Peru and Galapagos tour

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Join us on this popular tour combining the breathtaking cultural highlights of Peru with the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon rainforest. We begin the trip in Lima before flying to the ancient Incan capital of Cusco where we explore the city including the ruins of Sacsayhuamán and the Sacred Valley and witness the sun rise over magical Machu Picchu. We continue onto Quito with its many cultural sights before heading to an exceptional Amazon lodge and completing the trip with a small ship cruise taking in the spectacular wildlife and landscape of the Galapagos

Duration: 18 days

Tailor-made Adventure

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Experience the colonial grandeur and excellent museums of Lima.
- With its ancient archaeological sites, fascinating museums and unique Andean atmosphere, Cusco’s sights and sounds never fail to inspire all those who travel there.
- Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
- Quito is UNESCO heritage listed because of its many fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture.
- Take in a fascinating eco-tourism experience in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
- Explore the Galapagos Islands on a small ship cruise and get up close and personal with its abundant wildlife.
Itinerary in brief
- Day 1: Arrive Lima.
- Day 2: Exclusive Lima tour.
- Day 3: Fly from Lima to Cusco. Afternoon at leisure to acclimatise.
- Day 4: Cusco city tour.
- Day 5: Tour of the Sacred Valley and afternoon train to Machu Picchu.
- Day 6: Machu Picchu morning tour including option to trek Huayna Picchu. Return to Cusco.
- Day 7: Cusco to Quito.
- Day 8: Quito city tour.
- Day 9: Quito to Amazon Lodge. Begin your 4 day Amazon Lodge stay.
- Day 10-11: Amazon Lodge stay.
- Day 12: Amazon to Quito.
- Day 13: Quito - Galapagos Islands: begin your 5 day Galapagos cruise.
- Day 14-16: Galapagos Islands cruise.
- Day 17: Complete Galapagos cruise and fly to Guayaquil.
- Day 18: Depart Guayaquil.
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Extend your cruise to a 6 or 8 day cruise to maximise your Galapagos experience.
- Further explore underrated Ecuador with a trip through the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
- Break up the long flight home with a stopover in Santiago.
- Extend your stay in Peru and explore some of its other highlights including Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.
Day 1: Arrival

On arrival at Lima airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
This evening is at your leisure and we recommend venturing into one of Lima’s many outstanding restaurants in the “Gastronomical Capital of Latin America”. In particular, we suggest you try ceviche, the national dish of Peru, which is a form of citrus-marinated seafood.

Day 2: Exclusive Lima Tour

Depart this morning on a 5 hour sightseeing tour exploring the most impressive sights of Lima along with some of our handpicked favourites. We will start in Miraflores market, a vibrant place visited by local chefs for its wonderful variety of fresh produce from the coast, the Andes and the Amazon. Take the chance to learn more about Peru’s diversity reflected in the colourful assortment of vegetables, fruits, fish and condiments.

On the way to Lima’s downtown we pass by ‘Huaca Pucllana’ an ancient adobe pyramid structure which served as one of the region’s most important ceremonial temples between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD. We continue to the San Isidro district and visit the impressive ‘El Olivar’ park before stopping at the Pisco Museum where you have the chance to taste Peru’s national drink, the ‘Pisco Sour’ (optional, not included). Later we visit Lima’s downtown with its historic and traditional buildings: the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s palace and the Metropolitan City Hall surround the Main Square. Continue to San Francisco church and monastery, a 17th century jewel, recognised as a cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city on your own.

Breakfast included.
Day 3: Lima – Cusco

Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Lima airport for your departure flight. On arrival at Cusco airport you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

We suggest you take things slowly today in order to acclimatise to Cusco's altitude or even add in an additional day for relaxation. In the evening, there are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Cusco.

Breakfast included.
Day 4: Cusco City Tour
Your first morning in Cusco can be spent at your leisure, enjoying breakfast before exploring Cusco or relaxing at your hotel. In the afternoon you will be met for your guided tour of Cusco and its archaeological sites. Your Cusco tour will include highlights such as Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and Koricancha Temple. We also visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed ruins of Sacsayhuaman just outside of Cusco which were once the former capital of the Incan Empire.

Breakfast included.
Day 5: Cusco - Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu

Today, we discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Travel to the scenic town of Pisac where you'll visit the colourful local market and have free time to search for a souvenir or two before enjoying a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

We then continue our journey along the River Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, where you will visit to the Ollantaytambo ruins and one of its best preserved areas, Hanan Hucaypata. Catch the scenic afternoon train to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the evening and prepare for your early morning visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

*Option to add a night in the colonial town of Ollantaytambo and continue to Machu Picchu early tomorrow, giving you the opportunity to enjoy 2 visits to Machu Picchu.

Breakfast, Lunch included.
Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco

This morning you will have an early start to visit Machu Picchu at sunrise and see the vivid colours brightening up this amazing destination. You will have a guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries. The citadel was discovered in 1911 by the American explorer and Academic, Hiram Bingham. Many theories on the citadel exist, but most agree it was a holy site, hidden for centuries and never found by the invading Spanish.

For those looking for adventure, we recommend the 1.5 hour trek up Huayna Picchu Mountain which overlooks Machu Picchu and allows for spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. Your return train through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Cusco will depart in the afternoon and arrive in the early evening.

Includes guided tour and return bus from Aguas Calientes village and return to Cusco by train.

Breakfast included.

Day 7: Cusco - Quito

This morning we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Quito via Lima. On arrival in Quito you will be met by our representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

Breakfast included.
Day 8: Quito City tour

After breakfast, your guide and transportation will pick you up and take you on a comprehensive walking tour of the Colonial District of Quito. On this tour you will visit some of the most famous squares, churches and colonial buildings of the city including the Independence Plaza where you can admire the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop’s palace. Furthermore, you'll visit the San Francisco Church and the Basilica of Quito, the oldest Church in South America, made almost completely out of volcanic stone. Then head to the 'Panecillo Mirador', the most famous hill of Quito, where you can take pictures of both colonial and modern Quito.

While walking through the city, your guide will help you appreciate the eventful past of Ecuador including the Inca Empire, the Spanish invasion, and its push towards independence.

Return to your hotel with the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Breakfast included.
Day 9: Quito - Amazon Lodge

Today we transfer you to the airport for your 30 minute flight over the eastern Andes mountain range to Coca which is the entrance point to the Yasuní National Park – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest area of tropical rainforest in Ecuador. The Yasuní National Park sits at the intersection of the Andes and the Amazon regions, and offers a variety of excellent lodges where you can experience the rich biodiversity of the area.

From the airport you are met and transferred to the Napo River where we start a canoe ride to your lodge approximately 2 hours away. Along the way you will enjoy a delicious lunch whilst keeping an eye out for birds like herons, kingfishers, toucans, parrots and macaws. You will arrive at your lodge and after a briefing you will have the opportunity to take part in the afternoon and evening activities included. All activities and meals are included during your stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Day 10-11: Amazon Lodge stay

Over the next few days you will enjoy the wide variety of activities and attractions available at your lodge and enjoy incredible wildlife encounters. The exact itinerary depends on your lodge but may include a combination of the following;
- Visit a clay lick where several species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen feeding.
- Discover unique rainforest creatures from the rainforest canopy.
- Hike the trails in and around your lodge and learn about the flora and fauna of the region with a naturalist guide.
- Visit native Indian communities and learn about their culture and way of life.
- Evening hiking or canoe rides which allow guests to hear the nocturnal sounds of the jungle and to look for bats, caiman, snakes, spiders and a variety of other insects.
- Go fishing for piranha.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Day 12: Amazon to Quito

This morning you will enjoy breakfast before we return to Coca along the Napo River which may reveal new sightings of giant otters, monkeys, or many other rare birds. We arrive Quito and board the flight back to Quito where you will be transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Breakfast included.

Day 13: Quito - Galapagos Islands: Begin your 5 day Galapagos cruise

This morning we transfer you to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. After a short flight you will arrive at Baltra or San Cristobal Island and after paying your Galapagos National Park entrance fee you will be met by your guide and transferred to your vessel to begin your cruise. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing. Your selected cruise then begins with the exact itinerary for the next 5 days being dependent on your choice of vessel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Day 14-16: Galapagos Islands cruise
Over the next few days you will enjoy fantastic wildlife spotting including island landings and snorkelling opportunities with expert guides. Animals such as Blue and Red-footed Boobies, Galapagos sea lions, giant tortoises, land and marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins and frigate birds are only some of the unique wildlife found in this region. One of the most exciting things for visitors to the Galapagos is the incredible, close-up encounters with its animals which seemingly have no fear of humans.

The volcanic Islands of the Galapagos also offer spectacular scenery, from active volcanos, to lava tubes and impressive red and white sand beaches. It is not only a wildlife haven but an incredible archipelago of diverse islands, and over the course of your cruise you will enjoy many zodiac landings and have the chance to explore them in detail.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Day 17: Galapagos - Guayaquil

After a final island landing in the morning, you will be transferred to Baltra or San Cristobal airport in time to catch your flight back to the mainland. On arrival in Guayaquil you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure to explore and we recommend wandering along the waterfront and enjoying a meal.

Breakfast included.

Day 18: Depart Guayaquil

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast included.
Departs - Several days each week

Suggested Hotels

City	Comfort	Superior	Deluxe
Lima	Girasoles	Casa Andina Select	Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
Cusco	Maytaq	Antigua Casona San Blas	Aranwa Cusco Boutique
Aguas Calientes	Hatun Samay	El Mapi	Sumaq Hotel
Quito	Real Audiencia	Casona de la Ronda	Swiss Hotel
Guayaquil	Continental Hotel	Palace Hotel	Hotel Oro Verde
Amazon	Jamu Lodge	Napo Wildlife Centre	La Selva Lodge
Galapagos	Archipell I	Odyssey Yacht	Ocean Spray

Ship Information: Archipell I

Cabins have ocean views and offer all the amenities to feel like home during your vacation. The boat features 8 cabins of which 2 have low queen size beds and the remaining 6 have low twin beds. Each cabin offers a private bath, hot water, air conditioning and a closet.

Ship Information: Odyssey

All cabins feature individually controlled air-conditioning Double cabin Small desk, sofa, mini-bar, and closet, as well as spacious bathrooms with shower cabins. All main deck and upper deck cabins average 20 square meters in size including the bathroom. All cabins have big windows, which can be individually opened.

Ship Information: Ocean Spray

The Galapagos Ocean Spray is a new catamaran that started cruising the Galapagos Islands in March 2012. Ten crew members and a bi-lingual naturalist guide are at your disposition to ensure a flawless operation. The M/C Ocean Spray has comfortable social areas that have been elegantly designed. The lounge has been fitted with large windows to provide panoramic views of the enchanting Galapagos Archipelago. The sun deck has comfortable loungers and a jacuzzi to relax and enjoy the sea breeze after a day of Galapagos exploration.

What's included
- Accommodation with private facilities
- All internal airfares
- Hotel taxes
- Entrance fees
- Tours with English speaking guides
- Transfers
- Meals as specified
What's not included
- Airport entrance/departure taxes
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Any other flights
- Any items not mentioned as included
- Galapagos National Park entrance is payable on arrival
Notes
Hotel rates are based on double/twin share lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
*Internal airfare prices are based on your arrival into South America being with LAN Airlines. Supplements may apply if you arrive with another airline.

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Incas, Amazon & Galapagos Adventure

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary in brief

Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Exclusive Lima Tour

Day 3: Lima – Cusco

Day 4: Cusco City Tour

Day 5: Cusco - Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu

Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 7: Cusco - Quito

Day 8: Quito City tour

Day 9: Quito - Amazon Lodge

Day 10-11: Amazon Lodge stay

Day 12: Amazon to Quito

Day 13: Quito - Galapagos Islands: Begin your 5 day Galapagos cruise

Day 14-16: Galapagos Islands cruise

Day 17: Galapagos - Guayaquil

Day 18: Depart Guayaquil

Departs - Several days each week

Suggested Hotels

City

Comfort

Superior

Deluxe

Lima

Cusco

Aguas Calientes

Quito

Guayaquil

Amazon

Galapagos

Ship Information: Archipell I

Ship Information: Odyssey

Ship Information: Ocean Spray

What's included

What's not included

Notes

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