Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

For me personally it was seeing Machu Picchu - a lifetime ambition.  We took the train rather than trekking to get there and I do not feel I missed out in any way.  As it was not high season we were able to go back to the site on the second day - choosing to go early at sunrise, which was really worth the effort.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial Bedregal was an excellent leader.  He was born in Peru and has been leading tours for decades and so knows it very well.  He knew how to pace the trip to suit us best and all the best places to stop for food, toilet stops and photos.  He adapted parts of the itinerary slightly to give us the best possible experience.  He was very knowledgable about the history but gave us information in manageable chunks.  He was laid back and friendly with us all equally and very helpful to any group members having problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went on the group flights with United Airlines with changes in Houston on the way out and Newark on the way back.  We were unlucky with delays due to electrical problems.  On the way out the flight from London was delayed and so we missed our connection and had to spend 24hrs in Houston.  United Airlines put us up in the holiday Inn at their expense and gave us meal vouchers.  We phoned Exodus about missing the connection and they arranged that when we reached Lima the next night we were met by the tour operator and driven four hours through the night down the coast to meet the rest of the group, so that we only missed one day of the trip.  On the way home at Newark the flight to London was cancelled due to an electrical fault and we had approx 9 hours in Newark airport until the next flight.  Again we got meal vouchers.  It sounds bad, but I think we were unlucky to be delayed and the service on the actual flights was very good.  As it was the official group flight that was delayed on the way out, I arrived home to discover a very prompt letter from Exodus apologising for my delayed journey and with financial compensation.  I was very happy with Exodus' response and their actions to catch us up with the group.  If we had not been on the official group flights and had been delayed we might have had to arrange our own transport at Lima to drive down the coast.  So don't let my experience put you off the group flights!Apart from the flights saga, it all went quite smoothly. Two people were quite badly affected by the altitude at various times but were dealt with promptly by our guide and completed most of the trip with a few modifications.  Most of us had only mild symptoms and just had to walk more slowly than usual - and not talk so much when walking! As regards money, I would suggest planning to use nuevo sol everywhere rather than dollars.  I only used dollars twice - once to pay the local tour operator for some extra tours and once in a market when I ran out of sol.  Most places seemed to prefer sol to dollars.  I brought some from home and also changed a lot at Lima airport.  For the first two to three days no-one seems to have any change but from Cusco onwards this is not usually a problem.  From Cusco onwards it is easier to access ATMs or money changers.Some of us felt that we could have done with fewer hot weather clothes and more warm ones - it gets very cold at altitude especially in the early or late parts of the day.  Layers are the way to go - the temperature changes a lot in one day as you go up and down in altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many overwhelming moments but perhaps looking over the vast expanse of Machu Picchu was the most inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were fortunate to have Juan Cardenas Carrasco  as our group leader.  He was knowlegable of the history, culture, religions, customs, flora, and fauna of each area we travelled.  He could recommend restaurants, guide us on the food to choose and tell us when a tip was appropriate.  He was always prepared with enterance fee tickets and water on the bus and took care of other mundane tasks which if neglected had the potential to cause delays.  He wad congenial, joined in our activities and treated all of us as good friends. He was ready to help with any special requests and was always concerned for our welfare.  Even a slight cough and Juan was ready with the first-aid kit.  My husband had an accident(no fault of the tour)  and Juan went out of his way (on his own time) to ensure that we found a good doctor who bandaged him up and gave him the appropriate advice and medication.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In Lima on our last day the local Exodus company offered us an optional tour of the city. The bus was not really a tour bus, was small and had no special windows. I have since checked the various city tour busses in Lima, and I think we could have seen as much or more in a double decker bus and at a better price than that offered by Exodus.My advice would be  to check out the local tour busses before committing to Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu has to be the single most impressive archaeological site that you will ever see, with that first view in the early morning being absolutely jaw-dropping. No books or photos do it justice; it really has to be seen to appreciate the magic of the place. But there was so much else as well; the condors at Colca, the mummies at the Chauchilla cemetery, the stay on Amantani island, the Ballestas trip, endless Inca buildings, museums, markets, churches, the brilliant colours everywhere, the friendliness of the people...........

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan, the group leader, is simply the best. His in-depth knowledge of just about everything we saw, his enthusiasm for showing us his country, his instinct for reading the group psychology and his organisational abilities made the whole two weeks go like clockwork. The drivers should also be congratulated for getting us around very difficult terrain on a very long trip with absolute safety and reliability, always patient, friendly and on time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a pair of binoculars as well as a camera.By far the best restaurant we found on the whole trip was Granja Heidi in an upstairs room on Cuesta San Blas, 5 minutes from our hotel in Cusco. This trip can be hard work. It covers 3000km by bus with much of it at high altitude and there’s a lot of sightseeing on foot, often in very strong sunshine. Minor health upsets (diarrhoea, altitude effects, sunburn) are easily picked up. So listen to the guide’s advice, take the uphill bits at your own speed and keep the water handy. None of it is beyond the reach of the average person with a bit of common sense.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing together on the edge, seemingly of the universe itself, at the Macchu Pichu site as the misty early morning clouds dissipated, gazing down at the Urubamba River far below and the many surrounding mountain peaks above was a truly awe-inspiring experience. Mother Earth put us all in our proper place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide, Juan Cardenas of Cusc,o was an absolutely outstanding group leader. He was extremely knowledgeable about Peru's history, culture and current society, and has a wonderful way of working with a group to support, facilitate and harmonize. He constantly attended to our needs (health, technical, social etc) and was able to share his own personal and family experience of Peru in a way that was both genuine and uplifting. We all felt very fortunate to have such a talented guide on this legendary and intense tour of Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not underestimate the effects of altitude sickness after cumulative exposure at 3000m+. If you aren't sure you can avoid it, take the medicines prescribed, stay well hydrated and don't over-exert yourself. This trip is too precious to waste time while you are on it recovering from unnecessary illness.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights for me were magical Machu Picchu, Amantani on Lake Tititica, the history of the Incas, the colourful markets and, of course, experiencing the high sand dunes - have never screamed so much! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group of 18 was extremely friendly and I can't speak highly enough of our wonderful guide Juan - such a great ambassador for Peru!  Thank you Exodus for giving me a great trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

I was quite surprised by how awe inspired i was by Machupichu, its a place that you think you semi know prior to arrival as its been photographed so many times and plastered here there and everywhere, but being the last people walking in it at sun down was incredibly magical

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was natural charmer, managed to appease the groups uncertainties before we even knew we would have them, 10/10

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably Machu Picchu and the homestay island, truly magical experiences, but all the other sights and sounds of Peru were excellant, hope to return one day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was absoluty brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepred for a non stop adventure, too many highlights to mention, a feel for the country is guaranteed

Most Inspirational Moment

The early morning overall view of Machu Picchu and the appreciation of the planning and construction of the lost city. Also having the experience of staying one night on the Amantani Island with a local family.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan, our group leader, was first class and he really made the trip very interesting and very enjoyable. He was always very happy,friendly and good fun to be with throughout the trip. He considered everyone and always gave assistance where necessary.We would definately recommend him as the best guide we have ever experienced on any previous trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mke sure you have the correct medication for the particular country being visited and take the advice of the guide especially in high altitudes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start?  From the obvious Machu Picchu, Nazca  Lines  and the Condors in the Colca Canyon, there were so many. The snow storm in the High Andes, followed by a spectacular sunset showed the scenery in all its majestic beauty.  The Ballestas and Uros islands showed yet other facets of this remarkable country and the homestay on Amantani island demonstrated the hard yet happy life of the people who welcomed us and allowed us to take a small part of this.  The pride of the local people at the Spring Parade in Cuzco was obvious to all and a privelege to witness.   We were also able to join in the celebrations at the Sante Clara church, a building rarely open to the public and filled with mirrors, where we were made welcome with a celebratory mug of "chicha".

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was informative, professional yet fun to be with.  His concerns were always for our health and safety, as he said "if you don't tell me, I can't help you!" and any problems were dealt with quickly and efficiently with the minimum of fuss. It was a real pleasure to be part of his group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can avoid it, don't travel by Iberian Airlines as their service, standards and facilities on a long haul were very poor.Listen to your guide and follow his advice regarding altitude but don't worry about it.  Some people will suffer a bit but if you follow the advice it will all be fine.There are some long journeys and early starts but the scenery and experiences make them all worthwhile, just enjoy them. 

Most Inspirational Moment

This has to be seeing Machu picchu apearing out of the mists in the earlymorning , well worth the early start and climb.  There were lots of other inspirational moments too , like a local fiesta on the islands , seeing the Andes in all their varied moods .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was fantastic. Someof our grouop wereun well and he reallycouldn'thave done enough for them .He reallylooked afterus very well.He was very knowledgable about his countryand obvioslyloves Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take dollars and sols as some extras can only be bought in dollars. I would recomend the early morning tripto Machpicchu. You may not seesunrise ,but walking at that time of day is lovely and the mist often clears,so you still get good views. Go with an open mind and take oportunities when they arrise. The weather is very changable so don't give up because of mist or rain ,it's likely to change soon.