BootsnAll's Travel Community

Hello,

I'm looking to book a 4d/3n classic Inca Trail trek for the beginning of November. I've been searching on the net and on past discussions in this forum for a list of recommended Inca Trail trekking companies.

Here is a list of companies that I've compiled:
http://www.andeanlife.com/incatrail.htm
http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/treks/incatrail4.html
http://www.aventours.com/
http://www.qente.com/ingles/inca_trail/trad_cain_5d_4n.html
http://www.amazingperu.com/peru/peru_tours/specials/cus...upicchu-standard.asp
http://www.unitedmice.com/en/tour04.html
http://www.machupicchu.org/inca_trail_hikes_machu_picchu.htm
http://www.sastravelperu.com/english/inkatrail.html

They all seem to offer the same service at around the same price. Are there any that should be avoided? Any bad experiences?

Thanks!

Julie

I booked with Peru Treks but unfortunately I had to cancel the trek because I got really sick from the altitude. I did meet up with the group on the last day at Machu Pichu (fortunately my insurance re-imbursed me for the trek).

All the other trekkers were really happy with the service and I met the guide and his assistant, both very nice.

Peru Treks & Adventure
Calle Garcilaso 265, interior patio, 2nd Floor, Cusco, Peru.
Telephone Office (084) 805863. Mobile phone Mike (reservations): (084) 9937728
Office hours: 09:15 - 13:00, 15:30 - 20:00 Mon - Sat. Closed all day Sunday
Web site: www.perutreks.com

Hi!

I went with PERU TREKS in February and they were GREAT! The guide was fantastic, the food was good (and amazing how much effort the guys did to make it look like a 5 star meal from a fancy hotel!) and they took real good care of their porters (which is more important than you can possibly imagine until you're actually there seeing them).

Their website is www.perutreks.com

I took Peru Treks in January 2006. They guide, Victor, was beyond great, they treat their porters excellent, the food and amenities were awesome, etc. Peru Treks were amazing and made the trek better than I thought it would be.

Not too sure about the companies you have listed and seems that Peru Teks has been vouched by several people on this thread. I went with LamaPath in August and they were great.

Most of the trekking companies will offer the same service and even food in the packages. Most notably the cake on the last morning of the trek.

Beyond that, as responsible travellers we need to look at how these companies treat their porters. For example, do the porter have proper harnesses, back braces, proper shoes, adeqaute food and water...etc. I had a SAS porter come up to me and ask me for food!

LamaPath treat their porters and guides very well and seemed genuinely happy. This makes the journey much more pleasent.

I also went with PeruTreks and had a great experience. I've heard only good things about them from other people, as well.

I would also like to put in a good word for Peru Treks. I just finished the Inka Trail trek with them a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic.

The equipment was good, the food was great and more importantly their porters are well treated. All have backpacks with back brace and waist belt. The porters also eat and sleep very well.

Hi,

We did the traditional Inca Trail (Km82 - Machu Picchu) with Llama Path in July, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Our guide Ramiro was amazing - he judged the ability and fitness of our group really well. He could even tell us how long it would be til we got to different ruins and rest areas, and was generally accurate to within a few minutes!

The Llama Path porters were fantastic - the company fits them all out with proper uniforms, shoes, packs with a proper harness (not just a bundle of gear wrapped up in a tarp and tied together with rope like many other porters), in addition to proper back braces (identical to one that I was wearing!). They always had a smile on their faces, applauded us whenever they passed us on the trail and were more than happy to pose with us for photos at various stages along the trek.

I would use Llama Path again in a flash!

Julie,

I hope you´ve already booked this, as the Inca trail now has no permits left for early November.

If you want to check Inca Trail permit availability, see http://www.inc-cusco.gob.pe/frame/index_consultas.cfm and click the Disponibilidad Camino Inca Tab.

Permits are not on sale for 2008 yet.

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Peru Travel Tips

I'd like recommend Totally Peru, we also did their 4 day classic inca trail in August and it was excellent.