Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest

I’ve just returned from an unforgettable 15-day adventure through Peru with Exodus Travels, and I can honestly say it exceeded all expectations. The itinerary took us through some of the most iconic and breathtaking parts of the country, including the awe-inspiring Amazon Rainforest, the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the serene and culturally rich Lake Titicaca. Along the way, we also explored a number of fascinating towns and cities that each offered their own unique character and charm. Peru itself is an absolute gem of a destination. The landscapes are incredibly diverse — from the lush, wildlife-filled jungles of the Amazon to the dramatic peaks of the Andes and the tranquil high-altitude plains around Lake Titicaca. Every day brought a new view, a new climate, and a new surprise. The natural beauty is jaw-dropping, and the opportunities for spotting wildlife, exotic birds, and unique plant life were abundant, especially in the rainforest. What really brought the trip to life, though, was the people. The Peruvians we met along the way were warm, welcoming, and incredibly proud of their heritage. Their traditions, art, and way of life gave real depth to the journey. The cultural experiences — from visiting local markets to sharing meals with families on the islands of Lake Titicaca — added a richness to the adventure that I’ll never forget. A huge part of the success of this trip was down to our exceptional guide, Holger Collantes. Holger was more than just a tour leader — he was a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, a problem-solver, and a constant source of knowledge and encouragement. His passion for his country was evident in everything he did, and his deep knowledge of local history, wildlife, and customs really enhanced our experience. He made sure we were well taken care of at every stage, from coordinating logistics to offering invaluable tips and insights. Thanks to Holger, we didn’t just see Peru — we truly experienced it. Walking the Inca Trail was a personal highlight — challenging, yes, but incredibly rewarding. The sense of achievement upon arriving at the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu spread out before us was indescribable. It’s a moment that will stay with me forever. Similarly, our time in the Amazon was magical — waking up to the sounds of the jungle, taking boat trips along the river, and spotting everything from monkeys to macaws was like stepping into another world. All in all, this trip was an extraordinary journey through one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries I’ve ever visited. It combined physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural immersion in a way that very few holidays can. I cannot recommend it highly enough — and if you’re lucky enough to get Holger as your guide, you’re in for a truly exceptional experience.

3 nights in the Amazon were unbelievable, so much to see and do and our Amazon guide Roland was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. He made everything easy. Hiking the Inca Trail through the scenery of the Andes mountains was awesome and our guide Ollie was also amazing at looking after us and explaining the history of pre Inca civilisations and the Incas. Our home stay with villagers on Lake Titicaca was also a fantastic experience, watching the sunset and learning about their lifestyle on Amantani island. Also the time spent in Lima, Cusco and Puno was also very enjoyable for more of a city feel and they are beautiful cities.

I have just returned from an unforgettable trip to Peru, which included 4nights in the Amazon jungle, including seeing a great variety of animals, birds and plants; then we did the Inca trail with a tour of Machu Pichu and finally a home stay on a small island on Lake Titicaca

This was an excellent trip. Although the focus was the Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu, the other parts were also memorable. Everything was very well-organised by our Tour Leader, Edwind. All the accommodation was of a good standard and the travel arrangements allowed us to do so much in the time allotted. It was stress-free from start to finish and meant we could enjoy the experience fully.

I've been on a number of similar trips but this one beats them all for packing so much into a fortnight whilst immersing us in a fascinating and beautiful country. Aided by perfect weather, like minded travel companions and a guide who relished sharing his love of his country with us, this was a heady cocktail of experiences that will live long in the memory.

Great trip with so much variety across the 15 days.

I am still surprise how the breakfast, lunch and dinner could be so sublime when we was at the Inca Trail. To make the food in a tent and more or less at the floor.

Way beyond my personal expectations.

In general - whole trip excellent. But, tents on Inca Trail trek did not have a complete fly-sheet. As temperatures dropped to 0*C [or very close to], the tents did not retain sufficient warmth inside. A full fly-sheet would have significantly improved the internal temperature of tents. Also, the camping grounds are such that tent pegs are difficult to 'drive' in - this meant insufficient pegs were used to keep tent inner from coming into contact with fly-sheet, resulting in the internal fabric of inner-tent becoming damp, and this often transferred to sleeping bags and equipment. Avianca - Delays and down-grading - a disappointing performance by the airline. Other members of the Inca Trail Trek experienced similar issues with airline.

The Classic Inca Trail had been on my bucket list for some time, so it was brilliant to finally tackle it, combined with an excursion into the Amazon rainforest and a trip to Lake Titicaca. It was an action-packed, superbly organised 2 weeks and all 3 experiences were very different but equally enjoyable. Our group of 9 (ages ranged from 51 to 70) all completed the Trail, although it’s fair to say that fitness levels varied quite a bit. However, as our group leader said, it’s all about positivity and believing you can!