Machu Picchu Galapagos L

Peru Viajes

Check for current Weather conditions for top destinations in Peru

DAY 1 LIMA (FRIDAY)
Pick up upon arrival at Lima’s airport and transportation to the hotel. Overnight (No meals)

DAY 2 LIMA – CUSCO (SATURDAY)
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 3 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 4 MACHUPICCHU OVERNIGHT TOUR (MONDAY)
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 relax at the hot springs or just overnight at the select lodging in Aguas Calientes town. (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 5 MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO (TUESDAY)
Breakfast and rest of day at leisure by your own (Entrance and bus fee to Machu Picchu Not included on this day) in the afternoon return to Cusco. Reception at the train station and transfer to the Hotel where it passed the night (B).

Upon request: You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) or for more adventures can take a hike to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. Or if you have good physical conditions can take a hike full of adrenaline to the Putukusi Mountain opposite position than Machu Picchu which allows us to have other unforgettable views from this new wonder.

DAY 6 CUSCO / LIMA / QUITO (WEDNESDAY)
Breakfast. Transfer from hotel to the airport for your return flight back to Lima, (airfare not included). Reception at airport just in time to catch your flight to Quito (Airfare Not Included) Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Quito and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight. (B)

DAY 7 SAN CRISTÓBAL AIRPORT (THURSDAY)
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristóbal (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/V Galapagos Legend.

PM – INTERPRETATION CENTER & TIJERETAS HILL (SAN CRISTÓBAL)
Dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos Islands.
Passengers visit the Interpretation Center, an excellent place to learn about Natural History in the Galapagos. The Museum of Natural History displays information on the volcanic origins of the islands, their remoteness from the continent, ocean currents, climate, the arrival of the different species and their colonization, among other points of interest. The human history is also showcased, chronologically narrating the most significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the islands.

Difficulty level: easy
Duration: 1 hour visit

Tijeretas Hill involves a high intensity walk amidst beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view at the foot of a frigatebird nesting colony.

Difficulty level: high
Duration: 1 hour visit

DAY 8 GARDNER BAY, GARDNER & OSBORN ISLETS (ESPAÑOLA) (FRIDAY)
Wet landing on a beautiful white coral sand beach guarded by a colony of sea lions. There are no trails, so we stay along the shore where we can spot Galapagos hawks, American Oystercatchers, Galapagos Ground Doves, Hood mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin’s finches: a subspecies (Geospiza fuliginosa) of the Large Cactus Finch, which is similar to the large ground finch, the Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) and the Warbler Finch (Certhidea Olivacea), another endemic subspecies. Swimming and snorkeling offer a great variety of Galapagos marine wildlife: king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.

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

PM - SUÁREZ POINT (ESPAÑOLA)
Dry landing. An island of geological interest, we explore volcanic formations and a riveting wildlife: large sea lion colonies and seabirds including Española mockingbird, Nazca Boobies and the spectacular Red-billed Tropicbird. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
A somewhat lengthy hike will bring you among Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, right up to nesting grounds that sometimes overlap the trail. Other birding favorites include Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Hawk, Swallow-tailed Gulls and the world’s largest colony of Waved Albatross, an unequivocal highlight during mating season (May-December).
Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop, featuring the famous Soplador, a seaward blowhole that shoots water some 23 m. (75 ft.) in the air.

Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2h30 walk

DAY 9 POST OFFICE (FLOREANA) (SATURDAY)
Wet landing. Located on the north side of Floreana, the bay is so-named because in 1793 Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors passing through, who would take letters with them to their destinations. Today, our visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel that should reach their destinations for free. It can take weeks, months, even years, not arrive at all, or even arrive before you!
We may also encounter Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warbler and lava lizards.
Great snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles as well, this island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, and Galapagos milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 30 minutes walk / 1 hour snorkeling

PM – CORMORANT POINT (FLOREANA)
Wet landing on an olivine green sand beach. We hike from the black mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. This island features some endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific Sea Turtles. It is important to avoid walking in the water due to the Sting Rays that may be hiding in the sand, which can be dangerous if accidentally stepped on. From the beach one can spot sea turtles, Blue-footed Boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in search of food.
This coral-sand beach marks the end of our trail, and we head back to the olivine beach we landed on to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy and walk on a flat terrain
Duration: 1 hour walk / 1 hour snorkeling

DAY 10 CERRO MESA RESERVE (SANTA CRUZ) (SUNDAY)
Dry landing. First ecological reserve of the region, it’s possible to observe numerous endemic plants, 7 subspecies Darwin’s finches, Vermillion Flycatcher. From there you will be able to see Baltra, Santiago, Isabela, Santa Fé, Daphne Islands.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & steep
Duration: 35 minutes drive / 1h30 walk

For passengers taking D+A itineraries will go to El Garrapatero instead of Cerro Mesa Reserve.

EL GARRAPATERO (SANTA CRUZ)
El Garrapatero is a wide bay with multiple sandy beaches. Behind the beach is an area with a fresh water lake where you can come across pink flamingos, herons, mockingbirds, White-cheeked Pintail ducks, sally light foot crabs, oystercatchers and occasionally marine iguanas can be found.

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 50 minutes drive / 1h30 walk

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 variety Darwin’s finches 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 11 DAPHNE (MONDAY)
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, Brown Noddies. Afterwards, you will go straight to the airport for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito (Airfare Included). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight (B)

DAY 12 QUITO CITY TOUR (TUESDAY)
Breakfast. Quito colonial city tour exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco, repositories of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight (B)

DAY 13 TRANSFER OUT (WEDNESDAY)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your connection flight to return home. (B)

END OF SERVICES

Cusco Cathedral

Machu Picchu Peru