Reviews

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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158 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

graham roscoe

Reviewed June 2018

Essential Peru- What a trip, I would recommend to all

This was a fantastic holiday.with a good balance of experiances, tastes and transport.
There were long bus journeys but the scenery was so amazing you will see the local wild life, Alpaca’s, Condor’s plus many others it was never boring, even an erupting volcano on our trip.

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

Helen Seymour

Reviewed June 2018

Essential Peru

This was a fantastic holiday. We had long bus journeys but the scenery was so amazing that they were never boring. We felt that we saw the real countryside.

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.

Graham Johnson

Reviewed May 2018

Essential Peru and Amazon extension

This trip does everything it says it will do, BUT, do be aware that where the trip notes mention long days that is exactly what happens. The scenery is spectacular for most of the trip so settle back and enjoy it.

Machu Picchu lives up to all expectations, so if it seems a bit of a faff getting there just let it work its magic on you when you get there.

Cusco is sublime. You have some free time there but you’ll love it, just grab a Pisco Sour and watch the world go by.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu doesn't disappoint, watching all the condors in the Colca Canyon was wonderful........BUT 5 jaguars on the Amazon. Blown away.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Right, first off Peruvian plugs are TWO FLAT PIN PLUGS!!!!!! If you buy the standard Boots/travel plugs that say Peru but have two flat pins and one round earth pin THEY WILL NOT WORK except in Lima. I had to beg borrow and scrounge plugs to charge my camera. Boots refunded me but be aware, their plugs don't work.

angela hill

Reviewed April 2018

Peru

Good starter trip for Peru as saw most of the main attractions. Hard going sometimes with long days and huge gaps between meals but overall worth it.
Good guide in Leo.
Amazon extension a bit hit and miss. Jungle walks saw very little except getting bitten to death, but early morning session to see parrots was worth the early start with bonus of seeing 5 Jaguar on rerturn boat trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Colca Canyon and the Condors. I know Machu Pichu should be, but the condors and then the jaguars were it for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leo was well informed and did well juggling all of us and dealing with the sick couple left behind.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Carry snacks/food at all times in case. There were several days when we would have had 8-10 hours between food breaks.

Brigitte Hease

Reviewed December 2017

A childhood's dream come true.

When I was a child, I read Tintin and the Temple of the Sun. Several decades later here I was, in Peru, a wonderfully diverse country in terms of its geography and culture. Our like minded group of travelers quickly became a team. The itinerary was excellent, taking into account increasing altitude levels, so by the time we started the Inca Trail, our bodies were acclimatized. The great variety and magnificence of the landscapes surprised us. We saw astonishing wildlife on offshore islands, mountain high volcanoes dominating historical cities, flying condors over deep canyons and beautiful valleys. There was the colourful culture of Lake Titicaca and Puno ; the iconic Inca Trail with amazing porters ; the beautiful cloud forest worthy of an RHS gold medal ; many splendid and mysterious archaeological sites ; tempting craft markets and cuddly looking alpacas and llamas ; excellent food and pisco sours… all eased and facilitated by our very experienced, organised, calm and knowledgeable guide Holger.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many ... but seeing Macchu Picchu bathed in golden sunlight from the Sun Gate brought a tear to my eyes... as did a cloud of pretty yellow and orange butterflies dispersing over the water as our canoe gently approached...one of nature's magic spectacle in the Amazon region of Peru.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Holger was very experienced, caring, knowledgeable, organised, calm and enthusiastic. We appreciated his great experience of the Inca Trail. He was excellent at flagging areas of difficulty such as steeper sections, pointing out flora (orchids) and fauna along the way. Highlighting good vantage points to take photos, explaining the history and archaeological heritage of the sites, whilst making sure we were all fine along the way. One of the best guides we have had on a mountain trek with Exodus.

Brigitte Hease

Reviewed December 2017

A childhood's dream come true.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cathy Cant

Reviewed December 2017

A ‘bucket list’ trip!

This was a great trip, planned and organised to Exodus’ usual high standards, which enabled my partner and I to tick of a number of ‘bucket list’ experiences that we’d wanted to do since our ‘teens.

The only downside was the number of hours spent sitting on the comfortable coach – but Peru is such a long country, and out itinerary so diverse, that there really wasn’t any alternative. And, as usual, we were able to stop and see places too small for a final destination which we would not otherwise have seen.

Altogether, a good, thorough exploration of Central and southern Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

Oooh ... the Nazca Lines ... Machu Pichu of course ... floating islands on Lake Titicaca ... the food ...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Daniel Torres was an excellent tour leader - possibly our best Exodus leader yet. Coming from Lima, he thoroughly understood our problems with altitude, yet his own altitude problems never once impacted on his care and attention to detail. A lovely man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not underestimate the variable effects of altitude! I was short of breath (especially at night) and experienced disrupted sleep and a complete loss of appetite. At very high altitudes (during brief coach stops) I felt as though I was standing on the deck of a ship - move too fast and I was swaying. My partner also suffered disrupted sleep, but wasn’t nearly as breathless and his appetite was undiminished. We saw the Nazca lines from a small aircraft (an optional extra which the guide arranged) - expensive, but worth it. But we were all very glad to get off the plane - cramped, of course, but did the pilot really need to bank so enthusiastically?

Barry Hunter

Reviewed December 2017

Wonderful

So much to see and enjoy. The landscape is awesome and the itinerary excellent. All of the places we visited were memorable, from Macchu Pichu to Lake Titicaca (great homestay, so friendly) to Cusco to the condor viewing…..plus many more wonderful places. Always wanted to see the Nasca lines and this was one of the few tours we could find that included it. The weather was largely kind to us so I would say it is a good month to go. We also enjoyed some really great eating experiences – thanks to our Tour Leader ‘foodie’ , Danny.

We really could not fault anything. The hotels were good and well located, the (sometimes long) journeys were broken up by regular stops along the way and there was some dramatic scenery to enjoy. We largely coped with the altitude but be aware that it does affect a number of people in some way.

Finally, our Tour Leader was excellent, probably the best we’ve ever had. All in all a fabulous tour, one not to be missed !!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be Macchu Pichu !!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic.

Mark Bottomley

Reviewed October 2017

Essential Peru

A comprehensive tour of the best cities in Peru, a lot of travelling but well worth it

Most Inspirational Moment

There was something everywhere we visited from Condors and other wildlife to historical sites and remains

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exodus recruit local people who can offer a unique insight to the country, our group leader was struggling a couple of days but sourced a replacement guide who took his place so we didn't miss anything

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long drives and early starts but the pay back is getting to see a lot of Peru in a short time

Pauline Bowdery

Reviewed October 2017

Essential Peru

A fabulous trip, everything you imagine and perhaps more. The trip notes are accurate and yes there are a couple of very long travel days but the views and huge expanse of Peru and the Anders make these pass quite quickly. Don’t miss the optional tour of the Sacred Valley, oddly enough this was as thrilling as Machupicchu for me. Yes the early starts can be a bit of a killer but if you have done these trips before you know this comes with the territory. Altitude and coach journeys make you take naps so you soon catch up.
Don’t under estimate the need to keep on drinking water and for sunscreen, layers to cope with the changes in temperature and of course a very good camera. Don’t, like me, forget to use your video when you visit Condor Valley, l should have also used my tablet.
Traffic in the cities is horrendous and in Cusco you have to walk to get the coach.

Most Inspirational Moment

The terraces created by pre and Inca people, the really do go right up into the sky and The Anders are simply jaw dropping stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos was fantastic, follow his advice and you won't go wrong.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers, sunscreen, camera, don't bother with binoculars there isn't a lot of bird life and the condors, if you're lucky with the timing and weather, come so close you don't need them. Don't always reach for your camera let your eyes enjoy the majesty. Getting to and from Machu picchu is an adventure in itself, lots of waiting for the buses. After entering the Machu picchu site there is no toilet or opportunity to get water. I don't think it is worth the cost to go back on the free morning but the museum just outside the town is worth a visit.

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