Essential Peru

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 63 reviews.

Alan Campbell

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written April 2012
This trip was so much more than I had imagined! The country, the culture, the journey and our experiences all went well beyond my expectations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing together on the edge, seemingly of the universe itself, at the Macchu Pichu site as the misty early morning clouds dissipated, gazing down at the Urubamba River far below and the many surrounding mountain peaks above was a truly awe-inspiring experience. Mother Earth put us all in our proper place.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour guide, Juan Cardenas of Cusc,o was an absolutely outstanding group leader. He was extremely knowledgeable about Peru's history, culture and current society, and has a wonderful way of working with a group to support, facilitate and harmonize. He constantly attended to our needs (health, technical, social etc) and was able to share his own personal and family experience of Peru in a way that was both genuine and uplifting. We all felt very fortunate to have such a talented guide on this legendary and intense tour of Peru.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do not underestimate the effects of altitude sickness after cumulative exposure at 3000m+. If you aren't sure you can avoid it, take the medicines prescribed, stay well hydrated and don't over-exert yourself. This trip is too precious to waste time while you are on it recovering from unnecessary illness.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This particular trip packed so much activity into the 2 weeks that we were constantly learning and discovering new things and having new experiences - great trip design!
Russell Slater

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written April 2012
This was a wonderful holiday and a truly great experience. Peru has eveything - stunning scenery, friendly people, ancient civilisations and cultures, a unique wildlife and more – and this tour gives a generous helping of it all.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Machu Picchu has to be the single most impressive archaeological site that you will ever see, with that first view in the early morning being absolutely jaw-dropping. No books or photos do it justice; it really has to be seen to appreciate the magic of the place. But there was so much else as well; the condors at Colca, the mummies at the Chauchilla cemetery, the stay on Amantani island, the Ballestas trip, endless Inca buildings, museums, markets, churches, the brilliant colours everywhere, the friendliness of the people...........
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan, the group leader, is simply the best. His in-depth knowledge of just about everything we saw, his enthusiasm for showing us his country, his instinct for reading the group psychology and his organisational abilities made the whole two weeks go like clockwork. The drivers should also be congratulated for getting us around very difficult terrain on a very long trip with absolute safety and reliability, always patient, friendly and on time.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a pair of binoculars as well as a camera.
By far the best restaurant we found on the whole trip was Granja Heidi in an upstairs room on Cuesta San Blas, 5 minutes from our hotel in Cusco.
This trip can be hard work. It covers 3000km by bus with much of it at high altitude and there’s a lot of sightseeing on foot, often in very strong sunshine. Minor health upsets (diarrhoea, altitude effects, sunburn) are easily picked up. So listen to the guide’s advice, take the uphill bits at your own speed and keep the water handy. None of it is beyond the reach of the average person with a bit of common sense.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a terrific experience with great memories. Very highly recommended.
Jennifer Stepney

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written April 2012
Peru is a place to see everyone was so friendly and will be one of your best holidays
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many to say but arriving to see Machu Picchu was breathtaking, and going by taxi to Pisac Market was another highlight of our trip, also staying with a local family on Amantani island was an experience not to be missed. Overall the whole trip was an amazing experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tourleader was exceptional, really helpful when I had altidtude sickness. and travel sickness.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take travel sickness pills just incase your need them, and tablets to help with the altitude.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just book the holiday it will be the best thing you have ever done.
Elizabeth Hubley

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written March 2012
Every day offered a surprise; Lima to the Ballestas and on to the Nazca lines, a stop at ancient burial grounds with mummies in open graves, stops at museums, ancient aqueduct sites, an oasis in the desert, and a drive through the Andes with the extreme variation in landscapes. We walked through a rain forest, visited a huge local market, spent time at Machu Picchu , overnight on Amantani Island, and of course a visit to a floating reed island. It was all so interesting and exciting.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many overwhelming moments but perhaps looking over the vast expanse of Machu Picchu was the most inspiring.
What did you think of your group leader?
We were fortunate to have Juan Cardenas Carrasco as our group leader. He was knowlegable of the history, culture, religions, customs, flora, and fauna of each area we travelled. He could recommend restaurants, guide us on the food to choose and tell us when a tip was appropriate. He was always prepared with enterance fee tickets and water on the bus and took care of other mundane tasks which if neglected had the potential to cause delays. He wad congenial, joined in our activities and treated all of us as good friends. He was ready to help with any special requests and was always concerned for our welfare. Even a slight cough and Juan was ready with the first-aid kit. My husband had an accident(no fault of the tour) and Juan went out of his way (on his own time) to ensure that we found a good doctor who bandaged him up and gave him the appropriate advice and medication.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In Lima on our last day the local Exodus company offered us an optional tour of the city. The bus was not really a tour bus, was small and had no special windows. I have since checked the various city tour busses in Lima, and I think we could have seen as much or more in a double decker bus and at a better price than that offered by Exodus.
My advice would be to check out the local tour busses before committing to Exodus
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Juan reported my husband's accident to Exodus, and in the middle of the Andes Mountains, on a bus, on Juan's cell phone my husband received a call from Exodus in London wanting to confirm that he was indeed satisfied with the medical treatment he had received. This is amazing
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!

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Our Clients’ Reviews

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU