The trip was really awesome, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. The only reason that I gave it four instead of five stars is mostly due to my own personal preferences and chance occurrences. If we were talking about the trip to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail (and our guides), I would have to give it six stars--it was phenomenal! Now as for the rest of the trip, there was too much car travel. I am particularly susceptible to motion sickness and the trip to the jungle especially would have been a MUCH better experience if we had at least a flight back. Additionally, the bike ride was awesome, but way too long and probably not suited for the entire group. A shorter ride (2-3hrs vs 3.5hrs), better bicycle training, and an alternative option for the less experienced would help prevent a lot of grumblings and injuries. As for freak occurrences, the rain during the bike ride, the cold jungle, the sickness that followed, the raids in Puno that prevented us from seeing the ancient lake, and the snow and generally bad weather did not help the trip--but were by no means your fault. (Maybe having a more concrete back-up plan for each activity would be prudent, however). However, all in all, the trip was pretty amazing, with breathtaking views, physical challenges (see note below), and an intimate glimpse into a country's unique culture. Sidenote: As for the "activeness" of the trip, I think maybe there could be an option for a more strenuous trip. I felt the amount of energy I exerted during the Inka Trail was what I would have liked to consistently have experienced the entire trip, but instead it felt like the rest was a piece of cake. Maybe this has to do with liability or with the age groups, but it's just a suggestion :)

| January 1970