Reviews

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

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47 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Reviewed June 2013

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

A challenging trek with some steep climbs. The 8 days saw us camping and trekking in rain, wind, snow and then beautiful clear blue skies.

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.

Reviewed January 2013

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

This was my first trip with Exodus and I’m booking my next one soon! A fantastic experience, I especially enjoyed camping in the wild. The only people we saw for days were our group, our porters and a few locals. We had a great group, and I really enjoyed the company of the others.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise over the mountains when we camped at Phuyupatamarka. We had 360 degree views, and the sun as it hit Salkantay was amazing. The thunder storm the night before was spectacular too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo was a great leader, he really looked after everyone, and made sure the holiday was a fantastic experience, no matter what their fitness levels. He told us great stories over dinner, and really cared about the porters.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some domperidone anti-sickness tablets with you if you can. I was quite sick one night, and the day that we climbed the highest peak, but a fellow traveller gave me some of these and they really helped. Mozzie spray is essential - the day we walked along the canal we were bitten a lot. Be prepared for all weather conditions - we saw everything, sun, rain, snow, thunder... Take a metal Sig type drinking bottle, they are great as hot water bottles in the tent at night.

Reviewed November 2012

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

A fantastic holiday, we were lucky to such a great group. Macchu Pichu was breath taking but it wasn’t the highlight of the holiday for me it had to many tourists and loud fat Americans booming about, I enjoyed trekking in the Andes over the high pass the most, the scenery was spectacular and the trails were challenging and good fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

How the people of Peru live in the wilderness of the Andes, they are very isolated, the nearest shop for supplies is usually over a two hour walk, they have to be fairly self sufficient growing their own crops, farming cattle, chickens, horses and brewing corn beer. Children have to walk for hours to get to school, there are no hospitals or doctors nearby, and no cars or buses, no gas or electricity. To boost their incomes alot of these farmers are porters on the Inca trail, working once or twice a month during the season.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was verg good, he had excellent knowledge of the Inca's and their history. He looked after the group very well and catered for everyones different levels of fitness during the trek. As a group we were lucky to have him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquito repellant should be on the essential kit list, I got eaten alive on the first day.The tipping was incorrect in the trip notes, it advised $60-$70dollars to cover all tipping, I budgeted $70 dollors, when we got there it was $90 dollors required and that didn't include the guide that was another $20 dollars, this meant I was using my credit card to pay for food at the end of the holiday. It is very important you get the information correct on the trip notes for the tipping so we are prepared, this was a big topic of conversation between the group because we had all budgeted $70 dollars. Eat at the local places it saves you a fortune, tourist restaurants cost between £8-£12 per meal, a local place will do the same meal for £3, and it tastes just as nice.

Reviewed October 2012

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Truly an amazing and unforgettable adventure. The diversity of Peru and its people is inspiring and made for a once in a life time experience. This was my third trip with Exodus and I continue to be impressed by their professionalism, organization and ethics. Exodus takes care of the people that they employee providing them with the proper equipment to do their jobs. Other companies had the porters sleep in the washrooms and wear sandals made from old tires. Once again Exodus has provided a wonderful experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping at Ichu Pata 4200m and waking up to snow on the ground and a clear view of Salcantay. 2. Seeing two condors circling the sky. 3. Passing through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo is a very experienced and knowledgeable guide. He is a true Peruvian and very passionate and proud of his country and its people. He took care of us and made certain that everyone finished the difficult trek successfully. He was very respectful of the people that were working with him. Wilfredo was a wealth of information and did not hesitate to share his experience. I will miss the Inca tales that he shared with us at the dinner table.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Invest in some good clothing. I would highly recommend Icebreaker shirts and underwear. They will keep you warm and cool and they do not smell after a few days. You will only need a couple shirts and three pair of underwear. Bring a few good quality protein bars for the long days. The breakfast on the day you go over the Inca Chiriasqa pass was good but there was not enough carbs and protein. Get a good down filled sleeping bag. I used a minus 10 down sleeping bag and was toasty warm. Bring at least one walk pole Use DEET and sunscreen at all times and if you can bring a sun hat (Tilley) and a ball cap that would be great Be prepare for rain, sun, hail, snow, and wind. The weather can change in an instant

Reviewed October 2012

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

I spent much of my two weeks in Peru slapping myself to make sure I was awake and that it wasn’t all just a dream. High in the Andes I loved the absolutely breathtaking scenery, the incredible ruins of the ancient Inca settlements, the sincere warmth and friendliness of the Peruvian people, the diversity of the food, the beautiful old Spanish colonial buildings in Cusco, the kick of the Pisco in the loveliest little bars in the world, the depth of the history and religion, the vibrant music, the colours of the people in traditional dress and the absolutely breathtaking scenery again because it deserves an extra mention. This was a fantastic trip that I just couldn’t fault at all.

Most Inspirational Moment

Possibly one of the most inspirational moments of my life, let alone the trip, was reaching the top of the Chiriasqa Pass at 4,950 metres above sea level. In the thin air it was hard work getting there but I felt that every gasp for breath and every aching muscle had been worthwhile as I stood there and looked behind me at the ice capped Mount Salacantay and its icy blue glacial lakes and ahead of me at the vast wilderness of Sisay Pampa as snow flurries contrasted against bright blue sky and dark clouds. With no sign of human life in sight this was probably the most remote and isolated place I had ever been. I had always wanted to walk the Inca Trail but the Salcantay extension made the experience all the more remarkable. Seeing hardly a soul for days, star gazing at the clearest night skies imaginable, having a bath in the icy waters of the Rio Cusichaca and emerging from my tent each morning to look up at snow covered peaks and down at cloud filled valleys are moments I will remember and treasure for the rest of my days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bobby was an absolute star. He’d already done the Inca Trail something like four hundred times before and consequently knew every mountain, every mountain path, every block of stone at the Inca sites, every exotic species of plant, every llama that we met along the way, every native bird and insect, every star in the sky, every statistic about South American football and the best way to cook a guinea pig. He always had a smile on his face, he had an infectious laugh, he punctuated his speeches with jokes and he liked a beer. My favourite moments with him though were when we were all seated round the table after dinner on the nights of the trek. High in the cold, cold Andes and miles from civilisation he would tell us his tales of days gone by, his personal experiences and the history and superstitions of his country. His round Peruvian face looking stern in his concentration, illuminated only by a camping gas lamp, was an absolute picture. And then he would laugh.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you immerse yourself in the culture of the Andes, eat everything you’re given, breath in that beautiful fresh mountain air, stare at the stars, talk to the people and take in everything that you see you will have a wonderful trip and you will hardly notice the gruelling physical exertion.

Reviewed September 2012

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

This trip encompasses both the wilds of trekking right in the mountains without seeing anyone the whole time and also the experience of walking the ‘classic Inca trail’. Yes, you will see other people but you are walking in the footsteps of history and heritage! I was really pleased to have done it like this as I can say i walked the trail of the incas and arrived through sungate – it may be a cliche but hey youre only going to do it once so i am pleased to be able to say I did it this way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational? Probably the last bit of the final day approaching sungate - i felt like a real intrepid explorer searching for the lost city!! Real dark dank jungle inca path with the echoing sounds of birds all around you....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bobby was great, really upbeat, sociable funny guy. He has completed this trip about 500x so he knows his stuff. Our group had a few problems with people needing to leave the trail and come back in due to illness. He dealt with this easily and efficiently. Everybody got what they needed. He also helped some of the group organise onward journeys in Peru, very helpful and likes a game of cards!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear insect repellant of the first day from Mollepata, mozzies are rife in the daytime and the 20 or so bites i got that day plagued me for the rest of the trip! Once i wore repellant - no bites received.Take it easy when you get to cusco, a few of our group got ill, possibly a bug or possibly altitude sickness. It ruined the trip for some, so take it easy and eat simple food you know! Even though restricted on the inca trail, take a book! Sometimes you get to camp at 1-2pm theres time to kill. We played a lot of cards too. It rained everyday about 2pm...but tea time at 4.30 with crackers annd popcorn relly helped!!

Reviewed July 2012

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

A brilliant way to get away from it all at high altitude. Spectacular and diverse scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Salkantay pass....seeing two seperate valleys dropping away, and the snow clad mountain was simply stunning.Walking along the canals at approx 3000m and stopping to soak our feet in the ice cold water.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfedo could not do enough for us, he was so informative about the surrounding areas, always willing to help, and fit into our 3 person group :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind, don't sweat the small stuff...don't take too much stuff, remember the horses and the porters have to carry everything up hill!!!Even if you have a hydration pack take a metal bottle as they serve as a overnight hot water bottle (it gets cold at night).Most places we visited prefered the local currency (Solis), you can pay with dollars, but you will get a poor rate of exchange)

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