire a sleeping bag they were excellent and included a liner (wish i,d known, would have saved me a few bob). Have a general level of fitness but you don't have to be a fittnes freak its well doable to a vast range of ages.
Take a swimming costume or trunks, the hot spring at Aguas Calientes are not to be missed, brilliant 1st beer for a week, so good
If possible book an extention ie Lake Titicaca or something, we returned kind of regretting not taking an extention.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you are reading this debating whether or not to go. Do it, its amazing. Yes, the hotels are not what we're used to there's a lot of travelling invoved and you will be campimg for 4 nights, but none of that distracts from the wonderous country you find yourself in, and the anticipation of getting to, and the thrill of reaching Machu Picchu, i've run out of superlatives.
Lisa Gallagher

THE INCA TRAIL

Written March 2009
Absolutely fantastic trip! Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching Sun Gate and looking down at Macchu Pichu. The scenery throughout the trek was awe inspiring. Waking up to see the sun rise over the mountains.
What did you think of your group leader?
Well organised and highly professional at all times. Really took care of us from beginning to end. I had terrible altitude sickness for a day or two but it really helped to know that I was in the hands of these guys. They really helped me out, gave me good advice, some nausea tablets and even carried my backpack some of the way for me.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take nausea tablets with you!! :) Don't be fooled in to thinking this is an easy trip. I was of average fitness and found it really tough going at times. It's certainly not impossible but it is very hard, especially if you are unlucky enough to get altitude sickness.
Oh and take a good head torch...you'll need it to find your way around at night time.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a fantastic trip that I'd recommend everyone to do. I met a great bunch of people, had some really good laughs in great location. I was very nervous before I left and was in doubt whether I should do the trip. I don't do much travel and I was doing it alone but I'm sooo glad I did this trip. Just brilliant. BOOK IT NOW!!!
Nicholas Bailey

THE INCA TRAIL

Written December 2008
A fantastic trip that everyone should experience. One of the most enjoyable holidays of my life.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Some people would say the sense of achievement at ascending Dead Woman's Pass, I'll say the sense of well being when arriving at the Sun Gate and getting our first view of Machu Pichu itself. The whole trip was an inspiration to be honest - we had a fantastic group of like minded people, with great banter in the mess tent, and a great sense of fun when going out in the evenings before and after the hike.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and very funny. This is a man that says that we shouldn't drink alcohol before the trek as it will affect how quickly we acclimatise to the altitude, but will gladly accept any offer of a drink from you!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You only really need water purification tablets for one day (and even then, only if you think that the water that the porters filter and boil still isn't safe) as you can buy bottled water from local vendors on the trail all the way up to the start of Dead Woman's Pass. After that, you can then buy water at the lunch stop on the final day, before we reach the Sun Gate. Bottled water is available at Machu Pichu itself, but is way overpriced (much more than even the vendors on the trail) and is best bought in hot springs town.

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The Inca Trail

Our Clients’ Reviews

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL

THE INCA TRAIL