Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Talking to our guide, Wilbert Ramos, about his experiences and relationship with his country and, of course, coming through the Sun Gate at Manchu Picchu. There were inspirational moments every day, but these two stand out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was fantastic. He brought Peru and Incas alive through his passion for people, his knowledge of his country and its history and his genuine desire to ensure that everyone on the trek, from tourists to porters were looked after and had a good experience. I've been on a number of treks and his skills as a mountain leader and guide were some of the best I've ever seen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you build up a good level of fitness before you go - you don't need to be able to run a marathon, but the fitter you are the more you'll enjoy it. Be open minded and mindful. Take the time just to sit out and enjoy where you are and what you are doing.

Suggestions

Thanks for a fabulous trip. My first experience with Exodus and I was impressed that the company is perhaps one of the few that really delivers on its ethical promises, especially in the way it treats its staff. Well done, and I will be booking again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being at the mercy of the Andean mountain weather, we experienced some unexpected twists and turns to the originally planned trip. I was inspired by the calm and seamless way our guide, Wilfredo steered us through these adversities and how the group came together in support of each other when needed. The scenery was awesome and the bird life, including seeing a Condor were memories I will treasure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo has excellent knowledge of the history and culture of the Andean people, he was professional, calm and well organised, whilst being fun, personable and totally committed to our care and enjoyment. I feel he gained 16 new friends who admire and respect him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hot in the day... VERY cold at night, train well beforehand, particularly on steep hills.

Suggestions

I have found Exodus in the UK to be far less responsive to customers than their support staff in the country you are travelling in. If like me you don't live in the South East and would like a local transfer to Madrid, where all flights to Peru from Europe fly from; then make sure you stay on top of the UK staff to sort this out for you. I didn't and am unsure if my 7 hour round trip at great expense to Gatwick was an unnecessary addition to the journey. They said they will look into it but I still haven't received a response. I also felt information to prepare me for the trip was patchy and ad-hoc. Once you are in country of travel treatment is brilliant.

Most Inspirational Moment

Along with some great views and the Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu, we had breakfast on top of a mountain at sunrise. The guides, porters and horsemen are inspiring in a different way because of their hard work and fantastic support for the trekkers - they were second to none.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Willfredo was an excellent guide. He had great knowledge, could tell Inca "stories" and looked after us very well. He had some difficult decisions to take (snow blocking the pass, fire on the track, road closures etc.) but always came to the right conclusion in the interests of the group. He was very personable and everyone in the group liked him very much. Bruce was an excellent assistant on the trekking part of the trip, also demonstrating good knowledge and guiding skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes so you are clear about what is going to happen and don't ignore the altitude warnings. I take Diamox and it has worked for me on 3 separate trips but the effects of altitude are random so don't treat it lightly. As the notes suggest take dollars and change to Sol as you go - you can get dollars and sol from the local cashpoints at banks. If you are not a natural camper be prepared for some cold nights (proper sleeping bags etc. are essential), but it is worth a degree of discomfort to experience this part of the world.

Suggestions

This is a great trip - you will enjoy Cusco as much as the trek and, as with all trips like this, if you are not sure just book it! Provided that you can walk reasonable distances (up to 10 miles with no altitude) and are reasonably fit you should be able to enjoy this trip - there were several people in their 50s and 60s and everyone coped fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trek was marvelous with varied terrain and taking on the affects of altitude. The history of this beautiful country is mesmerizing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was superb. She thoroughly briefed us on what to expect, guided us through every stage keeping us safe at all times. Her knowledge of Peru and the Inca people was massive. She inspired the horsemen, and porters who obviously had great respect for her. She was immediately our friend and leader fulfilling all her promises of a trip of a life time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good boots, warm clothing for the very cold nights, lots of insect repellent and sun block and a sense of fun and discovery.

Suggestions

Absolutely brilliant trip! DO It!!

Most Inspirational Moment

As we performed a ritual thanking the mountains for a safe arrival at Chiriasqa pass at 5000m a condor appeared and flew just above us. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time upon arrival at the Sun Gate. Being so close to Salcantay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maritza was a very competent leader capable of dealing with everything presented to her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take at least two large packs of wet wipes, a spare battery for your camera, a good three season sleeping bag and Merino tee shirts and thermals. If you can squeeze it in then also take a pillow. I also recommend getting two or three dry bags from a camping shop to keep your clothes in when packing your duffle bag. Go at your own pace but don't stop for too long to catch your breath as you'll get cold.

Suggestions

A good diversity on this trip. The first half of the trek was totally deserted and extreme compared with the masses encountered on the Inca trail on the second half of the Trek. Yet both parts were thoroughly enjoyable for different reasons. The camping areas were in spectacular locations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the end of the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate is great, but camping next to Salkantay glacier and walking alongside the mountain up to the Inca Chiriasqa pass was even better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was great fun and very knowledgable; apart from running the trek he was well able to talk us round the various Inca sites without a guide. Staff were excellent, and the standard of meals on trek was amazingly high.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were pretty lucky with the weather and most days were sunny and mild, but camping at 4000 metres is cold. Really cold. Who'd have thought it?

Most Inspirational Moment

I felt the whole trek was inspirational but the most inspirational moment was being camped beside & staring in awe of Mnt Salkantay as the day ended and the night came in and to then, the following day, walk beside it. Truely amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was brilliant - a fasinating character. Very friendly, intelligent, always happy and had a story to tell. Full of knowledge & very passionate about his country and always wanting to teach you and share his knowledge & the history of the Incas.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you feel your fitness levels aren't great then do somerthing about it because this a a challenging trek for those that are not used to it. I would also advise to take plenty of tavel tissues & hand saintiser to keep your hands clean and free from germs to avoid a potential stomach bug. I would also recommend a decent camera as there will be plenty of this that should be snapped as memory of this wonderful trip. 

Suggestions

THis is a very well organised trip from start to finish. Anyone that is in doubt of whether to book this trip or not then don't doubt anymore....JUST BOOK IT. You will not be dissappointed as it is a once in a life time adventure with some stunning scenes whether they are natural or built by the Incas.Keep up the good work Exodus - many people love what you do & what you offer us. Tim Doyle 

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping on the ridge above Phuyupatamarca was fabulous. Although this one of the rare times that we saw other campers it was idyllic to watch the sunset and rise over the mountains, whilst throwing an eye back to Mt Salcantay, where we'd come from. This is also a site which will always make me laugh- I got involuntarily up close and personal with a bunch of llamas, which was quite an experience!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was a fun guide who was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Incas- and always up for a laugh!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read the trip notes - if you like your comforts then enter this in the knowledge that there will be days without showering- but you are well looked after with daily bowls of hot water, if you want them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Sungate and viewing Machu PicchuThe remoteness of Salcantay region and having a full moon to visualise the hugh hulk of Salcantay surrounded by stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nothing was too much trouble for Wilfredo. He worked hard on keeping a group together that had mixed abilities and experience. His experience in guiding ensured it felt as though we had the Inca Trail to ourselves. In addition, his knowledge and passion for his country was always evident and he was always happy to answer our questions, even if it was the 15th time he had been asked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The coco leaves and tea do help!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Dead Womens Pass and then a few days later arriving through the sun gate. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bobby was very knowledgable and very friendly and helpful. On the Cusco part of the trip he seemed a bit disorganised on occasion but I think this was due to discrepancies between the trip note itinery and the actual itinery he was able to offer. He gave everyone his contact details and on one occasion when it was free time to explore and I found myself lost I gave him a call and he responded immediately, he then came to 'rescue' me. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take waterproof clothing whatever the brochure/trip notes say the weather will be like! I had taken the trip notes saying there could be the 'occasional downpour' literally and I didn't take any waterproof trousers. After 2 two days of continuous rain I was almost out of dry clothes - luckily a fellow traveller had spare waterproofs he lent me (thank you John!).Budget for the tipping on the trek part of the trip. Again, the trip notes guide on tipping and advice given to travellers by Exodus staff varied a lot and on average we put about £130 each into the tip kitty.At Lima airport after you have collected your luggage, you need to exit the building and then walk back into the check in area of the airport to check in for the flight to Cusco.  

Suggestions

The trip notes for this trip were not accurate for the non trekking part of the trip.The hotel we stayed at in Cusco was not the hotel detailed in the final joining instructions - it was a more central hotel which was great, but unfortunately the electrics and breakfast were not....Be aware that if you go in May, there could be days of rain. Two days of continuous rain wasn't fun to trek in - the guide wasn't surprised by the rain as he said May is the end of the rainy season. The food provided on the trek is great - how the chef can produce so much variety for so many people from his small tent is amazing.