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
$6899.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
6 Days/5 Nights
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Meals Included
Meals included
DAY 1: (L,D)
Transfer from Manta to the Guayaquil Airport, a 4-hour drive.
Located on the banks of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is Ecuador’s principal harbor and largest city, with about 3 million inhabitants. Guayaquil’s strong culture and traditions stand in amazing contrast to the modernity of its new constructions. Guayaquil’s harbor, "Puerto Maritimo", is the main seaport of the country and is where 80% of the country’s imports and more than 50% of its exports are handled. The commercial and industrial center of Ecuador, Guayaquil lies about 60 kilometers from the Gulf of Guayaquil and the Pacific Ocean.
Once in Guayaquil, our driver will take us straight to the airport to take our 2-hour flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra airport, a Galapagos Naturalist Guide will welcome us and help with our luggage and guidance towards the public bus that heads towards the Channel of Itabaca which separates the island Baltra from Santa Cruz. A public ferry crosses the azure waters of the channel towards Santa Cruz, which will take approximately 5 minutes. On Santa Cruz, board a private vehicle to transfer to Puerto Ayora on the other side of the island. Driving through the rural areas of the island, travelers can experience the agriculture of the archipelago as well as the diversity of its flora. 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 will be served at local restaurant in the Highlands.
During our first visit, to the Santa Cruz Highlands, we watch the famous Galapagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how the private ranches aid to protect these special animals. We can hear their sounds while they are trying to eat the leaves of the trees or crashing through the undergrowth. Tortoises of all different ages and sizes gather here: Small young ones with shining carapaces, and older ones which are a little bit more laggard and cracks in their shells showing evidence of a long life. The well-known Lava Tunnels are another amazing experience. Formed by the lava floods of the volcanoes, they range from the highlands down to the sea level. The roof is collapsed in several spots. Nevertheless, a section of about 30 minutes hike is intact and gives the observer the ability to explore until the tunnel gets too small to pass leaving one to wonder what undiscovered mysteries lay beyond. The guide will share in detail the story of the origin of these tunnels.
We then continue to the hotel for check-in. Dinner is served at the hotel after an exciting and memorable day.
DAY 2: (B/L/D)
Today we take a full day boat tour to one of the following nearby Islands: (Subject to confirmation).
BARTOLOME
Prepare for an early start - 6.00 am. The bus departs from the Hotel to take us to the Channel of Itabaca, where the yacht awaits, ready to depart. Experience a day in paradise with beautiful white beaches, outer space ambient, clear water, and observe as many native animals start their day.
On the two-hour boat trip watch the sunrise at sea. There is also an opportunity to observe dolphins and other marine residents very close to the boat in the early hours.
Landing in Bartolome, approximately 300 steps lead up through the moon-like landscape to the highest point of the island. The reward is an amazing view over the islands Santiago, North Seymour, Baltra, Santa Cruz and Rabida. Also in view is Chinese Hat Island, as well as the well-known Pinnacle Rock, which is all that remains of an ancient volcano. The rock is home to thousands of sea birds and is the most photographed landscape in the Galapagos Islands.
Shortly after changing clothes for the beach visit, the dinghy-ride will provide us with an amazing encounter with the diminutive Galapagos Penguin. See him standing on the cliff or shoot like a bullet through the clear waters. Arriving at the shore, a short walk through the dunes takes us to the northern beach. Here, the pelicans have their 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 us to go swimming and snorkeling along 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.
After this amazing adventure, lunch is served on the boat. The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Hotel.
SEYMOUR AND BACHAS
Starting at 8 am, this tour offers the golden chance to get to know Seymour Island and Bachas beach. We first transfer to the yacht at Itabaca Channel. During the 1-hour navigation to Seymour Island, we observe the slow awakening of the archipelago as the day begins.
We disembark via dinghy onto the rocky coast near a small forest consisting of gray and silver Palo Santo (Holy Stick) trees, which are without leaves for most of the year. Seymour is famous for its large colonies of birds. The unique male frigate birds with their inflated red pouches attract females during breeding season, and the famous Galapagos blue-footed boobies can be observed as well. 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 dance to impress the female. Other highlights of this excursion are a beach with small cliffs, seagulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans, most only an arm's length away.
The freshly cooked lunch consists of two courses and is served on the yacht. During siesta time, the yacht navigates to Bachas beach along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. We take a short hike to the flamingo pond just behind the beach, and afterwards refresh with swimming and snorkeling at this isolated paradise beach with white sand and turquoise waters. Sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish may join in our underwater experience!
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Hotel.
PLAZAS AND PUNTA CARRION
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.
The hike is easy and goes alongside relaxing sea lions and land iguanas which can be found on most parts of the island. The trail leads to the highest cliff where swallow-tailed gulls cross the air screaming. 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.
Afterwards, the trip continues to Punta Carrion, where lunch is served on board the ship. This is a great spot to snorkel and swim among rays, sharks, and hundreds of colorful tropic fish.
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 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.
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the Hotel.
DAY 3: (B/L/D)
After breakfast we transfer to the Baltra airport for our flight to Guayaquil. Once in Guayaquil, A representative will meet you to transfer to a nearby venue to have lunch.
Afterwards enjoy a Panoramic City tour of Guayaquil. Sightseeing to the Malecon 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.
Back to the Airport and assistance with international flight connection to Lima.
Upon arrival in Lima, a representative will meet us and help us check into our rooms at Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel.
DAY 4: (B/L/D)
Much of the morning is devoted to the flight from Lima to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca.
Upon arrival, you will visit the sacred site of Koricancha. Here, you will 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 one of the greatest existing examples of Inca stonework. Continue with the splendid Baroque-style Cusco Cathedral, built in the mid-1500s on the foundations of an Inca palace. Many of the stones used in its construction were looted from the nearby Sacsayhuaman fortress. Transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, transfer to Sacsayhuaman fortress. Strategically located on a hill overlooking Cusco, the fortress 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.
After this visit, transfer to the Sacred Valley and to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: (B/L/D)
In the morning, after breakfast you drive further into the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". The route with wonderful landscapes will take you Ollantaytambo Fortress. You will visit the site before heading to the Ollantaytambo station to board the train to Machu Picchu. You will travel via panoramic railcars through this narrow, winding valley with its rugged gorges, spectacular snowcapped peaks and numerous archaeological remains is an adventure in itself. After arriving to Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
The climax of your day, however, is the 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 your tour, return by rail to Ollantaytambo station and then take overland transportation back to your hotel for dinner and accommodation.
DAY 6: (B)
After an early breakfast, we transfer to the Cusco Airport for our flight to GSM. Upon arrival we are met by a representative and transferred to the port.
Cancellation Policy:
90 Days prior to arrival in the excursion port. This excursion is 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. 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:
90 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 90 days prior to departure. Late submission of passports will be subject to late fees and spaces are subject to availability. 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 90 days prior to departure. Late submission of passports will be subject to late fees and spaces are subject to availability.
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 90 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 Galapagos 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 Galapagos: The itinerary is subject to change due to National Park regulations, weather conditions and force majeure situations. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Minimum age is 12 years. Each day in the Galapagos Islands includes 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. The boat may not be exclusive to Holland America Line guests.
Special notes for Machu Picchu: The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an elevation of 11,200 feet in Cusco, which m