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.

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!
madeline hallwood

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written July 2011
Fantastic trip, highly recommended, in fact, what are you waiting for? There are some very long travelling days, although this is clearly mentioned in the trip notes, however, the pain is worth the gain.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me, it was climbing to the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu first thing in the morning in the fog (having got up at 4am) and, on arriving, turning around to look at Machu Picchu - and right on cue the mist lifted. It brought tears to my eyes and I think, for the 10 of us who saw it, it will remain with us forever.
However, there were other really good memories as well - waiting for the wind to drop so that the condors could fly over us and then the juvenile flying over and over us, giving us a good look; the stars in the sky when we were on the homestay on the island in Lake Titiqaqa; the smile on the faces of the family when the drivers stopped the bus to hand over bread when we were on the high plains. And seeing so much sky!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Juan Manuel was amazing. In the course of our trip he had to deal with a lot of problems and he never once exhibited any stress over it and I personally felt he had our safety and wellbeing at the forefront, whilst maintaining a smiling face. He was always keen that we asked all the questions we needed and made us feel very welcome in his country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The members of our group with the best journey experiences went via Europe rather than the US. Take immodium with you, lots of us had some issues. Its probably best NOT to eat the quiche at Machu Picchu cafe. Also take something for colds, lip balm is useful as well. Drinking water is really important, drink loads, even through the night. There is a toilet (liquids only) on the bus for the obvious side effects during the day. There is the chance to do laundry in Cuzco but the city doesn´t always have water so be prepared to receive your laundry back dirty!! I recommend you change plenty of money in the airport (you can do this in the baggage collection area before you get through security), they do not take dollars so easily once you are outside Lima and there are few opportunities to change money again until Cuzco. Make sure you have plenty of space in your luggage for souvenirs. There is a lot of travelling and there are a lot of early starts....but you don´t remember those bits once you get home, just the amazing sights.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The week before we travelled, the authorities reduced the numbers of visitors allowed per day into Machu Picchu. Thanks to Juan, we were still able to visit both days, however longerterm the number of visitors or the scope of the site visitable will undoubtedly be reduced further.....
Colin Billings

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written May 2011
Fantastic holiday , A real adventure. We saw sights I had only dreamed about. Every day there was something new to wonder at, from the desert at Nasca , to Machu Picchu to Colca Canyon. Fantastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Machu Picchu at dawn. We got up at 4.00 to catch the first buses and walked up to the Sun Gate as the sun was rising over the mountains - unforgettable,
What did you think of your group leader?
Rene was brilliant. He organised everything so smoothly on a very tight schedule and kept everyone in good humour despite being tired.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel light. There is a lot of packing and unpacking. Take a plug for the sinks, most were missing in my rooms.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can't wait for my next adventure with Exodus
Vernon Deymos

ESSENTIAL PERU

Written May 2011
A great introduction to Peru, its culture and varied landscapes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Experiencing the desert and snowy landscapes in a space of several days!
What did you think of your group leader?
Great organiser. Struck a good rapport with the tour group. Went out of his way to deal with emergencies eg wet luggage etc. Good local knowledge.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have time, try to do the Amazon extension on this tour as well.

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Our Clients’ Reviews

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU

ESSENTIAL PERU