Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Depart London. The group flights to Lima depart London this evening. Day 2 Arrive Lima; free afternoon. The group flights are scheduled to arrive this morning. A group arrival transfer is provided; you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Check-in is in the early afternoon, and the morning is free for you to explore the local area, change money or visit Lima's many museums until the rooms become available. There will be an Exodus noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar) Day 3 Fly to Puerto Maldonado; boat journey into Tambopata Reserve; guided jungle walks. We have an early start today for the flight via Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, a small jungle town. After a short drive via the lodge office (where we will store our main luggage) to the river, we take a boat to our jungle lodge in the Tambopata Reserve (generally between 1½ and 3 hours depending on the lodge used). On the way we may see caimans (alligators), river turtles and a wide variety of birdlife. Our rainforest lodge is basic but all accommodation has en suite facilities with cold showers. Electricity is by generator and only available for a few hours a day in the dining room area. Cayman Lodge (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 4-5 Jungle exploration including forest walks and boat trips. The next two days are spent exploring the forest, rivers and lakes surrounding the lodge, on foot and in both motorised and paddle canoes. Although a lot of the wildlife tends to hide in the dense foliage, we should expect to see a wide variety of birds, including herons and egrets, jacanas, macaws and the almost prehistoric-looking hoatzin, as well as several species of monkey, reptiles and insects, and with luck the Giant otters which live in the rivers of the Amazon basin. Cayman Lodge (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Fly to Cuzco (3400m); free time to explore the ancient capital replete with Inca buildings and Spanish churches. A dawn start is required for the boat trip back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time; Howler monkeys are frequently heard as they stake out their territories. After our flight to Cuzco, there is usually time for an afternoon orientation tour of the city. At 3400m Cuzco is an extremely high city and you may find yourself short of breath on arrival. Hotel Warari / Hotel Koyllur (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Free day; optional Sacred Valley excursion. We have a free day in Cuzco today. The Inca Capital is among the most attractive cities in South America, with many interesting buildings, museums and sites. There are various optional activities that can be arranged through your leader, such as a full day tour of the Sacred Valley (including the fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo) or a visit to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, situated on a hillside above the city. You will have a full trek briefing this afternoon (usually around 6pm). Hotel Warari / Hotel Koyllur (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 The Classic Inca Trail: Start Inca Trail trek from km82; walk along Urubamba River, climb to Huayllabamba. The Classic Inca Trail is a tangential branch part of a 45,000km road network linking the whole empire to Cuzco. It was built in the 15th Century to reach Machu Picchu but was abandoned soon after the Spanish conquest. American adventurer, Hiram Bingham travelled along the trail when he came across Machu Picchu in 1911. The trail opened to the public in 1970. We leave Cuzco early and drive for roughly two hours to Ollantaytambo; our last chance to buy any items needed for the trek. From here we veer off the road and follow a track beside the river (45 minutes) to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, commonly known as Km82. After greeting our trekking crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the Inca Trail trek. The trail runs alongside the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive snow-capped Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and fields of corn until we reach the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba. Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6‐7hrs walking Full-service Camping - Huayllabamba Camp Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner Moonstone Trek: Trek past ruins and hamlets to the village of Chillipawa. An early start as it's a very busy first day! We take a private minibus to the trailhead, stopping first to explore the nearby ruins from which the trek takes its name. This is a large site with several distinct Inca remnants, clearly of religious importance. As with the rest of the trek, we are most likely to have the site completely to ourselves. The Moonstone itself is a large carving on an enormous boulder, and its significance is not yet understood. The trailhead is in a quiet, dusty valley and we soon climb high enough from the floor to enjoy some great views. At around lunchtime we stop to explore the imposing pre‐Inca fortress of Wata that straddles the trail. The ruin has not yet been accurately dated and pottery can often still be found lying on the ground. The path then traverses along a green side valley as we make our way above a few tiny villages before entering the village of Chillipawa, where we camp. Walk Profile: approx. 10.5km / 6‐7hrs walking Full‐service Camping Moonstone Trek - Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner One Day Inca Trail Option: Full day walking tour of nearby ruins including Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins. Walk Profile: approx. 6.5km / 5-6hrs walking (inclusive of the time for visiting the sites) Hotel Warari / Koyllur (or similar) One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch Day 9 The Classic Inca Trail: Cross Dead Woman's Pass (4215m), then descend to Pacaymayu. This is the longest and most strenuous day. A long climb (largely up stone staircases) takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's) pass, at 4215m the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic valley of the Pacamayo River (3600m). Walk Profile: approx. 10km / 6‐7hrs walking Full-service Camping - Pacamayo Camp Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner Moonstone Trek: Up the Accoccosa Pass and onto the high pampas. A long, steady climb with plenty of rest stops to aid acclimatisation takes us above the villages and into the high pampas ‐ rugged meadows of long grass. We normally stop for lunch shortly before the crest of the Accoccosa Pass (and the very rare Andean Flicker is sometimes seen (although often heard!)). The last leg of the pass is on loose red scree, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile: a broad, hidden valley surrounded by snowy peaks ‐ the Huayanay Range on the left, the Urubamba Range straight ahead and beautiful, triangular Mt Veronica (5,800m) to the right. We have time to explore this plateau and experience walking in the high altiplano before returning to our camp for a well‐deserved hot dinner. The camp's isolation, well away from any settlements, results in spectacular night skies when clear. Walk Profile: approx. 8.8km / 4‐5hrs walking Full‐service Camping Moonstone Trek - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner One Day Inca Trail Option: Free day in Cuzco Today has been left free to relax after the trek or explore Cuzco further. Again, your leader can help to arrange optional excursions and activities for you. Hotel Warari / Koyllur (or similar) One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast Day 10 The Classic Inca Trail: Over Runquracay Pass (3800m) to ruins of Sayajmarca and Phuyupatamarca. We start the day with an easier climb which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter rainforest; at one point the trail passes through an Inca tunnel. We camp at a spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3680m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise. Walk Profile: approx. 12km / 5-6hrs walking Full-service Camping - Phuyupatamarca Camp Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner Moonstone Trek: Continue along a narrow canyon and Incan aqueduct before crossing over to the Inca quarry of Canchiqata. We start after breakfast by following the stream from down this hidden valley into a narrow canyon. Rare polylepis trees grow here and we pass through a small grove as we leave the canyon. Our path then turns North and traverses very high above a deep and steep valley separating us from the Huayanay Mountains. This is probably the most spectacular section of the trek and we roughly follow a (now defunct) Inca aqueduct spectacularly carved out of the cliffs to take water from the hidden valley of our campsite to the Sacred Valley several miles away. At the end of the traverse we have a short but steep climb up to our lunch spot, a flat, ridge‐top meadow facing straight across the Sacred Valley to the snowy Urubamba Range. After lunch we walk down to Huayrapunku. Meaning "Gate of the Wind", this is a ridge‐top Inca shrine oriented to Mt Veronica, of which it has a simply incredible view. Finally a short walk brings us to our final campsite in amongst the granite stones of the Canchiqata Quarry. It was here that huge blocks were cut from the rose‐coloured granite before being dragged down the mountainside and across the river to the Sun Temple at Ollantaytambo. Walk Profile: approx. 11.8km / 5‐6hrs walking Full‐service Camping Moonstone Trek - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner One Day Inca Trail Option: Visit Pisac market and Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley This morning, we head out of Cuzco to the colourful handicraft market at Pisac, at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After some free time to browse the stalls, we take a walking tour of the huge Inca ruins above the village. We will enjoy a local meal in a community along the Valley and will learn about Local lifestyle and activities. After lunch, we drive down the valley to Ollantaytambo where we visit the immense Inca fortress and explore the unique village whose streets still follow the pre-conquest grid plan. Tunupa Lodge (or similar) One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch Day 11 The Classic Inca Trail: Walk down Inca steps to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate. From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind. Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow, but anyone wishing to visit the citadel on both days can purchase an additional entry ticket today - your tour leader will assist with this. There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result. We will be reunited with those who have been on the Moonstone Trek at the hotel this afternoon. Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar) Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch Moonstone Trek: Descend to Ollantaytambo where the trek ends; catch the train to Aguas Calientes and re-join the rest of the group. Photographers are advised to wake up before dawn this morning, to watch the sun rise over the Sacred Valley from our campsite high above it. The sun's first rays catching the glaciers of Mt Veronica certainly makes the effort more than worthwhile. This is our last day on the trek and we descend from the pampas down into the lush valley floor along the enormous stone ramps on which the Incas dragged the stones. We cross the river and explore the huge Sun Temple complex to see where the stones ended and what use they were put to. Our trek ends as we board the train to Aguas Calientes, where we join the rest of the group at the hotel. Walk Profile: approx. 8km / 2‐3hrs walking Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar) Moonstone Trek - Meals Included: breakfast lunch Train Option: One Day Inca Trail via Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu This morning we travel to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Km104 where we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind. Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow, but anyone wishing to visit the citadel on both days can purchase an additional entry ticket today – your tour leader will assist with this. There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result. Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar) Train Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch Day 12 Guided tour of Machu Picchu; return to Cuzco by train and by road. In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be hours long. Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route. We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins). Hotel Warari / Hotel Koyllur (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Drive across altiplano to Puno (3800m), on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today we take a bus ride across the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungles. Although it is quite a long drive (10 hours including stops), the views are spectacular. There are scheduled stops along the route to visit some of the most interesting sites which helps break up the day and we get a feel for the immensity of the Andean landscapes. A packed lunch is included today. We arrive in the evening in Puno, a high, chilly town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 14 Boat to Amantani Island for village homestay. We explore Lake Titicaca, visiting the lesser-known Titinos communities who live on islands of floating reeds and produce some fine textiles. Though the altitude here (3850m) is tiring, the air is very clear and the lakeside views can be magnificent, with the snow-capped peaks of the Andes towering in the background. There is the option to go on a walk to the top of the island to watch the sunset. We spend the night on Amantani Island where we experience a homestay with the local villagers - this really allows us to see what life is like for the people in an isolated island community. Titicaca Homestay (basic accommodation) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 15 Morning travel to mainland; afternoon fly to Lima We take a boat to Chifron Bay and spend some time exploring the peninsula before flying back to Lima (from nearby Juliaca airport). Depending on the flight taken, we may have some time free for shopping and sightseeing, including an optional visit to the Gold Museum. Flight times do vary and some groups will not arrive into Lima until late afternoon or early evening. Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 Depart Lima. Those on group flights will be transferred to the airport in the morning for the overnight flight to London. Meals included: Breakfast Day 17 Arrive London. The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.
Peru Visas are not required by UK citizens, Western European nationals, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and most other nationalities. If you are in any doubt please contact the nearest Peruvian Embassy.
Peru There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a Yellow Fever vaccination. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites: always apply insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers while in the rainforest to avoid being bitten.
Hotels, Lodges, Camping & Homestay The hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary, however, accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date. In Cuzco we will stay at small, locally run hotels where possible, all located in the historical centre of Cuzco, within walking distance of the beautiful Plaza de Armas and close to restaurants and shops. The hotels each feature cozy rooms, buffet breakfasts and free WiFi. Most hotels have a safety deposit box in the room but if not, there will be one at the reception. In Aguas Calientes, we stay in a centrally located hotel with comfortable rooms, buffet breakfasts and free WiFi. Unfortunately, there is a railway line that runs straight through the centre of Aguas Calientes and whilst we try to allocate rooms away from it whenever possible, the trains might be heard from some rooms. Please note that central heating is very rare in Peru, even in good standard hotels, however, most hotels provide plug-in heaters and spare blankets which should keep you warm. While all of the hotels we use do have a hot water supply, it can be temperamental when there is high demand. The Inca Trail (and Moonstone trek) is on a full-service camping basis with full porterage, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents for you, cook, and do all of the camp chores for you. You need only carry your daypack. The tents used are 4 season Eureka tents purchased in 2019 and there is a separate dining tent for meal times, as well as a toilet tent for use both in camp and during lunch stops. On the Inca Trail we stay in organised campsites which are administered by the Regional Cultural Directorate, whilst on the Moonstone Trek we use wild campsites. On Amantani Island on Lake Titicaca, the group will split up overnight to stay with local families. There will be a few of us in each house and we may have to share rooms en masse - single supplements do not apply here. The rooms are basic but clean and your beds will have sheets and plenty of blankets. There are outside toilets and washbasins. The lack of electricity or road noise (there are no roads!) and the starlit sky on clear nights makes for a truly peaceful and serene experience. In the rainforest we stay in a variety of lodges in the Tambopata Reserve. All offer a similar standard of accommodation and rainforest experience, and each has a network of walking trails through the forest. The lodges are usually located between 1½ and 3½ hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, and each has a main building surrounded by lodge/bungalow accommodation. The rooms are usually based on two people sharing, and all have private bathrooms with a shower, as well as individual mosquito nets over the beds and, in some cases, mosquito screens on the windows. There is generally no electricity in the bedrooms, and lighting is provided by lanterns or candles. The main buildings each have a dining room and bar, as well as a small library of books relating to the rainforest and its flora and fauna. These are usually the only areas of the lodge with an electrical supply (not 24 hour). Additional accommodation Should you wish to extend your stay in Peru, Exodus can book additional nights' accommodation prior to or after your tour in Lima. Please enquire at the time of booking. We recommend the early booking of pre/post tour accommodation to guarantee availability. Single Supplement Single rooms can be booked, subject to availability (the supplement excludes the night in the homestay).
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Reviewed July 2019 Chris Blacker Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Chris's comments In general - whole trip excellent. But, tents on Inca Trail trek did not have a complete fly-sheet. As temperatures dropped to 0*C [or very close to], the tents did not retain sufficient warmth inside. A full fly-sheet would have significantly improved the internal temperature of tents. Also, the camping grounds are such that tent pegs are difficult to 'drive' in - this meant insufficient pegs were used to keep tent inner from coming into contact with fly-sheet, resulting in the internal fabric of inner-tent becoming damp, and this often transferred to sleeping bags and equipment. Avianca - Delays and down-grading - a disappointing performance by the airline. Other members of the Inca Trail Trek experienced similar issues with airline. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? A close call between 'summiting' Dead Woman's Pass, and the first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. What did you think of your group leader? Holger [Olly] on Inca Trail - first rate. Knowledgable and informative. Moises on Rainforest Extension - first rate. Again knew the subject. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? All is covered in Trip Notes for both sections. But, make sure you carry sufficient Currency [Soles or US$] for Rainforest Extension [drinks, minor kit items] - prices a bit higher than general for Peru. Is there anything else you would like to add? Enjoyed the whole experience, and completely recommend it.
Reviewed June 2019 Katrina Borowski Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Fantastic adventure - don’t think about it, just do it! The Classic Inca Trail had been on my bucket list for some time, so it was brilliant to finally tackle it, combined with an excursion into the Amazon rainforest and a trip to Lake Titicaca. It was an action-packed, superbly organised 2 weeks and all 3 experiences were very different but equally enjoyable. Our group of 9 (ages ranged from 51 to 70) all completed the Trail, although it’s fair to say that fitness levels varied quite a bit. However, as our group leader said, it’s all about positivity and believing you can! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Very difficult to single out one, but probably getting to the top of Dead Woman’s Pass, followed very closely by arriving as a group at the Sun Gate. Also, in the rainforest, we were incredibly fortunate to see a young male jaguar for 15-20 minutes as we travelled by boat early one morning. What did you think of your group leader? Adolfo (AD) was brilliant: very personable and extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He was also exceptionally well-organised without us feeling pressured in any way. He instilled us with confidence in our capabilities and it was reassuring to learn that he was going to be with us for the whole 2 weeks. This meant that transfers, hotel check-ins, internal flights etc were seamless as AD did all the legwork and made it extremely easy for us. In addition, in his capacity as our guide on the Trail, he supervised us in a way that enabled us to walk at our own pace in small groups within our group. He also had a great knowledge of and a passion for wild flowers, particularly orchids, so our Trail experience was punctuated with much-welcomed breaks to take photos. In addition, when in Lima, Cusco and Puno, he knew exactly which restaurants to take us to for the very best and authentic experiences and never seemed to struggle to get us in, even at the last minute. AD even managed to get hold of a bottle of wine on our last night of the Trail - goodness knows from where, as we were camping at just under 4000 metres! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read all the reviews of the Trail and you will get a pretty good idea of what it’s like. Yes, it is tough, especially the second day, but it was what we expected - certainly not worse. Do spend time working on your fitness levels, especially walking uphill, as this will help you enjoy the experience more. We were fortunate to be part of a fantastic group of people who worked well together and supported each other: don’t underestimate how important it is to want to complete the Trail as a Team, as this certainly spurs you on. Travel light! Most of us just took one change of clothes on the Trail and changed into them at night to sleep in, not the least to be better prepared for the early start next day. Don’t forget spare batteries for cameras and use wet wipes for washing. The rainforest was very hot so make sure you have light clothing but you do need to cover arms and legs to protect yourself from insect bites. We were all loaned duffle bags (different from the Exodus kit bag that you’re sent for the Trail), and this was for packing stuff for the rainforest. You are not limited by weight and there’s plenty of space for the gear you need for this part of the trip. On arrival in Cusco, we all used the laundry service organised by AD as our stuff was damp and smelly! This was very speedy and very cheap! We took some Peruvian Sol but also UD dollars. We had no problem finding ATMs or changing money. Do be prepared to spend more than you planned for, as we probably all spent twice the amount on tips compared to the Exodus guidelines in the Trip Notes. Is there anything else you would like to add? This trip was made by the Exodus staff as well as the excellent group of like-minded people with whom I had the good fortune to share this fantastic adventure. I cannot stress enough how exceptional AD was as our group leader and, for sure, he motivated us all to achieve our ambition of successfully completing the Inca Trail. He also ensured that we enjoyed the most amazing experience of his beautiful country. Much credit also to the lovely Christian, AD’s deputy on the Trail, who selflessly and tirelessly encouraged and supported our group throughout. In addition, Christian, together with Uri, one of our porters, very kindly gave up their time to lead 3 of us up an extra peak at the end of our walk on Day 3. Talking of porters, they were truly amazing - how do they do it?! No only did they carry all the luggage and camping gear for the whole group, including food, catering equipment, tables, chairs, portable toilet etc, but they still managed to overtake us and were able to welcome us in at lunchtime/the end of the day! A special mention also goes to the very talented chefs, Roberto and his assistant, Vassilli?, who prepared the most fantastic and beautifully-presented food in very difficult conditions. In the rainforest, our guides, Frank and Joss were inspirational and so knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife and conservation. On Lake Titicaca, some of us were fortunate to experience the wonderful hospitality of Mama Flora who welcomed us into her home - what a lovely lady!
Reviewed June 2019 Craig Jenner Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest A wonderful experience with wonderful people A full on ride with no lull in the proceedings, full value for money without a doubt; and it did everything it says on the tin. If you want adventure, history, and wonderous scenery then this is the trip for you. From amazing sights, sounds and smells in the jungle to the vast open expanse of the moonstone trek; which by the way has to be the most beautiful unspoilt piece of the world I've ever seen. I was disappointed not to be on the actual Inca trail at first, but all that soon left me when I saw where we were. The Moonstone trek should not be an add on if the Inca trail permits are full, it should be the first option in my eyes. All this along side friendly people who are genially proud to be Peruvian and some crazy taxi drivers make this a must on everyone's bucket list What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The first night walk in the jungle, it had everything I'd hoped for. The sounds, smell and aura of the place was incredible. the walk started 81 paces from the front door of my lodge I could not believe I was so close to nature at its peak. The whole place was alive and everything had its own place in the order of things, the human world could learn a great deal from this rather than cutting the place down. To look one way and there was a goliath bird eating spider staring at me, and looking the other way and a wandering spider being right there was a sight to see. Howler monkeys in the tress and solder ants all working together moving leaves; wow what a place!! Catching piranha's come a close second never thought I'd do that. What did you think of your group leader? We had 4 leaders all of which played there part amicably. Edwind was the main guide; going out of his way to please us despite being unwell, answering a multitude of questions and caring for me when I had heat exhaustion, cheers for that. Moises was the jungle guide and he knew everything; even Tarzan couldn't catch this guy out. Jose was the guide on the Moonstone Trek; which is both amazing and a killer at the same time. He put up with me cursing and shouting during the big climbs so thankyou for that. Juan did Puno and did what he could to make the short stay good. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The altitude is Cuzco was not an issue for me at all, but other people on the trip suffered in some form, so I cant comment on the taking of altitude sickness pills, as everyone I spoke to didn't take them at all. Bu the choice is yours. Be ready for some early starts, one was at 03.00!!, but this is necessary due to the distance needed to travel, and I hope you enjoy unpacking and repacking; by the end of the trip I could do this blindfolded. Unless you are a regular hiker with the love of uphill climbs you need to train to do the trek itself, I did for 5 moths prior to the start and it still pushed me to the limit and I would have failed without preparation. Take plenty of layers clothes wise, as the temperatures vary massively from day to night (28c to -2C) in one day, and ensure your walking boots are well worn in; you do not want feet problems at 4700m trust me. Take industrial strength repellent, and don't bother with this environmentally friendly stuff on the market, it may be good for saving the planet but the bugs don't care, I got eaten alive in the jungle using this stuff. Remember "save your skin, you can save the planet when you get home" Is there anything else you would like to add? Enjoy and embrace this jewel of a country, you say Peru and people go "Ahh Macchu Pichu", NO there is so much more to see and experience here. Macchu Pichu is good, not awe inspiring in my view, but worth seeing. Have an open minded view on things and go with the flow; you will have the time of your life, the food is great, the sea food is particularly good. Also drink water and then drink water, its vital to your well being here, you must drink before you get thirsty they say and they are correct. I'd like to have spent more time in Cuzco rather then gone to Puno, its ok but I'd have swapped Puno for another day in Cuzco and this was the general feeling in the group, and the flight to Lima to get back to Cuzco from the jungle seemed a waste of time. And lastly Pisco Sours are great but not if you have type 2 diabetes stay well away. but enough from me just book it and go!!
Reviewed May 2019 Thom McKee Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Beware of the Altitude Only rated as good because my wife and I were only able to complete the rain forest part. The trip notes mention consulting your GP about the altitude sickness pills. Ours advised against. As a result of the jump from rain forest to Cusco on a 1 hour flight, my wife ended up in hospital for 6 days due to altitude sickness and a pulmonary edema. We really enjoyed the rain forest and have previously enjoyed many holidays with Exodus. It's a pity the trip notes do not stress how it is really essential to take the altitude sickness pills - this is what all the doctors in Peru also confirmed. The situation also wasn't helped by the hotel in Cusco with cold rooms and showers that took for ever to get warm. The night before ending up in hospital my wife had endured a freezing cold shower and then went to bed shivering until she fell asleep. It turns out this also did not help her condition and was very likely a significant factor in the edema developing. Thankfully Smithy, our guide, was quick to spot the symptoms so medical attention was brought in fairly early. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Travelling along the river in the mist. What did you think of your group leader? Smithy was good company, knowledgeable and did his best to accommodate us. There were only 4 in the group so he was able to suggest and arrange alternative activities. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Unless there is a medical reason not to, take the altitude pills. Otherwise, find another route to start the Inca Trail. Machu Pichu itself should be fine at about 2,400m, it's just getting there without the sudden increase to over 3,000m that Cusco entails is the problem Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Thom for his review, although we remain very sorry that his wife was unwell during the tour. We hope they both felt well looked after by our local team during the team’s daily visits to the hospital. We recognise the risks of travelling to altitude and on our tours which reach high altitudes we do try to be clear about these risks in our trip notes, and as we are not medical professionals we, as is the case for most tour operators, direct clients towards medical health professionals when it comes to medical travel advice. We are very sorry, however, that Thom received advice which he and his wife do not feel was correct as we recognise that this must have been incredibly disappointing. Lucy Crabb - Exodus' Customer Services Manager
Reviewed January 2019 james holbrook Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Great to see machu pechu but exodus are a rip off We went to peru to see machu pechu and it was brilliant, well recommended to go if you get the chance but do not book it with exodus as the rip you off What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing machu pechu and the trek to get there, also going to the amazon and the wild life Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus We would like to thank James for his feedback. We were pleased to read that he found Machu Picchu to be brilliant, although we are sorry that he has concerns about the cost of the trip. Following previous correspondence, we have responded to these concerns on an individual basis. Taking into account all of the reviews we have received, we remain confident that the price of our Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest tour offers excellent value for money and we feel that we are very clear in our trip notes about the expected tipping amounts. Sarah Ahern – Product Manager
Reviewed October 2018 Alicia Pennings Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Great trip A really full on trip to Peru... jungles, Machu Pichu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca...what more could you ask for! Thoroughly recommend. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting the jungle. What did you think of your group leader? Brilliant. Knowledgeable and easy to get on with.Thank you! Is there anything else you would like to add? Thank you!
Reviewed August 2018 Pia Darker Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Inca Trail, Amazon Forest and Lake Titicaca (20 Jul-4 Aug) Overall, a very well-organized trip by Exodus and I cannot commend enough our Tour Leader (Smithy) and also the local guides in the Amazon Forest (Joel and Moises) and Inca Trail (Johnny). Smithy, as a Tour Leader, has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in the midst of adversity esp after the Inca Trail wherein our train back to Cusco has been delayed due to unforeseen incident that is beyond of anyone's control. Smithy has been very transparent of the situation and as a group I do feel we pull together and watch out each other. I think Exodus has been excellent in ensuring we will still continue our holiday despite of these setbacks. This is our first exodus experience and will definitely be using them again. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inca hike and Amazon forest stay. What did you think of your group leader? He embodies the ideal Group Leader. Good leadership, local knowledge, helpful and very much accomodating. He knows the word empathy and connects well with people. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Enjoy and just take the experience one step at a time and just take in the moment as it comes. Join the your with open mind. Is there anything else you would like to add? As I mentioned, all local tour guides were great except Junior in Lake Titicaca. Compared to all other guide, he is good but there are room for improvement. Firstly, I didn't like the way he approach some member's of our group who have Osprey Backpacks and try to buy it. This approach happened from the beginning of the tour before we even board the boat and I just find this very unprofessional. Other than that, he sees to it that everyone is having a good time. Also, as much as Lake Titicaca is beautiful and the homestead stay was interesting. Myself and most of the people in our group feels that additional day in Cusco will be far more interesting than going to Lake Titicaca, probably something to consider in the future.
Reviewed August 2018 Pia Darker Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Inca Trail, Amazon Forest and Lake Titicaca (20 Jul-4 Aug) Overall, a very well-organized trip by Exodus and I cannot commend enough our Tour Leader (Smithy) and also the local guides in the Amazon Forest (Joel and Moises) and Inca Trail (Johnny). Smithy, as a Tour Leader, has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in the midst of adversity esp after the Inca Trail wherein our train back to Cusco has been delayed due to unforeseen incident that is beyond of anyone's control. Smithy has been very transparent of the situation and as a group I do feel we pull together and watch out each other. I think Exodus has been excellent in ensuring we will still continue our holiday despite of these setbacks. This is our first exodus experience and will definitely be using them again. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inca hike and Amazon forest stay. What did you think of your group leader? He embodies the ideal Group Leader. Good leadership, local knowledge, helpful and very much accomodating. He knows the word empathy and connects well with people. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Enjoy and just take the experience one step at a time and just take in the moment as it comes. Join the your with open mind. Is there anything else you would like to add? As I mentioned, all local tour guides were great except Junior in Lake Titicaca. Compared to all other guide, he is good but there are room for improvement. Firstly, I didn't like the way he approach some member's of our group who have Osprey Backpacks and try to buy it. This approach happened from the beginning of the tour before we even board the boat and I just find this very unprofessional. Other than that, he sees to it that everyone is having a good time. Also, as much as Lake Titicaca is beautiful and the homestead stay was interesting. Myself and most of the people in our group feels that additional day in Cusco will be far more interesting than going to Lake Titicaca, probably something to consider in the future.
Reviewed August 2018 Sarah Lambert Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest An amazing adventure! Wow - we packed so much in - three holidays in one; the Amazon, Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca including incredible wildlife, landscapes, culture and history. The itinerary was full on but we were expertly guided by Smithy who looked after our group so well. The icing on the cake was the group we were with - what a wonderful bunch of people we shared this amazing adventure with! The kit list is a good guide and a battery for charging your electronics is a must. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It is hard to pick one - for me reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass - it was quite a climb and of course getting to the Sun Gate and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Another 'moment' would be stopping in a lay-by en route to Puno and being invited to dance with the locals as they celebrated opening up a new roadside market - a breathless encounter at 4335m! So many beautiful sunrises and sunsets in beautiful landscapes. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader, Smithy, was outstanding and he is one of the reasons our trip was so amazing. He was attentive, knowledgeable, caring and nothing was too much trouble, all with a wonderful sense of humour. He instilled confidence in us all and we all felt reassured that 'Smithy would sort it' when things did not go to plan! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read the trip notes and then be prepared to enjoy the adventure. Is there anything else you would like to add? Be prepared for a non-stop itinerary.
Reviewed June 2018 Carolyn Trounce Trip: Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest Wonderful trip! This trip provides the opportunity to experience some very diverse, but all incredible, landscapes of Peru. It includes a bit of everything: adventure, trekking, wildlife, culture, history and great food - especially whilst camping on the Inca Trail! Our experiences were always enhanced by the seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of our various local guides. The trip was very well organised and communication with us, members of the group, was excellent throughout. It involves lots of packing and unpacking of bags for the different parts of the trip, so we needed to be organised too (!!), and Peruvian journeys by air, bus, train and boat! Day 2 of The Inca Trail is very challenging because of the altitude and the length of climb, but once you’ve got through that, Days 3 and 4 were fantastic walking, culminating in our first thrilling sight of Machu Picchu. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Watching the sunrise over the snowy mountain tops on Day 4 of the trek. What did you think of your group leader? Fabricio was a very good leader and we felt in very capable hands. He gave us very clear information prior to all our journeys and activities. He was patient, encouraging and very knowledgeable about all sorts of things.
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