Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu 3D/2N

We booked our tour with trekperience whilst we were back in the UK. We didn’t know anything about the company but the trek suited us as it was described as suiting all ages and ended at Macchu Picchu. It was the Huchuy Cusco trek. We met Herberth (our tour guide) and the team the day before at 6pm. We already had been provided with lots of information on what to bring so it was more about the logistics of the trip. They were a great team and we already felt at ease. It ended up just the 5 of us on this particular trek which we were quite happy about as we live on opposite sides of the world so we could catch up. We left the next morning at 6am and drove to the location where the trek began. We couldn’t quite believe how many people were there to support us. We had the driver, the horseman (along with 3 horses and 3 donkeys), the chef, the co chef and our guide, Herberth. On the first day the trek was mainly uphill and full of beautiful views. We stopped for lunch by a lake where we expected to eat a quick sandwich. We ended up getting a three course meal cooked by the chef that was delicious! They even set up a toilet there and bowls for each of us to wash our hands. We continued the uphill trek after lunch and arrived at our campsite just before dark, where our tents had already been set up for us by the horseman and chefs who had overtaken us earlier. Our dinner was prepared in the pitch black with just a head torch. Again, absolutely gorgeous but we were so tired that we didn’t do it justice. We went to our respective tents, when the thunderstorms and heavy rain started! It was a little scary at first but it all added to the experience in the end. The next day we had breakfast and set off on the second day of the trek down an Inca trail to the sacred valley. It was beautiful! We walked through a beautiful lush valley with rivers and waterfalls and stunning views over the valley. Herberth was very knowledgeable and was always able to answer any questions we had. This day was mainly downhill which was fine for me, my boyfriend and sister but was definitely tough on the legs for my mum and dad. The trek was advertised as easy - moderate and suitable for all ages which I probably wouldn’t agree with. I would say it was moderate and you would need to be reasonably fit to enjoy it, I’d also say it wouldn’t be suitable for children. After we finished our downhill trek we met at a house for lunch. We were able to see the traditional way of cooking which was really cool to watch. It was a real team effort and even the horseman and coach driver helped out. We parted ways with the horseman and the two chefs then, we were more than happy to tip them for their fantastic efforts. We then drove on to Quantaytambo where we had some time to explore. We were really lucky as there was a festival on there so we watched that and had a look around the shops. We were meant to have dinner at a restaurant and then get a train to Machu Picchu to stay there the night but because of the rainfall the day before the tourist train was not running. Herberth was on the phone with the agency straight away rearranging accomodation. We managed to get a hotel just 2 mins from the restaurant. We had to pay for it but was told that we would receive a full refund on our return to Cusco (which we received the day after). The hotel was great and cooked us breakfast very early the next morning before we caught the 6am train to Machu Picchu. The tourist train from Quantaytambo to Machu Picchu was an experience in itself. The carriages were extremely comfortable, with panoramic windows so you could view the mountains and the river rapids. We got there really early which was great because there were less tourists. We were so lucky with the weather as we had clear skies which made for beautiful pictures. We had a few hours up there with Herberth showing us around. Again, he was so knowledgeable and could answer all questions we had. On the returning train we were treated to a sandwich, traditional dancing, and a fashion show. When we got back to the restaurant where we’d left our bags we said our goodbyes to Herberth, and were transferred safely back to our hotel by bus. I would definitely recommend going with treksperience for any treks in Peru. ...more ...less

In short, this was the most fantastic part of our South America trip. TrexPerience are an expertly run organisation both in terms of the administration leading up to the trip and the team who were on the trek with us. Our only minor minor reservation in terms of admin is the main office is a bit of a walk away, but a taxi solves this. Plus TrexPerience offer door to door transport from your hotel. This does not detract from our huge admiration of the trek itself and company. It turned out to be just myself and my partner on the trip. At first we had hoped to be a part of a wider group of travellers but soon realised how lucky we were to have the expert team of cooks, porters and our guide just to ourselves. The experience was unforgettable. The chef's cooked some of our best meals in Peru whilst out in the wilderness and within their pop-up kitchens. The food was perfect. Our porters were professional and safely ferried our main gear alongside and had all the kitchens and campsite set up along the way. Maria, the wife of the porter, also accompanied us and our guide, in traditional attire for the duration of the trek which was a pleasure. Hubert, our guide, was a treasure trove of knowledge and extremely likeable and friendly. He was with us all the way, full of knowledge. It's safe to say we learnt more from Hubert about Peru's history, both Incan and modern history than we did in any museum during our stay in Peru. Should we ever return for a trip to Peru and to the Cusco region, which I am sure we will, we will not only be going on a TrexPerience tour but also be asking for Hubert as our guide. ...more ...less

TreXperience is a very well organized and well managed operation. They took great care of us during our trek to Huchuy Qosqo. Their guide spoke good English and explained everything to us. It was easy to communicate with him. The team of porters were respectful and friendly. The entire crew was amazing with their resourcefulness and preparedness to help. During the first day of our trek, one of our team members needed medical help for altitude sickness. We were in the middle of nowhere and I couldn't help wondering when and how medical help would arrive there. And then we saw one of the crew sprinting with a medical bag in hand over the same slopes that we had just huffed and puffed across! He brought everything to deliver the needed care. There were also a couple of emergency horses to transport if necessary. Thankfully our team member recovered quickly and didn't need to be taken to a medical center. But it was reassuring to see that the option was there. Their team are also experts at cooking up amazing feats in the kitchen with minimal cooking equipment. No challenge is too big for their chef and his trusty assistants - whether it is to bake a cake, or cook up so many dishes that the dining table can barely hold them. That's right, we ate at a folding dining table and sat on padded stools! The tents, air mattresses, sleeping bags etc were very clean and totally adequate for the minus 4 degrees celsius temperature that we camped in. We felt spoiled by all the care and concern shown by their team. They also arranged a very modern portable and clean toilet for us to use at the campsite. On top of our experience during the trek itself, we were very impressed by how much the company did and cared for its community, particularly for the kids. And finally, when our flights out of Cuzco got changed by the airline practically an hour before checkin time, TreXperience didn't bat an eyelid and promptly sent a driver to take us from our hotel to the airport. During this visit to Peru, we took different tours organized by different companies. I can say it on personal experience that it is the little thoughtful extras that can make a good experience great. TreXperience certainly delivered a truly great experience for us. Thank you Carlos, Charly and your wonderful team.We can't wait to be on the Andes again with you in the future. ...more ...less