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.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
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50 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
James Warren
Reviewed June 2023
A real experience of a lifetime
Where to begin? Lima is an incredible city. Paracas was beautiful. Nazca was mesmerizing. Titicaca was… Mediterranean and the Inca Trail itself was just such a moving experience. Standing at the Sun Gate watching others arrive and become completely overwhelmed with emotion made it really hit home just how lucky were to be there. You simply have to go.
Most Inspirational Moment
When I stepped foot on Machu Picchu our leader smiled, held out his hand and said "Congratulations, you completed the Inca Trail". The trail is testing, but you dig deep and keep putting one foot in front of another. You put the effort in and you're handsomely rewarded.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely brilliant!
Christopher Hunt
Reviewed October 2022
Inca Trail, Nazca and Titicaca
A great trip, really well organised.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at The Sun Gate at the end of The Inca Trail.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Holger was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable, looked after us really well and was really friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Peru although dollars are needed to pay for excursions, tips and souvenirs.
Francisco Oliveira
Reviewed September 2022
once Upon a time... (era uma vez...)
After 3 years postponed, this was our last chance to make Inca Trail. Was it worth? YES. Would I do it again? in another life for sure!
Most Inspirational Moment
For sure the Inca Trail, the camping, the effort to overcome difficulties and finally the Machu Picchu view at the top of "oh my god" stairs. The silence, the stars, the landscape.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Holger is a professional with a deep knowledge on Perú culture, very experienced in "reading" customer´s needs and ensuring a stress free daily rhythm. Thank you Holger for your knowledge, care and support!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be physically prepared, specially for the Inca Trail. There are no constraints on age (our group age average was well above 60). Be careful with the food and follow Exodus recommendations strictly .
Zayna Davis
Reviewed June 2019
peru adventure
Overall a fantastic trip would use exodus again.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of it i loved every single part all amazing and breathtaking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wilmer was the best tour guide i have ever had! I have done many many tours and wilmer was by far the best. Her was funny and helpful and his knowledge of peru was so brilliant. I learnt more than i ever imagined.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The inca trail is tough but once you have climbed the final OMG steps you realise just how worth it the hike and climb was!!
Johnny Deol
Reviewed October 2018
Great Views, Difficult Andes Trek, Crowded Reed Islands, Expensive Country
Without doubt, Peru is a beautiful country, and our trip proved that the Andes is one of the most majestic mountain ranges on the planet. The highlights of our trip were:
1. The beautiful Ballestas islands off the coast of Paracas, where a lot of sea lions lazily dotted the islands along with dozens of penguins and lots of birds. We also saw interesting species of crabs and other shell animals.
2. The 4-day hike along the Moonstone Trek in the Andes – this was the most enjoyable part of our trip. The stunning views of Mount Veronica on the 3rd day kept us in awe, and the climb to the summit of the trek at 4,600 metres above sea level. We also walked through lovely meadows and farms along the way.
Funnily enough, Machu Picchu was not the highlight of the trip, even though it was a nice experience to be there, it somehow seemed crowded and overflowing with tourists, taking away the calmness and serenity that is typically expected of such places.
Be warned that the Moonstone Trek is a difficult one, and altitude sickness is a reality. You will feel the lack of oxygen and are most likely to feel nausea, headaches and vomiting. I did throw up on the 2nd day of the hike. Also note that altitude sickness can afflict anyone, even the most well-built or muscular or athletic of people. Just because you are very fit and may even be an athlete or sportsperson, do not think that you are immune to altitude sickness!!
Peru is an expensive country, and the prices are marked up at tourist places, and shopkeepers will not negotiate prices lower than 10%-15%. You may find some products cheaper in Lima than in the tourist towns like Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu.
** Warnings:
– Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill without your consent in advance.
– There is a “tipping” disease in the country, and you will find many occasions where the tour leader will ask you to give a tip to just about every service person you encounter, like a bus driver, the backup/alternate driver, the boat captain, etc.
– If you are a vegan or vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, you will need to choose your food carefully and remind the waiter many times. They do not seem to understand or appreciate these dietary restrictions too well.
– Even simple things like a cup of coffee are overpriced in certain towns like Pucara, on the way to the city of Puno.
Overall, Peru is a lovely country, but go there knowing what to expect.
Safe travels!
Most Inspirational Moment
The 4-day Moonstone Trek
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good guy overall, very knowledgeable and sociable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, do not expect the Moonstone Trek to be a walk in the park. It is pretty difficult, I would personally rate it at Level-6/7 out of 10.
Be prepared to throw up, get a headache, nausea, get goddamn tired and curse Exodus along the way :)
But if you are willing to endure some discomfort for the rewards of stunning views of the Andes, you'll find that it is an investment worth the pain!
Remember: Walk at your own pace, don't try to impress anyone by walking fast as you could faint, take enough breaks and rest stops, keep drinking water frequently, wear ample sunscreen and insect/bug cream or spray, and most importantly - listen to the advice of your tour leader on the trek. He is the best and most experienced person in the group, and knows what will help and what will hurt.
Pauline Patterson
Reviewed August 2018
Stunning snow topped Andes
Peru is a wonderful country with its varied landscapes and diverse cultures. Nothing can quite prepare you for the stunning vistas in the Andes and the once in a lifetime experience of the Inca trail, culminating at the Sun Gate and that first view of Machu Picchu. All this led by our outstanding guide Bobby and shared with a lovely group of people. A BIG thank you.
Most Inspirational Moment
Undoubtedly that first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after 4 strenuous but amazing days on the Inca trail. It was quite an emotional experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
What a legend Bobby is! THE most fantastic guide, who shared his passion and knowledge of his country and immersed us into its heart and cultures throughout the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1. Read the trip notes carefully
2. Get yourself physically fit for the trek which I personally believe is higher than the moderate level 3 graded by Exodus.
3. Altitude will have an affect!
4. There are long drives but the scenery is always extraordinary and do help you acclimatise to the altitude.
5. Days were pleasantly warm but the nights very cold particularly on the trek and in Cusco, so layers are essential..
6. It is worth taking the optional extra flight over the Nazca lines to fully appreciate the extent of the carvings.
Martin Perrett
Reviewed August 2018
Inspirational treka
Not just a holiday, more of an adventure!
Most Inspirational Moment
Achieving day 2 of the Machu Picchu trek to Dead Woman’s Pass. Although not long as a days trek, the rise in altitude to 4200 metres was tough!
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader, Bobby, was excellent in every department. A more capable, competent and helpful guide in all probability does not exist. His involvement with the group was welcomed by all and resulted in the trip being a huge success for the group participants.
The information he provided on the various sites visited and the relevant history was most interesting and created further discussion within the group.
With regard to the travelling and accommodation, Bobby took full control and made our holiday somewhat carefree, thankfully!
A big thank you to Bobby!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take warm clothing for the camping part of the trip as the nights can be very cold!
Shirley Perrett
Reviewed August 2018
Nice trail,Titicaca and Nazca
A superb trip, very well planned and executed. The views were just amazing and the porters food incredible. We were so well looked after. Our guide, Bobby, was excellent and so informative. He knew all the best places to eat as well! Hotels were all good and we would thoroughly recommend the experience to others.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at Dead Woman’s Pass.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bobby was brilliant, he couldn’t have been better.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of thermals for the camping part as it was so cold at night.
Kim Stansfield
Reviewed August 2018
July 2018 Inca Trail and Peru
Excellent Guide, Bobby (Ubaldo), helped the group understand so much about Peru’s history, culture, fauna and amazing achievements of the Incas and preceding tribes, and all done with real sense of humour. Off the Inca trail Bobby continued to look after us, so the small group that flew back to UK were looking for him to help sort us out at Gatwick. The porters and cooks were also brilliant, not sure how they covered the route so quickly and made food and camp sites so comfortable. Also helped having a really friendly group of fellow travellers. All-in-all a brilliant experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing on a high point in the Andes above the camp watching the sun come up - red glow spreading across the mountain peaks, magical.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bobby (Ubaldo Quispe) was brilliant - gave so much insight and things to think about, always joking, but real sense he was looking after us and getting things organised. Missed him when we got back to UK!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If weather clear, take advantage of flight over Nascar lines, but don’t eat for a couple of hours beforehand. Really brings home the scale, but involves a lot of weaving. During Trail, take things slowly, but the guide will explain things like that.
At Machupichu you are limited to small bag/ ruck sack, had left our small bags behind, would have been good to know about the limitation before leaving Cuzco.
Susan Percival
Reviewed July 2018
My holiday of a lifetime Peru and Mchu Picchu
This has been my dream holiday for as long as I can remember. Nazca lines, Andes, walking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. It was more than I could have hoped for. The amazing scenery welcoming people, amazing food, Pisco sours and a friendly enthusiastic Tour guide. Without the long coach journeys we would have missed all the amazing scenery! The flight over the Nazca lines truly amazing and well worth doing. Day 2 of the trail definitely the hardest but the thrill when you reach Dead woman’s pass is nearly as inspiring as reaching the Sun gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. I was ill at the end of the holiday so missed Lake Titicaca.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching Dead Woman's pass was as equaling inspiring as the emotion that overwhelms you when you reach the Sun Gate and see Machu Picchu for the first time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group Leader Willmer Delgado was an amazing ambassador for Exodus and for Peru. His knowledge of Peru and its history had us all enthralled for the whole 15 days in Peru. Nothing was too much trouble including helping track down my missing suitcase . Our assistant guide on the trail Kleverth was along with Will very patient and being one of the slower walkers who suffered with altitude sickness I was never made to feel like I was holding anyone back.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Drink the coca tea when offered to you as it does help on the trail. Don't let the coach journeys put you off, the scenery is amazing, you get to see Vicunas and Alpaca's roaming free, Condor's and Flamingo's.
Above all enjoy the whole experience, a few early mornings wont kill you!