This was a fabulous adventure! Recounting it to friends at home, it seems incredible that we saw... Wendy Tutty, 2018 See more reviews
Before I went on this holiday, anyone I talked to about Peru seemed to equate it principally with... K R, 2018 See more reviews
This was my first experience of Exodus and I was very impressed. All of the communication prior... Sharon Holmes, 2018 See more reviews
A great and very enjoyable trip with a very good guide / tour leader (Daniel). Such varied... Lee Stephen, 2018 See more reviews
Essential trip covers the highlights in 2 weeks covering Andes and Desert Peru comprehensively ... Fiona Mitchell, 2018 See more reviews
This was an adventure trip. There was long bus journeys but you see the country as it is. We... Alexandra Tindall, 2018 See more reviews
Fantastic trip, which was extremely well orgainised. A lot of travelling involved with some long... Ian Taylor, 2018 See more reviews
Guiliano was absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked for anything more from the trip!... Leah Gaynor, 2018 See more reviews
A trip well worth taking. The amazing places we visited took our breath away at times. Even on... Rachael Hardbattle, 2018 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Fly to Lima. The group flights arrive into Lima this evening. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima. There will be a notice board in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar) Day 2 Drive south along the coast and sail to the Ballestas Islands, home to the highest concentration of marine birds in the world; overnight in Ica. We set off very early this morning (around 5.30am) and drive south from Lima until we reach the port of Paracas (4-5 hours' drive). The Ballestas Islands lie a short distance off the coast here and are home to one of the highest concentrations of seabirds in the world – we visit them by boat. On the outward journey we pass the curious pre-Inca Candelabra geoglyph, a huge (over 150m high) three-pronged trident shape etched into the sandy hillside, the origin and purpose of which remains unknown (although there are many theories). Upon reaching the islands we explore the caves and rock archways by boat and observe the Sea lion and Fur seal colonies as well as Humboldt penguins and an array of birds such as cormorants, pelicans, tendrils, and Peruvian Blue-footed booby birds. The boats are open-top motorised boats and are shared with other non-Exodus clients (occasionally the sea is too rough and the boats can't operate). Take heed of seabirds above – it is advisable to wear a hat! The boat trip lasts around two hours. Once back on dry land we drive for an hour or so to Ica, the heart of Peru's wine-growing region. At the Huacachina oasis just outside of Ica there are high sand dunes where we may have time to try 'sand-surfing' and ride in dune buggies (optional). Hotel Vila Jazmin (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 On to Nazca; see the Nazca lines; optional scenic flight. We drive towards Nazca, stopping to visit the viewing platforms overlooking the Nazca Lines. These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. In the afternoon, for those who wish there is usually time to take a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (additional cost), weather permitting. Due to the small planes used, this is not suitable for those with a fear of flying or who suffer from travel sickness. Alternatively your leader can help arrange optional visits to the nearby burial grounds, Antonini Museum, or the Planetarium. Casa Andina Hotel / Alegria (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Turn inland from coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes. We turn inland from the coastal desert today, climbing high into the Andes on today's long (9-10 hrs) but spectacular drive. Vicuñas (a smaller wild relative of the llama) can be seen along this road, as this area is Peru's largest vicuña reserve. This region has only recently become easily accessible to tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here can make physical exertion difficult (the highest point we reach today is Negro Mayu, a high pass at approx. 4600m). It is recommended to rest in the evening. Tonight, we stay a couple of hours near to Abancay on the road to Cuzco. Tampumayu Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Drive to Cuzco (3400m) visiting Inca sites on the way. We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping to visit the unique Inca Saywiti stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the Vilcabamba Mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes Mountains, and we should expect stunning scenery throughout today's 7-8 hour drive. It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m). Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Free day to explore Cuzco. Today has been left free for exploring Cuzco, one of South America's most beautiful cities. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and the Koricancha Sun Temple located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. A combined entrance fee (Tourist Ticket) for these sites and many others is recommended – please see the Optional Excursions section below for prices. Sightseeing excursions to places outside Cuzco, including the Sacred Valley of the Incas, are also available. Please ask your tour leader. Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Train to Aguas Calientes; tour of Machu Picchu. For most people, the highlight of the trip is the visit by train to the greatest ruin in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. We transfer to Ollantaytambo train station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). The railway line follows a beautiful route through the Urubamba River Valley. In the afternoon we take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins. New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route. Please note that exploring the ruins involves a reasonable amount of walking, including up and down steep and uneven stone steps. Visiting in the afternoon tends to be quieter than the mornings and the mist which shrouds the ruins at dawn has usually dispersed. Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Free morning or optional second visit to Machu Picchu; afternoon return to Cuzco by train and by road. Today we have a free morning to enjoy the buzz of this little town in the jungle below the ruins. There are some hot springs nearby, however they tend to suffer from overcrowding and therefore poor water quality, so are not recommended. Should you wish to visit Machu Picchu again this morning, your leader will help you to purchase a second entrance ticket (subject to availability) which will allow you a further four hours to explore the 'Lost City' – for the second visit it is not mandatory to have a guide. At the time of writing a morning ticket costs PEN152 (approx. US$47). In the afternoon we board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then continue by minibus to Cuzco, arriving in the late evening. Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Free day for optional excursions. We have a final chance to enjoy the sights and shopping of this beautiful city. If you fancy something more active then there is an array of optional activities available from Cuzco that your leader can organise. These include paddle-boarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley. Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Drive to Lake Titicaca (3800m), with stops en route; boat to Amantani Island for homestay. Today we travel for 8-10 hours along the Vilcanota River and onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive, the views are often spectacular. There are scheduled stops at interesting sites to help break up the day and we will get to appreciate the immensity of the Andean landscapes. This afternoon we arrive at the shores of Lake Titicaca (3800m) and board a boat for our trip to Amantani Island. Hiking around the island offers great views across the lake, whilst the night spent with a local family is a fantastic cultural insight into lives very different to our own. (A packed lunch is included today). Amantani Island homestay (Basic) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Explore the island; afternoon boat to Puno visiting the floating reed islands. We explore the island in the morning before boarding our boat for the three-hour journey to Puno on the lakeshore. On the way, we visit the Titinos Indians, who live on islands of floating reeds and, save for a few modest concessions to the modern world, still live as their ancestors would have done centuries ago. Most tours visit the Uros islands closer to the shore but we go to the more isolated Titinos Islands for a more authentic experience. Casona Plaza Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Drive across the altiplano to Colca Canyon. Today we head off across the altiplano again. This time we cross to the south west, heading back towards the coast to the high Colca Canyon (5-6 hours' drive). En route we have opportunities to see vicuñas and possibly flamingos before descending into what is considered to be the second deepest canyon in the Americas (the deepest, the Cotahuasi Canyon, is also in Peru). There is time in the evening for a visit to the hot springs near the main town of Chivay (3635m) – a warming pleasure after the chill of Lake Titicaca. Hotel Pozo del Cielo (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Morning condor viewing; afternoon drive past huge volcanoes to the 'White City' of Arequipa (2350m). An early start to view condors soaring on the morning drafts rising out of the canyon. Extensive terraces, stunning colonial churches, and burial tombs are viewed before we ascend out of the canyon and cross Patapampa Pass (4910m) on our way to Arequipa, known as the 'White City' due to the pale volcanic stone used to construct many of its colonial buildings. The picturesque city enjoys a year-round pleasant climate and is surrounded by 6000m volcanoes, including the near-perfect cone of El Misti. Ensueño Hotel or Su Majestad Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Morning visit Santa Catalina Convent; afternoon fly to Lima. In the morning we visit the huge and serene convent of Santa Catalina. Built in 1580 and only opened to the outside world in the 1970s, it offers a rare insight into the lives led by the nuns and has changed little through the centuries. There are still around 20 nuns living in the northern corner of the complex. In the afternoon or evening we fly to Lima where will transfer to our hotel in Miraflores. Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 Depart Lima. There is time today for optional tours of Lima including visits to the Gold Museum and tours of the historic downtown before we are transferred to the airport in the afternoon for the overnight flight to London. Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 Arrive London. The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.
Amazon Rainforest extension (from Lima) Code: XPL Easily accessible via a short flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima, the Amazon is the world's largest rainforest and home to an astonishing array of wildlife, as well as countless plant species. Spending three nights at a lodge in the incredibly rich Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore its lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to discover its dense forests. The detailed itinerary can be found here. Please ask your sales consultant for more details.
Peru Visas are not required by UK citizens, Western European nationals, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and most other nationalities. If you are in any doubt please contact the nearest Peruvian Embassy.
Peru There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a Yellow Fever vaccination. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites: always apply insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers while in the rainforest to avoid being bitten. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐date information.
Hotels, Titicaca homestay 13 nights hotels, all en suite, 1 night homestay with basic shared facilities. The hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary however accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date. Throughout this tour we stay in carefully selected 3-star hotels with en suite bathroom facilities throughout, with the exception of one night on Amantani Island. Most hotels have a safety deposit box in the room but if not, there will be one at reception. In Lima we stay at Hotel El Tambo 1, located in the upmarket Miraflores District - Larco Mar shopping mall is within walking distance as is the trendy Barranco District, where you'll find a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife. We usually stay in Villa Jazmin in Ica, which offers large rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Near to Abancay we stay at Tampumayu, which is a hacienda style property - a little rustic but full of character and there's a pretty little church within its grounds. In Cuzco we stay at one of the well-known Casa Andina properties, Casa Andina Koricancha, which is ideally located within walking distance of the main square and the Koricancha 'Sun Temple'. For our Machu Picchu visit we spend a night at Inti Punku El Tambo in Aguas Calientes; a simple yet contemporary hotel. The most basic accommodation is in Chivay and Arequipa but it serves its purpose for a night. Casona Plaza Hotel in Puno has a local 4-star local rating, is centrally located, and has a lovely restaurant area. Please note that central heating is very rare in Peru, even in good standard hotels. Most hotels provide plug in heaters and spare blankets. Additionally whilst all of the hotels have a hot water supply, it can be temperamental when there is high demand. A railway line runs straight through the centre of Aguas Calientes and whilst we try to allocate rooms away from it whenever possible, the trains might be heard from some rooms. On Amantani Island on Lake Titicaca, the group will split up overnight to stay with local families. There will generally be a few of us in each house and we may have to share rooms en masse - single supplements do not apply for this night. The rooms are basic but clean and your beds will have sheets and plenty of blankets. There are outside toilets and washbasins. The lack of electricity or road noise (there are no roads!) and the starlit sky on clear nights makes for a truly peaceful and serene experience. Single rooms can be booked for single supplement, subject to availability, at the time of booking. This supplement covers single rooms throughout the trip, with the exception of the homestay on Amantani Island. We recommend the early booking of single supplements and of pre/post tour accommodation.
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Reviewed October 2018 Wendy Tutty Trip: Essential Peru Essential Peru This was a fabulous adventure! Recounting it to friends at home, it seems incredible that we saw and experienced so much - or travelled so many miles in a relatively short time. It was not an easy trip with lots of early starts and long road journeys and several times I found myself a little out of my comfort zone but the group was mutually supportive and our leader Sebastian was a true professional. Everything was carefully planned - we always had drinkable water, hotels were ready for us and always happy to store our luggage for us if we were away for a few days. Our ascent to altitude was carefully managed and none of us became sick. Each evening Sebastian would invite us to eat with him. Sometimes we did, sometimes we didn't but he always made a huge effort to make sure that he chose a restaurant which catered for everyone - even a non meat, fish and egg eating almost vegan like myself! His love for his country was infectious and his knowledge impressive - all of this helped to make the holiday memorable and he was always generous with his time, going out of his way to cater for those who wanted to do things apart from the group. Thankyou Sebastian - great memories - some of them very funny! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Difficult one! I loved the Nazca lines by light aircraft - Cusco, Colca Canyon, Arequipa and of course Machu Picchu all jostle for first place. What did you think of your group leader? As previously stated, he was excellent - knowledgeable, well organised, unflappable, scrupulously honest (at the end of our trip he gave us change from our tips kitty), amusing and very very kind. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure that you go well equipped and be prepared for some very basic condition at the homestay.
Reviewed October 2018 K R Trip: Essential Peru Qué paja el Perú ! Before I went on this holiday, anyone I talked to about Peru seemed to equate it principally with Machu Picchu and Inka trails. Frankly, as beautiful and wondrous as MP is, there is SO MUCH more to Peru. At every level of altitude, the country offers different scenery, flora, fauna, cultures (indigenous, colonial, urban, rural, affluence, poverty, religions, food, drink etc) and different experiences in general including star gazing. The itinerary of this trip gives a very good spread of exposure as to what is available to enjoy/sample in Peru. Yes, it is fast paced but it is invigorating for those of us who think a change is as good as a rest. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Staying with Flora, our homestay host. She was a true joy to meet and talk with. She is a tough, extremely hardworking, gentle and warmhearted woman and an excellent cook. She was full of determination to do the very best for her children (they were studying medicine and law) even though it meant an incredibly hard life for her to meet those costs. It was an privilege to be able to stay with her and she made our stay as comfortable as she could. What did you think of your group leader? Sebastian a) has an excellent command of English, is well informed and was informative without boring us with a litany of facts b) did not B.S. (very important) if he didn't know but checked and came back c) was enthusiastic about his country d) was effortlessly highly efficient/organised e) warm, charming, friendly with a good sense of humour f) accommodated the various needs of the group and looked after us extremely well without being suffocating; plus guided those who needed it and didn't cramp the independence of those who wanted it g) chatted with each of us to find our particular interests and helped us achieve them eg wine tasting or dancing etc (over and above requirements) h) is an excellent ambassador both for Peru and equally importantly Exodus - many in the group were new to Exodus and are now wishing to continue with using Exodus i) took a very responsible approach to tourism within Peru and gave what seemed a balanced view of the cultural situation in Peru j) had inexhaustible energy throughout the trip k) spoke to those of us who wanted to improve our Spanish in Spanish where appropriate ie not excluding others who did not speak Spanish from the conversation. Very impressive and up in the top two of best guides I've had both as a seasoned Exodus customer and an independent traveller. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you suffer from motion sickness, consider whether you want to do the Nazca flight. It is quite nauseating and somewhat hot and claustrophobic in the Cessna planes used. Due to all types of weather encountered, the previous advice concerning layers is key. Good waterproofs also should be taken because when it rains it is likely to be a deluge. Is there anything else you would like to add? It was a super bunch of people that formed this group which was a blessing and added significantly to the enjoyment of the holiday. The co-travellers were interesting, good humoured, caring, amusing and collaborative. That said, if you do not have a similar group when you travel, it need not negatively affect your experience because the nature of Exodus trips is that they afford you the ability to be pretty independent within the scope of the travel arrangements that form the itinerary.
Reviewed October 2018 Sharon Holmes Trip: Essential Peru An amazing trip of a life-time! This was my first experience of Exodus and I was very impressed. All of the communication prior to travelling was excellent and this continued with my arrival in Lima and for the next 15 days. Our Tour Leader, Sebastian, was amazing (see below). I was also really impressed with the fact that local experts were drafted in to support Sebastian and add to our understanding of this vast country - these local guides e.g. one in Cuzco, one around Lake Titicaca and one in the Colca Valley/Arequipa all lived in their local area and were able to provide us with their own expertise which just added to the whole experience. My 16 fellow travellers also helped to make the whole experience truly unforgettable. We all supported and looked after each other and got on very well. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were too many really to say. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible and the Andean Condors gliding above us and through the Colca Canyon were amazing. Angelito, our local guide, managed our expectations by saying that sometimes the Condors do not appear but we were incredibly spoilt with around 15 of them flying above us. Being able to stay in the home of a local family on Amantani Island was also incredible; hearing how they live their lives from day to day and giving us a glimpse of this, albeit, for less than 24 hours, was a humbling experience. What did you think of your group leader? Sebastian was wonderful and truly made the trip for me. His wit, humour, intellect and knowledge of Peru surpassed all of my expectations. He looked after us from beginning to end by staying in the same hotel as us every night, providing us with his mobile number and making himself accessible 24/7 and we had the option to dine with him every night where he would take us to some interesting restaurants. In addition, every day was filled with fun and laughter - thanks, in the main, to him - he answered all of our questions and provided us with a great understanding of his homeland. He catered for our every whim e.g. we wanted to go to a salsa club in Cuzco then Sebastian took us; when almost all of the group went on a flight to see the Nazca Lines then he took the remaining 3 of us to a local museum in Ica - nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he refused to allow us to go on our own even if we offered. I speak Spanish and love to practice so Sebastian would speak with me in Spanish - he was amazing! Every Exodus adventure needs a Sebastian! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? There are some parts of the trip where uphill climbing is needed - whilst not intense, the altitude can contribute to a feeling of weariness at these times and this should be considered. I think Exodus provide excellent advice on how to prepare for this trip and so I have not much more to add. I would definitely take advantage of the single supplement when travelling alone as the group is amazing but the trip is pretty full on and some down time on your own is very beneficial. Is there anything else you would like to add? Our group gelled very well and this also contributed to the amazing experience because we looked out for each other and supported each other. We all seemed to get on very well which was very important as we spent a lot of time together.
Reviewed October 2018 Lee Stephen Trip: Essential Peru Perutastic A great and very enjoyable trip with a very good guide / tour leader (Daniel). Such varied culture, food and scenery too. I felt like I learned and saw a lot. My one recommendation would be to make sure you read the trip notes carefully before you go / book. You cover a lot of ground (long distances) at times in order to and pack everything in. So there are some long travel days and plenty of early starts. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The home stay with local family on an island in Lake Titicaca will stay with me for. A long time to come. Loved it. What did you think of your group leader? A very good and very very knowledgable tour leader. Looked after us all very very well. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for some long travel days, in order to cover so much ground and fit everything in - and plenty of early starts. Is there anything else you would like to add? No
Reviewed September 2018 Fiona Mitchell Trip: Essential Peru Amazing itinery, varied and comphrehensive Essential trip covers the highlights in 2 weeks covering Andes and Desert Peru comprehensively (Jungle would be an additional bolt on). The itinery was key for me choosing this trip with Machu Pichu, Nazca lines, Lake Tititica, Ballestros Islands, Colyca Canyon and cities of Arequipa and Lima visited. This packs in a good mix of history (Inka and earlier), wildlife (Penguins, Condors and Flamingoos as well as Camelids and culture. Cities and landscape covered. It is on the trip notes but Peru Georgraphy is big and the drives often on mountain roads were felt by most of group! But great chance to see changing Andes landscapes ..... What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Homestay on Lake great opportunity to meet the community and learn how they are developing island Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Presents for homestay, more options by bringing from UK and the thought is appreciated Our group had minor altitude impacts only, but if you are worried ask your GP for drugs in UK as the guides do not recommend buying locally. Having said that if you did get ill the local guides were great to arrange doctors to visit hotel.
Reviewed August 2018 Clive Barham Trip: Essential Peru Awesome Peru Very long bus rides but to great places. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Beautiful sunny day at Machu Picchu. What did you think of your group leader? Fernando - very enthusiastic, full of detailed knowledge, always keen to do the best for us. Nothing was too much. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for potential tummy troubles ! Avoid non-bottled water/ice/salad. Also altitude hit some of us - keep hydrated.
Reviewed July 2018 Alexandra Tindall Trip: Essential Peru Essential Peru Trip This was an adventure trip. There was long bus journeys but you see the country as it is. We stayed in Lima in the Miraflores region a day before the trip which I am glad we did. We only managed to do half the trip as my husband got acute mountain sickness. We enjoyed the Ballestas islands especially the rock formations. We seen the Naza lines a couple from the tower , the rest from the aeroplane. The aeroplane did make me feel nauseous with the plane banking from one side to the other so everyone could see. I am really glad I seen them though. We then went to Cusco. Cusco was a lot bigger than I thought. I liked the Historic district of where we stayed in the hotel. We then went to Ollytambo. We only went there because there were strikes than would have stopped us getting out of Cusco and Exodus arranges at short notice to leave a day early and go to Ollytambo. I think they should include Ollytambo in the tour it was a lovely village and there are a lot of ruins you can visit. We then went to Machu Picchu which I enjoyed. I did think the guide would take us round the buildings, but he only did a couple as he spent too long explaining the Solstace etc. I would rather have spent more time going round the buildings with the guide. We did have free time here too to go around on your own which was good. We then went back to Cusco. Which was the end of the tour for us. We missed staying with a local family on Amantani Isalnd, Lake Titicaca, Puno , Cocoa canyon and Arequipa which was a shame. I enjoyed the part of the trip we did. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing a Machu Picchu as I have wanted to visit it for some years now. What did you think of your group leader? Sabastian was really good . He is a credit to Exodus. He explained things all the time about the trip and what was going to happen. He handled all the changes caused through the strikes and had regular meetings to inform the group. He chose lovely restaurants to have our meals. He would find out answers to anything you asked if he did not know the answer straight away. He had arranged for the doctor to come to the hotel when my husband got ill. He came to the hospital that night and came back with me in the early hours of the morning. Because the tour had a free day in Cusco the next day ,he accompanied me to the hospital in the morning and the afternoon . He then arranged for someone else from Exodus to come to the hospital and help me and my husband for the week he was in ICU. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take the tablet for Altitude sickness it may help. Nobody knows who is susceptible to altitude sickness until they actually get it. If you get any signs of it tell your guide and accept help. Read all the joining instructions and make sure you take everything that is recommended it will make your journey more comfortable. Is there anything else you would like to add? I would have liked more time to go in the pools and relax at the hotels. I liked the hotel at Ollytambo but we did not have time to really see it , it would have been nice to have spent longer there. It may have been better to miss out the Ballestas islands and fly from Lima to Nazca as the scenery is dry desert all the way and it was a very long drive, then more time would be available at hotels to relax a bit before the longer journeys and you could add in Ollytambo.
Reviewed June 2018 Rachael Hardbattle Trip: Essential Peru A fantastic trip full of variety with amazing places to visit A trip well worth taking. The amazing places we visited took our breath away at times. Even on the long travel days the views were spectacular making time fly. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Lake Titicaca and the reed islands What did you think of your group leader? Sebastian was very good - a warm man with a good sense of humour. He was tested during our trip due to travellers becoming unwell. He still made sure everyone else was ok which was very professional. He is now trying to help me with some lost shopping in Cusco which I am very thankful for. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? What to wear is tricky due to the forever changing climatic conditions. So be sure to pack layers!!
Reviewed June 2018 Catherine Lander Trip: Essential Peru Amazing trip An unforgettable trip. Saw so many amazing things. The scenery is spectacular and I just sat looking out of the window throughout the long journeys- not a moment was wasted. The natural landscape is so majestic and yet there will be a track winding up the hillside and terracing right to the top. The power of nature and the ingenuity of people is humbling and intriguing. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I walked on my own along the path to the Inca Bridge and, although I thoroughly enjoyed the walk, felt very small and a bit vulnerable knowing one trip or slip and I could fall a very long way- people would have walked this type of path, with their children, carrying everything in the past. I think the geography and landscape was what took my breath away. What did you think of your group leader? Daniel Ramos was brilliant. He had so much knowledge and passion for the history, cultures and geography of the country, which he shared with us. He looked after us all so well. Thank you. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go for it. When Peruvians say it is cold, to those of us from England it was a summer day we would be very happy with! We needed less warm clothes and more hot weather clothes :-)
Reviewed June 2018 graham roscoe Trip: Essential Peru Essential Peru- What a trip, I would recommend to all This was a fantastic holiday.with a good balance of experiances, tastes and transport. There were long bus journeys but the scenery was so amazing you will see the local wild life, Alpaca's, Condor's plus many others it was never boring, even an erupting volcano on our trip. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were many, the trip to Machu Picchu, the homestay with mamma Flora,the floating island experience, Colca Canyon and Arequipa plaza's. Cusco and Arequipa city plaza areas are well worth spending time strolling about looking at the colonial buildings both day and night. Visiting on route the churches, cathedrals and convents was really inspiring and interesting either with or without a guide ( most have English translations) We were very fortunate to be there at the Corpus Christie festival in Arequipa what an experience it was. What did you think of your group leader? Sebastion was our tour leader, he did an excellent job looking after us, taking us out at night to eat in a variety of restaurants. He gathered us all together at convenient times to inform us of the following days detailed plan including how long on the coach and times between stops. His plan and timing were very accurate, with good stopping places and the viewpoints had good facilities. A very knowledgeable capable tour leader well travelled both in Peru and the rest of the world. I would be very happy to have Sebastion as my tour leader on every trip I undertake. He is an great asset to the company, well done. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Early morning starts were part of the tour ( we had additional early starts due to local strikes) these were cold to start with but by 0800 on most days the sun was up warming us up. The coaches we used had onboard toilet facilities but we had organised stop also at regular intervals. The Exodus office team did an excellent job rearranging hotels and flights due to the local strikes taking place. The local guides helped us get detailed information and a big thanks to Elious ( home stay guide) and Jenny (Colca Canyon guide). The recommended spending money for meals was accurate, ATMs and banks were found when somebody wanted them so no issues, retaurants took cards. Listen to the advice from the guide and tour leaders they are locals and know the expected conditions and potential outcomes. Look into altitude sickness before you go it can affect anyone -you will be at 4900 meters Is there anything else you would like to add? The tour was great Ive ticked it off the bucket list. It was great to be with a group of people who were so like minded
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