4-Day Ultimate Guided Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Lovely couple trip

Me and my husband spent the most amazing honeymoon trek with Bamba Travel. The two attendants that were assigned to attending to us during the trip, which were Francisco and Ruth, were extremely helpful, containing lots of important information, and very hospitable. Them and the whole team have helped us to make the atmosphere special and we felt protected and cared for. Special thanks to Bamba Travel; they made our special event even more special!

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Highly Recommended!

Francisco made our trip unforgettable with his encyclopedic knowledge of Incan history and culture. The porters and chief provided excellent meals and support throughout the trek. This experiencing was incredibly enriching, and we highly recommend it! After the trek, we extended our adventure to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon. The biodiversity and the experience of the jungle were truly unforgettable.

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Dishonest advertising, a rip-off

I am really disappointed with my experience with Bamba, having first booked the 4 day Inca trail. They got in touch with me a few days later to let me know that Inca trail permits were sold out and did I want to book the 2 day Lares/2 day Inca trail combo. Sounded good to me, so I booked this. Big mistake… Fast forward 2 months and I am in Cusco, I show up to my briefing and I am alone. I was nervous that there would be no one else on my tour, as I had specifically booked a “group tour” as advertised on the website. This was important to me as a solo female traveller, so when the staff informed me I would be alone with the guide and cook for 4 days, I was extremely disappointed. I shared my disappointment with the team and told them that I had planned for 10 days in Cusco and therefore I could wait to go with another group. I also said that if they had they let me know in advance I was the only one who booked, I could have changed my plans. The staff told me that changing my booking was not possible for the Inca trail portion of my trek and that as this permit had been booked, it had to go ahead. I accepted to go on the Inca trail for 2 days with the guide, but not for the Lares trek, and I asked to be scheduled on a different trek to make up the 2 extra days I had planned and paid for. The lady took my number and said she would get in touch with options for me. 2 days go by and I had no alternative offered to me, so I went into the office to talk again. They did not have any suitable alternatives for me and I was eager to plan the rest of my stay in Cusco. I subsequently asked for a refund for the difference between the 4day trek I had booked ($970) and the 2 day experience I was about to receive ($750)- so only $220. The staff refused and told me to see with Viator. Viator refused to refund me this money and stopped answering my emails when I asked why. The 2 day experience that I did receive was amazing, all thanks to Edwin, my very knowledgeable and attentive guide. Thank you Edwin for being such a lovely person to spend two days with! All in all I would absolutely not recommend you book with Bamba, it’s way overpriced compared to tour operators based in Cusco, and their advertising feels very dishonest. I was ripped off of a huge amount of money, and there was absolutely no effort made to try and rectify the over-inflated price I paid. To add insult to injury, I was booked on the Circuit 3 at Machu Picchu, the worst one, despite booking months in advance… Thank goodness for Edwin !

Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your trip did not meet your expectations and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. First and foremost, we are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time with Edwin. Our guides are dedicated to providing an enriching and memorable experience, and it's heartening to know that Edwin's knowledge and attentiveness made your journey through the Inca Trail special. Regarding the changes to your original 4-day Inca Trail booking, we regret any inconvenience caused by the switch to the 2-day Lares/2-day Inca Trail combo. Unfortunately, once Inca Trail permits are secured, they are non-transferable and non-refundable due to strict regulations. This means that once we book these permits, we are unable to make changes, even if it results in unexpected circumstances like the situation you faced. We understand the importance of group travel for solo travelers and did not foresee that there would be no other participants. Despite the financial implications, we were committed to running the trek for you alone to ensure you had the best possible experience. Operating the trek with just one participant, even though we typically require at least four people to cover costs, demonstrates our dedication to customer satisfaction. We apologize for the miscommunication and the delay in providing alternative options for the additional days you had planned. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will use it to improve our processes and communication to prevent such issues in the future. Regarding the refund issue, we understand your frustration and are sorry for any inconvenience you experienced with Viator. We will follow up with them to ensure better coordination and support for our clients. Lastly, we apologize if you felt the pricing was not justified. Our goal is to provide high-quality, sustainable, and immersive travel experiences, and we continuously strive to offer fair value. Your feedback about the circuit at Machu Picchu is also noted, and we will review our booking processes to avoid similar disappointments. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future.

via Tripadvisor

Experience of a lifetime!!!!

The Ultimate Inca Trail was the ultimate tour experience I have ever had. The 3 men that made this experience possible was Cesar, Jorge, and John. Jorge was truly a Master Chef who cooked up Peruvian dishes that were out of this world. Cesar was the master tour guide who provided a lot of wisdom and knowledge regarding the culture and history of the Incas. More importantly he was a great leader throughout the 4 day hike. Look out for our welfare, made sure we were squared away and ready to go, and went in a pace where there was no man left behind. Machu Picchu was incredible and a big highlight of the trip. However, the experience I had throughout the trail with Cesar will forever be more memorable and made reaching Machu Picchu more impactful. Greatest Tour Guide Ever.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your incredible review! We are thrilled to hear that the Ultimate Inca Trail was the ultimate tour experience for you. Cesar, Jorge, and John will be delighted to know that they made such a positive impact on your journey. Jorge’s culinary skills are truly exceptional, and we’re glad you enjoyed the Peruvian dishes he prepared. Cesar’s knowledge, leadership, and care for your group's welfare clearly made the trek even more memorable. Machu Picchu is indeed a highlight, but it’s heartwarming to hear that the journey with Cesar was what truly stood out for you. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon. Greatest Tour Guide Ever, indeed!

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Trip of a lifetime

Cesar, Jorge, Jong, made this trip magical. The day before the trip, during onboarding, I was beginning to feel sick. They supported me and provided me with alternative paths during the 4 day journey to Machu Picchu. I saw amazing views. Spent an amazing time with the locals of various villages. Was guided through the history of the mountain. When I did hike, Cesar was extremely patient and ensured I safely made it to the end. Then on the final day to see Machu Picchu was very special. Honestly, the tour company went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time possible. Can’t forget to shoutout Jorge, our chef, best breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner ever

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that Cesar, Jorge, and John made your trip magical. It’s great to know they supported you even before the journey began and provided alternative paths when you felt unwell. Experiencing the breathtaking views, spending time with locals, and learning the mountain's history must have been incredible. Cesar’s patience and dedication to ensuring your safety and enjoyment are truly commendable. We’re thrilled that the final day at Machu Picchu was special for you. A big shoutout to Jorge for providing the best breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner ever! We’re proud that our team went above and beyond to make your trip unforgettable. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!

via Tripadvisor