Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Matchu Picchu was amazing and worth going back for a second day to see it from a different circuit. I was amazed how beautiful the scenery was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gisard was a good leader - he set out from the start his expectations re punctuality and this was adhered to. He is very knowledgable and looked after our health and welfare.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Embrace the early starts and long coach journeys. Take toilet paper for the toilet stops. Do the second day in Matchu Picchu .

Most Inspirational Moment

Wildlife at the Ballestas Islands, including dolphins and whale, seeing the penguins, although they were rather high up. Seeing flamingos in the wild and also flying for the first time. Seeing the condors in the Colca Valley. Machu Picchu no. 1 highlight. Alternative Sacred Valley trip including the salt mines at Maras. Cusco and Lake Titicaca. The scenery, mountains, valleys. Architecture in Cusco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renzo is a brilliant tour leader, one of the best. He took our wellbeing very seriously with altitude and checking on us daily whilst at high altitude very seriously: pulse oximeter readings and assessments re symptoms. He was helpful and listened to what we wanted to see and do, adding in a few extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary . He arranged an alternative tour of the Sacred Valley that was not listed on tour details. His knowledge was immense and he had a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book extra day(s) either side of the tour in Lima to see something of the city otherwise you won't get to see it. The hotel is well out of the centre, in the Miraflores district. Before I went away I pre-booked Magic Circuit Fountain Show for my first evening pre-tour, excellent start. I found US dollars were not shown or accepted in shops I went in, credit cards were accepted in restaurants and larger shops. Walking poles ARE allowed in Machu Picchu (but with rubber tip and not spikes), information on internet etc says they are not allowed. Long sticks of wood available at M.Picchu for those who needed them. All hotels in Aguas Caliente start breakfast at 5 am so 7 am entry for second visit to M.Picchu is best if you want to get there early and have breakfast before queuing for the bus. The gift for the homestays on Lake Titicaca was rice or bread bought by the tour leader out of the tipping kitty, which was allowed for in total amount), save you buying something back home. Useful item re donations to bring are old glasses. Free day in Cusco with optional day/half day trips - ask about the alternative Sacred Valley trip if it is not offered to you - Maras Salt Mines (spectacular), Moray and Chinchero (including visit to textile centre), instead of the one that went to Ollayantambo and Pisac. It's worthwhile doing a bit of research pre-holiday on these tours so you can make an informed decision at the time and know what you want to do. When in Arequipa, pick-up time for flying back to Lima is 3.30 pm so you get a good 4 hours free time in Arequipa after the guided tour of the convent, enough to see other sights, have lunch and do a bit of last minute shopping.

Most Inspirational Moment

Honestly each day we encountered a new highlight.. of course MP was incredible, but I also felt Lake Titicaca was excellent, the Nasca lines, the bird islands, the pyramids, Cusco and still other sites. Each contributed to an understanding of the culture and landscapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giscard was very organized, gave us information daily, sometimes in multiple formats so we knew exactly was coming next. He shared his personal experiences and his perspectives about the political, economic and cultural mores which we quite enjoyed. He cared about our health and personal needs and provided support whenever requested. His culinary background enabled us to eat well in select yet reasonably priced gourmet restaurants. throughout the trip. He is a great guide!

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience, it by far exceeded my expectations! We were so lucky with the weather as well. It is in these moments that Exodus truly shines: all the logistics (train journeys, bus journeys, ticketing, queueing etc.) would be so hard to do on your own, it truly ran like clockwork. The other highlight was the (optional) flight over the Nazca valley. I loved loved loved it (and I have a fear of heights!). Truly spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giscard was nothing short of terrific!! The perfect guide, caring, firm when he needed to be, sense of humour, and very knowledgeable! He is a very experienced guide and he navigated any curveballs without flinching, we always were in the safest of hands with Giscard. I will remember him fondly!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's an intense trip, so be prepared. You will get tired, but the beauty of the country is so so worth it! Listen to the tour guide's advice when it come to the altitude, it is something to carefully manage. Pack warm clothes ... in fact you need clothes for all seasons. You need layers, because on the same day you may need only a t-shirt and shorts, and a few hours later you will need proper trousers and two fleeces. Never been so cold in my life as when the radiator of the bus broke down when it was snowing outside! (Ironically, there was a heatwave in the UK at the time!). Finally, you need to be have a decent level of mobility and fitness to enjoy it. Although you're not climbing any mountains, often there will be some hikes where there is uneven ground. This was my first trip to South America and I think the bar is set high!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Condors flying close up at Colca Canyon, seeing a volcano eruption and the flight over the Nazca Lines

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was tremendous and undoubtedly helped to enhance the overall experience of the holiday. His knowledge was phenomenal on an array of topics about Peru, he was a very warm and engaging character and showed concern if anyone in the group was feeling unwell. His logistical skills with timings etc were spot on and he organised the additional activities such as the Nazca Lines trip very efficiently.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was a highlight every day. Obviously Machu Picchu was wonderful. But other locations, like Arequipa, were unexpected gems

Thoughts on Group Leader

Honestly, could not have wished for a better leader in Luis. Also, in rainforest Roldan was exceptional.

Most Inspirational Moment

Colca Canyon seeing the Condors. I hadn't expected the wildlife to such a feature of this trip which I had taken mainly for the scenery. But seeing Llamas, Flamingos, Penguins and much more in the wild was surprisingly moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous!

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lot of time in the bus, which is brilliant for the views, but I would be cautious if you suffer with travel sickness. The roads are bendy and in places, bumpy. Machu Picchu is not the highest spot on the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Pichu, the Condors and Lake Titicaca.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say? He was so outstanding. He was incredibly well organised, obviously experienced and a wonderful communicator. He was so warm & open, our friend as well as our leader. Our trip went like clockwork - that only happens if the group leader can see potential pitfalls & plans to avoid them.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the start of the trip, we were all asked why Peru, and what we most wanted to see. Most said Machu Picchu. It is obviously a highlight, but the biggest surprise for me was actually Nazca. I’ve read about the place, seen photographs and documentaries, but nothing prepares you for the scale and strangeness of the landscape, particularly at altitude. Whilst some of the journeys are daunting, I found travelling through the high Andes to be an absolute highlight. Some of the most memorable moments were not necessarily the famous landmarks; the roadside stops and viewpoints were often extraordinary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Luis, was excellent throughout the trip: organised, knowledgeable, calm and consistently good company. He kept the trip running smoothly while still making it feel relaxed and enjoyable, and he handled the practicalities of altitude, transport, timings, and accommodation well. I think Luis struck a good balance between providing information and allowing people to experience places in their own way. I always felt the group was well looked after and that everything was under control without it ever feeling over-managed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

One thing worth planning carefully is laundry. I’ve been on trips with Exodus where every hotel offers laundry services; on this trip, there was only one opportunity to wash clothes properly, and even hotel room washing/drying opportunities are limited. You are likely to experience a wide range of temperatures and conditions, so don't forget a light waterproof and jumper. The sun can be deceptively strong at altitude, so consider sunscreen and a hat. The highest altitude we experienced was nearly 5,000 metres above sea level, so mild exertion leave you short of breath, but nobody on my trip was badly affected. Nevertheless, altitude is taken seriously, so your blood oxygen levels will be measured as a matter of routine. Whilst most make do with a smartphone, a good camera is worthwhile if you enjoy photography, particularly for landscapes and wildlife. I should also mention the homestay on Amantani Island, which proved to be one of the more memorable parts of the trip. Facilities really are limited, so don't expect washing facilities or wifi, but the kindness and hospitality was infectious, and I came away with a recipe for a kind of fried flatbread called toctochi, which you simply have to try. I had been a little apprehensive about this bit of the trip, but ended up enjoying it far more than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously, Machu Picchu was incredible but I think that driving through the high Andes and seeing plants that are literally thousands of years old and still growing was mind boggling. Every part of the trip brought something new and something incredible, beautiful, breathtaking and awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Giscard, was great! He was knowledgeable, efficient, kind, funny, caring, intelligent, and very likeable! He looked after everyone on the tour and made sure we were all happy and comfortable. He explained each step and went out of his way to address any needs or concerns while regaling us with anecdotes and stories and information. He made sure we were all following the recommendations concerning altitude as well as having us test our blood oxygen twice a day as per company recommendations. If someone was ill or under the weather he made sure they were well looked after and that nobody was left to figure things out alone. I can't say enough good things about him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was very changeable and we found we needed warm clothing as well as t shirts and shorts. Hats, sunglasses, sun cream, motion sickness medication if you need it as there is a lot of bus travel and some boat travel, and good walking shoes are all necessary. I took just one pair of walking shoes and that was plenty though some people liked to wear sandals sometimes too. Insect repellant is useful and a good camera. The condors are incredible but my phone was pretty useless for getting good pictures. Don't forget any day to day medications that you take and eat at the places recommended by your tour guide as they know how you can avoid food poisoning. There is always plenty of water provided, so bring your favourite water bottle with you.