Read a sampling of what our
clients said about their trips
Inca Trail was spectacular - words cannot describe the beauty and magnificance of the Inca "ruins" and the Andes Mountains. We were treated like absolute royalty by all South American Vacations' staff and contractors and guides. Our accommodations exceeded my expectations, and were extremely lavis ... more David Hupman
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 contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
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, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island
Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island are three of the most popular destinations in South America. Your tour will begin in Quito which offers spectacular views of the Andes and nearby volcanoes. You will then travel to the Galapagos Islands for a four day cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend, and to Machu Picchu, the 'Lost city of the Incas'. The last part of your tour is Easter Island, situated 2,200 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, and known for its colossal Moai statues.
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.
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)
Day 3: Quito/Baltra Airport/North Seymour
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.
North Seymour (dry landing). Guests will encounter swallow tail gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Travelers will also spot both the marine iguanas and land iguanas and will have snorkeling opportunities. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)/Cormorant Point (Floreana)
Dragon Hill (wet landing). Passengers walk to a saltwater lagoon behind the beach, where on occasion many pink flamingos can be observed. This trail leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a lovely view of the bay. This is a nesting site for reintroduced land iguanas, and there is also a Scalesia tree forest. Passengers may opt to take a dinghy to Venice islet and observe the vegetation and marine animals like spotted eagle rays, golden rays, mullets, sharks and sea turtles. Land iguanas have often been observed as well.
Cormorant Point (wet landing). Visitors will hike from the black mangrove beds to a large, brackish lagoon, which holds one of the biggest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. The island is best known for its endemic plants like the Galapagos millwork, passion flower and button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice on the main beach with the playful sea lions; experienced snorkelers can roam around Devils Crown. Please keep in mind this is an open-water activity; there is nothing to step on. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Suarez Point (Espanola)/La Galapaguera (San Cristobal)
Suarez Point (dry landing). Visitors will learn more about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields. Besides the sea lion colonies, this is a very important site for bird watching. Many species, such as the hooded mocking bird and red billed tropic bird can be spotted and observed closely. You will also see a large colony of marine iguanas, lava lizards, and sally light foot crabs. After a short trek visitors encounter colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies. The nesting grounds sometimes overlap the trail. Visitors will also find Galapagos doves, hawks and swallow-tailed gulls and then reach the world's largest colony of waved albatross. A major highlight is their mating season, from May through December. You'll visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots into the air about 23 m (75 ft).
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (dry landing). Passengers will visit San Cristobal breeding center and learn about the National Park's breeding program with the giant tortoises. Passengers will observe some animals in their natural environment. Overnight aboard the Galapagos Legend. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Punta Carrion/Bartolome/Baltra Airport/Guayaquil/Lima
Punta Carrion. During this visit you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful Itabaca Channel with its turquoise waters.
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 7: 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 8: 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 (10,660 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: Cusco/Lima
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will have the afternoon free. Overnight in Lima. (B)
Day 13: Lima/Santiago
Early morning transfer for the airport for your flight to Santiago. 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 Santiago. (B)
Day 14: Santiago/City Tour/Folkloric Dinner Show
In the morning, you will have a panoramic city tour of Santiago, which will include Parque O'Higgins, Plaza de Armas (the city's historic center), Palacio de la Moneda, ex-National Congress, Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santa Lucia Hill, the place of Santiago's founding in 1541,and the Bohemian district of Bellavista. In the evening, you will have a folkloric dinner show with typical Chilean dishes, dances, music, and costumes. Overnight in Santiago. (B,D)
Day 15: Santiago/Easter Island
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Easter Island. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)
Note: There are no flights from Santiago to Easter Island on Mondays and Thursdays.
Day 16: Easter Island/Rano Raraku/Anakena Beach
Full day excursion visiting the archaeological center of Akahanga and the quarry at Rano Raraku volcano, where all of the moai on the island were carved. You will see over 300 statues in various stages of completion, and one giant moai, 21 meters (69 ft.) tall. You will also visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu (burial site), whose moai were re-erected after a tsunami flattened the statues, Ahu Te Pito Kura, site of the largest moai moved from the quarry, and the ahu Nau Nau at Anakena Beach. Picnic lunch at Anakena Beach. Overnight in Easter Island. (B,L)
Day 17: Easter Island/Orongo/Ahu Akivi
Half day tour to the Rano Kau crater, the Orongo ceremonial village, with its birdman petroglyphs, and Vinapu with its two ahu. Half day tour to Ahu Akivi with its seven moai facing the sea, the caves of Ana Te Pahu, and Puna Pau, the volcanic crater where the pukao (reddish stone hats/headdresses) that some moai wear were carved. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)
Day 18: Easter Island/Santiago
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island
Single
Double
Triple
3 Star
$5,749
$3,739
n/a
4 Star
$6,889
$4,319
n/a
5 Star
$8,469
$5,199
n/a
Deluxe
$10,139
$6,059
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, 2010.
The above prices are based on Superior Exterior Cabin during the cruise.
Singles willing to share a cabin during the cruise can pay the double price plus a single supplement of $450 for the land portion in Quito (subject to availability).
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, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island
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 and Chile.
Ecuadorian international departure tax (Guayaquil $27.15).
Peruvian international departure tax ($30.25).
Peruvian domestic departure tax ($6.05 each way).
Chilean reciprocity tax ($131).
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 Chile, and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
