We originally wanted to trek the 4-day Classic Inka Trail but when we missed out on permits for 2 years running, we decided to look at other options. We decided to combine the 3 day Lares trek with the 2 days 104 km trek to Machu Pichu, Recommendations from Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor led us to Amazonas Explorer-what luck!!
Matt dealt with our questions efficiently and patiently. Once in Cuzco, our guide Eduardo was amazing, always arriving promptly with a big, warm smile. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about Peru’s Inca history, flora, fauna, and food. He cared for us (Bruce, myself, and our Canadian buddy Linda) like we were his children.
Our wonderful support team, including Braulio (our skillful, safe, and happy driver) and our incredible cooks and porters were all fantastic. Nothing was too much for them and their care in everything they did was evident. All meals were amazing-tasty, plentiful and along with tables, chairs,tents-even linen napkins-was all beyond expectation.
We rate Eduardo and his team 10 out of 10. We can highly recommend Eduardo and Amazonas Explorer(AE). They’ll look after you with utmost care the entire trip. Their employees were very happy to work for AE and were treated and trained well. AE is very environmentally aware and engaged in various measures and projects to protect the environment.
If you want to arrive at Machu Pichu on a path less traveled, combine the Lares and km 104 treks. On the Lares trek, it was mostly just us and the alpacas.