I will echo what many people have already said... Hands down one of the most special hikes in the entire world. I struggle to come up with a sufficient adjective to describe the beauty of this trip. It's truly a once in a lifetime experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a bit adventurous, who wants a quieter alternative to the Inka Trail, and who enjoys long hikes, of course.
Our guide, Marco, was nothing short of fantastic. It was a pleasure to hike with him and learn from him. His knowledge and passion shine through with everything he says along the way. I leave this trip feeling as though I have gained a new friend in Marco. All of the guides seemed very good but, if you are able to, you should request him as your guide.
Also, our cook Rafael was amazing. For a "budget" trip, I was blown away with the quality of the food, the presentation, and his professionalism. We were more than satisfied after every meal. Rafael takes pride in his work and this was obvious with every delicious thing he made for us.
In summary, if I could give this trip 6 of 5 stars, I would. Worth every penny, no doubt about it