Make the most of your trip to the region by combining the natural wonder of the Galapagos Islands with the cultural, scenic and archaeological marvels of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. This option includes a 4 night Galapagos cruise with the motor vessel M/Y Floreana 16 Passengers in 8 double cabins with private Bathroom, but smaller or larger yacht alternatives can be arranged. Contact us for 7 nights Galapagos or for more options
Day 1: LimaUpon your arrival into Lima you will be met and transferred to the hotel in exclusive zone of Lima in Miraflores for your overnight. (Breakfast)
Day 2: Cusco
After breakfast transfer to the Airport for your departure flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel following brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon City tour of Cusco, including the Cathedral, Qoricancha, temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Later you will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. We return to the hotel (Breakfast)
Day 3: Sacred Valley
After breakfast we Leave Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel by bus over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the Sun. Visit the Ancient Pisaq market, where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles. Lunch at the local hacienda restaurant and continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca temple / fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. Return to the hotel (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 4: Machu Picchu
Early in the morning after breakfast we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the railway station for the tourist class train to Machu Pichu. The 3 hour train journey passes through picturesque Andean scenery, passing traditional villages, Inca ruins and rushing rivers. We'll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Afterward we'll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river. Our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. Afterwards we take the bus for your return to the Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then we will take the train for your return to Cusco. After your arrival to Cusco train station transfer to the hotel (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 5: Cusco - Lima -QUITO
Transfer from the Hotel to the Airport for the departure flight to Lima for the connecting flight to Quito. Reception and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 6: Sunday: flight to Galapagos - Bachas/ Baltra Island
Flight to Galapagos to Baltra Island where you will start your cruises aboard the M/Y Floreana Yacht after a short drive to the harbour. The deserted, picturesque beach Las Bachas at the northern shore of Santa Cruz invites you for a swim in the crystal-clear water or to relax in the sun. Afterwards you will be visiting the bay Caleta Tortuga Negra which is close by. This bay is surrounded by mangroves where you can spot pelicans and herons. While snorkelling you can have a swim with the turtles, white-tip sharks and rays. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 7: Monday: Plazas South - Santa Fe
Located on the east of Santa Cruz, the main characteristics on the small island South Plaza are the Opuntia cacti and the carpets of red sesuvium, a succulent plant that turns green in the rainy season. The cactus is the main food of land iguanas, which are usually found resting at the cactu's shade. The island contains one of the largest sea lion colony of Galapagos, swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds nesting, and boobies roosting on the south cliff of the island. Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the archipelago. A turquoise lagoon with two small white sand beaches are protected by a peninsula where sea lions rest. A trail runs along side the coast and then crosses through an Opuntia Forest. These prickly pear cacti are the largest ones in Galapagos. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are larger and of a paler yellow than on the other islands. After the hike you can swim or snorkel in the bay in company of sea lions. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 8: Tuesday: Espanola Island-Punta Suarez-Gardner Bay
One of the oldest of the islands, Espanola is small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Espanola Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent the majority of the world's population of this species. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 9: Wednesday: Floreana - Pto. Cormorant / Devil's crown / Post Office Bay
Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic Islands of the archipelago At Punta Cormorant you land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 m long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingoes, white-checked pintail ducks and other shorebirds. The trail goes on to a white beach made of grinned coral, so it looks like flour. This is the green sea turtle's nesting place. North of Punta Cormorant and eroded volcano, Devil's Crown, is a snorkel's delight. To the west, Post Office Bay keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers used to send their mail.(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 10: Thursday: Santa Cruz/Estacion Charles Darwin - Highlands
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands (approx 10.000). Santa Cruz is also the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen: Coastal, Arid, Transition, Scalesia, Miconia, and Pampa Zones. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park offices are based here. We will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of their kind. Scientists, park rangers and park managers among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this Unesco World Heritage Site, conduct the conservation of the islands. The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing centre, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island will probably be Lonesome George. He is the only surviver of the specific turtle species. The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renown for its about 300 fern species and the many sunflowers. In the afternoon you will be brought to the airport on Baltra and fly back to the mainland. Arrival and transfer to the Hotel in Quito. (Breakfast)
Day 11: Quito: Leisure day with oportunity for shopping. Overnight
Day 12: Quito – Flight out
Optional city tour before transfer to the airport for your flight home.
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS US$ UPON REQUEST: Prices start from $ per person in double occupancy from Lima, Peru. This includes all meals from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, accommodation in 3* & 4* hotels, domestic airfare, Flights from Peru to Ecuador, Flight from Quito to Galapagos Island, Vistadome Train in Peru, ground transportation during the tour, and guide services provided by our tour guide. It does not include airfare from your home to Lima and return from Ecuador, airport departure taxes, National Park Tax and Local Tax USD 100, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature.
The single supplement for this tour no apply you will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accommodations.
TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Tour registration form and return it with a deposit of 50% per person. If registering by phone, the deposit must be received within 10 days or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date.
AIR INFORMATION: Sun God Expeditions Tours E.I.R.L is a full-service travel agency and we will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to contact us to confirm your air arrangements.
CLIMATE: Weather conditions can be extremely variable on this trip due to the wide range of habitats and elevations visited. Peru the coast is generally sunny and hardly ever receives any rain, but from April to November there is a heavy sea mist. The highlands have a wet season (October to April) and a dry season (May to September), when the days are clear and sunny but very cold at night especially at altitude. Ecuador's geography has endowed the country with a variety of microclimates. The coast is hot all year, with a humid rainy season between December and May. In the mountains climate depends on altitude, becoming cooler the higher you go. The Amazon region is hot, humid and wet while the Galapagos Islands are dry with a steady year-round average temperature of 77?F (25?C).
CURRENCY: Nuevo Sol; as of February, 2006, $1 USD = 3.42 Nuevo Sol. Local currency and USD are available from ATM’s at Lima airport and major cities, The name of the currency of Ecuador is , the US dollar is the best foreign currency to take with you as it offers the best rate of exchange, but most foreign currencies can be exchanged with little difficulty.
DOCUMENTS: For U.S. citizens, a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure is required. Non-United States citizens should check with their local Peruvian consulate or embassy. A visa is not required; a tourist card will be issued by the airline. To Ecuador, most nationalities do not require a visa for stays less than 30 days, but please consult your embassy for current requirements
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
- Departure tax: Lima/USA $28.25 as of August 2005. This may be paid in Peruvian Soles or U.S. dollars.
- Electric Current: 220 Volts (flat pin plug).
Before booking, it is important to have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. Please bear in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups
The yacht based on this quote is a economic tourist yacht Guantanamera. For a higher category of yacht, contact us for availability and prices.
