Most Inspirational Moment
The most insperational moment of the trip was the actual Inca Trail the whole walk was fantastic and was just ore inspiring. We has some amaizing views and the trail was great fun to walk along, around every corner and up every hill their was something different to see and do. The best part of the whole trip was after 4 days of walking, walking up the last few steep steps of the Sun Gate and seeing the classic Macchu Picchu veiw in the distance was brilliant. The whole group were speachless, and was good to have the whole group to make it to this point. I had carried a couple beers with me for 3 days (i bought some at the last place available) were quite heavy to carry, but was well worth it when I got to the Sun Gate I cracked one open and all the groip and myself had a swig, and all the other groups cheered and clap and thought what a good idea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
What can I say, Fabrizzio was amazing. He did a fantastic job, nothing was every to much trouble. he was with us the whole trip, was a fountain of knowledge and always made sure we were ok and that we were safe.I could not of asked for anyone better. Also All the staff and leaders from all over the trip were brilliant. I especially thank the cooks from the Inca Trail who mustered up some fantastic 3 course meals.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I learnt a fair bit from this trip, as it was my first big trip. Dont take to much, I did and didnt use it all. Make sure you take a very good 3-4 season sleeping back and liner (preferbly silk) It can get cold at night in the mountains. Walking boots for the trail, walkcing shoes for the excursions, I took sandals for the evening, but during the day it did get too sunny to wear them and some people burnt themselves.. A wide rimmed hat is essential, and a strong sunscreen (25+). Pack pleanty of imodium and dyralite nothing worse than getting a dodgy tummy, and if you can take some mint tea bags as they help settle the stomach greatly. Drink pleanty of water and gatorade whilst their, its very important to stay hydrated. I got sunstoke one afternoon and it was horrible.
Suggestions
Dont even think about it, just book it... this trip was fantastic, if you dont do it, you will regret it for ever. The only thing I would like to say to exodus is that everything was fantastic, the only small problem I had was with the camping on the trail. the 'Thermarest' mats had come to the end of the life, they were no longer self inflated which meant we had to self inflate them by breathing in them, which has germ risks as other people would have done that before us, and also they have been used so much now that the flam inside them had compressed so they wernt as firm and compfy as they should have been, and some of them smelt really badly. But apart from that, it was all good.