Most Inspirational Moment
The trip falls into three parts: the Rainforest, The Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca, so all three had their own inspirations. The Rainforest - the diversity of animals and birds; The Inca Trail - achieving Dead Woman's Pass and reaching the Sun Gate; and the tranquillity of the Lake.
Thoughts on Group Leader
You don't get to meet the leader, on our trip this was Marcial, until you get to the airport in Puerto Maldonado. The guide who met us at the airport in Lima didn't have much to say and didn't know his way round Lima, having to ask his way to sights on several occasions. The guide in the Rainforest, Leol, was fantastic and so knowledgeable. How he managed to spot the animals and insects in the dark and when there was only a fleeting glance during the day was unbelievable. Marcial came into his own once we left the rainforest. His knowledge of the culture of Peru was vast, he knew the best places to eat as he was local to Cusco. Because we were a small group we only needed a mini bus, rather than a coach so we were up and ready each day on time and therefore he didn't need to chase anyone up. His advice was accurate and he answered any questions we had.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Money - make sure you take enough US dollars. The trip notes are pretty accurate, but that is just to get by. If you are a spender then take more. Change about $75 per person in the airport - the exchange rate is much better in Cusco - that will get you by for getting round Lima, the airports, water etc. When you get to Cusco change quite a bit as you will need Sols for all your shopping and eating out, only some restaurants take card. Tips for the porters can be in dollars, but you will need Sols for some of the additional trips rather than dollars.Luggage - pack as light as you can for the Inca trail - remember the porters can only 7kg of what you will need and some of that includes your sleeping bag and thermarest. Make sure your sleeping bag is warm enough - work on the comfort rating rather than the temperature rating. A two season bag is not warm enough! You will need more tops in the rainforest than you think as you will need to change at least 3 times during the day, where as on the Inca Trail you probably don't need as much as you think! And if you do, remember you have to carry it!Poles - if you are used to walking with poles, take them as they help with the ups and downs. If you are used to walking without them, then you probably don't need them - you can always find a sturdy stick en route.Water bottles - take bottles that can be filled with boiling water as these can be used as hot water bottles at night while camping.See if you can get the earlier flight back from Puno to Lima as we had to hang around for 5 hours after getting back from Lake Titicaca before the 9.00pm flight to Lima and couldn't see any reason for this. It means you don't get to the hotel until nearly midnight!