Galapagos & Machu Picchu 13 Days

What's Included?

• Round trip flights (Quito to Galapagos)
• 2 nights accommodation in Quito
• 4 nights accommodation in Galapagos
• 2 nights accommodation in Lima
• 3 nights accommodation in Cusco
• 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• English speaking guides
• All tours as specified in the itinerary
• All airport transfers
• Entrance Fees for Machu Picchu
• Round Trip Train & Bus tickets to Machu Picchu

This tour begins with a full day tour in Quito, known for being the 'Capital in the Clouds' and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there it's just a short flight to the vibrant Galapagos Islands, bursting with wildlife diversity and unmissable volcanic landscapes.

This is a land based trip and you will spend several days on the islands hiking to picturesque cliffs, snorkeling and kayaking in the warm sparkling ocean, and spotting the rare endemic coastal animals - such as Blue Footed Boobies, Galapagos Penguins, and marine iguanas. Once you've fully experienced these iconic islands another marvel awaits -Machu Picchu. Upon arriving in Peru, you will be given a chance to explore your first Incan ruins. The next morning a panoramic morning train ride will take you to Agues Calientes, where day you will be yours to relax in the hot springs and tour the quaint riverside village. Exploring magnificent Machu Picchu the following morning is the breathtaking finale to our travels and will leave you with priceless memories of your time in South America.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Welcome to Quito. Our driver will be at the airport when you arrive and transfer you to your hotel. Quito lies in the foothills of the Andes at 2850m (9350 ft) and its historic colonial center is well worth visiting if you arrive earlier in the day. We will have a briefing for the group later in the afternoon at the hotel to go over trip details and plans.

Accommodation: Swissotel

Day 2: Quito to Galapagos (Isla Santa Cruz)

Our driver will pick you up in the morning and drop you to the airport for the early morning flight to Baltra (2 hours). When you arrive in the Galapagos your guide will meet you at the airport and we will head to Puerto Ayora where we will catch the ferry to the Island of Santa Cruz. We will visit a private ranch for lunch before heading out on a hike to see the giant tortoises and lava tubes. After the hike we continue to our hotel for the evening to relax.

Accommodation: Hotel Fiesta or Similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch

Day 3: Isla Santa Cruz - Explore Academy Bay

Following breakfast in the morning we will take a half day tour of Academy Bay. You can swim and snorkel here and it's a great place to see the sea lions as well as blue-footed boobies. After a swim we will take a walk along the Playa de los Perros to view the sea iguanas and a variety of cacti.

Accommodation: Hotel Fiesta or Similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Isla Santa Cruz to Isla San Cristobal

After breakfast we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where we can learn about some of the wildlife we have seen and what is being done to conserve the ecology. Later in the afternoon, we will take a fast boat to San Cristobal where we will spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin or Similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Isla San Cristobal - Isla Lobos Tour

After breakfast we will take a quick boat ride to Isla Lobos which is famous for its birds and marine life. Enjoy a guided tour where you will be sure to see; frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta, sea lions and the frequent sharks that inhabit the island and the surrounding waters. We will return to the mainland island of San Cristobal in the early afternoon and the rest of the day is free for exploration.

Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin or Similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: San Cristobal & Departure

Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to the airport of San Cristobal from where we will take the flight back to the mainland of Ecuador for an overnight stay in Guayaquil before your flight to Peru.

Morning: Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (40 minute bus drive / 1 hour visit)
Morning: San Cristobal Airport
Return Flight Included: AV1631, departing Galapagos 13:20, arriving Guayaquil 16:10


Accommodations included Breakfast included

Day 7: Fly to Lima and transfer Hotel

We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive in Lima and take you to your hotel in the Miraflores district of Lima, which is centrally located and a good place to explore the city from.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.

Day 8: Lima Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast we will begin our tour of Lima, a city rich in history and colonial architecture. Our first stop will be Huaca Pucllana, an ancient pyramid constructed over 1500 years ago in the center of Lima. Our next stop will be the Plaza de Armas with its colonial architecture and grand cathedral. Our tour will finish off with a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent and monastery. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the city and for dinner.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.
Breakfast, lunch included

Day 9: Fly to Cusco

Day 10: Cusco Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast we will go for a tour of Cusco. Your tour will include a visit to Santo Domingo Church which is built on top of the Coricancha one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire. Our next stop is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, noted for its impressive stone walls. We will continue to the Tambomachay Archeological Complex on the outskirts of the city and is known as the bath of the Incas. After exploring the ruins we will return to Cusco for the night.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.
Breakfast / Lunch included

Day 11: Train Journey to Aguas Calientes

If you love nature and the countryside, the PeruRail Vistadome is exactly what you're looking for. The panoramic windows located beside and above your seat will bring you close to nature unlike anything you've experienced before. The PeruRail Vistadome* train offers a unique connection with the scenery along the way to Machu Picchu, making passengers feel as if they were somehow part of the nature that surrounds them.

Or

Today we will pick you up from your hotel at 9am and drive about 2 hours through the Sacred Valley to the train station at Ollantaytambo. Here we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes, a small town in a deep river gorge below Machu Picchu. You will have free time in the afternoon to explore the area and enjoy the local hot springs..

Breakfast included
Overnight Hatun Inti Boutique.

Day 12: Visit Machu Picchu, Return to Cusco

We will get an early start today for the short bus ride up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a tour of the city and then you will have another couple of hours to explore on your own. Once you're finished you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for a journey back to Cusco by train and bus.

Optional Tour: Wayna Picchu is the mountain directly behind Machu Picchu and is frequently climbed for great views of the mountains. This requires a pre-arranged permit which can be obtained for additional cost. Please ask us if you would like to include the optional hike in the package.

Breakfast Included
Overnight Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza.

Day 13: Departure

It's your last day in Cusco! Enjoy your breakfast and according to your flight time, We'll make sure you arrive at Cusco International Airport with plenty of time before your flight home..

Breakfast Included

Exclusions

• Galapagos National Park Fee of USD 100 (Cash only)
• Transit Control Card USD 20 (Cash only)
• Wetsuit rental: USD 25 for 3-4 night cruises
• Kayak rental: Regular kayak USD 30, transparent kayak USD 40 per use per person
• Internet plans are available on board
• All International flights
• Flight from Lima to Cusco
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages upon request
• Tips: as a suggestion, per day, per person USD 20 for the crew and USD 10 for the naturalistic guide
• Scuba Diving during GO's cruises: USD 260 half-day tour with 1-2 immersions and equipment included