Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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154 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed August 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

One word describes this Exodus trip – ‘exceptional.’ ‘Essential Peru’ is a comprehensive trip covering the highlights of such a wonderful country. Trip is really well planned and paced allowing one to discover the dramatic contrasts Peru has to offer. From deserts to glaciated summits – this trip has it all.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day of the trip has something to offer but nothing beats - Machu Picchu. The lost city of the Inca is set in an unrivalled backdrop - a true marvel of Mother Nature. Other trip highlights are the Condors flying high over the Colca Canyon and the drive through the Vilcabamba Mountain region. The visit to the floating Reed islands and the Amantani island home stay also proved to be unforgettable experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial - our tour guide was a highly knowledgeable person and gave us a thorough insight of Peruvian history, culture and lifestyle. Throughout the course of the trip he recommended several good eateries - which were not only very good value for money but an experience in itself for example; meat served on volcanic stone. Eating together as a group also helped to enhance group dynamics - by the end of the trip we became one 'family' - hanging around together sharing jokes and past experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our main concern prior to the holiday was altitude sickness - however there is a gradual ascent - which makes acclimatization easier. It important to stay properly hydrated during the tour and consider taking Diamox (Acetazolamide). The tour involves walking - don't forget to take comfortable clothes and a good pair of walking shoes. The weather varied considerably during the day - layered clothing is ideal. Viewing the Nazca lines from the platform proved to be disappointing - the plane ride was good value for money since it offered a better insight of the vastness of the designs.

Reviewed August 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

The trip of a lifetime.So many varied sights and experiences packed into a fortnight made even better by a hugely supportive,friendly and entertaining set of fellow travellers and a brilliant guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Each day had special moments. The first glimpse of Machu Picchu and the elation of reaching the Sungate from someone who is not as fit as they should be! The thrill of watching the condors gliding only a few feet above our heads at Colca Canyon, visiting the Inca sites, the market at Cusco, experiencing a much simpler way of life during the homestay on Lake Titicaca, hearing the silence and watching the stars. All the people we met were so kind and welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was fantastic. He gently but firmly ensured that we all were ready for our early starts (I mean early-5,5.30 am) in the morning. He was incredibly knowledgeable on so many different aspects of life and the history of Peru and answered our questions with unending patience and good humour. He also arranged many different dining experiences and sight seeing opportunities which went above and beyond what was expected of him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of layers of clothing. There are extreme fluctuations in temperature especially at Lake Titicaca ,Cusco and the Colca Canyon. It helps if you have a reasonable level of fitness. There are an awful lot of steps, many extremely steep at the main Inca sites and the walk to the homestay on Amantani island is strenuous! If you have time .read up on Inca history and civilisation. I am doing that now but it would have been helpful to have had some of that knowledge before seeing the sites.

Reviewed August 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

Essential Peru packs a huge punch. It’s 14 days of none stop action, sights and experiences. It’s tiring at times but gives you a wonderful flavour of a wonderful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu from the sun gate.Flying over the Nazca LinesExperiencing the warmth, friendliness and peace of a village stay on Lake TiticacaExploring the streets of Cusco

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marciel was the star of the show. A consummate entertainer, informer and educator who never failed to go the extra mile to ensure every member of the group gained the maximum from the tour. He was a man so obviously in live with his wonderful country that his enthusiasm swept us all along with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that there is a wide range of temperatures within the day and pack accordingly.Be aware that mosquitoes can be an issue for some people.Be aware that much of this tour takes place at altitude and strenuous activity can, quite literally, take your breath away!!

Reviewed June 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

From start to finish this is a full on adventure – constantly on the go but seeing so much as a consequence. Stunning scenery and very friendly people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to Machu Picchu and the view from the guard house. Awesome!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so lucky as we had a wonderful Peruvian guide called Fabricio who encouraged us to participate fully in everything and Roz from Bath Travel who was so very helpful and supportive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and be prepared to try anything - also pack for very cold conditions as well as warm - the air in the mountains is extremely chilly. Take immodium and paracetamol in case of problems - we all had a day not feeling too well.

Reviewed June 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

For a Solo Traveller who wishes to see as much of a Country as possible then this is the trip for you. From start to finish this trip was well organised and ran like a well oiled machine. There was a lot to pack into this trip and this required some very early starts (like 4am wake up calls!!!) but we compensated by going to bed early – well some of us did?? Whilst the journeys between destinations were long the scenery was absolutely stunning and more than made up for it. The food was delicious, Alpaca Strogonoff highly recommended (tasted like pork loin), roast guinea pig tasted just like chicken. Accommodation first class, people very friendly – a trip you will never forget

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu and exploring the site was awe inspiring - be prepared for some serious walking up and down the terraces and up and down umpteen steps. We were very fortunate to see at least 15 condors flying in Colca Canyon and one landed on a rock that was so close even my small digital camera took a reasonable photo. I would recommend a very good camera with zoom lens fortunately a member of our group had one and has sent us the superb photo's he took of the condors, eagles, flamingoes and humming bird.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Tour leader Marcial was excellent, a mind of information and nothing was too much trouble. He took us to some excellent resturants where the food was first class and not too expensive. Nothing was too much trouble

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need to have a moderate fitness level to climb the Inca terraces. There is a 1hour hike to Amantani Village which is all up hill, anyone with knee joint problems will struggle with this part of the trip. What we saw of the Nazca Lines were disappointing and it was recommended that they be viewed from a light aircraft at an extra cost of $100 + 25 Soles airport tax. Those that did the trip stated it was well worth doing.The flight is long and Air France seats are compact with very little leg room - try and get an aisle seat.US$ dollars travellers cheques can be difficult to exchange and the rate is very poor I would recommend exchanging the majority of your dollars into Soles

Reviewed June 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

Excellent trip if you want to see as much as possible in time available. Long journeys but broken up and comfortable transport. Marcial our guide was excellent – thankfully he had a great sense of humour!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to beat Machu Picchu but Lake Titicaca and Colca canyon came close. The scale and diversity of the landscape is amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial our group leader was excellent. Great sense of humour and knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to see as much of Peru as possible in a short timescale go on this trip.

Reviewed April 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

Peru is a beautiful country – there’s lots to see and experience

Most Inspirational Moment

Classically it has to be Macchu Picchu - an amazing place and luckily we had glorious weather too. Have to say watching the condours came a very close second

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Marcial. He was a very good leader - informative (history, politics, literature, geology, flora and fauna were just some of the subjects covered). On the days where there was free time, he always offered to do something else for the group and all we had to do was pay for the transport. At meal times he ensured that we all had our own bills. Marcial made sure we all knew there was time set aside everyday if anyone needed to speak to him privately....overall he was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and see everything that you have the opportunity to go and see - extra bits such as the hot springs / Inca town & sites / Nazca lines flight are not included but will be on offer.....take a little extra cash and go everywhereFor the homestay, your guide will arrange for some gifts for the family however take something from home. We took some little Easter eggs, union jack pencils and pencil case and books for the kids....they were very much appreciated. Get involved in in the homestay - the families could not be more hospitable and welcoming

Reviewed April 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

A long tiring holiday with a few ups and downs, but overall a wonderful experience. The tour would not have been so good without our excellent tour leader organising everything for us!

Most Inspirational Moment

The first sight of Machu Picchu was amazing - I had been feeling unwell for several days, but Machu Picchu made it all worthwhile - I even managed to get to the sun gate!Another moment was watching the wonderful Condors - there were so many and some of them soared over us - it was better than I had hoped for.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial our leader was amazing. Throughout the whole holiday he was there all the time - whether at a site or in a restaurant. He sorted out money, tipping, shopping, excursions and entertainment. His English was excellent and he has a great sense of humour.Marcial's knowledge and passion for Peru was fantastic - he really wanted to do the best for everybody - and tried hard to see to everybody even when he had to deal with some people who were suffering badly from altitude related problems.We couldn't have wished for a better group leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a trip to take lightly - several people had altitude related problems which were quite draining. 2 of our party weren't able to travel to Lake Titicaca (rejoining the group at Arequipa) and 1 member had to return early to the UK. There were also several cases of 'tummy problems' and as there was no loo on the bus it's worth packing Immodium Instants or similar. There are lots of very long days travelling which is very tiring. However, if you (like me) have always been fascinated by the Incas and Peru then its definitely worth it! The sites and scenery are spectacular and the colourful locals are wonderful.

Reviewed April 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

I set off in high hopes of another fabulous trip,but sadly had to abandon the trip on day 5 due to acute mountain sickness which was a traumatic experienceTherefore my input is limited

Most Inspirational Moment

All I saw were the Balestas Islands and their Humbolt penguins,whuich in spite of being photographed from a small boat are in focus-.This is about the sum total of my photographic records,as photography from the light aircrasft trip over the Nazca Lines wasn't worth the struggle;better to enjoy the ride ,which I did. The drive into the Andes was breathtaking-literally!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Was just getting to know him ;he was very knowledgeable and an excellent museum etc guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

I don't suffer from travel sickness but there were several sufferers on the trip

Reviewed January 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

A great trip but exhausting. The drive across the Andes is amazing but could have been more enjoyable in a more suitable vehicle (with a toilet on board).

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the trip was of course Machu Pichu which was truly breathtaking but we also enjoyed more than we thought we would the homestay on Lake Titicaca. Cusco is a great hub of life and we really enjoyed our couple of days there - it was nice to have some time to relax.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was an excellent group leader who took everything in his stride and dealt with problems quickly and effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We changed our £ into dollars only to then change them to SOL so on reflection I would have taken more SOL. Remember to spend all your SOL because the bank won't change them back if you return with them. We wished we had bought our souvenirs at Machu Pichu which had a great little market.

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