Read a sampling of what our
clients said about their trips
The trip to Peru was excellent in every detail. I loved all the hotels. The guides were all just fabulous! Machu Pichu was even more spectacular than I hoped for. The food was delicious and the weather was great. I am so glad we took the Hiram Bingham train. It was worth the extra money.
Th ... more Delilah Perkinson
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet, and Cusco is 10,912 feet.
IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program
South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we have added an optional contribution of $50 to the quoted price of this package. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos, and you'll receive a year's Friend of Galapagos membership after you return.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org
. The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Including Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise
Galapagos and Machu Picchu are two of the most popular destinations in South America. Your tour begins in Quito, which has a well-preserved colonial center and spectacular views of the Andes and nearby volcanoes. You will then travel to the Galapagos Islands for a five day cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend, where you will enjoy plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on Earth. The final part of your tour will take you to Peru to see Machu Picchu, the spectacular mountain top citadel known as the 'Lost city of the Incas'.
The Galapagos Legend is a 100 passenger deluxe expedition ship that offers the comforts and amenities of a larger cruise liner. It is air conditioned throughout, and features 57 cabins with lower beds, private bathroom, safe, and mini bar. The ship's spacious social areas include a pool, Jacuzzi, Fisherman's Bar, observation decks, al fresco dining areas, a spacious passenger lounge, dining room, boutique, library, and conference room. Snorkeling equipment ($20) and wets suits ($25) can be rented on board.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Day 1: Quito
Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2: City Tour of Quito
In the morning, you will have a city tour of Quito. You will explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical centre in the Americas, and visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compania and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage. You will drive through the traditional neighborhood of San Juan and finish the morning at the Panecillo hillside, with its breathtaking views of the old and modern parts of the city. Overnight in Quito. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Quito/Baltra Airport/Bartolome
Morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. Passengers are picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
Bartolome (dry landing). Passengers will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit you'll be impressed by the view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. Visitors will be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Urbina Bay (Isabela)/Espinosa Point (Fernandina)
Urbina Bay (wet landing). Passengers will visit the fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the walk we will have time for snorkeling.
Espinosa Point (dry landing). Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA" lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Egas Port (Santiago)/Rabida
Egas Port (wet landing). Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seals swimming in deep pools of cool water. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.
Rabida (wet landing). The volcano-formed beach is dark red and frequented by sea lions. It's considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands. You'll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found. July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin's finches can also be observed. You can take a dinghy ride by the reefs, as well as snorkel. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Charles Darwin Research Station/Highlands (Santa Cruz)
Charles Darwin Research Station. Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you'll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.
Highlands of Santa Cruz. You can visit Cerro Chato, where you'll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, you can walk inside the dormant lava tubes. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)/Baltra Airport/Guayaquil/Lima
Bachas Beach (wet landing). This beach is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will encounter many sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white sand beach.
Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra airport for the flight to Guayaquil and then Lima, Peru. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B)
Day 8: Lima/City Tour
In the afternoon, you will have a city tour of Lima. You will visit downtown Lima and see several examples of the Spanish architecture of the colonial period including the Plaza de Armas, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Church of San Francisco and Catacombs. After that, you will see Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid dating from the pre-Inca period located in San Isidro. You will tour the upscale residential and commercial district of Miraflores and see the Parque del Amor, a seaside park with a huge statue of a kissing couple, before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B)
Day 9: Lima/Cusco/City Tour
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Because of the high altitude (10,912 feet above sea level), we recommend that you rest for a short period. In the afternoon, you will have a city tour that includes a walk through of the Cathedral, the Koricancha ('site of gold'), typical streets, and the four ruins that surround the city: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Kenko, Puca Pucara, and Tampumachay. Overnight in Cusco. (B)
Day 10: Cusco/Sacred Valley of the Incas
Full-day private excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the Indian artisan market in Pisac and the fortress of Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Cusco. (B,L)
Note: The Indian market opens only Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September.
Day 11: Cusco/Machu Picchu
Morning transfer to the train station for the ride to Machu Picchu, 'the Lost City of the Incas' (7,900 ft.). This mountaintop citadel, which served as both a center of worship and an astronomic observatory, is located in the middle of the cloud forest overlooking the Urubamba River. There are both agricultural and urban areas constructed with the precision stonework that the Incas are known for. The agricultural area consists of terraces and food storehouses, and the urban area contains temples, squares, and royal tombs. Guided tour followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. Free afternoon. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (B,L)
Day 12: Machu Picchu/Cusco
This is a free day to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may want to hike Huayna Picchu, visit the nearby hot springs of Aguas Calientes, or enjoy another activity. Mid-afternoon, you will depart from Machu Picchu by train to Poroy Station in the Sacred Valley, and then be taken to Cusco by private transportation. Overnight in Cusco. (B)
Day 13: Cusco/Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima and your final destination. Depending upon the time of your departure flight from Lima, you can choose to leave Cusco on a mid-afternoon flight to Lima and stay at the airport until your flight departs, or leave Cusco on a morning flight to Lima, pay for a day use hotel (from $30) and transfers to and from the airport ($25 each way) to rest before your flight and enjoy your last day in Lima. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Including Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise
Single
Double
Triple
3 Star
$5,459
$3,439
n/a
4 Star
$5,849
$3,629
n/a
5 Star
$6,539
$4,019
n/a
Deluxe
$7,579
$4,539
n/a
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
Notes:
The above prices are valid until December 10, 2009.
The above prices are based on Superior Exterior Cabin during the cruise.
Singles willing to share a cabin during the cruise receive a substantial discount on the Single price shown above.
Room/cabin upgrades and additional nights in each destination are available upon request.
Triples are available in the Junior Suite, Legend Suite, and Galapagos Balcony cabins.
Machu Picchu Pueblo, Hatuchay Tower, and Sanctuary Lodge accommodations include breakfast and dinner.
Upgrade to the Hiram Bingham train, which operates every day except Sunday, is available for $450 per person.
Oxygenated rooms are available at the Monasterio in Cusco for an additional $50 per room per day.
Christmas Season and High Season (from June to August) surcharges may apply.
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Including Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airfare from Quito to Galapagos to Guayaquil in economy class.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Hotel accommodations including service fees and taxes.
Accommodations on board the M/V Galapagos Legend.
All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
Excursion to Machu Picchu via Vistadome train and other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
Two daily excursions to the islands conducted by bi-lingual naturalist guides.
Evening briefings and lectures.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Domestic airfare within Peru.
Ecuadorian international departure tax (Quito $44.30).
Peruvian international departure tax ($30.25).
Peruvian domestic departure tax ($6.05 each way).
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100).
Transit control card ($10).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare, domestic airfare within Peru, and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Including Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Including Five Day Galapagos Legend Cruise
