Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the vast scale of the mountain range, you can hear a helicopter somewhere but have to really look sometimes to spot it against the mountain backdrop. How the two ends of the age spectrum can enjoy hiking around this area - become inspired ourselves to keep fit and supple throughout our lives so can enjoy retirement to the full and opposite end of scale nice to see a few European kids on these sorts of holidays to set up a good interest for their adult life. On our free day we went up the cable car to Aiguille du Midi and the climbers you could see from this vantage point setting off/ camping nearby plus the exhibition describing what these somewhat brave climbers do was interesting. Got to say impressed with the skills of the helicopter pilots too - no hanging about when rescuing people off the mountains or dropping off at the hospital whatsoever! Finally and randomly perhaps pleased to see how important and ingrained into the culture around Chamonix recycling waste is!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark our group leader was very good. Looked after our group very well and you felt in very capable hands. Don't worry about pace. Mark accommodated for all abilities and made sure everyone comfortable and got the rests even if they were at the back. Did allow for the faster walkers too by enabling people to go on to a certain point and then wait. Must be said a degree of fitness is required for this itinerary though to allow the walks to be achieved in the timescale. We are of a normal reasonable fitness and had done a little prep on the treadmill (no hills in Norfolk!) and found the walks very comfortable. Good briefing beforehand on the walks ahead with useful Q&A about what to bring/ wear etc on the walks. Lots of information given about the area during the walks which was interesting. Was happy to give advice on walks for the free day. When the sun is shining we think he has a very enviable and healthy job!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Note the two chalets do not mix at all socially or on the hikes as part of the itinerary so if booking as a group of people ensure you are in the same chalet. Book early to avoid the smaller rooms in the sloping roof space of Chalet Chamonix reserved for the last people to book onto the trip. They are ok but not as comfortable or nice despite being the same money as the other rooms. We booked in February for late July departure and still found ourselves in one of the small less desirable rooms. We were advised by our guide that walking boots were not necessarily preferred over approach shoes - can wear either (in summer conditions anyway). Poles not essential either and some available to try in chalet too if wanted. Fine to wear shorts and t shirt but encouraged to carry warmer clothes/ wet weather gear with you in case weather turns. Insurance must cover helicopter rescue off mountains - guide takes insurance details for each person on the first day so need to check this before leave home.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the Malagasy house. It was a very humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He’s a legend! He works 24/7 to ensure the smooth running of the trip, includes his own initiatives which add so much, never stops smiling and joking. He is the difference between this and other Exodus trips.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and a sense of humour. Be prepared for some physical challenges. Don’t expect wifi to always work. Take a gel saddle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Concordia and looking down the valley at K2 was awe inspiring and emotional. The weather was very kind to us and K2 was revealed in all it's glory. The welcome we received from the people of Islamabad was also inspirational . People were so pleased to welcome western tourists and went out of their way to do so.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull worked tirelessly to ensure we all had a safe and enjoyable trip. She nursed us through 'stomach upsets', encouraged us when self doubt crept in and got us safely across rivers and landslips. The rest of the team deserve mention as well, with excellent food, well managed camping sites and a happy and industrious band of porters.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully. You will need stout footwear, the ground underfoot is hard on the feet. You might need warm clothing at some point but take cool loose clothing for most of the walk - it is hot and the trek is strenuous.

Most Inspirational Moment

The welcome we got everywhere we visited. Some amazing views along the way!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien is a wonderful leader always looking out for people's needs. His father once owned the company, and it is a lovely experience being shown around someones homeland.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are challenging and some of the paths are not always as well maintained as you might be used to, so do prepare to get fit before travelling, you will enjoy it much more. You are very rarely walking on the flat and are either walking up or down. It is worth the effort, one of the best Exodus trips I have been on!

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit at the wool mill. And nearly every little village we passed with the bike. After the biking part in Viscri watching the cows, horses and goats coming back from the fields into the village and the visit at the local brick "factory".

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor (guide) and Liviu (support car) just great!!!!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

(See above and:) have your camera/mobile for photos any time that you don't have to stop to take photos. Be fit, especially for the climbs in the heat, don't underestimate it. Be aware that the guest houses are quite simple but they offer anything you need (always warm water, just be aware that is sometimes the opposite of what is indicated on the regulator), sometimes shared bathrooms and it is not always allowed to throw toilet paper in the toilet.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - it's hard to choose! Obviously seeing Machu Picchu (though it's always packed with tourists), however, I do think the real highlight is the Inca Trail itself. The scenery and terrain is breathtaking! The Salkantay section of our trek was different - but equally amazing - and I loved how we hardly saw any other person for 3-4 days and the sheer wildness of the campsites. I'll never forget seeing the Milky Way and endless amounts of stars on a night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both group leaders - William and Johnny - were highly capable, funny, sociable, supportive and very knowledgeable about Peru and its history and cultures. It was a real pleasure getting to know them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes! Read - and believe - the packing list in the trip notes. As soon as the sun goes down (almost the very instant) it becomes very cold and nights can fall below freezing. So DEFINITELY take thermals and a big down jacket. These are a MUST! Take lots of layers and a good set of hat and gloves which you can then wear after finishing walking and early on a morning (as well as to sleep in if you're like me.) We couldn't believe how cold it became and often I would be sleeping in several layers as well as socks, hat and sleeping bag liner + 4 season sleeping bag + hot water bottle and I was still cold. During the day it quickly heats up in the sun so layers are best as well as a high factor sun cream and DEET spray for all the mosquitos (they're everywhere!) I would advise people to take Diamox (the pill to aid with acclimatisation) as the Salkantay section goes very high (Cuzco itself is very high and most people feel some symptoms on arrival.) I didn't take any Diamox but got very bad AMS on the first two days of the trek (e.g. migraine, nausea, dizziness) and was given some by the group leader. Just get it and take it as soon as you land in Cuzco to aid acclimatisation. Some people didn't get AMS but I wouldn't take the risk. Travel light! There's a 10kg weight limit on the Inca Trail so just take the essentials in the packing list otherwise you'll have to get rid of items on day 4 and send them back with the horsemen (our sent items got lost - even more reason to pack light!) You can wear the same t-shirt/socks etc for several days in a row and as you won't be getting showered anyway, you really, really won't mind. Just don't get rid of any layers - it becomes super, super cold!

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing alone on the last morning of the Inca Trail, looking out over the incredible panorama below- listening to the birdsong, admiring an overhanging wild orchid, with a lama munching in the bush behind me. In the Amazon, seeing a female jaguar on the riverbank, being teased by a male, whilst we rowed into the sunset, on the Tambopata river, on our last evening- what an absolute privilege!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bobbie was simply outstanding! His knowledge of Inca history was superb, but more importantly, his understanding of people, his positive psychology and his humour, helped us get to the top of Dead Woman’s Pass alive! His gentle encouragement, with no pressure to rush, but also his ability to make us feel safe, in some desperate moments where we felt we couldn’t go on, need commending- thank you Bobbie!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a tough trip- certainly not for the faint hearted and I would suggest, a significant challenge for younger teenagers. One needs to be athletic and be able to walk up steep hills ( as a training exercise), without getting breathless. No amount of fitness training in a gym can prepare one for the altitude, coupled with unrelenting, steep uneven steps up, and very deep, slippery and steep steps down. If one feels uneasy being at a height looking down, this is not the trip for you! The best advise is to have good Leki walking poles with rubber tips, and descend the steps sideways, like a crab, to save ones’ knees! Keep poles very long when going down, and short for going up! When packing the duffel bag, pack your stuff in a big see through bin liner first. Take lots of layers and thermals for the night- it is sub zero, wet and lonely at the top, without a proper, thick 4 season sleeping bag! I would recommend hiring a sleeping bag. Day pack: do not use a bladder- they leak! Keep a water bottle round your neck- (buy a bottle holder at the shop where you have breakfast, before the trail starts), and a bottle of lucozade or similar in the side pouch- do not let your sugar levels go low! Take sucking sweets that are easy to unwrap and suck whilst walking- chewing and walking and breathing, up those steep steps is impossible! Take some bars of chocolates- you will crave chocolate! Keep a bag of small change (1soles) for the toliet stops on parts of the Inca trail (no toilets higher up). Take acetazolamide ( ask your GP) to prescibe 250mg tablets (not modified release). The recommeded dosage is to start taking it in Cusco the day before the trail starts ( if one feels dizzy, nausea/ vomiting, breathless and as if head is going to burst) An adult should take half a tablet (125mg) twice a day until the last moring if the trail, and a young teenager a quarter of a tablet twice a day. This was recommended to me by a Professor of Pulmonology, I chanced upon in our Cusco hotel. He was a Godsend! One can buy ‘Oxyshot’- small cannisters of Oxygen at the pharmacies- go to a pharmacy if one feels one may need advise- they were excellent! A good tip to acclimatise, is to go a few days early, before the trail starts, and stay in Pisac. (which is slightly lower in altitude to Cusco). We stayed at La Casa del Conde, just outside Pisac, overlooking The Sacred Valley- superb accomodation and views, and one has to take a ‘tuk tuk’ to get to it from the town, as it’s up a track! Pisac has a fantastic market and quaint restaurants- well worth spending 2 days there at least. Do an open top bus tour from the Place d’Arma in Cusco which takes you to various ruins- Saksaywaman- brilliant experience! Take a good headtorch on the trail and for the Amazon. Use a ‘bumbag’ to keep your camera/ iphone, lipice, tissues in- for easy access whilst walking. Take a daypack that fits: waterproof trousers and light waterproof jacket, rain poncho, beanie and waterproof gloves for the top of Dead Woman’s Pass. Wear good polarised sunglasses for the glare. Take a small memory foam pillow in your duffel bag- will make your camping experience much better!! Wear waterproof trousers to sleep in if you get cold and put your duffel bag under your mattress, at the foot of your tent, to prevent slipping down your tent! Take a power bank to recharge camera/ phone to take photos. Wear hiking liners- to prevent blisters. One needs to adhere to the tipping guidelines for the porters especially- they are brilliant- you need at least 230 soles per person for the Porter’s kitty, then additional tipping money in the Amazon for the Amazon guide, the Posadas lodge staff, the boatman and then your main guide for the trip. ( recommended $5 per person per day) The tipping is a hidden extra which definitely needs to be acknowledged prior to taking this trip. There is no cash facility in the Amazon but we could pay for our extras/ drinks using Visa. Have a pisco sour and lomo saltado in Cusco at ‘Baco’s’- both to die for! Take lots of videos both on the Inca trail and especially in the Amazon- the sounds are quite spectacular- especially the jungle call! Most importantly, enjoy every moment, take in every sight and sound as if it were your last, and ENJOY the beauty and the freedom! Don’t rush to get to the campsite- you’ll miss out!

Most Inspirational Moment

We joined an optional evening tour in Tortugero to a beach where we watched a turtle laying it's eggs in the sand and then burying them. This image will stay with me forever. It was truly an honour to have witnessed this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex, our group leader, really helped to make the whole trip special. His knowledge of birds and animals was incredible. His enthusiasm for any "find" made by any member of the group was infectious. Many species he must have seen so many times but his enthusiasm was real. He made a point of finding out what each member of the party wanted to see most of all and then made it his duty to make that sighting a possibility. On the last evening he even found a red eyed green tree frog that we had not seen until that time and came running to our rooms to call us over to ensure that we didn't miss it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you have winter walking boots. A pair of walking sandals that can go in water are useful for some trails and then for beach boat landings ( water shoes otherwise for landings). A pair of lightweight flip flops dry quickly for use around the lodges. Clothes/shoes do not dry very easily in Costa Rica...having items inside the lodge when the fan was on was more efficient than leaving items outside as the air is so moist. You MUST have a poncho. Insect repellent needed for all days and evenings so take plenty. Antihistamine cream is also very useful even if you have used deet. Much cheaper and more readily available in UK ,Use high factor suncream when snorkelling AND remember to apply more before going in for a second swim. Take a good camera if you have one and good binoculars. Many birds, bats , snakes etc can be at a distance, through foliage. We didn't have good binoculars but seeing things through Alex' was a whole different experience to seeing without. In the cloud forest the evenings were cool and the nights cold. I slept with 2 duvets and a blanket. I wished I had taken something warmer to sleep in. There is a free laundry service at Drake Bay. Enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a green turtle lay her eggs at Tortuguero (optional extra). And the sloth with her baby hanging low on a vine beside the river.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Sun Gate and looking out over Machu Picchu after four days of trekking was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julio was absolutely brilliant. from start to finish he made this a wonderful experience. Our luggage didn't make it to Columbia and he was phoning at 3am and going to the airport to make sure we got it in time for the trek. Nothing was too much for him or Jonny the second tour guide and they really made the trip a wonderful experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would definitely do this trip again. I would advise travelers to take waterproofs and a good poncho (available cheaply in Cuzco) even when not in the rainy season as its better to be safe than sorry.