Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The Nazca lines and Machu Picchu had been on my "must see" list for several years, so they were my highlights and exceeded my expectations.   Exodus didn't offer a flight over the Nazca Lines but I asked our guide if he could sort it out for me and he did.  4 of us took the flight.  You get a truer picture of the enormity of the lines from the air.   Our tour guide Juan was our guide around Machu Picchu.  Our itinerary said we would go in the afternoon, but Juan suggested that we went the following morning arriving before the crowds and having better weather in the mornings. It rained that afternoon.   One of our early starts, we were at the shuttle bus stop for 6.45 am and entered Machu Picchu at 7.20 am without any queuing.  It seemed like we were the only people there and it was a beautiful sunny morning.  Juan guided us around the site for about 3 hours giving us lots of detail about the Inca's, the buildings, the discovery of Machu Picchu and the possible future restrictions.  At the end of our tour we had another couple of hours free time to explore.  It was getting very crowded and the clouds were heading our way.I can't thank Juan enough for his expertise and knowledge that made this visit such a success.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Juan from Cuzco.  He was always so calm, very organised and his knowledge about all things Peruvian is huge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for lots of early starts and, therefore, lots of early nights.  If you suffer from travel sickness, take medication with you and use it. The roads through the mountains aren't straight. 

Suggestions

We stayed in 12 hotels in 14 nights, so that's a lot of luggage transfers.  After collecting my suitcase on arrival at Lima airport, I hardly lifted it until I checked in for the return flight.  Our coach drivers and hotel staff took care of that very efficiently.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu is magnificent and lives up to the hype.  Best to go in the early morning to avoid the crowds.  The site is much bigger than I expected.   The other highlight for me was the home stay with a local family on Armantani Island in Lake Titicaca.  We were welcomed with open arms and well looked after while there.  Seeing the condors at Colca Canyon was another highlight.  Magnificent birds soaring effortlessly on the thermals - wonderful.   The Ballestas Islands on the first full day is another highlight.  The boat gets you quite close to the wildlife so good photo opportunities there too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a star - well organised, very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour.  Everything ran very smoothly and his knowledge when visiting all the archeological sites was second to none. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your camera and lots of memory cards!  As others have said, pack light; take layers and remember a sun hat.  There are laundry facilities available at the hotel in Cucso - excellent value at 7 soles per kg.   Money changing is easy too; change some at the airport but there are plenty of money exchanges in the towns as well as ATMs.  Take US dollars as sterling is not always accepted even in banks.  Dollars can be used to pay some of the entrances and tours.  The Sacred Valley of the Incas is an optional tour but I would recommend it; Ollantaytambo and Pisac are worth it. Follow the advice about drinking lots of water as it does help avoid altitude sickness.   There are shopping opprtunities everywhere and the goods on offer are well made and cheap.  I didn't have the heart to bargain too hard when the prices were low to start with.

Suggestions

Food was excellent all round.  In Cusco we tried some of the smaller local restaurants; good value for money and delicious.  Pisco Sours went down well as did Peruvian beer (which we've found here since getting home). 

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights, as expected, were Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon (to see the Condors), and visiting the Uros Indians living on the floating reed islands.  Our overnight homestay on the Lake was so interesting and despite some qualms beforehand about the facilities our hosts were charming - living a very simple life but so hospitable.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was very helpful and all arrangements en route were pefect.  He advised us regarding coping with the altitude - don't underestimate the effects this has - and proved a valuable and informative guide at Machu Picchu.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take cash in Peruvian Sol - US Dollars were only needed to pay for a couple of elective trips.    Bargain for souvenirs, even some of the more expensive shops in Cusco were prepared to offer discounts.  Alpaca products are worth buying.  Be prepared to feel the effects of altitude and heed the advice of your guide.  We were very lucky with the weather, which can be very changeable, so a lightweight waterproof jacket (with hood) is essential.  Also, wear "layers" as early morning starts can be chilly but can then quickly warm up to t-shirt weather. Try the Pisco Sours - delicious.  I avoided the guinea pigs but was assured they are delicious!!    

Suggestions

To cover the itinerary in 2 weeks it is important not to underestimate the extremely long road journeys.  Sadly (and unusually for Exodus) our bus was totally unsuitable for the amount of travel involved which made the journeys very uncomfortable with no room to stretch out and relax.  On the plus side Peru was an amazing experience and one which I would not have wanted to miss.I have rated the trip as 'very good' - which it was - but it would have been raised to 'excellent' if proper attention had been paid to our complaints about the tour bus, and satisfactorily resolved, which did have a negative effect on our overall enjoyment.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu! How could it not be?! We were taken there early in the morning so we got the best light and less tourists.  Just wandering around it was amazing and walking to the top of the steps from the entrance gate, the trees breaking apart and seeing it properly for the first time - wow!We also had a keen bird-watcher in our group so by the time we got to the Colca Canyon we were all equally excited and nervous.  When five condors rose out of the canyon, it was just incredible. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan Diaz was excellent. He managed to keep smiling for two weeks while trying to get us to keep to specific times when we were coo-ing over alpachas instead of doing what we were meant to! Despite having been to some of the sights over 100 times he was still really enthusiastic and eager for us to have a great time while learning lots. He came across very calm and relaxed even though when the group were off exploring he was glued to his phone organising the next thing for us - I didn't pick my suitcase up for two weeks because he made sure they were taken to the right rooms in hotels. He took good care of us when we got altitude sickness, made us laugh for two weeks and bascially made sure we really loved our time in Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light - the washing facilities in Cusco are cheap and excellent.Don't underestimate altitude sickness!  Although it is easily remedied make sure you get plenty of rest, drink the coca tea and do as your guide says.Take memory for your camera!

Suggestions

Be prepared for some long drives - take something to entertain yourself but make sure you spend hours gazing out of the window at the amazing views.Other than that, just be open minded, be prepared for traffic jams at 3,000m (weirdly brilliant experience) and just book it and enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

 Definately No 1 is the visit to Machu Picchu - spectacular! The tour enables you to visit the site in the afternoon with the tour guide and thus receive a full explanation of the site.  It also offers free time to visit again the following morning which is great.No 2 has to be Cuszo - I love it, its a beautifull cityNo 3 travelling through the Andes.  Had a lovely experience when the LLamas stole sugar from restaurant:)No 4 Arequipa is a lovely city, enjoyed sight seeing especially the visit to Santa Catalina convent. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was Fabrizzio.  He was great !! he well informed us in advance of what to do, where to go and which places we should avoid.  He really took great care of all the tour members.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

 Always take the guide's advice especially to avoid any dangerous areas.  Drink plenty of water when travelling to high altitude areas - it helps as lot.very important to take DEET spray and torches if visiting the Amazon. 

Suggestions

I must say we visited a beautiful country, the essential Peru tour is a mixture of culture, sightseeing, meeting local people.  We also included the Amazon extention which showed us a different scenario. The tour guide has helped us to even enjoy the tour more.  Exodus were great, its the first time i booked a tour with them and I will definately travel with them again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the first glimpse of Machu Picchu.  However, viewing the condors in Colca Canyon comes a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was very helpful and took great care of us especially while crossing the Andes when some of us experienced mild altitude sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Pichu , seeing condors, lake titicaca. Cusco  ( a beautiful place) santa Catalina convent (beautiful and peaceful)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio Cornejo was excellent and very helpful re timings,clothing to wear and avaoiding ams. he was passionateabout his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

travel via Amsterdam, much less hassle and local connecting flights rhere from most/all local airports plus no ESTArequired. would recommend exodus, already saving for next hol

Suggestions

Go for it, well organised but be prepared for long tiring days travelling- the price you pay for seeing the sites in such a vast and diverse country.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the trip for me was visiting Machu Picchu, its something I've always wanted to see and it for me lived up to my expectations and beyond. Going back on the 2nd day and seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu was awesome. The trip to Cuzco was wonderful and the trip to Colca Canyon to view the Condors soaring above you so gracefully was breathtaking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader Mr Fabrizzio Cornejo was excellent and a real credit to you. His knowledge and expertise made my trip to Peru unforgetable and he was very mindful of the whole group at all times

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - listen to the group leader when he/she gives you advice, especially where preventing altitude sickness is concerned. If they say drink plenty of water, then drink plenty of water. Other than that justenjoy the whole experience of Peru - you will not be disappointed in any way

Suggestions

Thank you Exodus for putting such a trip together, I had a wonderful time and experience and met a very good group of fellow travellers! All I've got to do now is edit the 800+ photographs I managed to take!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing soaring condors nearby in Colca Climbing around Machu Picchu  Sandboarding  near Ica and being amazed at how much I enjoyed it 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent  Good - very good - leader  Thought ahead about the expected and the unexpected  Very well  informed  A credit to you 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The flight via Amsterdam are much more conveniently timed  than those via the US And listen when your guide tells you to keep drinking water - when we got cavalier about this we did feel some - avoidable - altitude sickness 

Suggestions

Cusco really lives up to the guidebooks praise - a vital , fun town 

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say the moment surrounded by llamas and alpaca on the endless grassland.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was great! He paid a lot of attention to the safety of the group and made sure that the arrangement will be as smooth as planned.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think. Book it now. It would be one of your lifetime best memory.

Suggestions

Just have to thanks exodus for creating this awesome itinerary. Oh and be prepared that some hotels do not have hot water for shower. But the stunning scenery worths all the hardship you encountered in the trip.