Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The trail was of course, but numerous other bits throughout the holiday

Thoughts on Group Leader

fine

Advice for Potential Travellers

I see lots of queries re use or not use walking poles. I'v never used poles so didn't - the porters don't ! I havn't seen it mentioned anywhere, but importantly, the rock used for paths and steps resembles pumice stone, so never seemed remotely slippery even when wet, so i can't see any advantage using poles. Don't take travellers chqs - v few places to change them and v little opportunity time wise. Take cash. If you want to add another experience (independently) i did the highest bungee jump in S America at Cusco on a free day. Was v reasonable cost too. Office in town lay on a car to take you (and spectators) to the location.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick just one inspirational moment but my personal highlights were:Seeing penguins in the wildThe Inca Trail... and arriving at the Sun Gate in the Sun - after two days of rain and hail (don't forget to pack a plastic poncho, it could become your new bestfriend!)The Amazon - wow, wow and thrice wow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos couldn't have done enough for us, even arranging and leading tours on the free days in Cuzco for the people who didn't do the trail. His knowledge was vast and he had a good sense of humour - which I think is a must when dealing with any group of people - Thank you Carlos for a fabulous holiday!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough memory cards for your camera - I blew through 1500 photos in the three weeks very easily and I didn't even think I was taking many pics!Definately take a plastic poncho for the Inca TrailWhen they said it could be cold in the Amazon, it really can (still a little in shock at the 3:45am wake up call but it was well worth it!)The food in Peru is amazing! Far better than I was ever expecting - and despite eating like a horse (and making the most of every help yourself buffet) I still came back lighter - result!Apply mozzie repellant in Arrequipe - didn't get bitten anywhere else but was chewed there.Walking poles are a must for the Inca Trail. I'd never used them before and they were an absolute god send for hauling yourself up the big steps and acting as brakes on the 'smaller' onesTake more than one jumper! I foolishly didn't and it can get quite cold at night and the air con on the bus can be a bit of a mixed blessingApply suntan lotion even when its a grey day (found this out the hard way, doh!)You can get sols (currency) in the UK - which I did and the exchange rate was pretty good. Try to keep the notes as small and 'clean'/untorn as possible though as they don't like them otherwise.If you don't have a loo on the bus, which we didn't, you could spend a couple of £ a day on the toilets and they generally cost 1 sol (25p) a pee (and you often needed your own loo roll and soap) so try to get change when you canYou will have an amazing time, go on, book it, you know you want to really!

Most Inspirational Moment

It has got to be the Inca civilisation and the magic of Machu Picchu! However we were unexpectedly charmed by some simple pleasures.....seeing the penguins on Ballestas Islands...watching a catch of anchovies being landed...having a moonlight swim at the hotel in Nasca....staying in the hobbit accommodation at Chivay...relaxing in the hot springs....bartering for goods in the market near Puno....the friendliness of the people of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca....the "wild west" frontier town that is Aguas Calientes....dawn on Tambopata River....and the stars at night....!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Having Carlitos Lechuga (Carlos) as our group leader really made the trip, he is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He put a lot of work into ensuring that everything ran smoothly and was always well organised. He was kind and thoughtful particularly with those in the group who were unwell at various points during the trip. He has a great sense of humour too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early mornings..... it's worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

doing the 4 day INCA TRAIL visiting the rainforest, wish we could have had more time in amazon, as this was amazing lodge and set up great. the inca trail brilliant, what an adventure brilliant group.visiting floating islands.realy educational .both fully loved experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

(bobby) was amazing, must be one of the best you have.really educated on all matters.the group were all over fiftys myself sixty four. was brilliant with me on INCA TRAIL. one of group not well from early on (bobby) sorted out. could not have wish for a better group leader.the man is a god sent for this trip.(bobby) UBALDO QUISPE brilliant man. .

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't go taking loads of gear (cloths) don't need loads and easy to get launderd. get as fit as possible before doing treak .listen to your leader as they have done this many times and know different situations.we

Most Inspirational Moment

It's virtually impossible to select one particular moment - there are so many...Lake Titicaca's Uros Islands and people who welcomed us into their homes with open arms; Islas Ballestas for the birdlife; the changing scenery from the coast and desert up into the Andes and then into the Amazon basin; learning the difference between vicuna, alpaca, llama and guanaco; Cusco; the beautiful knitwear and jewellery - I defy anyone to resist temptation!, and the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.  All the Inca sites we visited were fascinating, and our guide was able to tell us so much about this period in Peru's history. For me all of these are the defining moments but especially the Inca Trail - reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass, walking through the most beautiful forests on both the Pacific and Amazon watersheds, almost running up that last flight of Inca Steps to the  Sun Temple and seeing Machu Picchu and Huanya Picchu below. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert Ramos is an experienced, mature guide to whom you warm instantly. He clearly loves his country and is passioante about what he does, wanting so much for you to enjoy every possible experience/aspect of your trip.  There aren't enough superlatives to describe Wilbert - he's an equal first in quality of guide I've met in many years of travelling. He's caring of his clients and staff driving buses, other guides, staff in hotels and when trekking, knowledgable, goes to extremes to help, nothing is too much trouble and he's tremendous fun to be with.  Marks out of 10?  20 at least.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to travel in the southern half of Peru then this trip is a superb way in which to see the diversity of the  country, meet the people, try out different areas food and to trek - but you don't have to trek, you can spend more time in Cusco. If you want to trek the Inca Trail AND visit the other areas included in this trip then you do need to book early so Exodus can get your permit.  Go for it, it's worth every penny.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu obviously is what most people and myself went to Peru for and it did not disappoint, the achievement you feel when you trek, reach the Sun Gate and look down towards Machu Picchu cannot be described but also the Peruvian people who made us feel so welcome and their smiles were contagious, it is such a colourful country beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert looked after us all and made sure that we were getting what we expected from the trip and more, he shared his wealth of knowledge, his love for his country, people and beliefs and he was very careing and considerate. We all felt so sad to say goodbye to "Papa Wilbert" as we called him and he will forever be thought of with affection by us all I am sure.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travellers Cheques are difficult to change and I would not take them if I return, also when you change US dollars to Sol ask for small notes at the bank as these are needed and large notes cannot always be changed outside of the cities. We flew from Heathrow to Madrid so to have a few Euros to get a drink or snack if needed is a good idea. Toilet roll is a must as not all toilets have paper and plenty of wet wipes or hand sanitiser. Make plenty of notes on the little things the guides tell you about or things you do, you can read up on other things in the guide book but as you see and hear so much you may forget things, notes can be read when you get home and relax to help you remember the little things that made the trip extra special.An extra day in Lima at the end would have been a good option as we travelled straight from the rainforest which meant you had an extra flight and travelling time on an already long journey also a nice hot shower before travelling would have been good. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Its hard to choose, the Peruvian people are diverse and wonderful, the scenery magnificent, the archeological sites are a great tribute to a very advanced, complex society that existed many years ago, over a huge area.The food was splendid, the accomodation good. The porters on the Inca Trail were amazing. The local guidesat the various locations were exellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene Calancha was am amazing guide!  His vast experience, knowledge and ability to relate to people adde so much to our enjoyment of our Peruvian Experience. He knew how to handle any difficulties that came up. He was essential in gettig me through the Inca Trail after a difficult second day through the high pass.I will never forget him for that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would suggest  a smaller amount of  US$, take more Nuevo sols in the smallest denominations you can.We found it easy to use Interac to get cash in sols, which were more happily received. Most of the hotels had  internet acess.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose one: all the many archaeological sites we visited (Machu Picchu just one!);  the museums, notably the Museo de Arte Precolumbino in Cusco; the trip to the Islas Ballestas, and the many birds and herds of camelids we stopped to look at on the plains - and the sea otter I spotted frolicking in the Pacific, and the six foot long tree boa our guide caught in the rainforest.... And the Moonstone Trek, on my own, with Jesus (the guide), the excellent cook (that Andean barbecue!), two horse men, four horses, and a foal... and the night sky in the Andes. Too much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The immaculate Rene! What a star. Just so kind and thoughtful on top of being so organised and knowledgeable (thanks for all the birdwatching Rene!) We all miss him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not necessary to bring dollars really - cash machines were available in the main towns and I found out (too late) that you can order Peruvian currency here in UK! (Exchanging dollars at Lima airport not recommended - poor rate).Take your own sleeping bag and liner but don't bother bringing your Exodus kitbag as the ones supplied free to others for trek seemed ok.The Moonstone Trek is well worth doing, if you are fit, not necessarily 'more challenging' than Inca Trail (bit more altitude but no steps!) with interesting alternative sites (one with mummy included!) It also included more time to explore Ollantaytambo, which was worthwhile.Read Cloud Road, by John Harrison. Do explore Cusco well - the Museo de Arte Precolumbino is the most beautiful of archaeological museums and should be high on your list.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take medication for altitude early. Do not linger at high passes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into Macchu Picchu. After four days of enjoyable, if at times draining, walking along the Inca Trail, you really appreciated the effort that went into building not just Macchu Picchu but all the sites along the route.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was absolutely fantastic. He was informative, entertaining and also exceptionally helpful when things went wrong - e.g. people getting ill.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Inca Trail is probably a little harder than the brochures let on. Do some training for it, and factor in that the constant climbing and the altitude are going to multiply the effort. You walk about 10km a day, but due to the altitude and climb it feels more like 20km. Pack good waterproofs as well, and has been said elsewhere, layers of clothing. Pack light. Laundry services are cheap and available in places like Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. Don't get it done at the hotels though, just walk intot he street and find a place for less than half the price. Money, money, money.... aside from taxis in Lima and one or two other places in Lima which like USD, everyone takes the local currency Nuevo Soles. Its easy to change USD into Soles in all major towns, and you get a good rate, but I would suggest ignoring the advice from Exodus and bring just a few USD to cover Lima and guide tipping, and bring everything else in Soles.Lima is not the most exciting place on earth. Don't add an extra day on the end to look round.