Reviews

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

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Essential Peru

154 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Carol Rosie

Reviewed May 2025

Fabulous introduction to Peru

First time travelling with Exodus.
One of the best trips we’ve taken. Very well organised, great tour leader and lovely company of our fellow travellers.
Every day provided wonderful experiences. Awe inspiring scenery, changing landscapes, culture and history, the people we met and sites visited were just wonderful. We travelled many kilometres and had some early starts, but the comfortable transport and laughs on the way made it worth it. We had a full on experience of this beautiful Country. Thanks to Renato, our tour leader, everything went smoothly. His pride in his country was infectious.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - Machu Picchu was epic. Seeing the Condors soaring in the thermals in Colca Canyon. The Homestay on Amantani with a local family and enjoying the simple but delicious food they gave us. The optional Sacred Valley tour was outstanding. Thanks again to Reno’s for arranging an add on to Sacsayhuaman, incredible! The food! Oh my amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renzo was an outstanding leader. Fun, friendly, well organised and justly proud of his Country. He supplied us with lots of information, taught us some Spanish. Was a font of Knowledge about the history and culture of the Incas and other Indigenous people. He recommended restaurants and things to do in our free time, but was not pushy in his recommendations. He managed the chaos of the delayed train from Agua Callenties and somehow managed to get us on an earlier one! He managed the tipping kitty well and provided us with a summary. He monitored everyone’s oxygen levels on a daily basis at altitude and was careful in advising anyone with symptoms (Only were mild in our group). All in all, I doubt we could have had a better leader! He made the trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. It’s a wonderful introduction to Peru. Fast paced and long days, but so worth it. The trip is well organised, the transport very comfortable, stops on long days are frequent. Accommodation is good. I wasn’t sure what to expect about the Homestay. But it was wonderful. Lots of safe drinking water provided by the tour leader, so bring a refillable bottle. Electrolytes and drinking plenty of water will help with the altitude.Bring sunscreen, a hat, clothing layers and shoes for uneven ground.

Cindy Goulet

Reviewed May 2025

A Magical Journey Through Southern Peru

Hands down one of our favorite trips! Extremely well organized tour with an amazing leader. Every day was chock full of fantastic sights and awesome scenery. The Peruvian landscape, history and culture were captivating and I still can’t believe how much we experienced. There were some long days and early starts, but we loved every minute and will cherish each memory. Our fellow travelers were a great group and we shared a lot of laughs. Kudos to our leader Renzo for making this a seamless journey through his amazing country.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many inspiring moments - first glimpse of Machu Picchu spread out below us, staying with a lovely Amantani family and learning about their traditions, spotting colorful birds and butterflies in the cloud forest, flying over the mysterious Nazca lines, watching the Andean condor soar over one of the deepest canyons...shall I go on?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renzo was a fantastic leader! As he would say - Super Dupes! Fun & friendly, he was also incredibly organized, which made moving around much easier. He made a point of suggesting activities geared to our individual interests. The tipping kitty was a great idea so that our numerous local guides and drivers would be tipped appropriately without us having to think about it. Every restaurant he recommended was excellent and somehow he performed a miracle by getting us on a timely train in the midst of a chaotic delay. In addition, he was serious about monitoring everyone each day we were at altitude. We can't recommend him highly enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're up for a fast-paced tour through a beautiful country, don't hesitate to book. Initially anxious about the homestay, it ended up being a highlight for us. Food was excellent and plenty of safe drinking water was provided. Hydration and electrolytes (we brought Zaca tablets) were key for the altitude. Layers are necessary as the sun is quite warm at altitude, but once it sets the temp drops quickly. Some folks listened to podcasts or music during the longer drives, but even without those there is incredible scenery to keep you occupied. Bring shoes that are stiff enough for uneven and cobbled paths. Come ready to learn about Peruvian history and culture and you won't be disappointed.

Patricia Jane Dennison

Reviewed December 2024

Don’t understand the question.

We had a wonderful time, despite some altitude sickness and lots of driving.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved meeting the local people at our Lake Titicaca homestay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leo was a very good guide and took care of us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure you understand how much driving there is.

Kasia Woch

Reviewed September 2024

What a great trip!

During the two very busy weeks we basically saw most of Peru – starting from Lima – making our way through the mountains via Cuzco and ending up with Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. Wonderful scenery across, tons of archaeological ruins visited along the way and we get to know Peruvian culture very well due to our excellent guide Edwind (winner of Exodus Guide of the Year 2023 for a good reason! ). Highlights for me was definitely Machu Picchu and two days we spend there, but also a wonderful Amantani Island homestay on Lake Titicaca. Staying with a local family was a very humbling and magical experience. Great trip if you want to see most of Peru in just two weeks – really comprehensive!

Richard Fairgrieve

Reviewed April 2024

Essential Peru

I have enjoyed every Exodus trip I have done and this was no exception. It was a busy trip with several long travelling days in a very comfortable coach, but the journey was always broken up with numerous stops and the scenery was amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu was iconic but the highlight was watching the condors in the Colca Canyon. Awe inspiring!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renzo was an excellent group leader, personable, professional and knowledgeable. He was always available, took us to some excellent restaurants and had a lovely sense of humour. Very much like every Exodus leader I have travelled with and there have been numerous.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t be put off by the long days, this is a brilliant way to see the amazing sights in Peru.

Lydia A

Reviewed December 2023

Life changing!

This was a trip of a lifetime, from start to finish I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very get up and go, so if this isn’t your sort of trip then I don’t think it would be for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was really incredible, no one can explain to you how it feels when you're standing there, you have to see it with your own eyes. I also really loved the sand dunes which our leader took us to!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leo was incredible, he was thoroughly organised, kind, patient, sensible, careful - everything you want in a tour leader. I noticed how he waited in reception all times of the day in case anyone needed him, so he could be found easily. He really made the trip for a lot of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If it is approaching summer/spring in Peru - ensure to pack shorts, t-shirts etc as the weather is very unpredictable and it was VERY hot for us! Also very strong sun cream, as well as a travel pillow for long journeys, ear plugs and face mask which helped me.

Janice Knight

Reviewed October 2023

Peru

In summary, the trip, the organisation, and the itinerary was extremely good.
Leo, our guide, was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Pichu and also stopping at an Oasis. The scenery was also stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leo was excellent. He was knowledgable, caring, answered all questions, and was extremely well organised. He made local stops, such as to an Oasis and also to a Road side stop on one of the long journey days, that had excellent coffee and shopping, and really should be included in the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The altitude caused ALL of us problems, from mild headaches to full sickness and needs to be more strongly emphasised. The weather was MUCH warmer than suggested in the Trip Notes and ALL of us had brought too many warm clothes and not enough light clothing. The bus stays are much longer than suggested, with few stops and often unanticipated holds ups meaning extremely long travelling days with little time to do anything on arrival except eat and sleep. The Hot Springs at Chivay shoukd be avoided- 1 overcrowded pool with blaring music and lots of loud teenagers.

Pete Batchelor

Reviewed July 2023

Fantastico!

Outstanding full-on tour of southern Peru, with its wonderful variety of scenery and historical attractions. Overall organisation and itinerary were excellent. There were some very long drives but not tiring as there was so much to see. Food (huge portions) and drink were very good, reasonably priced and quite varied (nice to see lots of craft beers). Hotels were very good. There were only 3 of us, luckily we got on very well! Others had cancelled, doubtless scared off by the civil disruption early in 2023. People were friendly and we encountered no problems, in fact Peru felt safer than some southern European countries…

Most Inspirational Moment

So many highlights, Machu Pichu, Cusco, condors in Colca Canyon, Reed islands in Lake Titicaca, festivals at Cusco and Raqchi.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Leo was excellent. He was highly competent and patiently attended to our needs including arranging great restaurants for dinners.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go. When you book, check that the flights selected are the best for you. KLM really messed up my arrangements by changing and cancelling my flights.

Kay Wellings

Reviewed June 2023

Fantastic experience

So much to see and do. Quite tiring, with early starts and some long drives, but I loved it all. We saw so many wonderful sites, met great local people and tried lots of different foods and drinks. Arrangements and support in Peru were brilliant, particularly the lead guide, William.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the corner of the top path to see Machu Picchu below me - so emotional after wanting to see it for almost 50 years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He really made the trip, because all of his advice and support was great. He even took us to places in his own time and made great suggestions for places to eat and visit. He was also a really lovely man and interesting to talk to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take or buy snacks for the long journeys. Always top up with water/drinks. Sort and pack luggage into small bags, so it is quick and easy to find what you need.

Geraldine Fawcett

Reviewed June 2023

Expectations exceeded!

This trip fulfilled my long-held ambitions to see Machu Picchu and condors flying over the Colca Canyon while also giving us the chance to visit the Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca. I loved all these experiences but there was so much else to enjoy, including time spent relaxing in Cusco, pisco tasting in Ica and the Lima tour on our last morning. The local guides we had at Lake Titicaca and in Arequipa and Lima were all superb. My only disappointment was seeing so few birds and no penguins on the Ballestas Islands boat trip. It was upsetting to see the effect of bird flu and El Niño on the wildlife there.

Most Inspirational Moment

I'll never forget looking down on Machu Picchu and up at condors. Not quite in the same league but particular highlights for me were the Koricancha Sun Temple and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Cusco and the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was a brilliant leader. He worked hard to ensure that everything ran smoothly and everyone's requirements were met and he was particularly conscientious when it came to checking that no-one was badly affected by the altitude. He was a great guide at Machu Picchu and the other archaeological sites and very helpful in identifying the birds and other wildlife we encountered. Above all he's a really friendly and cheerful person who enjoyed taking and sharing photos and who was happy to chat about anything, even Peru's failure to qualify for the last football World Cup!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If in doubt, please go for it!. Our leader and local guides were very grateful that we'd made the trip and asked us to encourage others to visit. After the double whammy of the pandemic and this year's political unrest the Peruvian tourist industry needs support.

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