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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

Amandeep Manget

Reviewed October 2014

Highly recommended (but be prepared for the long journeys!)

All of the reviews of this trip are consistent in one thing – you will spend a lot of time on the road, but Peru is huge country and there is a lot to see so this shouldn’t come as a surprise! I loved this trip – its varied, with a great mix of town and country and plenty to see and do. I personally found the altitude to be challenging at times but due to the mix of going high and coming down lower found this became easier as the trip progressed. The coaches used were very comfortable and the hotels were clean, comfortable and when in the cities well appointed for the town centres. Those in more rural areas were beautifully appointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Undoubtedly Machu Picchu which was the whole reason for me going, it lived up to my expectations and more. The home stay on Amantani Island was lovely, its a beautiful untouched island and our hosts were so friendly and welcoming, and the visit to the floating islands was eye-opening. An additional highlight was the visit to see Juanita the Ice Mummy in Arequipa, not part of the itinerary but should be. But my favourite memory is of the unscheduled stop at the local school where our guide distributed his childrens' unwanted toys and clothing, those kids were amazing and so delighted to see us it was a very special morning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex is amazing, truly one of the best Exodus guides that I have encountered. His knowledge is impressive, nothing was too much trouble and he appears to know everyone in Peru which came in handy at times. He has a great sense of humour (which was needed for the early starts) and the ability to read the crowd to know when he was "losing" us as well as the ability to make you feel like a life long friend. If you're lucky enough to have him as your tour guide do follow his recommendations on where/what to eat - he never got it wrong (he'll be delighted to hear) and do ask to meet his wife and kids on the last day in Lima (who are lovely) he'll be chuffed to bits (but don't ask him to wet his whistle - it means something entirely different in Peru!). We also used some local guides (Bruce, Alex, Heidi & a local guide at Machu Picchu whose name escapes me) and again they all were all very knowledgeable on their local area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Light layers are recommended as the weather changes frequently & the early mornings/late evenings can be cold. A personal supply of toilet roll will come in useful for the "Inca" toilet stops, take your valuables with you to the homestay, (I left my kindle in my luggage which was left in the hotel in Puno overnight and someone decided to "relieve" me of it), drink plenty of water as it really helps with the altitude sickness and if possible get some altitude tablets before you go, not everyone was affected but some people had it bad...Don't got to the hot springs at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) as full of dirty trekkers but do go to those as Chivay as they are lovely (although in fairness there's not a whole lot else to do there). Do try the cactus ice-cream and Alapaca steak.

Stephanie Coghlan

Reviewed September 2014

Essential Peru

This trip covers a huge amount in a short space of time. The scenery through the Andes is breathtaking and other highlights included Cusco, Macchu Picchu and the homestay on Amantani Island-basic but adequate. There were a significant number of early starts and long bus journeys. Some of the toilets were undesirable and it was difficult to obtain lunch-best to organise a packed lunch before leaving. I would recommend about $1000 American for meals and daily expenses. At times the tour guide gave insufficient information. On the whole a truly unique and memorable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Macchu Picchu and Amantani Island.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant in Nasca, but failed to bring the group together. Had a tendency to speak to a few of us and could have been more informative during the long bus rides. Occasionally put his interests first.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early starts and long bus rides. Bring clothes that can be layered as there is a wide range of temperatures. Snacks and your own toilet roll are very handy.

Janeen Lillas

Reviewed September 2014

Essential Peru

This was a component of my 6 weeks in Peru. It was long drives in the bus but you got to see the countryside of a Peru in detail. I felt like this was explained and I was prepared however some other people found the bus travel too long.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu was definitely a highlight. It's picturesque setting is out of thus world. It was a very awe- struck day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly and eager to please. Communication could gave been better - not everybody got the same message. We might have appreciated a little but more commentary when we were passing areas if interest because if we asked we got it and it was interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring some entertainment for the long bus rides- I had IPad with movies on it and podcasts and knitting. That helped pass the time when the scenery was fairly constant.

Lynne Box

Reviewed August 2014

Wonderful but hard work

On this trip you get to see some wonderful things but it is very tiring with lots of very early starts and long coach journeys. The days at altitude are quite draining.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of them were wonderful and better than expected

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leo was good but we have been spoiled by previous tour leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a holiday if you need a rest do not go. Hardly any of the hotels had hairdryers so take your own. Most of the hand wash basins in the rooms only had cold running water and no plug. Towel sizes are quite small compared to the UK and europe. Toilets on route are variable and can be quite basic - just a pan with no seat and a bucket or bowl to flush. Wi-fi was available in most of the hotels. Instructions said to get a few Sols - we found that we needed Sols most of the time. Places would take US dollars but it took longer to work out and pay. We did get Sols out of ATMs but these often came in 200 notes which were then quite difficult to change as people were quite wary of them. Restaurants and larger stores were the only place you could really use cards. You do need dollars for tips, some extra trips and the Nazca flights. These are mainly things paid to the group leader. Your suitcase will take quite a battering. It is constantly in and out of buses and up and down stairs. If you take the Exodus flights and are traveling with a partner it is wise to check your seats before you go. Exodus do a group booking to get a cheaper rate but this means that the seats can be dotted all over the plane. We and another couple had to upgrade to have seats next to each other and other couples on the trip were seated quite a distance apart. This is not too bad for the short flights but not much fun on the 12 hour flight.

Robert Selby

Reviewed July 2014

Essential Peru June 2014

An excellent holiday, well organised, great venues and good company. Recommended to anyone else who wants to see the essential Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to say what was the most inspirational moment of the trip - there were so many. Looking out from a Cessna over the Nasca Lines, the first site of Machu Piccha, Lake Titicaca at sunset, the Flight of the Condors. Impossible to choose but future travellers, you will be inspired.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on a number of guide-hosted trips before but this was the first one with Exodus. I can honestly say that our leader Aleks was the best I have ever come across. Nothing was too much trouble, any issues that came up were professionally and promptly dealt with and his recommendations (both trips and eating venues) were always spot on. 10 out of 10 without a doubt.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax and enjoy! You do need to be aware that there will be people trying to sell you things everywhere you go (even at the top of Amantari Island) but nowhere near as bad as Egypt. A polite refusal will normally do the trick and take notice of the advice of your guide as he will let you know the possible pitfalls of buying in some areas and where it is good to buy. The holiday fact sheets warn you of long coach journeys but these are broken by visits to interesting sites and viewpoints with regular food and toilet stops.

Reviewed December 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

Great leader (Johnn) – lot of early starts and tiring (but for good reasons) – huge variety (desert/mountains/boat trips/cities)

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out that (with a bit of common sense) altitude will not be a problem - so you are free to enjoy all that Peru has to offer. Plus the hotel surronded by a raging river, a railway track & an off-licence!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nothing was too much trouble for Johnn - he made all the travelling so much easier, & had seemingly unlimited info about all the places we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

General expenses were fairly cheap, but the banks were funny about any tears etc on US Dollars. Watch the Group flight if you are not based in the south of England, as this goes London to Amsterdam first (not great if you are travelling from the regions)

Reviewed November 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

A very interesting and varied trip, though more tiring than we had expected. Our tour guide/leader was absolutely superb.

Most Inspirational Moment

Was it one of the obvious things, such as flying over the Nazca Lines, or standing at the top of Machu Picchu, or perhaps being "buzzed" by a condor? These were all memorable and rank among life's "unforgetables"; but dancing in traditional dress by the light of an open fire, to the music of three local people is a strong contendor for most inspirational. We also went on the Rainforest Extension, so we have to add in the sound of Howler Monkeys at sunset as another amazing moment - it was hard to believe we weren't listening to the sound-track of a science fiction movie.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We cannot sing his praises enough. His knowledge was encyclopaedic; he was delightful, tactful, caring in equal measure and had an excellent manner with the group which meant we were all very cooperative. Seek out Jhonn (sic) Smith if you can.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our only reservation with this trip (and the reason for the Very Good rating rather than Excellent) is that we don't think Exodus were sufficiently explicit about the amount of time to be spent in busses and the impact of altitude. Certainly there are warnings about both these things in the trip notes, but we feel they are "played down". Nearly every day was a very early start; most nights were one-night stays so it was impossible to unpack and difficult to do laundry; and the altitude made it all that bit more exhausting.We very much recommend the trip, but please go into it knowing what you are taking on.

Reviewed November 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

The whole tour was amazing-I really don’t think we could have seen as much or experienced Peru by doing it ourselves. Our guide (Marcial) was amazing and all of the hotels were so much better than I had expected. The tour did involve early starts, but this was necessary to get the most out of the final destinations for the day by arriving at most places by mid-afternoon. Long days in the coach are also required, but they flew by with multiple stops for photos, comfort breaks and food.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Pichu of course, but there were many interesting days and different landscapes to enjoy. Machu Pichu may be a cliche' as most inspirational moment - but it really was excellent. Being at 16,000 ft on altiplanas was also very special. We had a great group and it was great to meet people from all walks of life who will remain friends for years to come.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial really did make the tour and we were lucky to have him. Everything was organised well and everyone was looked after. His knowledge and passion about Peru really shone through and he was able to reel off interesting facts without even thinking about it. Even on the 'free days' Marcial would offer to arrange optional trips which was great. Marcial had a great sense of humour and is a great guy to have as your guide. We had some excellent meals and nights out on the town and always felt safe in the restaurants and bars recommended to us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear sun-cream, the UV rays are strong. Don't be put off by altitude - nobody had altitude sickness on our tour - the trip ascends section by section so you get used to it, but there were moments of light headedness on occasions, just drink fluids and don't over do it for the first 3 days or so. Don't worry about long trips on buses - they were actually luxury coaches most of the time on the trip and not rickerty old buses i had imagined before going! The home stay on the island is nothing to be afraid of - the families had converted barns into 3/4 units of double/twin rooms which were basic b&b style - so the group split up into 3 different locations, but you shared a room with your travelling partner and it was nothing like the mud huts and bunk bed group sharing that i had originally envisaged! Try to take as much small note Peruvian Soles as you can - they don't like 100 sole notes, but they WILL find change to score a sale! As a tip $150 each is sufficient to pay tips and a few of the optional tours but take Soles otherwise. Probably budget £400-£500 each to cover food, drink, souvenirs and optional tours.

Reviewed October 2013

Peru Andean adventure!

This trip is amazing, I can’t believe all of the amazing things that we saw in such a short time. There is a lot of travelling involved but it is all worthwhile.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu - Seeing the site for the first time was amazing! I couldn't believe the size of the site and the location is idyllic, high up in the mountains. We were lucky and had a day of sunshine and managed to get some incredible photos.Standing at 16,000 feet high at Mirador de los Andes. The views were incredible and this was the highest altitude I will probably ever stand at!Exploring Cuzco - I loved walking round this city, the feel and atmosphere of it is great. The views are incredible of the Andes!Nazca Lines - I took the fly over the Nazca Lines and the views are incredible. I did feel sick as the plane banks sharply so if you go on this trip, take some travel sickness tablets!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was brilliant, he was full of information, we could ask him any question and he would always have an interesting answer. He was very organised and we always got to places on time. We were all kept informed when a miners' strike meant that we wouldn't be able to go to Taquile and Amantani Islands on Lake Titicaca the next morning and instead thought of something else for us to do.He is fun to be around with a great sense of humour and even came clubbing with us on a couple of nights! Also at the end of everyday he would be available if you needed to talk with him in private about anything troubling you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take part in everything that you can and also tell your bank that you are going to Peru. I forgot to tell mine and they blocked my card in Cuzco when I went to a cash point to withdraw money!I found it useful to take a notebook and write down all of the places that we visited, I would never have remembered them all back home without it.

Reviewed September 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

A tiring but absolutely amazing trip. Best way to see a lot of the amazing sights and scenes Peru has to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up to the entrance to Macchu Picchu and looking down on the old city. Also seeing the condors was amazing, almost able to touch them they were flying so close, our guide Marcial definately knew the right place to stand.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was a pleasure, he was very knowledgeable and knew all the best angles and times to view all the amazing things from. He always got us to the towns and cities on time so we didn't miss a thing, and even when things didn't entirely go to plan he was always quick with a backup.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be aware of the altitude, it is the main thing that affected members of the group. The coca tea did seem to help most people though.

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