Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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170 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed November 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

First time travelling with Exodus….certainly will not be the last!

Most Inspirational Moment

Being woken up at 4.45am one morning in the cold with a cup of tea from the porters. We were above the clouds and got up to watch the sunrise over snow capped mountains with a blanket of cloud below us. Dont see that every day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could not have asked for a better guide. Juan Manuel Diaz was lively, funny and chock full of information both local and about Inca civilization. There was nothing we asked he did not have an answer for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was the first time I have been camping. Personally did not get on with a 'mummy' sleeping bag, friends insist on them but I found it claustrophobic and cramped. Other than that had a whale of a time.

Reviewed November 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

Sometimes it’s not the destination, but the journey. So many views, so many memories. Take lots of pictures, because when you look back on them, you’ll smile. It makes me want to try out the other Treks now!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu. It's a lot bigger than the photos suggest and you realise the enormity of effort that was required to build the place.The Cloud Forest... the Inca Tunnel... Dead Woman's Pass... Waking up at 3.6km high and (as we were the only campers) having Phuyapatamarca to ourselves! The list goes on...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was friendly, informative and sooo laid back that he put everyone at their ease. Ricardo was really helpful and had an infectious enthusiasm for the flora and fauna that seemed to rub off on the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring playing cards or a book, as there's nothing to do after dinner! We ended up going to bed at 9pm, as there's not a lot to do on the mountain in the dark.Bring plenty of waterproof bags to seal in dirty laundry when you pack them in the duffle bag.Walking poles are optional, but I brought some for the first time and I think they helped me immensely. I'd certainly be a lot more tired had I not used them.Take spare camera batteries (I took 3), You'll regret it when it comes to the moment when you want to take pictures... and you can't! You won't get a chance to recharge batteries until the 4th night of the Trek.If you're thinking of buying a sleeping bag for the trip and are not sure when you'd next use it, I'd recommend hiring one from Exodus (currently £25, including liner). I never felt cold in them and didn't have to worry about packing them for the rest of the trip.Don't go mad and buy souvenirs on the first day. You'll probably find them cheaper elsewhere, or wait until you come back to Cusco and buy them on the last day.Take a swimming costume if you want to go to the 'hot springs' in Aguas Calientes on the last night.

Reviewed November 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

The Inca Trail is something everyone can and should do

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Macchu Picchu from the Sun Gate

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was a great lad... very laidback but thoroughRiccardo was absolutely lovely

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will have a lot of free time in the evenings. You can only take 7kgs on the trail, but sacrifice a bit of space for a pack of cards and a book, which will be real godsends. The trail is not that challenging. Only Dead Woman's Pass will give you a bit of a workout. The rest should be no problem for anyone with reasonable fitness and who doesn't suffer too much from the altitude. We also did the Lake Titcaca extension....DON'T BOTHER. Travel independently here and try to get a bit more out of the experience by staying on one of the natural islands. Otherwise it's just a visit to an overpriced floating MARKET.

Reviewed October 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

This is an active but very rewarding trip. The scenery was amazing, the food fantastic – I felt a great sense of achievement as well as having a great time.

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.

Reviewed October 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

This was all that I expected it to be………and more.It pushed me to the limits,but left a wonderful sense of acheivement.

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.

Reviewed September 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

Exodus couldn’t have arranged a better trip – our time in Peru was brilliant, start to finish, and our guide was fantastic. Exodus blew us away.

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.

Reviewed September 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

I was initaily rather worried that The Inca Trail would be full of hikers and that you wouldn’t be able to see Machu Picchu because of the tourists bussed up there each day. I was totaly wrong, it was everything I hoped the trip would be!

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.

Reviewed September 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

A lot of fun, lots of steps, spectacular scenery. A sense of accomplishment that we hadn’t taken the easy route by taking the train.

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)!

Reviewed September 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

Really good trip, well organised, guides were well informed, porters extremely helpful and we were really lucky with the group of people. Trekking was very demanding and normal altitude problems (headaches, loss of appetite) but no more than expected and no complaining by the group. Scenery was great, not much animal or bird life to mention but Inca ruins were stunning. Machu Picchu surpassed all expectations.

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.

Reviewed August 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

A truly unforgettable and magical trip which surpassed all of my expectations. If you’re going to take one Exodus trip, this should be it!

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!

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