Insider Galapagos and Machu Picchu

14 days / 13 nights from
$13,629
per person share twinInternational flights are additional

Insider Galapagos and Machu Picchu

Walk the narrow cobbled streets of Quito and uncover its colonial history.  Explore the islands of Galapagos and discover more about the unique flora and fauna which resides in the archipelago. Travel to fascinating Lima to experience the city's modern and colonial highlights before departing for Cusco to uncover the Inca legacy, culminating in a visit to Machu Picchu.

Includes
✔ 9 nights hotel accommodation
✔ 4 nights cruise accommodation
✔ Meals as per itinerary
✔ Ground transfers as per itinerary
✔ Sightseeing with an English speaking local guide
✔ Return flight to Galapagos

International flights are additional

14 days / 13 nights
From $13,629 per person share twin
Departs: Select Wednesday & Sundays

Itinerary Highlights
• Visit legendary Machu Picchu on an unforgettable train journey and enjoy a guided visit of the lost citadel.
• Witness the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands where you can snorkel with playful sea lions, colorful reef fish and Pacific green turtles.
• Immerse yourself in the marvels of the Colonial cities of Quito and Cusco.

Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.  Stay in a unique heritage boutique hotel located in La Ronda, a traditional neighborhood in the historic colonial quarter.

Day 2: Quito
Visit the colonial quarter with its narrow cobbled streets, beautiful squares and extraordinary colonial architecture.  Highlights include the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, San Francisco church and La Compañia de Jesus church, regarded as the finest church in Quito and one of the most ornate religious buildings in Ecuador.  

Continue to the Panecillo, a 9,895ft high hill which offers exceptional panoramic views of Quito and the surrounding volcanoes. The impressive statue sitting at the top is a 134ft steel replica of Quito’s Madonna, known as the Winged Virgin.

Conclude with a visit to the Mitad del Mundo compound (Middle of the World), located 13mi north of the city and which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Quito - Galapagos Islands
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to San Cristobal Island. Transfer to the M/Y Solaris I for your four-night Galapagos cruise. 

You’ll head to Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Centre, which is located approximately 40 minutes’ drive to the southeast of the island. This centre was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. It includes a large corral, a visitor centre, a breeding centre and an interpretive trail. Along this trail, it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds including the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of ­finches and the Galapagos ‑flycatcher.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Galapagos Cruising
GARDENER BAY (ESPANOLA)
On the north-eastern coast of the island of Espanola, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to refresh in the turquoise sea and to admire the large number of colorful reef fish. You'll also have the opportunity to snorkel side by side with green sea turtles, or to enjoy the proximity of the playful Galapagos sea lion. The white sand beach is also an important breeding ground for the green sea turtles. In the crystal-clear ocean, sometimes whales can be sighted under certain circumstances. 

SUAREZ POINT (ESPANOLA)
This rocky area is home to the most impressive and diverse seabirds of the archipelago. The endangered Galapagos albatross returns to Espanola (March - December) annually. This allows visitors to admire the balances of pipes and bows (especially in October). Blue footed and Nazca boobies, black tailed gulls and red billed tropic birds are native to this island. Along the southern coast, high cliffs allow spectacular views of ascending birds and the sea water shot through air holes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Galapagos Cruising
PUNTA CORMORANT & CHAMPION ISLET (FLOEANA)
The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, which was formed by a number of smaller volcanic cones, covered with tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion-colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals that have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The 'flour sand beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of even finer white coral sand that feels very smooth on your feet. Parrot fish have pulverized it, grinding the calcareous skeletons of living coral. You can spot schools of stingrays who love burying themselves in the sandy bottom. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs.

POST OFFICE BAY (FLOREANA)
While having lunch we will navigate back to Post Office Bay (about 1hr). Post your holiday greetings in the historical barrel, one of three nearby visitors sites on Floreanas north coast (short displacement, wet landing) and relax. Besides Galapagos sea lions, Pacific green turtles and golden cow nose rays you might spot Galapagos penguins! This is the only place in the south eastern archipelago where penguins reside. Explore by inflatable dinghy, or in your own pace by sea kayak, another submerged crater rim around the bay of Baroness Lookout. Climb the miniature basaltic cone of Baroness Lookout and take in the paradisaical coastal views.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Galapagos Cruising
SULLIVAN BAY (SANTIAGO)
The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem to be mostly lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers a lot to see. There is even some life! Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where you can also find crabs, blue herons and oyster catchers.

BARTOLOME
The island of Bartolome rises 374ft above Sullivan Bay. Climb the steps of the Bartolome Peak Trail and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over volcanic peaks, lunar craters and lava fields. Afterwards you can refresh yourself at the foot of the famous "Pinnacle Rock" and explore the underwater world in the shallow water while snorkeling. Although there is little vegetation on this island, it has two breathtaking beaches, where sea turtles live. At the foot of the mountain you can also discover a small colony of Galapagos penguins.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Galapagos - Guayaquil - Lima
BLACK TURTLE COVE (SANTA CRUZ)
This small bay is located on the north side of the island of Santa Cruz and offers a unique backdrop for unique adventures. The landscape makes you feel as if you're in the Amazon rainforest rather than near the sea. Explore the quiet emerald lagoon and surrounding shallow bays with the inflatable dinghy. The crystal clear water allows you to spot groups of white tip reef sharks, black tip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, gold rays and spotted eagle rays.

After this tour, you'll be transferred to Baltra Airport for your included flight to Guayaquil to connect with your flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Lima
This afternoon you'll visit the historic downtown area of Lima, also known as the City of the Kings. Stop at the Main Square of Lima, where the Government Palace, Cathedral, Archbishops Palace and the City Hall are located, before visiting the Santo Domingo Convent.  Continue on to the modern district of San Isidro and then to the famous Miraflores district, with a stop at the Parque del Amor for an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean.

Finally, you'll visit the Larco Museum, which displays an unequaled private collection called the 'Treasures of Ancient Peru', featuring more than 45,000 artifacts. Here you'll discover more about the history of ancient Peru, which dates back over five thousand years.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley
Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Cusco.  Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley where you will spend the next two nights. The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimitize to the altitude.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Sacred Valley
Today take in the highlights of the Sacred Valley.  Visit Chinchero, a small picturesque village that is home to significant Inca ruins dating from the end of the 15th Century, as well as a beautiful traditional church. Continue on to Urpi, a famous textile center where the inhabitants still use traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques. Here you'll be shown how the locals achieve the brilliant colors of their pieces using natural means. Afterwards, you will stop at Racchi vantage point for one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. You'll travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important building complexes of the Inca Empire and the site of one of the Spanish conquistadors' rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and also a religious center. Explore the village of Ollantaytambo, which is the best surviving example of Inca urban planning, featuring stone paved streets that have been inhabited since the 12th Century.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Enjoy an unforgettable train journey to Machu Picchu. One of the crowning glories of the Inca civilization and one of the most stunning archaeological sites anywhere in the world, Machu Picchu sits atop a mountain ridge overlooking the sacred Urubamba Valley. The "Lost City" was undiscovered until 1911 and remains today as a monument to the Incas. Join a guided visit of the lost citadel of the Incas and learn about the city and community who once occupied the site. Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: Machu Picchu - Cusco
This morning is at leisure to explore this extraordinary place on your own or if you are truly intrepid, dare to climb to the top of Mount Huayna Picchu, a symbol of Machu Picchu and the tallest mountain behind the archaeological site. The pathway leading to its summit offers the fabulous reward of a spectacular view of the stone city. This afternoon board the train for your journey back to Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13: Cusco
Today you'll discover the enchanting colonial city of Cusco, the sacred capital of the Inca Empire, which was built on the foundations of the Inca Palaces.

Your experience begins with a visit to San Pedro open-air market, a great introduction to the region’s culinary history and exotic ingredients. You’ll then embark on a journey through Incan history, visiting the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, followed by the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the underground cave and temple of Qenko, and Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca.

Your final stop will be at a traditional café, popular with locals, for some tea or coffee and some local pastries.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14: Cusco
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast


Note: Galapagos National Marine Park Fee of USD100 per person is paid locally and subject to change.

Contact your local House of Travel for further information on the best travel dates and prices to match your holiday.

Don't forget to download the House of Travel App to view your itinerary from your mobile phone!