Julie Fahrner-Schibli review 24 Apr 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most exciting part of my holiday was walking through the Sun Gate after climbing the last 50 super steep steps of the Inca Trail. We were so happy to have done it.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you are flexible about toilet hygiene. If not, stay off the Inca Trail and ride the train to Machu Pichu instead. Think your sleeping bag is warm enough? Think again!!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope that all of the staff in the jungle and along the Inca Trail are paid a sustainable wage for their hard work but I can't substantiate that.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding as long as you're looking to challenge yourself, enjoy nature and can go with the flow.
Misbah Arif review 24 Apr 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were some many memorable moments - from watching Machu Picchu arise out of the mist to spotting Giant Otters in the lake in the Amazon. The whole holiday was exciting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of money for tips and presents, it adds up!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people were employed as guides so it helped them in that way. The lodge in the Amazon was trying to support conservation.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was brilliant.
Mona Donovan review 23 Sep 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hiking through the Andes.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you take the 3day hike through the Andes, do not just accept the place the guide finds for you to camp at night. The current arrangement is that each hiking group stays in the back yard of someone's house in each community. This is to ensure that each family has a chance to sell their crafts to the hikers in the morning.
The problem is that some of the yards are pretty awful -full of garbage, really noisy, etc. On the second day, we asked the guide if we could just camp out in the country. He found us a beautiful place beside a river. A better arrangement (and this comes from the guide) would be to stay in the countryside near a town and then to make a small donation to the leaders of the community to spend or distribute as they see fit.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The only problem was that in the Amazon, on a hike, the guide caught a little eyelash (eyebrow?) frog and held it for several minutes. During that time, he handled it extensively. Our 10 year old son was quite upset as he believed the frog was harmed (and I was inclined to agree with him).
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good, lots of diversity.
Cara Christie review 29 Aug 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Inca Trail was amazing!!!! Incredibly hard work but so rewarding. Our tour guide and crew were really spot on and made the trip so enjoyable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared physically for the Inca Trail. The part of the trip that included the Jungle had a LOT of down time in it. Either prepare for that or go with another lodge. The EcoAmazonia Lodge near Puerto Maldonado was beautiful; great facilities and excellent food but their day activities were very light and only lasted a few hours, leaving you with a lot of nothing to do around the lodge. I'm just saying....
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Very eco friendly and all guides were encouraging eco tourism. Very knowledgeable guides.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fabulous experience and super well organised!!!! I would consider finding a different operator for the Jungle part of the trip as it was a bit of a let down after the Inca Trail experience. The Jungle should be full of adventure and hiking and amazement. We were a bit disappointed with the activities organised by the EcoAmazonia Lodge (even though we loved the local guides).
Bhu Patel review 28 Feb 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Lares trek was amazing, some really beautiful views! Get to see Machu Picchu as well!!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Equipment that you may not have thought of include a coat, torch and warm sleeping bag!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, though whilst on the trek I would have liked to take colouring pencils or sweets to give to the village children. I think giving them something for their youth is better than simply giving money.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Something that I hope will stay with me forever.
