Multi
Country Packages
Ecuador
and Peru with 7 nights aboard the M/V Santa Cruz
15 Days / 14 Nights
Galapagos Islands, Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu Including a seven night cruise aboard the Santa Cruz
15 Days / 14 Nights
Galapagos Islands, Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu Including a seven night cruise aboard the Santa Cruz
Day 1 - Saturday
- Arrival in Quito
Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring
to the hotel and help you in registering. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2 - Sunday
- Otavalo Indian Market
Breakfast at your hotel. Early morning departure for a drive along the
Pan-American Highway to visit one of South America's most famous Indian
fairs, the Otavalo Market. En route to the market, a quick stop at Calderon
allows the opportunity to see how the popular marzipan "bread dolls" are
made and to make "bargain price" purchases of them. Arriving at Otavalo,
take a walk through the bustling produce market where the Indians meet
to trade among themselves. Continue to the tourist market, which is piled
high with colorful ponchos, tapestries, woolen goods, and Indian jewelry.
In the afternoon drive to the woodcarving center of San Antonio de Ibarra
and to the village of Cotacachi, famous for its leather handicrafts. Lunch
is provided en route. Overnight in Quito.(B,L)
Day 3 - Monday
- Quito / Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island)
Breakfast at your hotel. Afternoon arrival by plane to San Cristobal Island
and transfer to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos
Islands. Visit the Interpretation Center for a better understanding of
the natural processes that have made Galapagos a unique place in the world.
Then board the MV SANTA CRUZ, which will be anchored at Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno. Cabin assignment, introductory welcome talk and Naturalist's briefing
on the next day's activities followed by a welcome cocktail offered by
the Captain and dinner.(B,D)
Early, before breakfast, disembark at Bartholome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Great way to start the day. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Return to the MV SANTA CRUZ for breakfast. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) ad snorkeling. Chance to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins. There is also the possibility to disembark at Bartholome (dry landing) after breakfast for a later walk to the summit or a ride on the glass bottom boat. Scenic navigation to Puerto Egas. Lunch on board. Afternoon mid-length walk to Puerto Egas (wet landing). This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds and to observe a fur-sea lion colony. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds. Outstanding snorkeling or swimming from the beach after the walk. Recaps and briefing before dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck.(B,L,D)
Early morning cruise into Darwin Bay before breakfast; optional wake-up call. Later, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly Great frigate birds, red footed and Nazca (masked) boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. If you wish you could continue walking over sharp lava and uneven terrain, or return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs and look for Hammerhead Sharks. Lunch on board. During navigation, spend some time on deck looking for dolphins or possibly whales. North Seymour is an uplifted island. In previous times, this was the ocean's bed. Afternoon outing at North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island observing bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk is also available. Evening recaps, briefing and dinner.(B,L,D)
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Santa Cruz Island alone has 8 species of Darwin's Finches! Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora. Lunch at the Hotel Delfin. Afternoon in the lush highlands, visiting the Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. The vermilion flycatcher will delight all participants with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Naturalist's briefing and dinner.(B,L,D)
Early cruise into the Bolivar Channel where the cool water will give Galapagos a not-so-tropical landscape. This can be rewarded with the possibility of observing dolphins or whales. The colossal young volcanoes are just breath taking. Morning disembark at Tagus Cove, a protected natural harbor. A walk uphill takes you around Darwin's salt-water crater lake for a superb view. There is also the possibility of a dinghy ride along the shoreline to see the unique fauna of the largest island in the Archipelago. Galapagos Penguins along the shore are always a highlight. Possibility for swimming and snorkeling. Lunch on board. The afternoon brings us to the youngest island, Fernandina. First, a dinghy ride to observe penguins, as well as flightless cormorants and then disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with lots of wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, and hawks. Lava terrain calls for good walking shoes. There is a possibility for snorkeling. Recap and briefing before dinner.(B,L,D)
Before breakfast, scenic cruise along Bolivar Channel and possible observation of whales and/or dolphins. Breakfast and disembark (wet landing) for a medium-length walk at Urbina Bay to look for giant tortoises and land iguanas. This place went through a volcanic uplifting event back in 1954 leaving gaunt marine skeletons, which make the walk remarkably interesting. Those who wish may take either only a short walk along the beach, or a longer walk towards the interior of the island. Swimming and snorkeling depending on local conditions. Back on board for lunch. The forces of the Galapagos volcanoes can be easily witnessed here. Afternoon outing (dry landing) for a medium length walk at Punta Moreno (west of Isabela Island) to observe unique lava flows and small lagoons with bird life. Those who do not wish to take the shore excursion may enjoy a panga ride along the shoreline to observe birds and marine iguanas. Evening conference and dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing on deck.(B,L,D)
After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing) for a short walk along the cleanest white coral beach you can imagine. You can either take a short walk and watch the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, enjoy the beach, snorkel and swim from the beach, or ride the glass-bottom boat around Gardner and Tortuga islets. Great snorkeling at these locations. Afternoon excursion to Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December) and the famous blowhole. Great hike for blue-footed boobies, swallowtail gulls, the Hood island mockingbird, red-green-black marine iguanas, and of course a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. A shorter walk is also available. For those not planning to walk at all, there will be a dinghy ride along the coastline of Punta Suarez. Farewell dinner. Farewell cocktail and instructions for departure.(B,L,D)
After breakfast, a boat ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers and then disembark at a white coralline beach at Cerro Brujo (wet landing). There is opportunity for swimming and observing seabirds and shore birds, as well as Galapagos sea lions. Then go back and board and navigate right by Kicker Rock, a small islet whose cliffs are home to many sea birds, including frigate birds. Great landscape photography. After lunch, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you for transferring to your hotel and help you in registering.(B) Overnight in Lima
Breakfast at your hotel. Tour of Colonial and Modern Lima and a Visit to the Gold Museum - This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of this "City of Kings." Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza de Armas with its cathedral and palace, and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Then visit Peru's famous museum, which houses a priceless collection of pre-Colombian gold artifacts as well as the private armory of Miguel Mujica Gallo. Some of the cultures represented in this collection include the Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Tiahuanaco and Inca. (B)
Breakfast at your hotel. Flight to Cusco. Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and help you in registering. Tour of Cusco and its Ruins - This afternoon tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere includes important landmarks of enchanting Cusco and also the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucará, Tampumachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress. Once the center of the Inca civilization, modern Cusco is a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. During the tour, you will visit Cusco´s Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church and the Plaza de Armas. Overnight in Cusco.(B)
Breakfast at your hotel. Full day excursion to Machu Picchu with overnight stay - Early wake up for a train ride through the sacred valley of the Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival. All transfers are included. Lunch is included. Overnight in the area.(B,L)
Breakfast at your hotel. Free morning to enjoy one of the most incredible sights on earth, the ruins of Machu Picchu. Take as much time as you need to study the mysterious ruins, hike the Huayna Picchu, stroll to the Inca Bridge or walk toward the Inca Trail to find the legendary Sun Gate. Afternoon shuttle bus to the train station for your return trip to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer from rail station to hotel. Overnight in Cusco.(B)
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Lima and your connect flight home.(B)
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