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This is an incredible trek full of history and great food. It is also very challenging physically with long days up and down mountains.
Too many to pick one
Edwind was simply the best - full of knowledge of the Inca and pre Ince history and the local flora & fauna. He was attentive, caring and full of fun at all times.
Be prepared for a physical challenge. We were woken every day at 4.30am (other than our day at Choquequirao) and walked for 10 - 11 hours. Also be prepared to be incredibly well fed - the quality & quantity of food is remarkable.
Very enjoyable, but tough trek. The guide (Edwind) was excellent (no wonder we was voted Exodus’s best guide last year. He has a great sense of humour, and was so knowledgeable, not just on the Inca’s and their sites, but on the wildlife, plants, trees, the stars and made the whole trek so interesting. The support team of Romulo, Anibal and Roberto were also always helpful and cheerful. The meals the chef Alejandro produced (sometimes from a tent in the middle of nowhere) where amazing.
Excellent
A strenuous but rewarding trek, topped off with some fantastic sightseeing, and of course Machu Picchu!
Great diversity of microclimates during the trek, as well as weather changes. The trip definitely deserves its challenging rating, but the guides and support staff helped all to enjoy this trek. The local people are welcoming. This is one of the best treks I have had the opportunity to be a part of.
Hard to say. Exploring Choquequirao in the mist and almost to ourselves after an intense day of climbing. Climbing Yanama Pass after a snowfall amongst the glaciers. Arriving in the tropical forests of Lucabamba knowing that our climbing was over. Seeing Andean condors one day and parakeets the next. Trying chicha and cuy. And Machu Picchu, glorious despite the number of people there, which I was dreading after eight days of being almost isolated from anyone else but our group, but still found completely breathtaking! Lastly, the group of walkers I was fortunate enough to accompany on this trip. A diverse and wonderful group of people.
Edwind was simply amazing! His ability to keep the group motivated and together through some tough climbing is noteworthy. Steep ascents and different levels of conditioning can really spread people out over long hikes, but he managed to keep everyone intact. Really responsive to different members interests and remembering them over the course of a two week trip. Joshua was also fantastic and very enthusiastic. They were both loaded with information regarding the culture and natural surroundings.
The walking is strenuous, no doubt, but the rewards are well worth it. As noted in previous reviews, the ascents and descents are steep and long with almost no flat terrain. Insect issues previously mentioned are intermittent but definitely need good repellant. I usually wear shorts and I definitely paid for it! The weather was everywhere, from snow to tropical sun, so pack accordingly. The camping sites and hotels were fantastic and the food was amazing, especially considering the conditions in which it was prepared. All in all, if you are physically prepared, I believe its one of the best trips you will ever experience.
It was a difficult trip for me, but the support of the Exodus staff made it an excellent experience.
I think the final hike up to Llactapacta, and the realization that we had made it up and down several steep climbs and descents, and we’re now on the doorstep to Manchu Picchu, was my most inspirational moment.
Julio Llancay was an excellent group leader. He was always helpful and understanding, and his interactions with us, the hikers, and the rest of the support staff, the horsemen, cooks, and assistant leader, set a tone of cooperation and friendship.
I believe that it is accurately rated as a challenging/tough trip, but after experiencing the crowds around Manchu Picchu, it was worth the effort to experience Choquequirao and the less crowded Inca sites.
A challenging trek . Beautiful views when you see them. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see Machu Picchu as it’s in the cloud forest.
Fantastic views of beautiful valleys
How wonderful the mules are. Well cared for and unbelievable what they managed to climb with so much baggage. Narrow ledges and steep drop offs at times!!
Our guide Fabrizzio was great. Very attentive throughout the trip. From day 1 to departure. Extremely knowledgeable. Joshua the second in command was also excellent and thoroughly capable of being a team leader in his own right. Having the two was of great benefit as the group was of a vast abilities stretching out over a couple of miles.
Do not attempt this trek if you have any concerns with regard to fitness. This is not an easy trek. The days start at 4-4.30 a with a cup of tea then it’s full on. It’s like walking up Snowdon or Ben Nevis for 7/8 days but at high altitude. Read the notes. Most people like myself who have summited Kilimanjaro found this trek harder. It’s a grade 6 and Kilimanjaro and Everest Base camp are a 5. Take lots of mosquito repellent. The little midges are fierce. Sleeping mats are excellent. Tents adequately roomy. Food great but take plenty of snacks. You may be waiting a while on a few days, for your lunch till the ones at the rear arrive.
You’ll see a lot of Inka remains, evidence of some very large-scale civil engineering, and impressive masonry. Apparently we don’t know how they did the masonry, especially since they had no metal tools nor writing system.
You’ll also experience extreme topography, the botanical diversity of cloud forest, and some very tasty food.
The scale of the exposed remains at Machu Picchu - it takes around 4 hours to walk along the signed route through the site. There's less of Choquequirao visible, but its remoteness and lack of crowds makes it special. The verticality of the landscape on the first half of the trek is impressive, and I found the variety of the cloud forest plants, and the differences in flora along the trek, fascinating.
Fabrizzio kept it all together, so the trek ran smoothly without issues visible to us. He will provide plenty of background on the Inkas. Beware Peruvian time though - it might pass quite slowly. He managed the different abilities of the group on the trek very well.
We had rain most days for the late October departure, and even in between it was so humid that nothing dried - forget the idea of washing clothes on the trek. And do take adequate waterproofs. The biting flies on the first few days of the trek are for real and leave you itching for a week - insect repellent is essential. We experienced a wide range of temperatures - from steamy hot to sleet. A flexible sleeping bag system is useful. The trek earns its 6 grading - although distances are not long, there's a lot of uphill so steep that it needs steps. Some slopes are more than 45 degrees!
It is a seriously insane trek across big country traversing a number of valleys, each of which takes a day to cross. There are no rocky ridge routes to relieve the arduous nature of the walking and the fine views are hard won. Having said that I did enjoy it as we had the paths almost entirely to ourselves and over the course of the trek were able to gain a real appreciation of the Inca heartland and the work they put into cultivating the landscape.
The setting of Machu Picchu amongst the towering pinnacles.
The criticism from my fellow traveller is unwarranted. Tomas was very enthusiastic and in addition to leading the walks, did all the guided tours of the sites. I did not feel there was any lack of connection with the group, quite the contrary. He also managed to keep everything to schedule, not easy with a group of 14.
Take a close look at the route before deciding if it is the one for you. This is only one of several alternatives to the very popular Inca trail.
This is a challenging hike. The altitude makes the steep ascents and descents very demanding. But the scenery and the access to Inca sites that aren’t crawling in tourists makes it worth it. After having Choquequiaro to ourselves for a full day the hordes of tourists at Machu Pichu were definitely frustrating.
The full day that we got to spend at Choquequiro exploring the site.
Tomas has lots of experience, and a great sense of humour. Our sense was that he might be bored with the guide routine, and the constant questions of clients. Didn't get the sense of personal connection that we have had with other guides on previous trips. Assistant guide Jhonny still has lots of work to do on his knowledge, but was very enthusiastic and I think the group felt a closer connection with him.
Really do need to respect the altitude! Slowly, Slowly is the way to approach the hiking or you will crash and burn. Also learn to love cocoa tea! The sand flies were a huge problem (don't know if this is seasonal or constant). Take LOTS of bug repellant and protective clothing.
This trip challenges you physically, mentally and emotionally. It provides breathtaking scenery, camping in cloud forests, visiting Inca sites in beautiful and inaccessible places and the chance to observe how humbly people live in the harsh landscape. It fulfilled all of my expectations and more, spectacular scenery, challenging walking and indulging in the Indiana Jones experience. There was great camaraderie and our guides, Michael and Vladimir were just the best. They had infinite cheerfulness and patience and were determined that we would understand as much as possible about Andean culture, past and present. My only regret is that this trek may be ‘it’, the best one!
One every day! Camping on Inca terrraces, learning about how the Incas viewed the Mayu, the Milky Way, standing on the usnu, the ceremonial platform at Choquequirao surrounded by mountains, ravines and sparkling rivers whilst clouds swirled around, the cardio workout exploring the Llama terraces, walking down to Yanoma amongst wild lavender with horses passing, sitting on a rock edge at San Abra pass at 4200m, surreal bathing in hot springs at Santa Teresa with bats flitting overhead.
Michael ensured we had the best time. He made everything as easy as possible for us. He was so patient taking photos of us at iconic spots and being an archaeologist, we were in the hands of an expert. He has a great approach to life and was always conscientious. A very genuine man who worked extremely hard on many levels to make sure our holiday was perfect, which it was.
For those who are not super fit, do some training, legs, core and walking of course. Take extra clothes, it is hot and sticky and not easy to wash or dry clothes or towels.
A challenging trek in Peru that managed to combine quiet trekking, magnificent scenery, the remote city of Choquequirao and the spectacle of Machu Picchu. Walking in remote areas of Peru, at times surrounded by snow-capped mountaings, or maybe cloud forest, or then again coffee plantations. Very varied and interesting at all times.
The guides and support staff added to the atmosphere, providing a friendly and informative company. Helpful at all times, providing surprisingly good food in very basic conditions and unexpected “extras” – like the very welcome visit to the hot springs!
All-in-all and excellent trip.
Having a wild condor effortlessly flying past us at a distance of only 20m!
Excellent! Knowledgable about the Inca history, although sometimes a little to mystical. Always in control and adaptable to changing situations. Always felt safe with him, and the other support team around.
Walking poles essential. The bugs bite a lot so bug spray essential, recommend always wearing long sleeves and long trousers.
