Jewels of South America: Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure (Double)
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Port
Manta, Ecuador
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$7899.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
7 Days/ 6 Nights
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Meals Included
Meals included
Day 1 (L/D)
Transfer from Manta to Guayaquil Airport by road -- a four-hour drive.
Your luggage is inspected by the Galápagos National Authorities to avoid the introduction of any harmful seeds, plant or organisms to the islands. Board a one-hour flight to the Galápagos Islands.
Upon arrival in the islands, you'll meet your naturalist guide on Baltra and transfer by public bus to shores of the Itabaca Channel.
A short ferry ride brings you to Santa Cruz Island. On Santa Cruz, board a private vehicle to transfer to Puerto Ayora on the other side of the island. As you pass through rural areas, you will learn a bit about the agriculture of the archipelago as well as the diversity of its flora and fauna. Surrounded by wild landscapes and different species, keep a lookout for the finches that are famous for being the basis of Darwin's theory of evolution.
Lunch is served at local restaurant in the Highlands.
This afternoon, watch the famous Galápagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how the private ranches here assist in the protection of these special animals. Listen to the tortoises as they eat leaves from the trees and crash through the undergrowth -- they are beautiful but perhaps not graceful. Tortoises of all ages and sizes gather here. The small, young ones have bright, shining carapaces; the older ones move more slowly and sport some serious cracks in their shells -- evidence of a long life. Your guide will share in detail the story of the origin of the well-known lava tunnels in this area. Continue to the Galápagos Habitat Hotel (or similar) for check-in.
Day 2 & 3 (B/L/D)
Today you will take a full-day boat tour to ONE of the following nearby islands:
Bartolomé
An early start brings you to Itabaca Channel, where you step aboard a yacht for a day in paradise -- beautiful white beaches, clear water, and a wealth of wildlife to observe. Enjoy breakfast while watching the sunrise at sea during the two-hour boat trip. There is also a chance of spotting dolphins and other marine residents very close to the boat in the early hours. There will be either a dry or wet landing on Isla Bartolomé, where you'll discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones -- lava bombs, spatter and cinder cones. Due to its geographical location, Isla Bartolomé's lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. Hike the 300 steps to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands -- Santiago, North Seymour, Baltra, Santa Cruz and Rábida -- and the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. The rock is home to thousands of sea birds, and is the most photographed landscape in the Galapagos Islands. Change clothes and head to the beach. The dinghy-ride provides an amazing encounter with the diminutive Galápagos penguin. Step ashore for a short walk through the dunes to the northern beach and a pelican nesting area. In the bay, small white-tip reef sharks swim and are easily observed from the shore. Back at the southern beach, the shallow sea invites you to go swimming and snorkeling with the Galapagos penguins, sharks, starfish, rays, sea turtles and plenty of other exotic and colorful fish. Enjoy the diversity of native residents such as marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, and many more. Lunch is served back on the boat. Your day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Ikala Hotel.
Seymour & Bachas
Get acquainted with North Seymour Island and Bachas beach. Head to Itabaca Channel, where you step aboard a yacht for the one-hour cruise to Seymour Island. Transfer by dinghy to the rocky coast near a small Palo Santo forest consisting of gray and silver trees that are leafless most of the year. Seymour is famous for its large colonies of birds. The very special male frigatebirds, with their red pouches, attract females in breeding time, and the famous Galápagos blue-footed boobies can be observed here. These seabirds have a wedge-shaped tail, long pointed wings and, for courtship, the males lift first one, then the other blue foot into the air and dances to impress the female. Other highlights of this excursion are a beach with small cliffs, and a chance to observe seagulls, sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans. Your freshly-cooked lunch consists of two courses, and is served on the boat. During siesta time, the yacht navigates to Bachas Beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Take a short hike to a flamingo pond just behind the beach, and afterwards refresh yourself with a swim or snorkel at this isolated beach with white sand and turquoise water. Sea lions, rays, tortoises, and tropical fish may join you in your underwater experience. Your day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Ikala Hotel.
Plazas & Punta Carrion
Transfer to Itabaca Channel, where you step aboard a yacht for a day on South Plaza Island. This is one of the smaller islands of the Galápagos. Plazas welcome travelers with a bright, colorful red and green carpet of sesuvio -- an endemic plant -- and the loud, friendly barking of several sea lion families. The turquoise water of the ocean perfectly complements the white sandy beaches and the black lava rocks of the coast. Take an easy hike alongside basking sea lions and land iguanas, which are found on most parts of the island. The trail leads to the highest cliff, where swallow-tailed gulls wheel through the air and blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds glide gently on the wind. Bring along binoculars for close-up views. The view from the highest point, looking out over the ocean and the powerful waves breaking against the cliffs, is an experience you won't forget. Afterwards, the trip continues to Punta Carrion, where lunch is served on board the yacht. This is a great spot to snorkel and swim among rays, sharks, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish. Your day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Ikala Hotel.
Floreana
Navigate to the small town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra located on the Floreana Island, about 2½ hours from Santa Cruz. Local transportation known as a 'chiva' for a 30-minute ride up to the highlands. The dirt road is surrounded by typical dry vegetation that transforms into a lush, green vegetation as you gain elevation. Banana, coffee and cacao farms dot the landscape. A beautiful walk permits you to observe the typical flora and encounter some giant Galapagos tortoises. Continue to the place where the German Wittmer family settled in 1932, using cave as their home. Lunch is served at a small restaurant. La Loberia Bay is home to a small colony of sea lions. Marine iguanas rest on the rocks, and turtles populate the clear water.
Isabela
Head to Puerto Villamil -- the town on Isabela Island -- about three hours from Santa Cruz. You will visit the Isabela Tortoise Breeding Center. Your guide explains the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Different species and sizes of giant galapagos tortoises live here. Walk to the humedales (wetlands) by way of a well-maintained path. This beautiful spot is composed of lagoons and rocks, mangroves and trees that attract flamingos and migratory birds. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. You'll visit the Las Tintoreras scenic area with colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and white-tipped sharks (tintoreras) resting in the channels formed by lava flows. Snorkel in the company of sea lions, penguins and marine turtles.
Santa Fe
Formed by uplifting, rather than by a volcano, Santa Fe is known for having one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galápagos. Some of the island's endemic species include the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, land iguanas, various types of finches, and the Galapagos mockingbird. Your visit includes a hike on a trail past salt bushes, where Galapagos hawks and Santa Fe land iguanas tend to roam. Playful sea lions will usually accompany swimmers and snorkelers during beach time.
Whichever island you visit, your day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel on Santa Cruz Island.
Day 4 (B/L)
After breakfast, visit Charles Darwin Research Station and its famous residents within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration in the islands. Gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers, and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Charles Darwin Research Station is also part of the "Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena" which is the breeding center for the tortoises. Tortoises are raised here in the care of researchers and then when ready re-introduced into their natural environment.
Next, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Guayaquil airport, an Akorn representative will meet you to transfer to a nearby venue to have lunch.
After lunch enjoy a Panoramic City tour of Guayaquil. Sightseeing to the Malecón 2000 along the shores of the Guayas River. Pass by the Civic Plaza, the Moorish Tower, City Hall, and the Rotonda Monument among other important city spots.
Then head back to the Airport for your flight connection to Lima.Upon arrival in Lima, a local representative will meet your group and transfer to our overnight hotel. Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel (or similar).
Day 5 (B/L/D)
Walk from the hotel lobby back to the airport and check in for a flight to Cusco.
Upon arrival to Cusco, we will collect our bags and head straight to the sacred site of Koricancha. Here, we admire the lovely Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo that was built on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun, the most sumptuous temple in the Inca Empire. The curved, mortar-less masonry wall at the west end of the church is considered to be one of the greatest existing examples of Inca stonework. Continue with the splendid Baroque-style Cusco Cathedral, built in the mid-1500's on the foundations of an Inca palace. Many of the stones used in its construction were looted from the nearby Sacsayhuaman Fortress.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive up to Sacsayhuaman itself. Strategically located on a hill overlooking Cusco, Sacsayhuaman was constructed without mortar, like many other Inca structures. Yet the enormous stones (some weighing 200 tons) of the remaining walls fit so tightly that not even a thin blade of grass can slide between them. The craftsmanship is a stunning example of the Inca’s sophisticated construction techniques and architectural skills.
Check in at the Palacio del Inka Hotel (or similar). Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will drive into the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". After passing through many wonderful landscapes, we arrive to the train station to board our train to Machu Picchu. From there we will travel 1½-hours on the Vistadome train ride along the Urubamba River to the Aguas Calientes Station. The Urubamba River is located in the Sacred Valley approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. After arriving to Aguas Calientes, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
The climax of our day, is your tour of the awe-inspiring timeless wonder and grandeur of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Your guided walking tour explores the terraces and aqueducts leading to the Temple of the Three Windows. See the sun's rays pass through the temple to light the Sacred Plaza and visit the curious stone block believed to be a solar clock. As you explore this Inca retreat perched between Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) and Machu Picchu (Old Peak), you can't help but be moved by the wonder of the place. Carved from the granite of the mountain top, many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted that the mortar-less joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade.
After our tour, we will return to the train station and head back to Cusco. Once back in Cusco we will transfer back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 (B/L)
After an early breakfast, we transfer to the Cusco Airport for our flight to Lima. Upon arrival we are met by a local representative and transferred to the port in Paracas with box lunch.
Cancellation Policy:
90 Days prior to arrival in the excursion port. This excursion is non-refundable within 90 days of arrival into the excursion port. Any cancellations made after this deadline will be subject to full payment of the tour. This will include if a guest cancels their voyage within 90 days of arrival into the excursion port.
Passport information:
30 days prior departure. This excursion requires your passport information to secure flights and admission into Machu Picchu. You must have your passport details uploaded into your booking portal 30 days prior to departure. Late submission of passports will be subject to late fees.
Notes:
You must book this tour PRIOR to sailing. A minimum number of participants are required to operate this tour. Final hotel/flight manifests must be provided well in advance of the tour, therefore we recommend booking no later than 60 days prior to your voyage. This unusually long Overland Adventure requires your patience, stamina and understanding to make enjoyable and meaningful. While the journey itself is taxing, the memories of the experiences it offers make it entirely worthwhile. Participants are most welcome (and encouraged) to relax and/or nap on the flights and on the train rides; bringing earplugs and/or an eye mask may make this easier. The tour is guided on the Galápagos Islands and in Cusco/Machu Picchu; an escort from the ship's staff may or may not also accompany the group. All meals are included unless specifically noted otherwise.
Special notes for Galápagos: While rare, it is possible that the National Park and force majeure conditions can cause unexpected changes in the itinerary. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Minimum age is 12 years. Each day in the Galápagos Islands includes a boxed lunch except as noted. Navigation by boat between the island can be rough, often with durations of 2-3 hours. Guests who are prone to motion sickness should consider this before booking and/or take appropriate medication. Wear your swimsuit under your clothing each day; bring a towel, reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing to act as a full cover-up for further protection from the sun, and a hat. Th