My lifetime dream for me !!!

I had wanted to spend time in Machu Picchu since I was a child and studied the Inca in 6th grade. This was a lifetime dream for me. Thank you so much for making it a wonderful experience!!! Victor had an excellent plan for Machu Picchu suggesting we take the bus up to save energy and then walk down, and also, to take the first bus of the day, to get there at sunrise before all the people would come. The light at that time of morning, plus seeing MP deserted but for a few groups, was magical. Victor was able to tell us a great deal about the architecture, history, and culture of the people who lived in MP, which added great richness to the experience. Having the whole day in MP, I was able to do everything I'd hoped to do, including hike Waynapicchu and up to Sun Gate.

Because I try to be a conservationist, I was happy to find the Salkantay trail as an alternative to the Inca Trail , which has too many people for such a sacred trail. Salkantay also gave me the chance to get to 4,600m, which was great because I am training for Kilimanjaro later this summer! The trek between Umantai and Salkantay was breathtaking and I loved our camp at Soraypampa and the lake.

The food was delicious and nutritious, exactly what was needed for that kind of strenuous trekking and we got to see some real rural life in the camps. Fabian and Ilario were ulous cooks!

I can't say enough good things about Victor. I am an experienced mountaineer and world traveler in my 40s and was traveling with a companion 20 years older than I, who had never been out of the USA or climbed above 2400m, and Victor was really watching out for her health and comfort!!!. His attention and care toward my friend allowed me to relax and actually be on vacation, as opposed to just taking care of someone else. He was so helpful to both of us!!!. His knowledge and passion for the Inca history and culture was obvious and he was very friendly and kind, even to one group member who was sick - and this passenger also had a very negative attitude. But Victor was always very kind and never showed any inpatience with any of us!

All our pre trip planning with Ruth was easy and she was extremely helpful and friendly !! She gave us confidence and she answered all our questions - we felt mostly prepared for our journey! I would highly recommend this trek and this company!

Thank you sincerely,

Meryl Lipman