Reviews

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.

Suggestions

The "local" people were friendly and very colourful. The poorer people living in the countryside need the tourest to make purchases to help their economy even although one might bargain on the price!

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. 

Suggestions

Just do it - it will surpass all your expectations!

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.

Suggestions

This is a very good introduction to lots of different areas of Peru. Be preprared for lots of walking , steps and early starts.The roads and bus were very good. I would recomend the jungleextension .It gives yet another aspect of this fascinating country

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, it was climbing to the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu first thing in the morning in the fog (having got up at 4am) and, on arriving, turning around to look at Machu Picchu  - and right on cue the mist lifted. It brought tears to my eyes and I think, for the 10 of us who saw it, it will remain with us forever.However, there were other really good memories as well - waiting for the wind to drop so that the condors could fly over us and then the juvenile flying over and over us, giving us a good look;  the stars in the sky when we were on the homestay on the island in Lake Titiqaqa; the smile on the faces of the family when the drivers stopped the bus to hand over bread when we were on  the high plains. And seeing so much sky!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan Manuel was amazing. In the course of our trip he had to deal with a lot of problems and he never once exhibited any stress over it and I personally felt he had our safety and wellbeing at the forefront, whilst maintaining a smiling face. He was always keen that we asked all the questions we needed and made us feel very welcome in his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The members of our group with the best journey experiences went via Europe rather than the US. Take immodium with you, lots of us had some issues. Its probably best NOT to eat the quiche at Machu Picchu cafe. Also take something for colds, lip balm is useful as well. Drinking water is really important, drink loads, even through the night.  There is a toilet (liquids only) on the bus for the obvious side effects during the day. There is the chance to do laundry in Cuzco but the city doesn´t always have water so be prepared to receive your laundry back dirty!! I recommend you change plenty of money in the airport (you can do this in the baggage collection area before you get through security), they do not take dollars so easily once you are outside Lima and there are few opportunities to change money again until Cuzco. Make sure you have plenty of space in your luggage for souvenirs. There is a lot of travelling and there are a lot of early starts....but you don´t remember those bits once you get home, just the amazing sights.

Suggestions

The week before we travelled, the authorities reduced the numbers of visitors allowed per day into Machu Picchu. Thanks to Juan, we were still able to visit both days, however longerterm the number of visitors or the scope of the site visitable will undoubtedly be reduced further.....

Most Inspirational Moment

Condors in the morning at Colca.  Travelling on the roof of the launch across Lake Titicaca under a clear blue sky.  Sunrise at Machu Picchu lighting up the surrounding peaks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very well informed, and seemed enthusiastic about the places he described to us.  There was a problem with the microphone on the bus at times.  Although he gave out clear details for times to meet up for dinner, loading the bus next morning, and so on, this was rather a long list on some days.  It might have been better to provide a printed summary in some cases.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to avoid travelling through the USA - not only is the connecting experience exhausting, but the arrival in Lima is very late at night.  Those in our group who came via Amsterdam had a better arrival time.  Be aware of the early starts on several days - but we got used to them.

Suggestions

Peru is an amazing country.  You need a good head for heights to travel on some of the mountain roads, but the bus drivers were very competent - unlike most of the other traffic in the towns!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the condors soar over Colca Canyon was great, and the Corpus Christi parade we were lucky enough to see in Cusco made the experience of the city even better, but there is nothing to beat the feeling you get when you first enter the Machu Picchu complex and climb up to the viewpoint to get the iconic postcard view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos our tour leader was very knowledgeable and could answer pretty well any question we threw at him.  The tour he gave us around Machu Picchu demonstrated his knowledge and passion for his country's history and culture.  There were only nine in our group of which four were vegetarian, and it took him a while to catch on to the fact that he needed to recommend restaurants with a good vegetarian selection, but other than this he was the perfect tour guide. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days are quite long and the starts early; for us breakfast was at 7am five times and earlier than that another five times.  The earliest start was on the first full day when our wake-up calls were set for 4.30am, especially tough for those on the group flight via the US who didn't get to the hotel until after midnight.  But the bus was very comfortable (with a very acceptable on-board toilet) and in the main we reached our overnight stops by 5pm, which gave time to relax and unwind before a leisurely evening meal.

Suggestions

A few of us went on the Amazon extension and although others seem to have had good experiences, for us it was a major disappointment.  I think we were unlucky with the weather, the trip notes don't currently say that occasionally it gets cold in the jungle, and it was probably mainly because of this that we saw virtually no wildlife.  The extension is not run by the same Peruvian tour company, and there were various other difficulties/problems we had, so we all thought it poor value for money.  But the main tour itself was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing the desert and snowy landscapes in a space of several days!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great organiser.  Struck a good rapport with the tour group.  Went out of his way to deal with emergencies eg wet luggage etc.  Good local knowledge.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have time, try to do the Amazon extension on this tour as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu at dawn. We got up at 4.00 to catch the first buses and walked up to the Sun Gate as the sun was rising over the mountains - unforgettable,

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was brilliant. He organised everything so smoothly on a very tight schedule and kept everyone in good humour despite being tired.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. There is a lot of packing and unpacking. Take a plug for the sinks, most were missing in my rooms.

Suggestions

I can't wait for my  next adventure with Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

Seing the sacred sights and the Condors. I really enjoyed allthe nature we saw.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowlegable and looked after us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be careful what you eat and take imodium and antibiotics with you. Drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness.

Suggestions

Will always remember this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do we start? Machu Picchu – awe-inspiring, magical, stunning scenery – difficult to think of just one superlative – it was all we expected … but delivered much more. An incredible mountain-top setting especially the views from Intipunku – well worth the climb.The Andean landscapes, condors overhead, guanaco and vicuna on the hillsides, snaking roads through green valleys and over snow-capped mountain passes past glaciated lakes, filled with amazing pink flamingo and set in the desolate altiplano.Lake Titicaca – Homestay on Amantani Island - well worth the climb to see the sunset from Pacha Mama. Arequipa - a real jewel - the White City with the bustling Plaza de Armas, the quiet of the Santa Catalina Convent and the serenity of the Museo Santuarios Andinos and its display of the Ice Maiden .

Thoughts on Group Leader

“A Star” – he was knowledgeable and above all passionate about his country, its cultures and people. He was a leader and guide who always demonstrated his professionalism and went ‘beyond the call of duty’ on many occasions, always striving to ensure we had the best experiences.  The holiday was all that we expected but Rene made it a trip of a lifetime with his enthusiasm and tips to make the most of our free time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip packs a lot into 2 weeks so be prepared for some long days in the bus – but enjoy the fantastic scenery along the way - we were lucky and saw guanaco and condors en route Nazca to Cusco. There are early starts – but Machu Picchu at sunrise and the condors rising on the thermals do make it worthwhile. You may have difficulty with the altitude – it can result in headaches and a shortness of breath. It doesn’t affect everyone and do drink lots of water – it really works.

Suggestions

Make the most of every day – do take a big memory card for your camera. We would wholeheartedly recommend this holiday it was a superb trip which we will always remember