Any suggestions for tour companies for Inca Trail Trek to MP?
Sep 15th, 2009, 08:05 AM
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Any suggestions for tour companies for Inca Trail Trek to MP?
Hi!
I am going to Cusco in mid-Nov & will be taking spanish classes during the week but would love to take advantage of the 2 day trek to MP on the Inca Trail. There's so many companies out there but since I'm traveling alone it's been quite difficult finding one on specific dates! Anyone have any ideas or suggestions of companies to look at? Thank you for your time!
Kate
I am going to Cusco in mid-Nov & will be taking spanish classes during the week but would love to take advantage of the 2 day trek to MP on the Inca Trail. There's so many companies out there but since I'm traveling alone it's been quite difficult finding one on specific dates! Anyone have any ideas or suggestions of companies to look at? Thank you for your time!
Kate
Sep 15th, 2009, 01:27 PM
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We did not do the Inca Trail when we went to Peru, but the guide with whom we worked is a licensed Inca Trail guide. Others who have done the trail with him recently have posted very positive reviews - do a search on Vidal or Adventure Holidays Peru for those posts.
My review of our time with Vidal is at this post: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...mmendation.cfm --- for some reason the link I posted to his website in my review is broken, so here it is again: http://www.adventureholidaysperu.com/
My review of our time with Vidal is at this post: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...mmendation.cfm --- for some reason the link I posted to his website in my review is broken, so here it is again: http://www.adventureholidaysperu.com/
Sep 15th, 2009, 03:53 PM
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I'd recommend leafing through some guide books first. You will often see some of the same companies recommended by many guide books.
UnitedMice is one of them. They seem to be recommended in every guide book that I've read.
I was debating between UM and Peru Treks. Eventually I chose Peru Treks, because their web site is highly informative. They seem to be a good outfitter based on some postings I've read in this forum. Even if you don't use them you can just browse their site for all sort of informations on the trail and the Sacred Valley area. I'm going with them next week, so I'll see how it goes.
It's getting close to November so you might want to settle on a trek day soon so not to miss out.
UnitedMice is one of them. They seem to be recommended in every guide book that I've read.
I was debating between UM and Peru Treks. Eventually I chose Peru Treks, because their web site is highly informative. They seem to be a good outfitter based on some postings I've read in this forum. Even if you don't use them you can just browse their site for all sort of informations on the trail and the Sacred Valley area. I'm going with them next week, so I'll see how it goes.
It's getting close to November so you might want to settle on a trek day soon so not to miss out.
Sep 16th, 2009, 03:46 AM
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www.pmexplorers.com
www.perutreks.com
my favs get best reviews
do not use Llama Path lots of recent
complaints on Tripadvisor/Peru and LP they
post shills on the travel boards to attack other
companies and fake good reviews...
www.perutreks.com
my favs get best reviews
do not use Llama Path lots of recent
complaints on Tripadvisor/Peru and LP they
post shills on the travel boards to attack other
companies and fake good reviews...
Sep 16th, 2009, 03:59 AM
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Be careful with Llama Path”
Inca Trail
adventuresomeCanada canada
21 May 2009 My husband and I just completed the 4 day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Llama Path.
Be careful when you choose Llama Path. We had 20 people in our group and only 2 guides. So therefore it was 1 guide for every 10 people. We were told a couple of days before the hike that it should be one guide for maximum 6 people. That was not the case for us. Unfortunately with so many people and no guide around, this left many of us continuing on a path and not knowing where and when to stop.
Inca Trail
adventuresomeCanada canada
21 May 2009 My husband and I just completed the 4 day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Llama Path.
Be careful when you choose Llama Path. We had 20 people in our group and only 2 guides. So therefore it was 1 guide for every 10 people. We were told a couple of days before the hike that it should be one guide for maximum 6 people. That was not the case for us. Unfortunately with so many people and no guide around, this left many of us continuing on a path and not knowing where and when to stop.
Sep 16th, 2009, 04:05 AM
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www.andeantravelweb.com
good impartial clearing house discussion of tours/operators
The 4 day is far better than the 2 day for me
good impartial clearing house discussion of tours/operators
The 4 day is far better than the 2 day for me
Sep 17th, 2009, 06:48 AM
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Very interesting about Llampath. I actually used them in August and had never seen any negative reviews. We had no problem at all. There were 2 guides for 14 people and 20 porters. Food was excellent, guides vey good.
Obviously they like all tour operators do have issues sometimes.
David J
Obviously they like all tour operators do have issues sometimes.
David J
Sep 17th, 2009, 07:52 AM
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I did the Salkantay alternative trek with Llamapath in July and have only great things to say about them. The level of service you receive is amazing, the food is incredible, and the guides very well-trained and responsible. If you were to have any trouble on the trail, Llamapath is the company you want taking care of you. I was a young woman traveling by myself, and I always felt very safe.
Another reason to choose Llamapath (as if you needed one) - they are one of the few companies who treat their porters well. The company was actually founded by a former porter, so the porters have company uniforms, good food and shelter, and even HEALTHCARE (this is very important given their nature of work and virtually unheard of for porters). Llamapath also gives back to the local communities their porters come from - check out their website (www.llamapath.com) to learn more.
Another reason to choose Llamapath (as if you needed one) - they are one of the few companies who treat their porters well. The company was actually founded by a former porter, so the porters have company uniforms, good food and shelter, and even HEALTHCARE (this is very important given their nature of work and virtually unheard of for porters). Llamapath also gives back to the local communities their porters come from - check out their website (www.llamapath.com) to learn more.
Sep 17th, 2009, 09:23 AM
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Thank you all for the advice! Right now I'm trying to decide between SAS Travel Peru & Llama Path? Neither have the exact date I want so it's been a tough decision. More people are booked for the SAS Travel group and I would like to meet people since I'm traveling alone, but almost everyone I've talked to has recommended Llama path. Would it be strange going on the 2DAY hike being the only one on the trek with the guides if I chose Llama Path?
Is the 2DAY/1N hike a good option if I'm traveling solo & on a shorter time frame? How long is the Salkantay alternative trek?
Is the 2DAY/1N hike a good option if I'm traveling solo & on a shorter time frame? How long is the Salkantay alternative trek?
Sep 17th, 2009, 04:43 PM
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Your price will be cheaper if you go with a group. Some outfitters will do a trek for just one person, but the prices will also be correspondingly higher. If you do decide to do a trek only with you and the guides then it'll only feel "strange" if you yourself feel strange. If you're comfortable with it then it really doesn't matter what anyone else think 
A good outfitter will work hard to make you as comfortable as possible anyway.
I think a 2D/1N hike is a good option if you're really set on hiking the IT and don't have the whole 4D/3N for it. You'll only have two days without indoor plumbing vs. 4
A good outfitter will work hard to make you as comfortable as possible anyway.I think a 2D/1N hike is a good option if you're really set on hiking the IT and don't have the whole 4D/3N for it. You'll only have two days without indoor plumbing vs. 4
Oct 19th, 2009, 10:28 AM
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We used llamapath too for our Salcantay hike to MP and had a fantastic experience; our guides did a great job juggling 13 different personalities and tour timings were followed. Overall I would highly recommend llamapath to anyone.
Aug 5th, 2010, 01:23 PM
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Do not use Llama Path! After sending them money to obtain my permit for the Inca Trail, I was told that my date of October 16 was confirmed. After obtaining confirmation a second time via email a couple of days later, I went ahead and booked my flights. The next day, I was told that the 16th was not available, so I would have to go on the 20th. I really wanted to do the Inca Trail, and Llama Path already had my money, so I agreed to the change and decided to eat the airline change fees. After getting confirmation of the 20th, I was told that only the 21st was available. After agreeing to that I was told that only the 23rd was available. Is this a joke? Apparently not. So I canceled my trip, Llama Path returned my money, and now I am not going to Peru.
Sep 18th, 2012, 02:36 PM
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Hi Friends if you are going to Peru and Cusco, contact with Alpaca Expeditions, me and my boyfriend hiked the Lares Trek 4D on July 26, It was an truly unforgettable experience, Thank you so much Raul for the trip of a lifetime! Here's what I loved about traveling with Alpaca Team:
We had a great time on our trek! It was so nice to have everything organized for us, the camps already set up, hot water in the tents, a nice wake up with coca tea, The food was delicious, thanks Mario for the amazing food and cake, all of the tickets/entrance fees to Machu Picchu arranged, and Raul was an excellent guide, he was always enthusiastic and goodhumored, which made the harder parts of the trail easier. His passion and knowledge of the Quechua people also made the trip even more meaningful. We were taken care of every step of the way and it was a wonderful experience working with the Alpaca Expeditions - the best GREEN MACHINE TEAM. I will be recommending you to all of my friends that visit Peru!
The only suggestions I would have would be to warn a little bit better about the difficulty of the trek it wasn't a problem for us, but I can imagine other people would be surprised by the second day of hiking the Lares trek. It was very cold at nights bad we did not have any problem because Raul has a really good camping equipment, Thank you for a wonderful trip!
We had a great time on our trek! It was so nice to have everything organized for us, the camps already set up, hot water in the tents, a nice wake up with coca tea, The food was delicious, thanks Mario for the amazing food and cake, all of the tickets/entrance fees to Machu Picchu arranged, and Raul was an excellent guide, he was always enthusiastic and goodhumored, which made the harder parts of the trail easier. His passion and knowledge of the Quechua people also made the trip even more meaningful. We were taken care of every step of the way and it was a wonderful experience working with the Alpaca Expeditions - the best GREEN MACHINE TEAM. I will be recommending you to all of my friends that visit Peru!
The only suggestions I would have would be to warn a little bit better about the difficulty of the trek it wasn't a problem for us, but I can imagine other people would be surprised by the second day of hiking the Lares trek. It was very cold at nights bad we did not have any problem because Raul has a really good camping equipment, Thank you for a wonderful trip!
Sep 25th, 2012, 02:54 PM
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Hi Kate;
Here you have a link, with all the agencies authorized to conduct the Inca Trail
http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/items/Agencias2012.html
I hope you enjoy your trip
My best
Sicalodi
Here you have a link, with all the agencies authorized to conduct the Inca Trail
http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/items/Agencias2012.html
I hope you enjoy your trip
My best
Sicalodi
Sep 26th, 2012, 04:29 PM
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I went with Llama Path three years ago on the Inca Trail. They were fantastic and I had no problems. My guide, Casiano, was great and he hiked with me on the way down from Dead Woman's Pass. The food was great, the porters were amazing and I would highly recommend Llama Path.
Oct 3rd, 2012, 06:36 PM
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try with Mythical trails Peru, http://www.mythicaltrailsperu.com/
I used and they were fab! good service and new camping gear
Fresh local company
Good luck
I used and they were fab! good service and new camping gear
Fresh local company
Good luck
