Helen Leng review 9 Oct 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There are so many, as each day passed it became my favourite day so far! The Inca Trail of course and the island home stay have to be my top two. The holiday was made all the more memorable because of the great group we were travelling with and of course our guide Dante.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Although the Inca Trail is a huge part of the holiday it is so much more than that. Travel light, pack layers for clothing and remember the trek is not a race it is a holiday - enjoy it because it passes really quickly and then it's over.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely, our guide was careful to ensure we understood the local impact of tourism and as a group we were aware of spreading our spending among the different communities we visited. Whenever possible we carried items the communities needed rather than giving cash. On the islands take fruit for the children rather than sweets as dentists are expensive.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - I expected to be affected by the Inca Trail - the truth is I am affected by the whole country and especially by the people of Peru. Unforgettable.
Joanna Tupper review 5 Jun 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sitting on top of WaynaPicchu looking at the cloud forest and mountains.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The travel times are optimistic and you don't get a lot of free time. However if you want to see everything its great. The Amazon extension is well worth it and a fairly relaxing end to the trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Local guides were used and the tour guide encouraged us to shop at different places along the way.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good.
Christine Ingham review 9 Oct 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking the Inca Trail - it was the hardest thing I have ever done but the exhilaration and euphoria of the whole group as we walked through the Sun Gate is something money cannot buy and a memory that will last forever.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take warm clothes for the trek - the first night was fine but the following two nights as we rose higher were very cold and my thermals were not enough - ended up with hoodie fleece, scarf and gloves not to mention two pairs of socks. Also my huge heavy duty poncho was invaluable as it did rain a lot (supposed to be the dry season).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our guide, Dante, was so knowledgeable and his pride in his country shone through - he made sure that we bought keepsakes and presents at various places all the way from Lima to Cusco which benefited local people. We also had picnics and bought our food from small village shops.
The interaction with these communities was a great experience and my Spanglish is coming along a treat!!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was everything I wanted from a trip to Peru - it covered everything I wanted to see but I felt also that I was much more immersed in the culture than I had expected, which was great. However, I must say that you really have to be fit not only for the trail but to be constantly on the move sometimes spending only one night in a place before moving on - I had added on the Rainforest extension which took my holiday to 25 days. I slept for two days when I got home!
