Machu Picchu Galapagos C

Peru Viajes

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DAY 1 SATURDAY - ARRIVAL QUITO
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Quito and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight. (No meals)

DAY 2 SUNDAY - QUITO – SANTA CRUZ
Early breakfast and transportation to the Airport. Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 hours flight). Passengers
are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken on a ten minute
bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Corals

PM – Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)
Dry landing. We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place and you will have the opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species and symbol of our efforts
to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. It is an excellent place for visitors to be photographed with them. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwin’s finch and other land birds. The Darwin Station also works providing environmental education to communities and schools within the islands, and to tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1h30 visit

DAY 3 MONDAY – SANTA FE
Wet landing on a white sand beach surrounded by a sea lion colony; we continue walking through an endemic cactus forest as we search for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, the largest in the islands and distinctively paler. This island is home to a number of endemic species including Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, rice rats, a variety of finches and one of the four species of Galapagos mockingbirds. Deep-water snorkeling.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 1h30 walk

PM - SOUTH PLAZA (PLAZA ISLAND)
Dry landing on the northern part of the Islet. The walk begins with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marine iguanas; as we reach its highest point, be on the lookout for tropicbirds and a bachelor sea lion colony.
In South Plaza there is a large colony of the smaller sized land iguanas. The population is approximately 300 individuals. They feed on all kinds of vegetation, but during the dry season survive on the fruits and flowers of Opuntia cacti. Due to their proximity with marine iguanas, where we will encounter the one and only Galapagos hybrid iguana.

Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk

DAY 4 TUESDAY – RÁBIDA
Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride

PM – BACHAS BEACH (SANTA CRUZ)
Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; behind the beach lie two small flamingo ponds with iguanas, coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as interesting native and endemic vegetation, red and black mangroves, salt bushes, and much more. This beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average of 70 eggs each, but then spend 3 or 5 years without breeding.
At this paradisiacal site we will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago, once property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. That is why the beach is called “Bachas” because the word “barges” in English was hard to pronounce for the local people.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – DAPHNE
We circumnavigate the islet of Daphne, an eroded tuff cone formation that was created by successive volcanic activity, for an opportunity to see Darwin’s finches, Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Brown Noddies. Afterwards, we transfer directly to Baltra Airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito (Airfare Included) Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Quito and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight (B).

DAY 6 QUITO - LIMA (THURSDAY)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your connection flight to Lima (Airfare Not Included) to take an exciting extension to Peru, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Upon arrival transfer the Hotel. Overnight. (B)

DAY 7 LIMA – CUSCO (FRIDAY)
Transfer to the Lima airport for the flight to Cuzco (Airfare Not Included). Upon arrival to Cusco Airport. Reception and transportation to the Hotel where you will receive an aromatic coca tea to stimulating for the height, will have the free morning to rest and also we suggest you have a light lunch either at your hotel or in one of the surrounded; in the afternoon we will depart on a guided city tour, where tourist have the opportunity to visit 6 places (entrance to the archaeological centers and museums including) we will visit the Main square, Cathedral, the Koricancha (temple of the sun) and in addition we will make a route bordering archaeological centers like Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, tour finishes 6:30pm approximately at the main square in order you can take dinner in one of the exquisite restaurants in the area, then overnight. (B)

NOTES:
*City tour: from 1.45pm to 6:30pm approx. (Pickup from the hotel starts at 1:15pm)
*Optional Buffet Dinner with Folkloric Show: Adding $30 per person

DAY 8 FULL DAY MACHUPICCHU TOUR (SATURDAY)
Early breakfast and pickup to go the train station to depart to Machu Picchu, the trip takes about 4 hours. During the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba and the Amazon rainforest providing you a small hint of how much Peru has to offer. Upon arrival to the little town of Aguas Calientes you will have to approach the bus station towards Machupicchu the “Lost City of the Incas” (Only 20 minutes ride) to receive a professional guided tour by this Huge Historical Sanctuary visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds follow by some free time to explore the zone on your own and experience the energy and force contained therein, an according time, we will go down to the Aguas Calientes town to take the train that will return us to Cusco City. Reception at the train station and transfer to your accommodation. (B, L).
TRAIN SERVICES:
The Hiram Bingham is the most luxurious way to journey between Cusco and Machu Picchu. For many visitors a trip to Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience, and the Hiram Bingham assures a magical journey, never to be forgotten.
The carriages are painted a distinctive blue and gold and the interiors are luxurious, warm and inviting with elegant decoration in the style of the 1920's Pullman trains.
Each of the carriages has been furnished in polished wood and brass with large chairs and plenty of space to stretch out. As you board, the tables are exquisitely laid, ready for your meal, with gleaming crystal and polished cutlery.
On board you will be served by a team of dedicated waiters who will attend to your every need and make sure your journey is as comfortable and luxurious as you imagined.
The Vistadome connect your senses through a sophisticated and sensory travel experience; is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu.
Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travelers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru.

The Vistadome also has air conditioning and heating, leather seats that adjust the body to provide comfort and relaxation during the entire trip and has a different service, which allows the visitor to be immersed and feel the Andean culture through its landscapes, music, dance and even food carefully prepared with local ingredients
The Expedition is a travel experience with all the quality and benefits at a lower cost. Is a service designed for the traveler’s comfort, with four passenger seats located in front of each other, so you can share your experience, and for the faithful backpack that is always with you we offer racks placed above the seats. Also, this train has panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating, and Andean music that creates a cheerful atmosphere.


DAY 9 FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR (SUNDAY)
Breakfast. You will be picked up at 8:15 am. Full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting: The colorful Indian market in Pisac where a mixture of color, tradition will be able appreciated. Pisac is located to the entrance of the Sacred Valley followed by Ollantaytambo. Most people visit Pisac to see the market on Sunday, but there are smaller markets on both Tuesday and Thursday. However Pisac is a pretty village and has plenty of small handicraft shops and is worth a visit on any day of the week as is a good place to buy the local ceramics including a huge and varied collection of hand-painted multi-coloured beads. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Urubamba then we continue with Ollantaytambo which is an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley, considered the older town continuously occupied of the American continent is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that have not varied from the Inca time, evoke their ancestral inheritance, and then finish visiting Chinchero.
Chinchero is a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3762m about 30km from Cusco and is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end, return to Cusco arriving at 6:30pm approximately at the main plaza.
The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice; although we always have plenty of suggestions for you should you require them. (B, L)

Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday // Bilingual Guided tour on different days

DAY 10 CUSCO / LIMA (MONDAY)
Breakfast and transportation from the hotel to the airport for your return flight back to Lima (airfare not included). Arriving just in time to catch your international connection (B)

END OF SERVICES

Galapagos Map

Galapagos