Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at the Sun Gate - Intipunko and looking down at Machu Picchu
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Very helpful and inspirational with first rate knowledge of all matters IncaHowever no provisions for emergencies. With only two guides available when one had to return to base because of someone falling ill there was very little provision for a back marker, and for long periods because of my slow pace i was on my own! More porters need to be trained to take over as guide no2 in the event of this happening.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Grading not as advertised in trip notes. This is an extremely tough and challenging trek and should be rated severe - NOT moderate! and should not be undertaken lightly. Requires a high level of personal fitness and stamina. That said it is an extremely rewarding trek.
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Reply from Exodus
Many thanks for taking the time to review your recent holiday. I’m glad you enjoyed the trek and felt justifiably rewarded when you made it to the Sun Gate for that first view of Machu Picchu – it certainly is a high point after 3.5 days of walking!
We provide two guides if there are more than 8 people in the trekking party, and if one guide has to accompany an unwell client back to a medical post the porters are instructed to ensure that one of them is always following the last person in the group so that safety is not compromised. We also encourage our tour leaders to keep the group together as much as possible in this situation, although this can be difficult if the group members have vastly different walking speeds. Unfortunately, Peruvian guide licensing restrictions are such that guides must complete university in order to be legally registered – the expense of this arrangement, combined with the fact that many porters have not completed formal schooling makes this impractical.
I’m sorry you felt the trek was tough and should be rated higher – our ratings are based on several factors, including the amount of ascent and descent during the day, the number of hours you spend walking each day, the distance, and the number of days spent trekking. I feel that based on all these factors our “moderate” grading is fair, and it is certainly in line with similar treks which we offer, although I understand that the effects of altitude may make it more difficult. Although I would not recommend the Inca Trail to anyone with no previous experience of walking, I believe that is within the capabilities of anyone of reasonable fitness and does not require special training prior to starting the trek.
With regard to the additional costs, the price of transfers in the trip notes refers to the cost these services in Cuzco, where the trip starts. Since you flew from a regional airport, it was necessary for you to spend a night in Lima, where higher transfer prices apply. As stated in the notes, the cost of the city tour is approximate, and will vary depending on how many people take the excursion – if just one person is taking the tour, as in your case, the costs will unfortunately be higher, whereas if more people take the tour the price will fall.
I’m sorry that you felt these aspects of the trip didn’t live up to your expectations, or if you felt that the trip notes were misleading, but hope this hasn’t put you off travelling with Exodus in the future. Thanks again for your feedback on the trip.
Tim – Product Manager for Peru
