Travel to Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru: Galapagos & Machu Picchu Adventure

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Galapagos & Machu Picchu Adventure

			DAYS: 16 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $6095 per person * $700 Internal Flights * HIGHLIGHTS: Quito Galapagos cruise Wildlife interactions Snorkeling Machu Picchu Cusco Urubamba Valley ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Travel to Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, a showcase of evolution, aboard a first-class yacht. As you travel from island to island, your expert naturalist guide points out the unique behavioral and physical characteristics that plants and animals have developed as they evolved and adapted to each unique island habitat. During an 8-day cruise, you visit the major sites in the archipelago, including some of the more remote outer islands. No where else on Earth can you observe, photograph and commune so intimately with exotic and bizarre wildlife as you hike among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, rocky cliffs and shorelines, and snorkel in clear equatorial waters.

After departing the natural wonderland of the Galapagos we fly to the Andes of Peru and discover the land of the Incas. Accompanied by expert local guides you are met you at every transfer point and assisted with check-in to assure smooth, reliable travel. Amble among the monumental Inca stone temples and restored agricultural terraces of Quechua Indian villages in Cusco, the Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu with specialists in archaeology, history and Andean culture.

DAY 1 :  QUITO
Arrive in Quito and transfer in to overnight at Cafe Cultura, or similar. [Meals on your own]

DAY 2 :  QUITO
Enjoy a half-day city tour of colonial Quito. Begin in the charming hillside neighborhood of Guapulo with quaint cobblestone streets and lavish walled residences of ambassadors, continue into the main area of Quitos New Town, passing the American Embassy and House of Culture. The old colonial center includes the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church and the San Francisco Church. Your orientation continues with a visit to Mitad del Mundo, the Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Learn about the broad diversity of people living in this small nation, from descendents of African slaves on the Pacific coast to the remote Achuar of the rainforest.  The rest of the day is free for you to relax and prepare for your Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey. Overnight Cafe Cultura, or similar. [B]

DAY 3 :  BEGIN GALAPAGOS VOYAGE
Private transfer in the morning to the domestic airport for the 2-hour flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the vessel. The ships crew will greet you on board, take care of your luggage, and run through safety drills. Enjoy fresh fruit drinks as the yacht makes her way to the first site visit. As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing and formal presentation of the captain and crew. During the rest of this week, you will leisurely voyage through the stunning Galapagos Islands, among a varied landscape and diverse flora and fauna. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  TOWER: PRINCE PHILLIPS STEPS / DARWIN BAY BEACH
Darwin Bay is the former caldera of a collapsed volcano with steep, soaring walls. Known as the bird island, Genovese features a wealth of avian species including great frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrals, and Darwin's finches. This afternoon, you may kayak or ride the dinghy along the steep cliffs to view birds nesting in the narrow rock crevices. Red-Billed Tropicbirds, as well as Masked and Red-Footed Boobies are usually seen on the hike up Prince Philip's Steps to the high plateau. The path meanders through a Palo Santo forest before emerging on the other side of the island. Snorkeling in the submerged caldera is excellent, as the high nutrient content of the water attracts abundant sea life. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  SOUTH PLAZA / NORTH SEYMOUR
South Plaza offers one of the best opportunities to see Land iguanas and Swallow-tail gulls, both endemic to Galapagos. Other avian species which take advantage of the perfect bird habitat of the sheer cliffs are Yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon shearwaters, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and Brown pelicans. Look for the unusual vegetation on this island, Opuntia Cactus and Sesuvium plants, forming a red carpet over the rocky landscape. North Seymour typifies the arid zone with its flat landscape and Palo Santos bushes. Your path takes you past colonies of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds, as well as sea lions basking on the black lava rocks.  Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  ISABELA: TAGUS COVE / FERNANDINA: PUNTA ESPINOZA
A short boat ride through Bolivar Channel brings you to Tagus Cove. These are very productive waters, whales and dolphins are often seen here. Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring site for pirates and whalers. The nature trail is an ascent through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake and the long narrow inlet that appears to connect with it. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, as well as catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes as well as Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and pelicans. Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos. Punta Espinosa is a narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen including Sally Lightfoot crabs, penguins, and Marine iguanas, which congregate in larger groups here than on any other island. While the panga driver skillfully eludes the reef to reach the landing site near a small mangrove forest, penguins throw themselves off the rocks into the water. The Marine iguanas are everywhere: basking in the sand, swimming near the shore, grazing on the exposed seaweed in the lava and blocking the way at the landing dock, and this is one of the few places where you can watch them feed underwater.  Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  SANTIAGO: PUERTO EGAS / BARTOLOME
Landing at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas we hike through the dry interior observing land birds such as hawks, doves and finches, before reaching the coastline. Deep blue-green grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrate organisms such as sea urchin, octopus and starfish. This is one of the only places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals, navigating amongst the Marine iguanas basking on the black lava rock. In the afternoon visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island where penguins are often spotted. Hike up to the summit of the island for spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock and picturesque bays with white-sand beaches and lush mangrove swamps. Various volcanic formations are identified such as spatter and tuff cones. Watch for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  SANTA CRUZ: DARWIN STATION / HIGHLANDS
Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about research and conservation initiatives including breeding programs to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the oldest resident of Galapagos and the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island sub-species. In the lush green highlands we explore lava tubes and pit craters and look for giant tortoises in the wild. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch at a local restaurant.  Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  ESPANOLA: PUNTA SUAREZ / GARDNER BAY
Relax on the beach with the sea lions at Gardener Bay. Snorkeling from shore you find plenty of beautiful fish as well as harmless nurse sharks and sea turtles. Due to its isolation, Espanola has a high number of endemic species found only on this island. We visit the nesting site of 10-12,000 pairs of Waved albatross (April-December). At 1 meter height and a 2 meter wing span, the albatross are one of the most impressive and comical aerial acrobats in the world. They are found no where else on Earth. Punta Suarez is an outstanding opportunity to see more wildlife including five species of nesting seabirds such as Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, and Galapagos hawks. Prehistoric looking Marine iguanas and giant lava lizards roam the terrain. A short hike leads to the Blowhole, a fissure in the lava cliffs which blasts incoming breakers into geysers over 90 feet high.  Overnight on the Eric, Flamingo or Letty. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  GALAPAGOS / GUAYAQUIL / LIMA
Return with your guide to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, you will be met by our representative and assisted in connecting with your ongoing flight to Lima.  Arrive in Lima, airport reception and transfer to overnight in the modern district of Miraflores at the Casa Andina Hotel or similar.  [B]

DAY 11 :  CUSCO
Airport transfer for early morning one hour flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Our guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Colonial-style Hotel Novotel (or similar).  

Note: Optional upgrade at extra cost to El Monasterio- a restored 400-year old former monastery, or Hotel Libertador, both of which are luxurious colonial-style hotels.

DAY 12 :  URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full-day private exploration through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Depending on the season and interests of the group we stop to chat with farmers, artisans and visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna (or similar). [BL]

DAY 13 :  PATACANCHA VILLAGE HIKE
Enjoy a beautiful, easy downhill day hike on local foot trails through the Andes to the native Quechua Indian villages of Hullioc and Patacancha (12,500 elevation) where crops are sown and textiles woven with simple hand tools and traditional methods. Overnight in the Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna or similar. [BL]

Note: You may combine the Patacancha village day visit (with less hiking) with a half-day rafting trip on the Urubamba River.

DAY 14 :  MACHU PICCHU
Early transfer to the train station and catch the morning train to Machu Picchu. After assisting with your hotel check in, your guide will accompany you on a private walk among the ruins before returning to Cusco leaving you free to photograph and explore on your own time. Includes first-class reserved train tickets, bus tickets up and down the mountain, lunch and entrance fee. Overnight near the ruins of Machu Picchu in the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (or similar). 

Note: Or upgrade to the Sanctuary Lodge, adjacent to the ruins.

DAY 15 :  MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Be among the first to arrive at Machu Picchu on the early shuttle bus. Enjoy exploring the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes on your own time wandering through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of the magnificent citadel.  Hike up towering Wayna Picchu mountain, or back up the Inca Trail to the Intipunku. Leisurely mid-afternoon return on the Pullman train back to Cusco arriving by evening, and transfer to hotel.  Overnight at the Colonial-style Hotel Novotel (or similar). [B] 

DAY 16 :  LIMA
Transfer to airport for your flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Casa Andina in Miraflores (or similar) to use as a day room until your evening flight or overnight and transfer out for next morning departure. [B]

Note: Half-day tours in Lima and its museums are available upon prior request. Observe the blend of cultures in one of South America's oldest capital cities on a tour of the old colonial center of downtown Lima, the church and catacombs of San Francisco and the cathedral of Lima. The most comprehensive museums in Lima that feature Perus archaeological heritage are the Gold Museum and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Breanne Stovall 1(800)345-4453