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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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159 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Essential Peru

There is no doubt that this holiday is tiring and you have to be prepared for early starts and long coach journeys. However, we covered so many amazing sights in 15 days that it was more than worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many! The Ballestas Islands was stunning filled with wonderful birds and sea lions. Also loved the Colca Canyon and Valley and to see the condors flying over the amazing backdrop was just stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was a fantastic group leader. He had a depth of knowledge, a lovely personality, organisation skills was spot on and looked after us perfectly. We could not have asked for better!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a fleece when visiting the Ballestas Islands as it can be chilly and windy. A hand towel when staying with a home stay family would be useful.

Essential Peru

This is a 15 days trip to Peru covering a fair amount of distance. Views were spectacular and agree therr are quite a few days of early start but that suits me fine as I rather we arrive early at destination

Most Inspirational Moment

Taking the flight over the Nazca lines and Machupicchu

Thoughts on Group Leader

Out tour leader Diana was excellent. She is knowledgeable and ensure that the group is well looked after the whole way through. She went well and beyond her capacity as a tour leader. Couldn't ask for a Better tour leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure to check that you get what you paid for. The tour advertised 13 nights in HOTELS but we ended up in HOSTELS at Cusco and Machu Picchu. The hostels are pretty much a back packers hotel especially at Macchu Picchu the condition was basic (does not even have any cupboards or option to hang clothes), dirty (bedspread looked like it had not been washed for a very very long time), uncomfortable (lumpy pillow and no heating) and noisy (next to railway track and last train past midnight and first train at 5:30 am). Hostel at Machu Picchu smelt musky with condensation problem Only one hairdryer to share among the whole hostel and the hairdryer cuts out when it gets too hot. Also ridiculous breakfast time ends at 8am and checking out at 9am! There is no way Exodus can claim these accomodations are hotels as it was clearly sign posted outside the building it is a hostel. A total rip off and against trading standards regulations in UK. There are plenty of actual hotels around the vincinity but the group got hostels insteads.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank San for her feedback, however, we regret that she was disappointed with the accommodation at the beginning of her trip. Different countries use different criteria for hotel classification. In Peru the term ‘hostel’ is used in a very different way to how we consider it in Europe, Australia or US for example. In Peru hotel classification is largely related to the number of rooms and the size of common areas. In order to use the title ‘hotel’ in Peru, properties must have at least 30 rooms of 14m squared. Other criteria includes the requirement for the kitchen to be at least 40% of the size of the dining room. Many good standard properties in Peru don’t meet all of these criteria and as such use the title ‘hostel’ instead of ‘hotel’. Whilst it is rare for us to receive negative comments about the properties used during this tour, we will continue to closely monitor all client feedback to ensure that they are meeting our expectations.

Jenny Cox- Product Manager for Peru

Essential Peru

As others have commented, this is a pretty tiring trip as there are a lot of long drives and some very early mornings.
In my view, this is completely essential to see the massive variety of landscapes, wildlife and views that the country has to offer and there’s no way it could be acheived in 2 weeks any other way.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Machu Picchu was the definite highlight of the trip as this was the main reason for visiting the country. The walk up the Sun Gate was unmissable. I also loved the homestay on Amantani Island. The welcome received from the islanders, the hospitality offered and the views from the optional walk to the top of the island were extremely memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Daniel was a fantastic leader. He was extremely patient with the group and communicated his knowledge of all things Peruvian in a very entertaining manner.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend taking an old hat and some expendable clothing for the boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. It is only apparent that there's a high likelihood of the birds creating a 'mess' when you get there and this is on Day One of the trip! The optional trip in Nazca to the Cahuachi pyramids is well worth a visit for those not taking the flight over the Nazca Lines. It was a real hidden gem but beware the dune buggy ride there could be a bit bumpy! The optional culinary experience in Cusco was one of the trip highlights. This consisted of an explanation of Peruvian foods, tasting of various dishes and the making of two dishes and a local cocktail.

Essential Peru

Fantastic trip. We covered a lot of sites and locations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu , Ollaytantambo, Arequipa, Cuzco

Thoughts on Group Leader

very helpful and considerate

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, pack light, it is not so cold after all and chew coca leaves for altitude. Try to sleep in semi vertical position the first nights at high altitude . Drink plenty of LIQUIDS (juices, tea, soups) . You shouldn't kill yourself trying to swallow 4 l of water daily! LIQUIDS is the word!

ESSENTIAL PERU

NOT LONG RETURNED FROM THE ABOVE TRIP – EXCELLENT
FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS – EVERY DAY WAS A NEW AND EXCITING EXPERIENCE!

Most Inspirational Moment

MACCHU PICCHU , NAZCA LINES , CUZCO , LAKE TITICACA , COLCA CANYOU , ARECAPA - I COULD GO ON AND ON !

Thoughts on Group Leader

ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT - PLENTY OF KNOWLEDGE - ENTHUSIASTIC - WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND HIS CALL OF DUTY.

Advice for Potential Travellers

LOCK YOUR SUITCASES EVEN IN YOUR HOTEL ROOMS AND USE THE SAFES PROVIDED. A FEW FELLOW TRAVELLERS EXPERIENCED LOSSES OF CASH AND GOODS.

APD Essential Peru October 30- November 15 2015

This trip is crammed full of the sights, sounds and sensations of southern Peru. Sampling them all in such a short space of time makes for a real adventure and you come away feeling that the Peru you have seen is a truly magical place.

Most Inspirational Moment

Early morning, away from the crowds, visiting the Inca sites scattered in the hills above Cuzco and then, in the afternoon, wandering the town’s hilly backstreets, soaking up the heady mix of old and new cultures just waiting to be found there. Lake Titicata was enchanting and the homestead stay a unique experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian Echegarary was brilliant. He ensured the hectic itinerary ran without hitch, keeping us well-informed of where we were and of what to expect at each stage of the journey, including the possibility of high altitude sickness. He was caring and even-handed in attending to the needs of each member of the group at whatever time of day or night they arose. His great sense of humour was also much appreciated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

They might want to consider not only whether they are prepared for the long journeys, early starts and continuous travel (most hotel stays are one night only) but also whether they are happy to run the risk that their group size will be the maximum of 18 now set by Exodus and that they may conclude that the coach used to transport them may not be suitable for the purpose.

Essential Peru

Our trip to Peru was amazing. The diversity of the country was immense. We didn’t know there were so many climates in the country of Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wow there was so many. For me Lake Titicaca was beautiful and our host family was very welcoming and their hospitality for the duration of our stay was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian Echegarary was an excellent guide. His knowledge of Peru was outstanding. Above all his understanding and compassion for all of the tourist in his group was very professional. I appreciated his organizational abilities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Acute Mountain Sickness effected 90% of our tour group and put a lot of unnecessary stress on our leader. The trip notes only suggest medical advice if you have a pre-existing condition, I would suggest that everyone get the medication before leaving home.

ESSENTIAL PERU

We certainly saw a great deal of Peru in the 15 day trip and now I am home and talking to friends about the experience it does sound action packed. However, there were too many early morning starts and long bus journeys for me and that took the edge off the enjoyment as I did not feel at my physical best. The high altitude and my ‘holiday stomach’ being an added complication.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 'home stay' was quite moving, we stayed with a very friendly family. We also enjoyed the floating island, the Sacred valley, Matchu Picchu and Cuzco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Really think about the long bus drives and the many early starts.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

We realise that this a full itinerary with early starts and some long journeys, but we are sorry that Sharon was not at her best during the trip as we realise this must have been disappointing. All of the journeys are in a comfortable bus and we feel that clients see more of the country than they would flying, but we appreciate that some of the places visited are at high altitude and that this can affect people in different ways. Exodus will be using alternative accommodation in Aguas Calientes for our Essential Peru tour from 2016 onwards; we are sorry that Sharon found this property more basic than she had anticipated.

Jenny Cox – Product Manager for Peru

Essential Peru

The whole trip exceeded all of my expectations; I did realise before I booked the holiday that a lot of coach travel was involved, the coach was spacious, it had very comfortable seats even with its own toilet ….for emergencies! If you want to see the spectacular scenery that Peru has to offer together with many highlights such as Macchu Picchu and a homestay on Lake Titicaca then I would recommend this trip….I would love to do it again!

Most Inspirational Moment

I have wanted to visit Macchu Picchu for many years hence why I chose this trip.....and it certainly lived up to my expectations and even more!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was superb, always in control......our visit to Macchu Picchu might not have taken place due to a 2 day strike in Cusco as the roads were going to be closed at daylight....with the reorganising of the itinerary at the last minute, the co- operation of the drivers the group decided to travel through the night arriving in Cusco at 5am before the curfew commenced. He also arranged for rooms to be available as soon as we arrived at the crack of dawn....very good organising skills which was apparent throughout the holiday. I was also unwell with altitude sickness. He arranged for me to have oxygen and his common sense helped to relive the panic that I was feeling at the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind.....yes the long days travelling can be tiring but if you want to see this spectacular country then just enjoy sitting in the coach and let the tour guide show you everything that he suggests...his experience helped to make it a very special holiday.

Essential Peru

This trip covered the essential, well known attractions in Peru, but didn’t prepare me for all the fantastic sights that I hadn’t anticipated. Although the journeys from one location to another could be quite lengthy, the scenery was outstanding, from the desert and sand dunes of the coast to the impressive Andes mountain range. There was always something to see and then of course the very special treat of walking in the footsteps of the Inca at Machu Picchu. Wow!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen pictures of Machu Picchu for years and thinking I knew what it would be like to be there - it surpassed all my expectations. Seeing the condors launching themselves off the cliffs and soaring effortlessly on the morning thermals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Leo, worked tirelessly on our behalf. He sorted out the problems that were thrown his way in an extremely professional manner and ensured we got the most out of our trip. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lot of people worry about whether they might suffer from altitude sickness, but the way in which this trip is organised means that you are able to gradually acclimatize before getting to Machu Picchu. The hotels and the buses we used also had oxygen available for anyone who was feeling any effects. Everyone on our trip was able to visit all the high altitude locations.