ADVENTURE TOUR ECUADOR / GALAPAGOS ISLANDS / PERU / MACHU PICCHU

 

Combining two of the world’s greatest natural wonders – the Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu, this fully-inclusive trip is the ultimate South American Adventure Holiday for those who are looking for nature, history, culture, and travel experiences quite unlike any other.

 

YOUR SOUTH AMERICAN EXPERIENCE – VISITING

 

-        Quito, Ecuador

-        Baltra Island Galapagos

-        San Cristobal Galapagos

-        Isabela Galapagos

-        Santa Cruz Galapagos

-        Cusco, Peru

-        Machu Picchu

 

UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES INCLUDED IN YOUR SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE

 

-        Follow Darwin’s footsteps to meet the endemic wildlife of the Galapagos

-        Snorkel pristine waters, including the best spot for sea lion encounters in the world

-        Enjoy hikes through a wide variety of environments and ecosystems

-        Relax in style on gorgeous tropical beaches accompanied by marine iguanas

-        Trust in our top-rated guides to make every activity interesting, fun and safe

-        Protect the environment – we value sustainable practices in all aspects of our tours

-        Support the local economy and get in touch with the local vibe with our land-based tours

-        Visit the vibrant city of Cusco

-        Tour the iconic Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu reached by the beautiful Vistadome Train

-        Enjoy a guided tour of Cusco and nearby Inca Sites

 

DAY 1: ARRIVE QUITO

Upon arrival in Quito, please clear immigration, collect your luggage, and proceed to the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting to transfer you from the airport to your hotel for the night.

 

DAY 2 – FREE DAY QUITO

Today you have a free day in Quito to recover from your flight and prepare for your adventure ahead. Upon request, we can arrange an escorted city tour. Meals: Breakfast.

 

DAY 3 – QUITO / GALAPAGOS

After an early breakfast, your driver will collect you and transfer you back to the airport for your onward flight to the Galapagos Islands (flight ticket included).

Your guide will collect you at San Cristobal Island airport and you will continue to your hotel for an energizing lunch, introductions, and a short overview of your trip. Your Galapagos adventure starts with a visit to the local Interpretation Center where you will learn about the unique wildlife, geology, natural history, and social dynamics of the Galapagos. Now that you know a little more about the islands, you will continue your journey with your first stop at Frigate Hill, where you might spot many of the unique avian species of the Galapagos. As you hike over natural lava rock trails your guide will tell you about the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti surrounding you, as well as blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds and finches that you will spot in the vegetation and sea cliffs. During the return trip, you will stop at the beautiful Carola Beach for a dip, where you can snorkel and swim with sea turtles and sea lions while enjoying a lovely sunset on the beach. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner  

 

DAY 4 – SNORKEL THE NORTHERN COAST OF SAN CRISTOBAL

Today you will explore the northern coast with your guide. You will visit either Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) or Punta Pitt. The visiting site depends on the week day and the Galapagos National Park regulations. On your exploration trip, you will search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. Here you have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions in their favorite playground. As you snorkel, you might see eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you may even come across hammerhead sharks. As the sun sets on your day under the waves, you will return to the hotel to for a relaxed evening. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch on board the boat, dinner at a local restaurant.

 

DAY 5 –  DISCOVER ISABELA’S BEACHES, LAGOONS, AND ISLETS

Today your journey continues to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. It´s constantly changing and evolving due to the six shield volcanoes, rendering it one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet. After a short small aircraft flight, you will transfer to your hotel.

After checking in, you will then set out on a one-of-a-kind hike that will take you through an incredible variety of coastal ecosystems, along the way you will spot giant tortoises, flamingos, and other wildlife as you pass through white sand beaches, the alluring poison apple forest, a gaping lava tube, dark mangroves and brackish lagoons. After breaking for lunch, you will set out to explore Tintoreras, a group of small islets filled with hidden coves and isolated beaches. Here you will find the endemic Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner at a local restaurant.

 

DAY 6 – EXPLORE THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS

Early in the morning, your guide will collect you and you will board a speed boat or internal flight to Santa Cruz Island. Along the way, keep an eye out for whales and dolphins in the ocean around you. After checking in to your hotel, you will head to El Chato nature reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the Galapagos giant tortoise. It is an honour to hike among these fascinating, gentle giants, who on average live to be over 175 years old. El Chato is also home to many pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets and the beautiful vermillion flycatcher.

Your hike continues through some incredible lava tunnels created by flowing magma. Legend has it that the buccaneers who once frequented the Galapagos used these deep caves to hide Inca gold plundered from Spanish ships! After some pirate stories from your guides, you will head up to Los Gemelos, a pair of deep volcanic sinkholes at the high point of Santa Cruz. Time permitting, you can visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where local scientists rear endemic plants and animals for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner at a local restaurant.

 

DAY 7 – GALAPAGOS / QUITO

Finally, its time bid a fond farewell to the Galapagos as you transfer to Baltra Island for your return flight to the mainland (flight ticket included). Here, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for the night. Meals Included: Breakfast.

 

DAY 8 – QUITO TO CUSCO

After breakfast and hotel check-out, your driver will collect you and return you to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, Peru (flight ticket included). Please note, there are no direct flights between Quito and Cusco, so you will transit Lima. Upon arrival in Cusco, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for the night. Meals Included: Breakfast

 

DAY 9 – AFTERNOON CITY TOUR & NEARBY RUINS

Today you have a morning at leisure. At 1pm, your guide will collect you for your afternoon City & Local Ruins Tour. Unearth the riches of the Inca Empire with this fascinating and thought-provoking afternoon tour of Cuzco’s greatest landmarks and the ruins of ancient Inca sites near the city. See the Santo Domingo Monastery and the Coricancha, the Sacsayhuaman and the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco proper and the ritual sites of Kenko and Tambomachay in the outskirts. This five-hour tour offers a glimpse into how great the capital of the Incas was and just how much was lost when it was conquered.

You’ll visit the mega fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which was built from large polished rocks and protected the entrance to the city, before continuing to the ritual sites of Kenko, where sacrifices are believed to have taken place. Your tour will end in Cusco at around 6pm, where you’ll enjoy a brief stop at the breathtaking Plaza de Armas, dominated by the imposing Gothic-Renaissance-style cathedral. Meals Included: Breakfast.

 

DAY 10 – MACHU PICCHU TOUR WITH VISTADOME TRAIN

You’ll have an early start today as you head to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu.

You will be collected from your hotel at around 05:15am and transported to Ollanta station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. The Vistadome train comes complete with spacious leather seats, individual dining tables and panoramic windows to enjoy the awesome scenery on the route. Along the journey, you will enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury snacks, fruits and a variety of cold and warm beverages.

Upon arrival to Machu Picchu town, you will be meet by a representative who will escort you by bus to the "Lost City of the Incas" which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu is considered both a masterpiece of architecture and engineering because of its unique architectural and landscaping features. Prominent constructions among its buildings are the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. Your guide will narrate and explain all about this splendid citadel, which is a truly amazing experience. After your tour, you will enjoy lunch before returning to Ollanta Station by train. Here, your driver will collect you and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco – arriving at around 7pm. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 

DAY 11 – FREE DAY CUSCO / OPTIONAL TOURS AVAILABLE

Today you have a free day to relax and explore the many colourful markets of Cusco where you can shop for artisan souvenirs and local goods. Should you wish to take another tour today, we can offer you a Sacred Valley Tour (Full Day) or a Pisco Sour Making Experience (from 6pm – 8.30pm). Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

 

DAY 12 – DEPARTURE

After a final breakfast in Cusco and hotel check-out, you’ll have a few hours at leisure before your driver collects you and returns you to airport for your return flight home. ***End of Services***

 

TOTAL PRICE:  £4495.00 GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing

Daily departures available throughout the year subject to availability. Guaranteed departures for 2 passengers and more.  Extensions available in both Ecuador and Peru upon request. Please contact us for your no-obligation tailor-made quote.