GALAPAGOS & MACHU PICCHU ITINERARY

DAY 1: FLY TO LIMA

An overnight flight takes you from your home to Lima the capital and international gateway to Peru.

DAY 2: ARRIVE CUSCO TOUR CITY AND LOCAL RUINS

Your plane arrives Lima in the early morning where you will pass through immigrations & customs just outside a representative will be waiting for you to assist you with your connecting flight to Cusco.

Once in Cusco the morning is free for you to relax and acclimatize while in the afternoon a tour of the city and local ruins lets you explore this historic city from it's roots as the Incan capital to the Spanish influences.
(B, L...Hotel)

DAY 3: TRAVEL VIA THE VISTADOME TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU & GUIDED TOUR OF RUINS

Aboard the scenic Vistadome train your morning is spent viewing the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urumamba River Canyon then finally arriving at Machu Picchu. Here you can enjoy lunch and a guided tour of these magnificent ruins. In the evening return to Machu Picchu town for the night.
(B, L, D ... Hotel)

DAY 4: SECOND DAY EXPLORATION OF MACHU PICCHU & RETURN TO CUSCO

Having spent the night at Machu Picchu the ruins are yours to discover without the crowds of people who come for the day. By arriving early in the morning you can chose to be one of the lucky few who are able to visit the mysterious mountain of Huayana Picchu and the Incan Temple of the Moon.  In the afternoon the train will take you back to Cusco where you can do some last minute souvenir shopping in Peru.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 5: TRAVEL TO GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

This morning you'll say good-bye to the friends you've made in Peru and head back to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. In Lima a representative will assist you with your international connection to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Arriving in Guayaquil you will be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore this bustling coastal city.
(B... Hotel)

DAY 6: ARRIVE GALAPAGOS VISIT DARWIN STATION & SNORKELING TOUR

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos your guide will be waiting to meet you and transfer with you to the island of Santa Cruz. Once in Puerto Ayora you will have time to relax and unpack before lunch and your afternoon tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Your afternoon is completed with a spectacular tour of Academy Bay. Heading out on a small speedboat you will discover the plethora of wildlife that lives in Academy Bay and neighboring Devine's Bay. Frequent wildlife sightings include blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, frigatebirds, brown pelicans, marine iguanas, golden rays, and sharks to name a few. The bay tour is an excellent opportunity to test your snorkeling skills and perfect your sea lion rolls as you swim and snorkel with the fun loving sea lions that live on the island at the head of the bay.
(B, L...Hotel)

DAY 7: VISIT FLOREANA

Known as one of the best dive and snorkel spots in Galapagos our visit to Floreana allows us to snorkel in a virtual fish tank of colorful tropical fish, play and play with sea lion pups! We kayak around the island viewing nesting boobies and frigate birds. Your day continues with a journey into the highlands for a breathtaking view and to view the caves, which were once home to some of the islands first inhabitants.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 8: SEE THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS & TRAVEL TO ISABELA

This morning starts with a trip up to the highlands of Santa Cruz where you begin by literally traveling into the heart of the island. An underground hike through one of the islands lava tubes provides you with a unique view of the volcanic forces that formed the islands.

Departing the lava tubes your hike continues through the scalesia forests for some bird watching.  Here in this ancient looking forests the brilliant red vermillion flycatcher, bright yellow warblers and a variety of other songbirds make there home.  As we make our way towards the lagoon home of wild giant tortoises.  We return to Puerto Ayora for lunch and our afternoon boat ride to the island of Isabela.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 9: VISIT SIERRA NEGRA, SNORKELING & WILDLIFE WALK AT TINTORARES AND FLAMINGO LAGOON

You begin your discovery of the island of Isabela by visiting the Sierra Negra Volcano. The Sierra Negra Caldera is the second largest in the world and the volcano itself is one of the world's most active (the last eruption was in 2005). The journey to Sierra Negra provides us with a variety of birds not seen near the coast as well as some breath taking views of the islands and their dramatic origin.

Returning to the coast your guide takes you on a stroll along the brackish lagoons to view a variety of flamingos, whimbrels and other migratory birds. You finish your days exploration of Isabela with a short boat ride out to the islets in front of the main dock.  Once ashore a short hike offers you the chance to explore this region known as Los Tintorares where you can view piles of marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, boobies, sea lions and sleeping white tip reef sharks.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 10: SEE LOS GEMELOS & GALAPAGOS DEPARTURE

Your final day in Galapagos begins with a boat ride back to the island of Santa Cruz where we transfer via road back to the Baltra airport. One last visit before we go to the twin craters of Los Gemelos.  Here in the walls of this deep ravine live a variety of birds including yellow warblers, vermillion flycatchers, owls and birdlife.

Having completed your visit, your guide escorts you back to the airport for your departing flight to the continent. As you arrive in Guayaquil a transfer takes you to your hotel for the night.
(B ... Hotel)

DAY 11: ECUADOR DEPARTURE

Depart for home

*Please note the itinerary may vary due to changes in air schedules, weather, national park regulations, local conditions, safety or unforeseen emergencies.

TOUR DATES

Feb 10 - 20                    May 12 - 22                    July 7 - 17            Aug 18 - 28        Nov 10 - 20
Mar 5 - 15                     June 9 - 19                     July 21 - 31           Sept  8 - 18        Dec 22 - Jan 1 
Mar 31 - Apr 10             June 22 - July 3**           Aug 4 - 14            Oct 6 - 16  

Other departures dates are available year round upon individual request
Please note Christmas and New Years and Inti-Rami departures are subject to higher rates.

DETAILED ITINERARY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST