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

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162 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

An unforgettable trip - but a few opportunities for Exodus.

Don’t let the 3 stars put you off — this is an amazing trip and I wish I could rate it 5 stars. Peru is stunning, and this itinerary covers a lot of the country, which means it’s intense: early starts and long bus days. As the trip progresses, the landscapes get more impressive — Colca Canyon is jaw-dropping (condor-spotting and the llamas were highlights). Hotels were decent and food ranged from good to excellent, with plenty of great meals, wine, and pisco sours. Overall, a great overview of Peru’s culture, nature and history — hard not to fall in love with the country and its people.

We were a great group of 12, but because of that small number we were given a small, uncomfortable bus. Luggage barely fit, the suspension was terrible, and it was wholly inadequate for long journeys (one day of 13 hours!) on bumpy roads at altitude. Our guide Giscard tried to get an upgrade, and I contacted the London Exodus office, but the Peru office wouldn’t budge — so for over half the trip, our enjoyment was hindered by the transport. We did get an upgrade in week two, the night we had to flee Cusco at 10pm due to a strike — but that bus broke down (overheated radiator), leaving us without heating while it snowed outside. The last few days we finally got a great bus, and it made a huge difference for Colca Canyon. This is something for Exodus to reflect on.

Unlike some other reviewers, I didn’t enjoy the homestay (nor did the 2 travelers staying in the same home). There was little communication with the family — we only met the mother and son — and they were keen to sell us their wares from the moment we arrived, even asking to swap my much-needed fleece for a woollen hat. The next morning we were all asked to “dress up” in “traditional” clothing, which felt at odds with the spirit of these trips — more like forced cultural appropriation. Others may have felt differently.

Overall, I’m so pleased I did this trip and would recommend it strongly!

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!

Wonderful

Fast moving trip covering many Peru highlights. Excellent Guide (Renzo) kept us well informed, able to access elements of Peruvian culture which would have been difficult without him, and safe. Safe primarily with regard to altitude which is a significant consideration for this trip and most of it operates over 3000m and tops out at 4900ms.

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.

Thoroughly recommended

This was an excellent and varied trip which gave a real sense of Peru’s culture and history, and of its sheer scale. I take a lot of photographs, and what struck me most throughout was the feeling of space. The landscapes are immense and it’s one of those places you really have to visit to properly comprehend.
The itinerary really is full on, and it can feel demanding at times, but I came away feeling I had seen a great deal of the country rather than simply ticking off a few famous sites. We were fortunate with the weather throughout the trip, particularly in the mountains where visibility and light were often exceptional.
Food was generally good, though naturally variable over such a long trip. Traditional Andean food is hearty and quite rustic in character, but Peru also has international influences, particularly Italian, and some of the pasta dishes were unexpectedly very good and seemed to be freshly made.

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.

A Peruvian Adventure Not to Miss

This was our first time with Exodus and we are already looking for our next trip. Essential Peru was an amazing adventure packed with sights, sounds, smells and experiences that would be hard to beat. We saw so much and experienced everything from thunder and rainbows at Machu Picchu , to haute cuisine, to historical sites, high mountain passes, thousand year old plants, vicunas, llamas, and alpacas, sailing on Lake Titicaca, staying with a family on Amantani Island, hiking, and condors.

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.

Peru Pride

This was my first trip to South America and won’t be my last. I’ve now taken 6 Exodus tours and this was my favourite. There were numerous and various places to visit, even the long drives through the Andes was full of amazing scenary and things to see. There were highlights every day. Your health is well looked after, with testing twice a day whilst at altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

Moments- Driving through the Andes, Exploring Cusco, Seeing the condors at Colca Canyon, interesting and photographic Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giscard was brilliant- not just a group leader but a teacher, a listener, an expert in cookery & altitude walking, a father figure and like a brother. He quietely looked after us all individually.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines will be on everyones 'Must See' list and didn't disappoint but there's so much more to see. Layer up with clothing. If you have a decent camera, take it, with the appropriate lenses, for city but especially wildlife shots.

Extraordinary

Overall i had an amazing trip! the food, culture, history and landscapes where just magical.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu was absolutely breath taking!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and pleasant to be around for the full 2 weeks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take Mosquito repellent, be sure to bring layers as the temp can drop from hot to cold and make sure you remain hydrated through out when reaching high altitude! the local coca tea really helps!

Fabulous Country

Essential Peru was just excellent, every day there there was something different and exciting, each experience matching the visit to Machu Picchu, which we thought was going to be the highlight, but just became another amazing example of the wonders of Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

Very difficult to define a moment, but journal across the Serria Alto with the Andies in the distance was quite breath taking. Each event on the tour, such as the visit to the Island where we saw penguins, the Nascar Lines, the Island Homestay, plus others were fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Leo, and although a perfectly pleasant chap, he was not very organized which did frustrate the members of the group. From minute one where he arbitrarily changed the time of the welcome meeting, without telling anyone, to constantly being unsure of which members of the group had paid for the additional items. The main issue which arose was when he went missing with a group members ticket to Machu Picchu, which meant that he was unable to get the early night required before a very early start the following morning. I am not sure that Leo is suited to this profession. The other local guides were enthusiastic and entertaining, particularly William and Vanessa.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely go, and do not be put off by the long bus journey's, that was an integral part of the experience. The rain forest add-on is very dependent on the weather, and there are other trips in other countries such as Borneo and Costa Rica, where there is a much higher likelihood of seeing a variety of wildlife. We appeared to be very unlucky and did not see very much wildlife.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on your Essential Peru adventure. We’re so pleased to hear that you found the trip itself excellent, with each day offering something new and exciting, and that the wonders of Peru, alongside local guides like William and Vanessa, left such a strong impression.

We’re equally sorry to learn of the frustrations you experienced with your group leader, Leo. We fully understand how important it is to have a great and attentive leader who supports the group throughout the journey, and it’s clear that on this occasion the organisation and level of care did not meet the standards we set. Please be assured that all customer feedback is taken very seriously, and following a thorough review and discussions with our local operator, we’ve made the decision that Leo will not be leading any Exodus trips going forward. He will, however, continue to lead other trips in the region outside of Exodus.

While we recognise that this does not change your own experience, we hope it demonstrates our commitment to listening to our travellers and taking action where needed to improve. Feedback like yours helps us ensure future trips are led with the attentiveness, professionalism, and care that our customers deserve. We’re grateful you shared your experience with us and truly hope the memories of Peru will stay with you for years to come.

Emma Cambers, 

Product Manager

Essentials of Peru

We loved our trip to all of the exciting places in Peru. This trip hit all the places you’ve always wanted to visit all in one package.
Machu Picchu was outstanding. The Nasca Lines were fantastic. We really enjoyed all the restaurants and food. It was above and beyond delicious.

Most Inspirational Moment

My first sight of Machu Picchu gave me goosebumps. The trip there was fun and exciting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Leo. He was an outstanding leader. He kept everything moving along very smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long travel days. We were a group of 9 travellers. We had lots of extra room on our bus to spread out. Take the leaders advice on getting acclimatized slowly, eat lightly when suggested and be prepared for some fantastic sights.

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.

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.