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 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

A memorable holiday. Spectacular scenery. Unforgetable experience in jungle (extension). Challenging trek- but readily achievable by anybody who is reasonably fit – and has a good pair of knees!

Most Inspirational Moment

Two highlights:-First 'high' (sorry about the pun!) was reaching Dead Woman's Pass. This was the highest altitude we reached during the trek. A great sense of achievement, rewarded by spectacular scenery.Second highlight was the first glimpse of Machu Picchu- we arrived on a sunny, clear afternoon to a fantastic view of Machu Picchu- very emotional moment after 4 days of walking ( and several weeks of planning pre-trip)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnarda was an excellent guide. Her wide knowledge of Peruvian history, plants , birds greatly contributed to our trek experience. Her patience and expert pacing ('just a little bit more, my friends....') filled us all with confidence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Several of the group had 'stomach upsets'- especially during the first day or two of the trek. Overcoming the effects of this was certainly more of a challenge than walking at altitude or climbing hills. Anti sickness and anti diarrhoea medication highly recommended! Take great care during the first 2-3 days to avoid any foods that are at all doubtful. I suspect that a buffet lunch the day before setting off on the trek may have been the problem...The standard of food on the trek was outstanding. Toilet facilities ('the special tent') basic but entirely adequate (and did not in any way contribute to the stomach bug!)

Reviewed October 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

My husband Lee and I had a fantastic time, this trip was arranged to mark my 50th birthday, I think it hit the mark! We met a great group of people, slightly differing fitnesses but we all completed the trek although the 2nd day was tough!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are a few:Wilbert and the porters making us hot chocolate at 5am in the morning on the 4th morning above the clouds with a fantastic view of the mountains.Getting to the top of Dead Womans Pass, very tough day, I had a cold and the altitude had an effect on me, Wilbert kept an eye on me but as I felt it only at the very top there was only one way down, a 2 hour walk down steps!!! Thanks to all that offered to carry my rucksack! Watching the porters run by with massive packs on their back's, also the excellent food they make in the most basic facilities.Reaching Sun gate and seeing Macchu Pichu was brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was fantastic, he was very knowlegdable about the Incas, very passionate. He had a great sense of humour, we even taught him some slang and had a laugh during the trip when he asked if we needed a "Jimmy" or "Pony"........Our luggage did not turn up at Cuzco, Wilbert and his team worked very hard to get the cases to us before the trek otherwise we could have had to hire all our equipment. Thanks loads for that!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pick your luggage up a LIMA and check it in again for Cuzco.Walking Poles, Toilet Paper, Sun cream, Mozzy spray, head torch, spare camera battery are all essential for the trek. You will need baby wipes but the Porters provide a bowl of hot water in the morning so you can wash the important bits so although you don't shower until the 4th day we were not as smelly as expected.The 2nd day of the trek is tough but the other days, although long, are reasonably ok. Anyone can complete the trek although I would advise that the fitter you are the better you will enjoy.

Reviewed October 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

Quite simply a fantastic trip – itinerary was well balanced, guides first class, facilities on the trek superb. The atmosphere on the trip was one of enjoyment balanced with challenge and achievement – great insight and explanations from the guides to complement the amazing surroundings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the sun gate to get the first sighting of Machu Picchu was truly inspirational. A real sense of achievement after a thoroughly enjoyable 4 day trek which was topped with the awe and wonder of seeing Machu Picchu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was top drawer - knowledge, personality, enthusiasm and flexibility was superb. Really helped the whole tour gel together with witty and informative interaction.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for day 2 as it's the toughest part of the trek but take it steady and most people should be fine. Remember you're on holiday and only 'race' up the mountain if you want to!

Reviewed October 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

We did the moonstone trek, amazing because we saw no other hikers for 4 days. The only people were saw were locals working the land and grazing animals……..seriously consider doing this over the standard trek, also means you avoid the 6 hrs of steps!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

There was 7 in our group, what an amazing and inspirational group of like minded people. I found the first day tough, hot and steep and feeling the altitude. These people who I knew for just a few days kept me going with their support and wit. The second day was worse my boyfriend was ill in the night so neither of usslept........these guys and the group leaders were there to make sure we still made it to the highest point and the camp site. We had snow at the peak which made for a really cold night but the views and photographs the next morning were more than worth it, this made for a great start to day 3

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great, inspirational, knowledgable and a lot of fun. She led the team well and was full of facts about the history,the locals and all the fauna along the way. She spoke excellent English and joined in with the jokes

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and ask questions before you go......if you do the moonstone read both trip notes for moonstone and classic inca. Take American dollars and change into local currency Take warm clothes for night time and cool light clothes for the warmer hiking days

Reviewed September 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

Like most of the reviews this was something I’d long dreamed of doing. So I booked it and was lucky enough that 5 of my friends also thought it’d be a good plan. We were also fortunate to have 6 other travelling companions who were an eclectic mix & excellent company throughout what was a wonderfull journey.If you’re dreaming like I was, take the plunge, it’s a fantastic experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ambling around Cusco and suddenly being surrounded by an explosion of colour, music and dancing in the streets, which seemed to fill the whole city for a few hours.. The second day actually reaching the top of the "Gringo killer." I think we all found that hard, but getting there was rewarding.Being woken with coca tea each morning. The third day. That's a day to have your camera out constantly as around every corner was a scene of outstanding natural beauty interspersed with fantastic Inca sites.A lone condor circling our camp on the third evening as the sun set.The sun gate with the first glimpse of Machu Pichu. A well deserved beer or two in the hot springs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnarda was a veritable wealth of local knowledge. A lovely, warm person who was proud of her beautiful country and made the trail all the more enjoyable. She would remind us to drink water at every avaiable opportunity, bless her, & let the various members of our group set their own pace / breaks on the trail which i think was imperative. For Tina, our second guide, i believe this was her first Exodus trip, she again added to our experience in a positive fashion. I hope this will be the first of many for her with Exodus, again a lovely person.Special mention to chef, who prepared two cakes on the first evening, one for Jamie's birthday and another for Martin and Diane's aniversary. Baking two cakes after climbing up a mountain carrying a hefty pack where our group were all ready for bed around 7pm was above and beyond!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read all the reviews on here. PICK UP YOUR LUGGAGE AT LIMA, EVEN IF YOU'RE TOLD IT'S CHECKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!! Essential items:Camera + extra batteries / memory stick. Waterproof jacket and trousers.Sun hat and glasses.Warm hat and gloves.Deet & sun cream.Fleece & thermals for the evenings, change of footwear.Warm sleeping bag / liner.Head torch.Merino wool t-shirts / hoodies were good.comfy boots + enough socks. comfy quick drying hiking trousers.Trek towel.Antiseptic hand gel / loo roll. shorts / swimwear for the hot baths.Ammonia for bites, although I was lucky, others needed to borrow that quite frequently.Imodium, again i was lucky but others weren't so, but that's enough said there. Enough dollars / soles for the tips and the hot baths / pisco sours / beers etc. A hydration pack / camelbak with maybe an electrolite / isotonic powder to mix in. Diamox / Ibuprofen. Excited anticipation.

Reviewed September 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

Met all my expectations and more. Truly unforgettable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu after four amazing days walking was incredible, to the point I burst into tears. The site truly is magnificent and no words can describe Machu Picchu or the surrounding area. It's out of this world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was incredible. Fantastic sense of humour, extremely well organised. He planned each day's walk so that we avoided the masses. I often found myself walking parts of the trail alone, although the guides were just a few metres in front or behind me, but it felt like it was our own. Ricky was also amazing, funny, cheeky in the best way and always had the best interests of the group at heart.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers are a must although the 7kg weight limit is difficult to stick to. However when you see the porters and how much they carry, you understand why the limit is 7kg. Good waterproofs as we had some rain are a must as is a good warm sleeping bag as it got cold at night on the trek. Take a walking pole or two. We are so pleased we did in the end as they are a god send. Expect a lot of steps. Especially on day two. The walk is tough at points but stick to the pace of your guide and you will be fine. We didn't suffer too badly with altitude sickness but we did take Ibuprofen regularly throughout the trip to stave off any symptoms. Also a water reservoir is much better than a water bottle as you can sip constantly which stops you stop starting alot on the up bits.We loved the hot springs at the end of the final day, as the feeling of hot water on your skin was amazing. (We also turned them into a Brits abroad holiday as we all had beers and were quite loud, very funny).Take something warm for the flight just in case the overnight flight is cold, like ours was and pack some spare clothes, toothbrush, baby wipes etc. in you hand luggage as the travelling is quite long.Enjoy every minute, as like I am now, you'll miss being on the trek so much.

Reviewed September 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

One of the iconic trips there is (or must do or bucket list or whatever you want to calll it). Very doable for anyone in good physical condition (some pain if that’s not the case but still doable!). The maximum altitude of 4,200 is no big deal and there is plenty of time for acclimatisation built in.

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be when a young chap fell to his knees and asked his girlfriend to marry him. In Machu Picchu at the Temple of the Sun with all our group looking on. She said Yes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excelllent guide, very knowledgeable and very well read.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not much, it's a 4 day trek, the 2nd day is indeed a bit difficult, the 3 rd day is so and so, first and last are really easy. Service was very attentive, food was excellent but I still recommend you drink one dose of Dukoral beforehand just in case. Lots of stray dogs in Cuzco, way too many, none was aggresive but still, I felt uncomfortable, a dog bite is an immediate trip ending event. The 7 kg maximum porter bag weight was really hard to cope with. We had some rain, it was the last week in August, make sure you pack rain gear. Have sun screen and use it! also a light hat, the sun is very strong plus the hat will make double duty and protect you from burning. If you forgot anything there lots of stores in Cuzco where you can buy pretty much everything including memory cards for the camera. Pharmacies too if you need something. There are lots of ATMs in Cuzco, no issues. You should also be able to buy Peruvian soles from your local bank before leaving, I was able to in Canada. USD are accepted pretty much everywhere, exchange was roughly 2.5 new soles per USD. Take USD, no Euros or Sterling. Credit cards are also widely accepted. The hotel Exodus uses in Cuzco is a good choice. Do go on the side trips on the day of arrival and the following day, they are interesting and you will have the opportunity to see Inca ruins, craft markets and beautiful scenery. Do take it easy on the first and even 2nd day in Cuzco, it is 3,300 meters and you feel it the moment you exit the plane. Do not run!! it gradually gets better, when you're back from the trek you can run if you so wish.

Reviewed September 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

I had wanted to walk the Inca Trail for many years and am so glad I finally made the effort to do this superbly organised trip – it was everything I had imagined it would be and although I found the trek hard going & exhausting in places, it was all worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing four Condors flying high above us on the first dayWalking on my own for a bit on the 3rd day of the trek, it was so peaceful and quiet and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful (Day 3 was my favourite overall)The lovely wild flowers and bird life along the trek The fantastically hard working porters and cooks who looked after us so well & put us to shame they way they ran up and down the steps carrying such huge loads and often wearing the flimsiest of sandalsSeeing Machu Picchu - nothing really prepares you for how amazing it is no matter how many photos you've seen before

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was great, very experienced and knowledgable and with a great sense of humour - his love for his country shone though & I left knowing a lot more about Peru & it's history than I arrived with. I'd also like to thank Ricardo, our second guide, for his patience and kindness when I needed it (I was ill going up Dead Woman's Pass) and & also his infectious enthusiasm for plants & wildlife - I'll remember his clever little trick to attract the moustache bird for a long time!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you bring enough warm layers for the trek - it gets v cold when the sun goes down. I had debated whether I needed my down jacket but was so glad I did pack it in the end! Pack some plastic bin liners or bags to keep your clothes dry (the kit bags aren't waterproof and it does rain even in the dry season!) Perhaps investigate making your own flight arrangements if you can afford to - I was not impressed with LAN (at Cusco when checking in for return flights, there was chaos and confusion with half the group being told they did not have seats from Lima to Madrid - this was sorted out at Lima but did not make for the best end to a great trip) I wouldn't choose to fly with them again unless it was totally unavoidable (not Exodus' fault of course but just something to bear in mind)

Reviewed August 2012

THE INCA TRAIL

Everything I had ever dreamed of and more

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu itself, after a long and hard treak the group arrived at a ridge overlooking the ruins of Machu Picho. One look and I got so emotional I started to cry, it was amazing and well worth hiking all that way to view. The next day as you walk round this amazing city and learn about its history the feeling cannot be described in words.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan our group leader was excellent. His knowledge was of the Incas and Peru was amazing. He quickly made us all feel as ease. There is no way I would have been able to complete the trip without his help and encouragement. I had to take at it a very slow pace but Juan gave me the confidence to keep going. He had a great sense of humour and it just felt as if he was part of the group. I do not think the holiday would have been quite so memoriable without him as the leader of our group he made everyone feel welcome and as a result I feel we all bonded very well and had many laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and get as fit as possible, apart from the altitude and high accents and decents you are often climbing up and down rough trails over large rocks. There are no flat bit in Cuzco or on the trail so the fitter you are the better. On saying that as long as you have good stamina you will manage. Bring trousers that are easily washed out and will dry quickly.

Reviewed August 2012