Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the group leader quite inspirational (see below!). My favourite day was the 2nd day of the trek - 6 hours uphill then 2 hours downhill! It was hard work but we took it at a steady pace and the views at the top were incredible. The 3rd day afternoon was also fantastic - the scenery and vegetation were beautiful. The camp site that evening was amazing, it really felt like we were on top of the world!

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Dis" was the best group leader that I've met (I've been on a few Exodus trips, plus some with similar companies). She had great English and a good sense of humour. She had amazing knowledge of the local areas and the Inca civilisation. She set an excellent pace for the trek. She also coped brilliantly with sick and drunk clients! She was an amazing ambassador for the company, for the Andes and the Incas, for Peru and for women (working in a very male dominated field).

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'd not used walking poles before and bought some as a last minute thought just 24 hours before travelling! They were very useful and I would recommend them, although they're not essential (several people were fine without them, but I do feel they made my trek easier). A trip to the hot springs in Aguascalientes is well worthwhile - it was a great way to relax after the trek and the place had a really fun atmosphere (you can be served with cocktails from the bar at the poolside!). The Sacred Valley trip is a long day but it is a good way to get out walking in the mountains and acclimatise to the altitude.

Suggestions

Cuzco is a small but very interesting town, although your time there does feel a little like killing time. The Cocoa museum just off the main square is well worth a visit, as is the Centre for Traditional textiles on Avenida del Sol. And Cafe Cappuchino does serve a great coffee! The whole trip was very well organised and Peru was much more developed and civilised than I'd expected (embarrassingly, I knew so little about the country before my visit!).

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of dead woman's pass.......I did'nt think that I would make it.3 people almost did'nt,but were given all the help and encouragement they needed to get to the top. Arriving at the sun gate was a bit of a let down, after all the hyp;what was this funny little pile of ruins?.........then I saw Machu Picchu and it all fell into place.When we walked to the city I found myself keep turning towards that gate,and thought about that insignificant entrance to such a wonderful panorama.How I would love to be there at the solstice, to see the sun shine through the gate and into the city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnarda was quite exceptional.........she worked so hard attending to our every need.Nothing was too much trouble:she was out 2 nights running,sorting out a doctor and collecting medicine for one of our number who was ill.Disnarda knew the best places to eat,and when we had a meal together on the last night,and I received change in soles(which I did'nt want as I was returning to the UK the next day)she had it changed to dollars.Disnarda did not abandon us at the airport,ensuring that we all knew where to go when we had checked in our baggage ,and she was incredibly sensitive to our needs when walking,giving us time to rest and reminding us to drink.She also arranged for porters to return along the trail to carry the backpacks of those who were struggling.She was always available.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do need to be fit,and I am glad that I went for long walks before going.The toilet tent may well be difficult for some........it was not easy in the middle of the night struggling with the entrance zip, and slipping around in thick black mud in the dark,because the rains had arrived.Be prepared to be breathless with the altitude.......all of us struggled at times.You also need plenty of 'Deet" for the mosquitoes.

Suggestions

This is an amazing trip and there is lots to see......not just on the trail.The Sacred Valley is worth visiting,and in Cusco visit the Chocolate Museum and the Weaving Museum;entrance to both is free.You can have around half a pint of the most incredibe fair trade chocolate drink for about £2 at the former,and you can even make your own chocolate bars.You will certainly buy bars to bring home........try the one flavoured with salt from the Sacred Valley.At the weaving museum you will see a very up to date exhibition of this highly technical skill.......and see people doing it.Two of us visited, and we each bought bags,individually woven,and labelled with the weaver's name.£20-£30 was a very reasonable price to pay for such an individual piece of craftmenship.And make sure that you try a Pisco Sour!!

Most Inspirational Moment

After three days of solid trekking, and a LOT of uphill, we finally breached over the mountaintop and through the 'Sun Gate' looking down over Machu Piccu. The sun was shining brightly on the ruin; lighting them up as if it was still a bustling Inca town. The scene was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader/guide was phenomenal. An intelligent guy with a wonderful sense of humour and fluent in English. He joined in with all our activities (including a rather messy trip to a bar in Cuzco on our last night), taught us about the Incas, answered all our questions, and took care of us when we needed him. Top guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the fitness required to do this trip. While the trek is short, it can be very strenuous at times, as the Inca Trail has a LOT of steep and high steps that you must traverse. Furthermore, at one point you will ascend to 4,200 metres, so be careful of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Suggestions

Trust Exodus. They will absolutely do you right. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was inspirational, but I think the openly friendly people that we met in Cusco and on the trail will stay with me the longest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Flaminia was super! The whole group from the hotel to the porters where actualy great, but Flaminia managed to keep a very diverse group ranging in age from 21 to 60+ entertained and interactive

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a Hip flask along. On the last night camping there is nothing like a little "Tipple" to toast and share with your comrades at the meal and congratulate yourself on a great trip. 

Suggestions

Keep your pack light! Those steps are very looooong!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching dead woman's pass for me and other's was the highlight as the hours to reach it seemed relentless (then we remembered we had to go back down the other side)!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Filamina was very knowledgeable about all things Inca and was happy to share her culture with our group.  Everyone walked at their different pace, sometimes up front, othertimes at back or somewhere inbetween and either she or Davide made sure everyone was okay and not left behind.  Everything was very well organised and fell into place from the briefing the night before to our final night group meal in Cusco.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're not used to walking, then practice.  Some in our group (including me) had never really hiked before and although we all got through it, we weren't expecting it to be quite as challenging.  The altitude will hit you, not necessarily with altitude sickness but you will notice it so just stop, drink and take in the scenery.  Apart from minor headaches from some in our group, none of us really experienced altitude sickness.  Physically this was the hardest challenge many of us in our group had ever done.  Every day you will be climbing, then going down, then back up again.  It was a great experience and we were very lucky with the weather as I really can't imagine doing let alone enjoying this trip in the pouring rain.  Our group was fairly large at 14, and for the most part got along extremely well.  Lots of laughing in the dining tents at meal times and encouragement on the walk itself.  Toilet facilities are pretty basic, but we all got over the embarrasment fairly quickly.  Keep a sense of humour!Finally when reaching the Sun Gate, don't be suprised if you're a little underwhelmed.  It's not because Machu Pichu isn't stunning, it is and the scale of the site is breathtaking...but for me and others we were kind of relieved that all the hiking was nearly over (45-60mins away)!

Suggestions

Enjoy it for the experience.  It's hard, but we all laughed so much and the train journey back was hysterical.  I hope you get a good group as we did.  For some of us it was the first real taste of camping and yes it was basic but it somehow added to the overall experience.  Some of us may never camp again in our whole lives but for 4 nights, you can survive it and you'll be doing something that relatively few will ever do!

Most Inspirational Moment

Macchu Picchu surpassed all expectations. I could have spent much longer there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader (Flamina) and the assistant leader (David) were excellent. Knowlegeable not just about Inca history and artefacts but also the local flora and other subjects. I was also impressed by the cooks and the porters. I couldn't do justice to the food, one of the effects of altitude is loss of appetite, but in very restricted conditions the cooks produced wholesome food which with limited tableware they made a real effort to present well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Inca Trail is physically very demanding, possibly the most demanding activity some peaople will ever do. The camping and toilet facilities are also basic. If you are prepared to accept a little (possibly a lot) of discomfort this is a very rewarding holiday.

Suggestions

I was as interested in Peru today as Peru 500 years ago. I found the visit to the Rainbow Centre for children with special education needs extremely rewarding. I was also delighted to talk to the guide and assistant guide about their families, education and home life.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspirational moments, but to name a few:Finding stunning and incredible views around every new corner.Watching the sun rise over the mountains at the third campsite, hugging mugs of warm tea whilst taking in the panoramic scenery.Walking through the sun gate to marvel our first glimpse of Macchu Picchu; not to mention basking in the magnificence of the lost city itself. Getting the hang of bartering at the market in Macchu Picchu - the selling pitches are much less aggressive here than in Cusco.Sipping nice cold Inca Kola in Macchu Picchu after our 4 day trek. Sitting in the main Plaza in Cusco, watching people go about their daily business.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Juan, was absolutely incredible; his enthusiasm was infectious and his infinite knowledge, his friendly yet professional manner were second to none. He made an already amazing trip absolutely unforgettable; nothing was too much trouble and he genuinely wanted to ensure that everyone had the holiday of a lifetime. What a star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a warm sleeping bag! I used a 3 season bag and was freezing on a couple of nights. Take stuff sacks - the weight limit of 7KG of equipment meant that our clothes were pretty smelly by the end of the trip; being able to seal them away in stuff sacks prevented the whole bag smelling rotten!  

Suggestions

Book it now!

Most Inspirational Moment

The best part of the trip was after 4 days of hiking at the end of the Inca Trail, going through the Sun Gate and the view of Machu Picchu beyond, surrounded by the fantastic scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a wonterful tour rep/guide/medical advisor that you could have wished for, a resident of Cuzco, his insight into the history of the Incas, his knowledge of the wildlife on the trek and where to find the best places to eat in Cuzco were excellent. He helped a number of individuals get over a bit of travel tummy with some guidance of where to obtain the best remedies and ensure they continued to join the trek and enjoy the experience to the full.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please, please, please .... can't say this enough .... Do take up some stamina and hiking training a few months before the trek commences, we both started our training in Feb and we travelled in July ! 2 of our group did very little training and it showed. Juan our guide spent considerable time with them to ensure they were ok, but it did mean the group (only 5 of us) split into the 3 who were fit and able to hike ok and those 2 that were having regular (too regular) rest breaks which split the group and led to us sometimes missing out on the interesting commentary our guide was able to give. However the excellent itierary planned by Exodus and our guide was set so even these slower individuals were able to make it back to camp every night before it went dark ... just about ! 

Suggestions

The trip is a wonderful experience and one not to be missed - sure, camping isn't everyones favourite, but plan for it, treat it as part of the experience, take plenty of warm thin layers - 0 degrees at night, 22 degrees during the day - layers on and off all the time, you will have a great adventure. Essential item - take a spare metal empty water container so you don't have to leave the tent at night when it's freezing when nature calls and earplugs so you can actually get to sleep.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course Machu Picchu was the star of the show, but there were many wonderful surprises around every bend in the road. I got up a couple of times in the early morning hours and saw the moon and a skyful of  stars - all enveloped in a peaceful silence.  I enjoyed the diversity of beautiful flowering plants and saw a perennial lupine for the first time. I was also impressed by all the other sites we saw on the way and intrigued by the speculation that they are connected. As an agricultural journalist, the farming and experimental sites were another source of interest.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnarda Aragon is a real gem. She's knowledgeable, calm and a good manager with a great sense of humour. She's also very proud of her country, its people and produce. As someone who comes from a developing country, I appreciated the fact that she encouraged us to support the local economy by buying hand-made local items.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget to bring: a headlight, a sunhat (they sell nice broad-rimmed ones in Cusco), sunscreen, insect repellant, coffee or black tea and powdered milk, if you absolutely need your caffeine fix. If you are not a very strong walker, bring a walking stick. I've never walked with a stick, and I bought one for 10 Sol at the beginning of the walk and came to rely on it right through the hike. Bring a couple of hundred Sol to buy water during the early parts of the hike and for tips for the cook, his assistant and the porters. You don't need to bring any food: the cook and his assistant feed hikers really well. Also, prepare for a lot of nice surprises at mealtime. (If you have any food preferences or intolerances let them know when you Do ask your group leader to arrange a specialist tour after the hike. Believe me, they can. I requested Disnarda to arrange a visit to the peasant farmers between Cusco and Urubamba and she, a driver, a friend and I ended up spending a wonderful morning with people who still live off the land and enjoy the satisfaction of growing their own food. I even tried my hand at cutting Lima beans with a sickle. It's hard work, though. (I can also think of other tours I would have loved to do, e.g. a visit to craftspeople or small local markets. We did visit the municipal market in Urubamba, but it would've been interesting to visit on a Sunday when all the farmers take their produce to their small local markets.)

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many!Reaching Dead Womens Pass (with the help of the guides Disnardal and Wilson after my daughter had been sick ALL day!) On the third morning getting up to see the sunrise over the mountains.Getting my first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnardal was absolutely amazing.....very knowledgable and passionate about her country and it's amazing history. Disnardal always made sure our group were happy, had everything we wanted/needed and she made sure we were clear on what was expected of us at each stage of the trek. The assistant guide Wilson was equally amazing, very patient, without him and Disnardal my daughter would not have conquered Dead Womans Pass!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only take local currency (nuevo soles) we ended up having to visit the bank quite a lot (my daughter loves shopping!) We understood that the dollar was an accepted currency, but you never know what the rate of exchange is!Take walking poles, I was really grateful for mine!

Suggestions

This trip is made possible by an amazing team...The Guides, I really could not praise enough, both Disnardal and Wilson brought the Inca's to life.The head chef Hernande and the assistant chef Alesandrjo, who each day produced hot, delicious meals (in the evening a 3 course meal!) The food really enabled us to keep trekking! The fresh soup was amazing!The porters did such a fantastic job, without any bother or fuss, our camp was dismantled before breakfast was finished, when we arrived at the next site our tent was ready to go!I would like to praise the poor porter who looked after our toilet facilities he did such a sterling job under difficult circumstances!!!