The High Inca Trail

41 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on October 25, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A challenging adventure. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?As we performed a ritual thanking the mountains for a safe arrival at Chiriasqa pass at 5000m a condor appeared and flew just above us. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time upon arrival at the Sun Gate. Being so close to Salcantay. What did you think of your group leader?Maritza was a very competent leader capable of dealing with everything presented to her.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take at least two large packs of wet wipes, a spare battery for your camera, a good three season sleeping bag and Merino tee shirts and thermals. If you can squeeze it in then also take a pillow. I also recommend getting two or three dry bags from a camping shop to keep your clothes in when packing your duffle bag. Go at your own pace but don't stop for too long to catch your breath as you'll get cold.Is there anything else you would like to add?A good diversity on this trip. The first half of the trek was totally deserted and extreme compared with the masses encountered on the Inca trail on the second half of the Trek. Yet both parts were thoroughly enjoyable for different reasons. The camping areas were in spectacular locations.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 14, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Wonderful trek, highly recommended. Although the Inca Trail itself is well worth doing it's relatively busy, so to have four days trekking in the high mountains before that with hardly another tourist in sight added so much to the experience.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the end of the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate is great, but camping next to Salkantay glacier and walking alongside the mountain up to the Inca Chiriasqa pass was even better.What did you think of your group leader?Arturo was great fun and very knowledgable; apart from running the trek he was well able to talk us round the various Inca sites without a guide. Staff were excellent, and the standard of meals on trek was amazingly high.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?We were pretty lucky with the weather and most days were sunny and mild, but camping at 4000 metres is cold. Really cold. Who'd have thought it?
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 14, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Wonderful trek, highly recommended. Although the Inca Trail itself is well worth doing it's relatively busy, so to have four days trekking in the high mountains before that with hardly another tourist in sight added so much to the experience.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the end of the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate is great, but camping next to Salkantay glacier and walking alongside the mountain up to the Inca Chiriasqa pass was even better.What did you think of your group leader?Arturo was great fun and very knowledgable; apart from running the trek he was well able to talk us round the various Inca sites without a guide. Staff were excellent, and the standard of meals on trek was amazingly high.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?We were pretty lucky with the weather and most days were sunny and mild, but camping at 4000 metres is cold. Really cold. Who'd have thought it?
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 25, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Stunning scenery, a decent 'tough at times' trek, trip of a lifetime.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I felt the whole trek was inspirational but the most inspirational moment was being camped beside & staring in awe of Mnt Salkantay as the day ended and the night came in and to then, the following day, walk beside it. Truely amazing.What did you think of your group leader?Wilbert was brilliant - a fasinating character. Very friendly, intelligent, always happy and had a story to tell. Full of knowledge & very passionate about his country and always wanting to teach you and share his knowledge & the history of the Incas.   Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you feel your fitness levels aren't great then do somerthing about it because this a a challenging trek for those that are not used to it. I would also advise to take plenty of tavel tissues & hand saintiser to keep your hands clean and free from germs to avoid a potential stomach bug. I would also recommend a decent camera as there will be plenty of this that should be snapped as memory of this wonderful trip. Is there anything else you would like to add?THis is a very well organised trip from start to finish. Anyone that is in doubt of whether to book this trip or not then don't doubt anymore....JUST BOOK IT. You will not be dissappointed as it is a once in a life time adventure with some stunning scenes whether they are natural or built by the Incas.Keep up the good work Exodus - many people love what you do & what you offer us. Tim Doyle 
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 25, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Stunning scenery, a decent 'tough at times' trek, trip of a lifetime.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I felt the whole trek was inspirational but the most inspirational moment was being camped beside & staring in awe of Mnt Salkantay as the day ended and the night came in and to then, the following day, walk beside it. Truely amazing.What did you think of your group leader?Wilbert was brilliant - a fasinating character. Very friendly, intelligent, always happy and had a story to tell. Full of knowledge & very passionate about his country and always wanting to teach you and share his knowledge & the history of the Incas.   Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you feel your fitness levels aren't great then do somerthing about it because this a a challenging trek for those that are not used to it. I would also advise to take plenty of tavel tissues & hand saintiser to keep your hands clean and free from germs to avoid a potential stomach bug. I would also recommend a decent camera as there will be plenty of this that should be snapped as memory of this wonderful trip. Is there anything else you would like to add?THis is a very well organised trip from start to finish. Anyone that is in doubt of whether to book this trip or not then don't doubt anymore....JUST BOOK IT. You will not be dissappointed as it is a once in a life time adventure with some stunning scenes whether they are natural or built by the Incas.Keep up the good work Exodus - many people love what you do & what you offer us. Tim Doyle 
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on September 5, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A great itinerary in the High Incas, getting away from the crowds but into the heart of this amazing region. If you like your mountains and a trekking without the tourist (I know this is an irony!) then this is the Peru for you. I also took the Lake Titicaca (only one out of my group to do so) and I'd highly recommend taking that opportunity when you're already out there: it's quite an experience and the transfer etc is expertly organised by Exodus.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Camping on the ridge above Phuyupatamarca was fabulous. Although this one of the rare times that we saw other campers it was idyllic to watch the sunset and rise over the mountains, whilst throwing an eye back to Mt Salcantay, where we'd come from. This is also a site which will always make me laugh- I got involuntarily up close and personal with a bunch of llamas, which was quite an experience!!!What did you think of your group leader?Wilbert was a fun guide who was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Incas- and always up for a laugh!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Do read the trip notes - if you like your comforts then enter this in the knowledge that there will be days without showering- but you are well looked after with daily bowls of hot water, if you want them.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on September 5, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A great itinerary in the High Incas, getting away from the crowds but into the heart of this amazing region. If you like your mountains and a trekking without the tourist (I know this is an irony!) then this is the Peru for you. I also took the Lake Titicaca (only one out of my group to do so) and I'd highly recommend taking that opportunity when you're already out there: it's quite an experience and the transfer etc is expertly organised by Exodus.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Camping on the ridge above Phuyupatamarca was fabulous. Although this one of the rare times that we saw other campers it was idyllic to watch the sunset and rise over the mountains, whilst throwing an eye back to Mt Salcantay, where we'd come from. This is also a site which will always make me laugh- I got involuntarily up close and personal with a bunch of llamas, which was quite an experience!!!What did you think of your group leader?Wilbert was a fun guide who was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Incas- and always up for a laugh!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Do read the trip notes - if you like your comforts then enter this in the knowledge that there will be days without showering- but you are well looked after with daily bowls of hot water, if you want them.
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  Anonymous
  Written on July 5, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This trip is a great combination of remote high level altitude treking and culture with fantastic scenery, flora and fauna. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Arriving at Sungate and viewing Machu PicchuThe remoteness of Salcantay region and having a full moon to visualise the hugh hulk of Salcantay surrounded by stars.What did you think of your group leader?Nothing was too much trouble for Wilfredo. He worked hard on keeping a group together that had mixed abilities and experience. His experience in guiding ensured it felt as though we had the Inca Trail to ourselves. In addition, his knowledge and passion for his country was always evident and he was always happy to answer our questions, even if it was the 15th time he had been asked.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The coco leaves and tea do help!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on July 5, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This trip is a great combination of remote high level altitude treking and culture with fantastic scenery, flora and fauna. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Arriving at Sungate and viewing Machu PicchuThe remoteness of Salcantay region and having a full moon to visualise the hugh hulk of Salcantay surrounded by stars.What did you think of your group leader?Nothing was too much trouble for Wilfredo. He worked hard on keeping a group together that had mixed abilities and experience. His experience in guiding ensured it felt as though we had the Inca Trail to ourselves. In addition, his knowledge and passion for his country was always evident and he was always happy to answer our questions, even if it was the 15th time he had been asked.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The coco leaves and tea do help!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on June 1, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  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.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the top of Dead Womens Pass and then a few days later arriving through the sun gate. What did you think of your 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. Do you have any 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.  Is there anything else you would like to add?The trip notes for this trip were not accurate for the non trekking part of the trip.The hotel we stayed at in Cusco was not the hotel detailed in the final joining instructions - it was a more central hotel which was great, but unfortunately the electrics and breakfast were not....Be aware that if you go in May, there could be days of rain. Two days of continuous rain wasn't fun to trek in - the guide wasn't surprised by the rain as he said May is the end of the rainy season. The food provided on the trek is great - how the chef can produce so much variety for so many people from his small tent is amazing.