Ultimate Machu Picchu - Salkantay Trail

15 Reviews

Excellent

93%

Good

7%

Average

0%

Rather Poor

0%

Bad

0%

• E

  EnidChiu
  Written on August 14, 2018

  5.0 - Excellent

  What a wonderful experience! This expedition had a great balance of historical foundation, adventures in nature, delicious food, and cultural immersion. John was a fantastic guide who really enhanced the overall experience. I unfortunately got altitude sickness one of the earlier days, but all of the guides quickly mobilized to taken active and ensure I was well cared for. I am so glad to have seen this part of the world in such a special way. And I feel blessed that I now have friends to visit in Peru!

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• C

  CarolynHinrichs
  Written on June 11, 2018

  5.0 - Excellent

  The hike was very difficult, partially because my husband and I are 63 and 57, respectively. That being said, however, it was VERY rewarding to actually complete the hike and see Machu Picchu on the last day. One Seed thought of everything.....transportation was seamless, guide was knowledgeable, meals were outstanding and the helpers on the trip were amazing. We had a fabulous time.

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• AO

  Andrea
  Written on May 18, 2018

  5.0 - Excellent

  Everything was planned so well. Meals were delicious. Accommodations were super nice. Transportation was so easy. Guides were amazing. The camping and trek were amazing. Peru is beautiful.

  

  OneSeed Expeditions commented on this review

  Thank you, Andrea! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with our crew in Peru and we hope to have you join us again soon!

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• A

  Anonymous
  Written on May 14, 2018

  5.0 - Excellent

  This trip was amazing. From pick up to drop off at the airport nothing was left undone. We saw amazing country, had historical lessons about Incas history, saw amazing ruins, ate fabulous food, camped in beautiful places and accomplished amazing physical and emotional things. I would recommend this tour again and again.

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• ML

  Matt
  Written on December 5, 2017

  5.0 - Excellent

  After going on OneSeed's Ultimate Peru trip this May, I cannot wait until my next trip with OneSeed. Our guide, Edgar, was a local to the area and it was amazing to learn first-hand about the culture and the region. The entire team became like family by the end of the trip! Accommodations varied by day, from tent camping (tents were set up when we arrived at camp for the night and taken down when we began hiking in the morning) to hotel accommodations in Cusco and Aguas Calientes and I could not have been happier with any of them. And the food! Delicious, local and plentiful. I have a healthy appetite and I never went hungry. This is a mission-focused company that takes pride in the details and I can't wait for my next experience with them!

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• TE

  Theresa
  Written on May 14, 2017

  5.0 - Excellent

  I had such a great time! Such gorgeous scenery and excellent care from the OneSeed staff! Everything was well organized and it was great not to worry about details; they had everything well taken care of. I highly recommend them and will use them in future travels!

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• EE

  Emily
  Written on December 27, 2016

  4.5 - Excellent

  My mom and I went on the Ultimate Machu Picchu expedition last September and absolutely loved it! Our guide, Juan Carlos was great...very helpful, knowledgable, and kind. We had a great time getting to know him and enjoying the gorgeous views Peru had to offer. The trek itself was absolutely beautiful and everywhere we camped and visited along our way was lovely. We have since booked the Annapurna Discovery trip for March and could not be more excited. Thank you OneSeed!

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• NS

  Narine
  Written on December 22, 2016

  5.0 - Excellent

  I've done two trips with OneSeed (and am looking forward to the many more trips I will take with them): Epic Patagonia and Ultimate Macchu Picchu. Both trips were planned to perfection. I met amazing guides and fellow travelers on both trips that made the journey an epic adventure that I will never forget. OneSeed does an exemplary job of supporting locals while giving adventurers the opportunity to explore and learn about different cultures while experiencing breathtaking views around the world.

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• EP

  Elizabeth
  Written on October 21, 2016

  4.5 - Excellent

  Fantastic! This is my second trip with OneSeed and they have maintained their high standards of being extremely well organized, having very responsive and intelligent staff, hiring the best guides and maintaining a class act of a tour company. There was nothing to complain about on our trip to Michu Picchu.

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• IK

  Isao
  Written on August 21, 2016

  5.0 - Excellent

  We came across an advertisement for the Ultimate Machu Picchu expedition and though we aren't the adventurous hiking types, we decided to go for it (August 2016). It was our first experience with OneSeed (or any expedition company in that matter) and we were impressed: everything was well planned, smooth, including an alternative plan for a person that got sick and couldn't make the trek. Super knowledgeable guide (Juan Carlos) and a gourmet cook (Justin "Bieber"). Our group ended up being very small, only 4 hikers and all little bit beyond middle age, but very motivated and enthusiastic. The experience was physically challenging (as my wife put it, the hardest thing she has ever done and likely ever will) but our guide, Juan Carlos was very supportive, accommodating, helpful, and resourceful. We all became a close knit family with him taking care of us like a father. Throughout the whole trek he made sure we were all okay, and he was experienced enough to know that despite our struggles we all were capable of making it. And we did and it was amazing !!! If you are interested in the details of our trek, here is the breakdown: The pre-trek day was a car ride to the Sacred Valley to see the Inca's farming terraces and astronomical observatory: lots of climbing of the huge stone stairs, fantastic views and a detailed explanation of the purpose of the sites. We also stopped at a town called Chinchero to see an alpaca wool processing demonstration; it was more of a wool market, but nevertheless we purchased wonderful gifts for really good prices. Day one surprise was the gourmet lunch that was served - our two cooks, Justin and Silvino were cooking on a tiny gas cooker and provided an amazing variety of dishes. This became the pattern for the rest of the trip, and at every camp we got fed with really delicious meals. The rest of the days was full of hiking going straight up with very little air to breathe. The scenery was amazing, but the hike was brutal at times. Two-thirds towards the end of day one, our cook Justin and another guide Alfredo came back for us to take our little day bags to make it easier for us to make it to camp. Alfredo played on his little flute a few Andean tunes to lift our spirits to help us finish the day. The music was magical as it echoed through the mountain range. The evening was getting progressively colder and by nightfall, there was frost on the tents. One regret from the first day was we didn't spend enough time staring at the night skies and taking in the scenery, as it was the most amazing thing. It felt as if you could reach out and touch the Milky Way. After hot tea and dinner we passed out in the tents. Day two was the hardest because it took the entire day to complete the hike. Our joints were shot by the time we got to camp. We were so focused on getting through the trek we stared at the ground to make sure we didn't trip on loose rocks. Nevertheless, the experience was amazing climbing up to Abra Salkantay at 15,000 feet, which was a spiritual place where we got an opportunity to place an offering, and whisper our wishes to a higher power. The environment looks and feels outer-worldly! The one suggestion which we shared with Juan Carlos was that we wished the day was split into two so that we could actually take our time to enjoy the hike. But we survived and that is what counts. Day three was a hike through the cloud forest to the coffee plantation at Lucmabamba. We were finally at a lower elevation where there was moist and eminently breathable air. Despite the fact that our bodies were sore and tired, the environment made it a lot easier. The hike was only half a day and the rest was enjoying a tour of the coffee farm. We finally slept in a real bed under a solid roof. Day four was also only a half-day hike from the Hydro Electric Station to Aguas Calientes. It was mostly flat, and mostly in the rain, and comparing to the earlier days it was much easier. We got checked into our nice, quiet luxurious hotel, took hot showers (I got a massage) and the rest of the day free to relax. Day five we woke up at 3am to be first in line to get on a bus to Machu Picchu. We ended up being on bus number 5 and got to the front gates at 6am just as they opened. Juan Carlos pushed us to walk and climb really fast to the top so that we could experience the view of the city without the influx of tourists. At the first moment there was nothing but fog shrouding the mountain, but then the fog spread and exposed us to a magnificent view of the entire city. Again, Juan Carlos proved to be very knowledgeable; and gave us a detailed history of the city and Pachacuti (the 9th Inca ruler that built it). After returning to Aguas Calientes, we took a train and a bus back to Cusco. Bottom line is, it is an amazing trip and we highly recommend it! Just make sure you arrive in Cusco at least 3 days ahead of the trek just in case you get high altitude sickness. After that all is good.

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