Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying with Flora, our homestay host. She was a true joy to meet and talk with. She is a tough, extremely hardworking, gentle and warmhearted woman and an excellent cook. She was full of determination to do the very best for her children (they were studying medicine and law) even though it meant an incredibly hard life for her to meet those costs. It was an privilege to be able to stay with her and she made our stay as comfortable as she could.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian a) has an excellent command of English, is well informed and was informative without boring us with a litany of facts b) did not B.S. (very important) if he didn't know but checked and came back c) was enthusiastic about his country d) was effortlessly highly efficient/organised e) warm, charming, friendly with a good sense of humour f) accommodated the various needs of the group and looked after us extremely well without being suffocating; plus guided those who needed it and didn't cramp the independence of those who wanted it g) chatted with each of us to find our particular interests and helped us achieve them eg wine tasting or dancing etc (over and above requirements) h) is an excellent ambassador both for Peru and equally importantly Exodus - many in the group were new to Exodus and are now wishing to continue with using Exodus i) took a very responsible approach to tourism within Peru and gave what seemed a balanced view of the cultural situation in Peru j) had inexhaustible energy throughout the trip k) spoke to those of us who wanted to improve our Spanish in Spanish where appropriate ie not excluding others who did not speak Spanish from the conversation. Very impressive and up in the top two of best guides I've had both as a seasoned Exodus customer and an independent traveller.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you suffer from motion sickness, consider whether you want to do the Nazca flight. It is quite nauseating and somewhat hot and claustrophobic in the Cessna planes used. Due to all types of weather encountered, the previous advice concerning layers is key. Good waterproofs also should be taken because when it rains it is likely to be a deluge.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many really to say. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible and the Andean Condors gliding above us and through the Colca Canyon were amazing. Angelito, our local guide, managed our expectations by saying that sometimes the Condors do not appear but we were incredibly spoilt with around 15 of them flying above us. Being able to stay in the home of a local family on Amantani Island was also incredible; hearing how they live their lives from day to day and giving us a glimpse of this, albeit, for less than 24 hours, was a humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was wonderful and truly made the trip for me. His wit, humour, intellect and knowledge of Peru surpassed all of my expectations. He looked after us from beginning to end by staying in the same hotel as us every night, providing us with his mobile number and making himself accessible 24/7 and we had the option to dine with him every night where he would take us to some interesting restaurants. In addition, every day was filled with fun and laughter - thanks, in the main, to him - he answered all of our questions and provided us with a great understanding of his homeland. He catered for our every whim e.g. we wanted to go to a salsa club in Cuzco then Sebastian took us; when almost all of the group went on a flight to see the Nazca Lines then he took the remaining 3 of us to a local museum in Ica - nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he refused to allow us to go on our own even if we offered. I speak Spanish and love to practice so Sebastian would speak with me in Spanish - he was amazing! Every Exodus adventure needs a Sebastian!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some parts of the trip where uphill climbing is needed - whilst not intense, the altitude can contribute to a feeling of weariness at these times and this should be considered. I think Exodus provide excellent advice on how to prepare for this trip and so I have not much more to add. I would definitely take advantage of the single supplement when travelling alone as the group is amazing but the trip is pretty full on and some down time on your own is very beneficial.

Most Inspirational Moment

The home stay with local family on an island in Lake Titicaca will stay with me for. A long time to come. Loved it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very good and very very knowledgable tour leader. Looked after us all very very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long travel days, in order to cover so much ground and fit everything in - and plenty of early starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Homestay on Lake great opportunity to meet the community and learn how they are developing island

Advice for Potential Travellers

Presents for homestay, more options by bringing from UK and the thought is appreciated Our group had minor altitude impacts only, but if you are worried ask your GP for drugs in UK as the guides do not recommend buying locally. Having said that if you did get ill the local guides were great to arrange doctors to visit hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful sunny day at Machu Picchu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fernando - very enthusiastic, full of detailed knowledge, always keen to do the best for us. Nothing was too much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for potential tummy troubles ! Avoid non-bottled water/ice/salad. Also altitude hit some of us - keep hydrated.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a Machu Picchu as I have wanted to visit it for some years now.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabastian was really good . He is a credit to Exodus. He explained things all the time about the trip and what was going to happen. He handled all the changes caused through the strikes and had regular meetings to inform the group. He chose lovely restaurants to have our meals. He would find out answers to anything you asked if he did not know the answer straight away. He had arranged for the doctor to come to the hotel when my husband got ill. He came to the hospital that night and came back with me in the early hours of the morning. Because the tour had a free day in Cusco the next day ,he accompanied me to the hospital in the morning and the afternoon . He then arranged for someone else from Exodus to come to the hospital and help me and my husband for the week he was in ICU.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the tablet for Altitude sickness it may help. Nobody knows who is susceptible to altitude sickness until they actually get it. If you get any signs of it tell your guide and accept help. Read all the joining instructions and make sure you take everything that is recommended it will make your journey more comfortable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lake Titicaca and the reed islands

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was very good - a warm man with a good sense of humour. He was tested during our trip due to travellers becoming unwell. He still made sure everyone else was ok which was very professional. He is now trying to help me with some lost shopping in Cusco which I am very thankful for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

What to wear is tricky due to the forever changing climatic conditions. So be sure to pack layers!!

Most Inspirational Moment

I walked on my own along the path to the Inca Bridge and, although I thoroughly enjoyed the walk, felt very small and a bit vulnerable knowing one trip or slip and I could fall a very long way- people would have walked this type of path, with their children, carrying everything in the past. I think the geography and landscape was what took my breath away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Daniel Ramos was brilliant. He had so much knowledge and passion for the history, cultures and geography of the country, which he shared with us. He looked after us all so well. Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it. When Peruvians say it is cold, to those of us from England it was a summer day we would be very happy with! We needed less warm clothes and more hot weather clothes :-)

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, the trip to Machu Picchu, the homestay with mamma Flora,the floating island experience, Colca Canyon and Arequipa plaza's. Cusco and Arequipa city plaza areas are well worth spending time strolling about looking at the colonial buildings both day and night. Visiting on route the churches, cathedrals and convents was really inspiring and interesting either with or without a guide ( most have English translations) We were very fortunate to be there at the Corpus Christie festival in Arequipa what an experience it was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastion was our tour leader, he did an excellent job looking after us, taking us out at night to eat in a variety of restaurants. He gathered us all together at convenient times to inform us of the following days detailed plan including how long on the coach and times between stops. His plan and timing were very accurate, with good stopping places and the viewpoints had good facilities. A very knowledgeable capable tour leader well travelled both in Peru and the rest of the world. I would be very happy to have Sebastion as my tour leader on every trip I undertake. He is an great asset to the company, well done.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Early morning starts were part of the tour ( we had additional early starts due to local strikes) these were cold to start with but by 0800 on most days the sun was up warming us up. The coaches we used had onboard toilet facilities but we had organised stop also at regular intervals. The Exodus office team did an excellent job rearranging hotels and flights due to the local strikes taking place. The local guides helped us get detailed information and a big thanks to Elious ( home stay guide) and Jenny (Colca Canyon guide). The recommended spending money for meals was accurate, ATMs and banks were found when somebody wanted them so no issues, retaurants took cards. Listen to the advice from the guide and tour leaders they are locals and know the expected conditions and potential outcomes. Look into altitude sickness before you go it can affect anyone -you will be at 4900 meters

Most Inspirational Moment

Going to Machu Picchu was awe inspiring. It was even better than I imagined. Though very crowded when we arrived lots of people had been there early in the morning and left mid afternoon so we were able to enjoy the peace and quiet. Another highlight was seeing condors flying overhead in Colca Canyon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was amazing. He is a brilliant tour leader. He was a great help when several people had problems with altitude sickness. We had warm blankets on the bus when we had early morning very cold starts. He made sure that we had a box of water wherever we went. We used these to fill out water bottles...what a brilliant idea.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do be prepared for the weather to be very cold first thing in the morning. We took thermals and needed them. Useful gifts for your homestay "mother" can be bought at the local markets. Take fruit, cheese, tea towels, wind up torch. We took the flight over the Nasca Lines. It was another highlight. Some people felt sick as the plane banks steeply so that everyone has a good view. Tale sea sickness tablets before you fly. Altitude sickness can be a problem. Listen to the advice or your tour leader. Don't overdo things.