Jewels of South America: Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu Overland Adventure (Single)
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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
$8799.95
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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)
The tour begins with a transfer from the pier in Manta to Guayaquil airport, a journey that takes approximately three and a half hours, depending on traffic. Guayaquil, located on the banks of the Guayas River, is Ecuador’s principal harbor and largest city, home to about 3 million inhabitants. The city’s strong culture and traditions contrast with the modernity of its new constructions. Guayaquil’s harbor, "Puerto Maritimo," is the main seaport of the country, handling 80% of imports and more than 50% of exports. As the commercial and industrial center of Ecuador, Guayaquil lies about 60 kilometers from the Gulf of Guayaquil and the Pacific Ocean.
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, our driver will take us directly to the airport for a two-hour flight to the Galapagos. At Baltra airport, a Galapagos Naturalist Guide will welcome us, assist with our luggage, and guide us to the public bus heading towards the Itabaca Channel, which separates the island of Baltra from Santa Cruz. We will cross the azure waters of the channel by public ferry, a journey that takes approximately five minutes. On Santa Cruz, we will board a private vehicle to transfer to Puerto Ayora on the other side of the island. As we drive through the rural areas, travelers can experience the agriculture of the archipelago and the diversity of its flora. Surrounded by wild landscapes and various species, keep a lookout for the finches that are famous for being the basis of Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Our first visit will be to the Santa Cruz Highlands, where we will observe the famous Galapagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how private ranches help protect these special animals. We can hear their sounds as they eat the leaves of the trees or crash through the undergrowth. Tortoises of all ages and sizes gather here, from small young ones with shining carapaces to older ones with cracks in their shells showing evidence of a long life. While seeking the giant tortoises, the local guide will share the story of the origin of the lava tunnels in this area. Formed by the lava floods of the volcanoes, these tunnels range from the highlands down to sea level. Although the roof is collapsed in several spots, a large section remains intact, allowing exploration until the tunnel becomes too small to pass. The guide will provide detailed information about the origin of these tunnels. Lunch will be served at a local venue in the highlands.
After lunch, we will continue to the hotel for check-in. Dinner will be served at the hotel after an exciting and memorable day.
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or something similar)
Day 2: (B, L, D)
Today is all about exploring the incredible Galápagos Islands by boat. Depending on the day’s confirmed itinerary, you’ll visit one of several nearby islands—each offering its own unique wildlife, landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
Option 1: Bartolomé Island
Start early with a 6:00 AM departure from your hotel to the Itabaca Channel, where your yacht awaits. As you cruise toward Bartolomé Island, enjoy breakfast on board while watching the sunrise over the ocean. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life along the way.
Once on Bartolomé, climb approximately 300 steps through a moon-like volcanic landscape to reach the island’s highest point. From here, take in panoramic views of surrounding islands and the iconic Pinnacle Rock—one of the most photographed spots in the Galápagos.
After changing into beachwear, take a short dinghy ride to Sullivan Bay for snorkeling. You may spot Galapagos penguins, sharks, starfish, rays, sea turtles and other exotic and colorful fish. Enjoy the diversity of native residents such as marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, and more. Non-snorkelers can stay on the dinghy to search for penguins along the rocks. After some beach time, enjoy lunch on board before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel.
Option 2: North Seymour Island & Bachas Beach
Your day begins at 8:00 AM with a scenic journey to Seymour Island and Bachas Beach. After departing the hotel, you'll transfer to the yacht at Itabaca Channel. As the yacht sets sail, enjoy a peaceful one-hour cruise while the Galápagos Islands slowly come to life with the rising sun.
Upon arrival at North Seymour Island, you’ll disembark via dinghy onto a rocky shoreline bordered by a unique forest of gray and silver Palo Santo trees, which remain leafless for most of the year. As you explore the island, you’ll encounter one of the Galápagos’ most vibrant bird colonies. Look out for the magnificent male frigatebirds, easily recognized by their bright red throat pouches, which they inflate like balloons to attract females during mating season.
You’ll also have the chance to observe the iconic blue-footed boobies, known for their comical and charming courtship dance—lifting one bright blue foot at a time to impress potential mates. The island is teeming with wildlife, including seagulls, sea lions, marine iguanas, and pelicans, many of which can be seen up close, just an arm’s length away. The combination of dramatic landscapes and intimate wildlife encounters makes this a truly unforgettable experience.
After your wildlife-filled morning on North Seymour Island, enjoy a freshly prepared two-course lunch served on board the yacht. As you relax during siesta time, the yacht cruises toward Bachas Beach, located along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Once ashore, take a short, scenic walk to a nearby flamingo lagoon, where you may spot these elegant birds wading in the shallow waters. Then, head to the beach—an idyllic stretch of white sand and turquoise sea, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. In these calm, clear waters, you might encounter sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fish, making for an unforgettable underwater experience.
After a full day of exploration and relaxation, return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Option 3: South Plaza Island & Punta Carrión
We depart at 8 AM from the hotel for the Itabaca channel, where we board our yacht to cruise to South Plaza Island. The island welcomes travelers with a bright colorful red and green carpet of sesuvio, an endemic plant, spread over the Island, as well as the loud, friendly barking of several sea lion families which have settled down on the shore of the channel between North and South Plaza Islands where the yacht anchors. The turquoise water of the ocean juxtaposes perfectly with the white shining beaches and the black lava rocks of the coast.
Enjoy an easy hike along the cliffs for stunning ocean views and close encounters with wildlife. Here lie the sea lions which could not persist against their competitors climbing up the almost vertical wall. At the same time, tropical birds, blue-footed boobies, and other marine frigate birds glide gently in the wind. We suggest you bring along binoculars in order to get an extraordinary close view of these animals, as well as the other marine life. The view from the highest point over the ocean and the powerful waves breaking at the cliffs is an experience that visitors will not forget.
Afterward, head to Punta Carrión for lunch on board and a chance to snorkel in waters teeming with rays, reef sharks, and vibrant fish. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Option 4: Santa Fe Island
Formed by uplifting, rather than by a volcano, Santa Fe is known for having one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos. Some of the island’s endemic species include the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, land iguanas, various types of finches, and the Galapagos mockingbird. The visit includes a hike on a trail past salt bushes where Galapagos hawks as well as the Santa Fe land iguanas tend to roam. Playful sea lions will usually accompany swimmers and snorkelers during beach time. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Option 5: Floreana Island
Take a 2.5-hour boat ride to Puerto Velasco Ibarra on Floreana Island. Ride a local "chiva" (open air bus) for a 30-minute ride up to the highlands of Floreana Island. The chiva will ascend a dirt road surrounded by typical dry vegetation transform into a lush, green vegetation as we gain elevation.
A short drive will end at the "pampada" from where we start a beautiful walk which permits us to observe the typical flora of the area. As you walk through the countryside, spot giant tortoises and visit the historic "Asilo de la Paz," once home to early settlers.
After lunch in town, Walk to La Lobería, a peaceful bay where you can see sea lions, marine iguanas, and possibly sea turtles. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Option 6: Isabela Island
This morning, sail to the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island (approximately 3 hours from Santa Cruz). Upon arrival, visit the Isabela Tortoise Breading and Interpretation Center where our guide will explain the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Here, we also find Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species and sizes.
Afterwards, we start our walk to the place known as "Humedales" (Wetlands). The walk follows a well maintained path from which we can observe this beautiful place composed by lagoons and rocks and surrounded by 4 species of mangroves and typical trees of the area. In the lagoons we can observe flamingos and migratory birds.
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or something similar)
Day 3: (B, L, D)
Today, you’ll embark on a full-day boat tour to one of the nearby Galápagos Islands.
The specific island visited will be confirmed closer to your voyage. The Islands include: Bartolomé, North Seymour & Bachas Beach, South Plaza & Punta Carrión, Santa Fe, Floreana, or Isabela. Each destination offers its own unique landscapes, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable experiences (see detailed descriptions above).
After a day of exploration, snorkeling, and scenic cruising, you’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon to relax. Enjoy dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or something similar)
Day 4: (B, L, D)
After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, located within a striking forest of giant prickly-pear cacti. This is the heart of scientific research, conservation, and park management in the Galápagos Islands. Here, you’ll gain insight into the vital work being done by scientists, guides, and rangers to protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The station is also home to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises are raised in a protected environment before being reintroduced into the wild. You’ll have the chance to see these iconic creatures up close and learn about the conservation efforts that are helping to preserve their future.
Following your visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, an Akorn representative will greet you and escort you to a nearby venue for a relaxing lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. Highlights include the scenic Malecón 2000 waterfront promenade along the Guayas River, the Civic Plaza, the Moorish Tower, City Hall, and the Rotonda Monument, among other notable landmarks.
After the tour, return to the airport where you’ll receive assistance with your international flight connection to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival in Lima, another Akorn representative will meet you and assist with check-in at your hotel.
Hotel: Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel.
Day 5: (B, L, D)
This morning, your Akorn representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and accompany you to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire.
Upon arrival in Cusco, collect your luggage and begin your exploration of this fascinating city with a visit to Koricancha, the sacred Temple of the Sun. Once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, its foundations now support the Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo. Admire the remarkable curved stone wall—built without mortar—which remains one of the finest examples of Inca stonework.
Next, visit the Cusco Cathedral, a stunning Baroque-style church built in the mid-1500s atop the ruins of an Inca palace. Many of the stones used in its construction were taken from the nearby Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Inside, you’ll find a rich collection of colonial art and religious treasures.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress perched on a hill overlooking Cusco. Built with enormous stones—some weighing up to 200 tons—this site showcases the Inca’s extraordinary engineering skills. The stones fit together so precisely that not even a blade of grass can fit between them.
After a day filled with history and awe-inspiring architecture, transfer to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Cusco.
Hotel: Palacio del Inka Hotel (or something similar)
Day 6: (B, L, D)
After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive into the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. As you pass through picturesque landscapes and traditional Andean villages, you’ll arrive at the train station to begin your unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu.
Board the panoramic train, where large windows offer sweeping views of the narrow, winding valley. Along the way, marvel at rugged gorges, snowcapped peaks, and ancient archaeological sites—making the train ride an adventure in itself.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the highlight of your day: Machu Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas.
Your expert guide will lead you through this awe-inspiring citadel, exploring its terraces, aqueducts, and temples. Visit the Temple of the Three Windows, where sunlight illuminates the Sacred Plaza, and see the mysterious stone believed to be a solar clock. As you walk among the massive granite structures—some weighing over 50 tons—you’ll be amazed by the precision of Inca engineering, with stones so perfectly fitted that not even a blade of grass can pass between them.
After your guided tour, return by train to Ollantaytambo, then transfer back to your hotel in Cusco for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Hotel: Palacio del Inka Hotel (or something similar)
Day 7: (B, L)
After an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Cusco Airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, a representative will m