ESSENTIAL PERU

16 days from GBP2,269 to GBP2,649 including flights
Tripcode: APD

Countries Visited: Peru

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 38 reviews.

Lynn Walton

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written October 2011
Cannot recommend this trip enough! Every day produced a new highlight.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Where do I start? From the obvious Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines and the Condors in the Colca Canyon, there were so many. The snow storm in the High Andes, followed by a spectacular sunset showed the scenery in all its majestic beauty. The Ballestas and Uros islands showed yet other facets of this remarkable country and the homestay on Amantani island demonstrated the hard yet happy life of the people who welcomed us and allowed us to take a small part of this. The pride of the local people at the Spring Parade in Cuzco was obvious to all and a privelege to witness. We were also able to join in the celebrations at the Sante Clara church, a building rarely open to the public and filled with mirrors, where we were made welcome with a celebratory mug of "chicha".
What did you think of your group leader?
Fabrizzio was informative, professional yet fun to be with. His concerns were always for our health and safety, as he said "if you don't tell me, I can't help you!" and any problems were dealt with quickly and efficiently with the minimum of fuss.
It was a real pleasure to be part of his group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you can avoid it, don't travel by Iberian Airlines as their service, standards and facilities on a long haul were very poor.
Listen to your guide and follow his advice regarding altitude but don't worry about it. Some people will suffer a bit but if you follow the advice it will all be fine.
There are some long journeys and early starts but the scenery and experiences make them all worthwhile, just enjoy them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just do it - it will surpass all your expectations!
Priscilla Graham

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written October 2011
A wonderful holiday, saw so much and helped so much by having a great guide in Juan, his enthusiasm and knowledge was second to none, already planning another holiday with Exodus, true professionals in every sense.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably Machu Picchu and the homestay island, truly magical experiences, but all the other sights and sounds of Peru were excellant, hope to return one day
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan was absoluty brilliant
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepred for a non stop adventure, too many highlights to mention, a feel for the country is guaranteed
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Busy saving for another visit to South America next year, with Exodus of course!!
HUGH ROWAN

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written October 2011
Very good trip and much better than expected as the organisation was excellant including the general standard of accommodation. The experience gave us a better and clearer understanding of the people, history, agriculture and landscape of the country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The early morning overall view of Machu Picchu and the appreciation of the planning and construction of the lost city. Also having the experience of staying one night on the Amantani Island with a local family.
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan, our group leader, was first class and he really made the trip very interesting and very enjoyable. He was always very happy,friendly and good fun to be with throughout the trip. He considered everyone and always gave assistance where necessary.
We would definately recommend him as the best guide we have ever experienced on any previous trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Mke sure you have the correct medication for the particular country being visited and take the advice of the guide especially in high altitudes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The "local" people were friendly and very colourful. The poorer people living in the countryside need the tourest to make purchases to help their economy even although one might bargain on the price!
Jean Scott

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written October 2011
I had wanted to visit Peru for so long. It was my first trip to South America and for me the country of Peru was my first choice! My only reservation was that there would be so much cloud forest but was I proved wrong! The sun shone every day and it was 10 degrees hotter than I expected! The trip exceeded expectations in every way. Peru is a wonderfully diverse country, not only with its geographical features, but with its people and resources that are innumerable -there is nothing the Peruvians can't produce!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The highlights for me were magical Machu Picchu, Amantani on Lake Tititica, the history of the Incas, the colourful markets and, of course, experiencing the high sand dunes - have never screamed so much!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group of 18 was extremely friendly and I can't speak highly enough of our wonderful guide Juan - such a great ambassador for Peru! Thank you Exodus for giving me a great trip!
alison potter

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written August 2011
This was a fantastic holiday.It coverd the highlights of a very big country in a relitivly short period of time.The experience was as varied and interesting as the countryand people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This has to be seeing Machu picchu apearing out of the mists in the earlymorning , well worth the early start and climb. There were lots of other inspirational moments too , like a local fiesta on the islands , seeing the Andes in all their varied moods .
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan was fantastic. Someof our grouop wereun well and he reallycouldn'thave done enough for them .He reallylooked afterus very well.He was very knowledgable about his countryand obvioslyloves Peru.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take dollars and sols as some extras can only be bought in dollars. I would recomend the early morning tripto Machpicchu. You may not seesunrise ,but walking at that time of day is lovely and the mist often clears,so you still get good views. Go with an open mind and take oportunities when they arrise. The weather is very changable so don't give up because of mist or rain ,it's likely to change soon.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a very good introduction to lots of different areas of Peru. Be preprared for lots of walking , steps and early starts.The roads and bus were very good. I would recomend the jungleextension .It gives yet another aspect of this fascinating country
Simon Bigg

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written July 2011
Everybody knows Peru for Machu Picchu, but there is so much more to enjoy on this trip. The landscapes are very varied and on a grand scale, and the people very welcoming. All in all a fantastic tour.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching the condors soar over Colca Canyon was great, and the Corpus Christi parade we were lucky enough to see in Cusco made the experience of the city even better, but there is nothing to beat the feeling you get when you first enter the Machu Picchu complex and climb up to the viewpoint to get the iconic postcard view.
What did you think of your group leader?
Carlos our tour leader was very knowledgeable and could answer pretty well any question we threw at him. The tour he gave us around Machu Picchu demonstrated his knowledge and passion for his country's history and culture. There were only nine in our group of which four were vegetarian, and it took him a while to catch on to the fact that he needed to recommend restaurants with a good vegetarian selection, but other than this he was the perfect tour guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The days are quite long and the starts early; for us breakfast was at 7am five times and earlier than that another five times. The earliest start was on the first full day when our wake-up calls were set for 4.30am, especially tough for those on the group flight via the US who didn't get to the hotel until after midnight. But the bus was very comfortable (with a very acceptable on-board toilet) and in the main we reached our overnight stops by 5pm, which gave time to relax and unwind before a leisurely evening meal.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A few of us went on the Amazon extension and although others seem to have had good experiences, for us it was a major disappointment. I think we were unlucky with the weather, the trip notes don't currently say that occasionally it gets cold in the jungle, and it was probably mainly because of this that we saw virtually no wildlife. The extension is not run by the same Peruvian tour company, and there were various other difficulties/problems we had, so we all thought it poor value for money. But the main tour itself was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone.
Susan Thomas

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written July 2011
The holiday produced amazing scenery and sites almost every day. The itinerary certainly packed in all the promised places, and others not specifically listed. Even some of the stops to break the journey visited historic Inca ruins. You do need to be prepared for the early starts, but in most cases the bus travel provided some opportunity to relax.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Condors in the morning at Colca. Travelling on the roof of the launch across Lake Titicaca under a clear blue sky. Sunrise at Machu Picchu lighting up the surrounding peaks.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very well informed, and seemed enthusiastic about the places he described to us. There was a problem with the microphone on the bus at times. Although he gave out clear details for times to meet up for dinner, loading the bus next morning, and so on, this was rather a long list on some days. It might have been better to provide a printed summary in some cases.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try to avoid travelling through the USA - not only is the connecting experience exhausting, but the arrival in Lima is very late at night. Those in our group who came via Amsterdam had a better arrival time. Be aware of the early starts on several days - but we got used to them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Peru is an amazing country. You need a good head for heights to travel on some of the mountain roads, but the bus drivers were very competent - unlike most of the other traffic in the towns!