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1st day: ... / Lima.
Upon your arrival reception at the airport and transfer to the selected Hotel.
Overnight at the selected hotel.
2nd day: Lima
LIMA CITY TOUR (COLONIAL AND MODERN)
Visit downtown at City of the Kings, the most important American city during colonial times. Take a walk around the Main Square, where you can find Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and Metropolitan City Hall, beautiful buildings, all full of history and tradition. Then, go all over San Francisco Monastery, probably the most spectacular church of colonial Lima, housing the catacombs and a very fine museum of religious art from the XVII century. The tour goes all the way to modern district of San Isidro, where you will appreciate Huaca Huallamarca, a pre Incan pyramid made out of adobe, and end up in the touristic district of Miraflores, where you will observe the Pacific Ocean coast from the vast seafront.
Overnight at selected hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.
3rd day: Lima / Cusco
Transfer to the airport
Flight to Cusco city.
CUSCO
Upon your arrival at the airport you will be transferred to your hotel.
CITY TOUR & RUINS:
Visit with a regular bus the Imperial City, vivid example of the blend of Andean and Spanish cultures. The tour starts visiting the Koricancha, old Incan palace and main center for worshipping god Sun. Then, go around the Main Square, where the Cathedral and the beautiful Society of Jesus church, among other colonial buildings are located. Keep ascending up to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, imposing sample of Incan military architecture that dominates the city. Lastly, we go over the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, located North East of the city.
Overnight at the selected hotel.
Meals included : Breakfast
4th day: Cusco/Sacred Valley
PISAC MARKET & OLLANTAYTAMBO:
Early in the morning you will be transferred to Ollantaytambo, an Inca vestige that was a military, religious and agricultural center. Here, the fortress located in the highest part of the mountain, protected the valley from the invaders. The view of the town from the top is overwhelming, narrow streets and water channels are still used by the locals. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Pisac, a beautiful town famous for its typical handicraft market, full of color and tradition.
Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the selected hotel.
Meals included : Breakfast and Lunch.
5th day: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu
Transfer to the train station.
MACHU PICCHU VISIT:
You will visit one of the most important energetic centers in the world: Machu Picchu. The tour is made by train, and along the ride we will have an impressive sight of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba landscape. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, our crew will assist you on boarding the bus that will take you to the citadel. It will be an unforgettable experience, where a professional guide will transmit you the history around this mysterious and lovely enclosure. After the guided tour, you will enjoy free time to explore the area on your own, relax or meditate. At a convenient time, we will get all the way down to Aguas Calientes village.
Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
Shared service is during your trip by train; after that, a private guide will assist you through the visit in Machu Picchu from the train station.
Overnight at the selected hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.
6th day: Machu Picchu / Cusco
Free Day in Machu Picchu so you can hike the Huaynapicchu on your own way (entrance fee and bus ride are included).
At the appointed time, you should return to the station to take your train ride to Cusco. Luggage porters from your hotel to the station are available for free. The ride lasts four hours.
Sacred Valley
Transfer from Ollanta Station in the Sacred Valley to Cusco Hotel.
Overnight at the Selected Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.
7th day: Cusco / Lima / Guayaquil
Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
Flight to Lima city.
Lima
Air ticket to Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Transfer from the Airport to the selected Hotel
Overnight at Selected Hotel
Meals included : Breakfast.
8th day: Guyaquil / Galapagos Island
Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
Flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos.
Galapagos Island
MONDAY:
BALTRA ISLAND
Morning arrival to Baltra Island by plane and immediate transfer to the dock to board the M/V Santa Cruz. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
LAS BACHAS (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND)
After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to "Bachas". Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach (wet landing), with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkeling gear and techniques.
Welcome Cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner.
Overnight at M/N Santa Cruz Cruise.
Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
9th day: Galapagos Island
TUESDAY
BUCCANEER COVE (JAMES ISLAND)
After breakfast, enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. Learn about the history of Santiago Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin's epic voyage in 1835, and the conservation projects aimed at eradicating feral species (a fence stretched along the rocky outcrop is visible to save native plants from the once existing enormous goat population). Today the island is free of feral goats, and the cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the "Elephant Rock", "The Bishop" and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling too! Lunch on board.
PUERTO EGAS (JAMES ISLAND)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk.
Expedition plan for Wednesday and dinner.
Overnight at M/N Santa Cruz Cruise.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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10th day: Galapagos Island
WEDNESDAY
RÁBIDA ISLAND (JERVIS)
Disembark at Rábida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non-snorkelers will enjoy a ride on the glass bottom boat. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board.
BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND
Disembark at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase resting platforms and handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, possibly with Galápagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Expedition plan for Thursday and dinner.
Overnight at M/N Santa Cruz Cruise.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
11th day: Galapagos Island
THURSDAY
PRINCE PHILIP'S STEPS (TOWER/GENOVESA ISLAND)
The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Lunch on board.
DARWIN BAY (TOWER/GENOVESA ISLAND)
In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour, or join us in a Glass Bottom boat ride.
Farewell Cocktail, departure briefing and dinner.
Overnight at M/N Santa Cruz Cruise.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
12th day: Galapagos Island
FRIDAY
PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO (SAN CRISTÓBAL (CHATHAM) ISLAND)
After breakfast, optional departure to see the breeding program of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Learn about his endangered species, and its promising recovery. This site is 45 minutes by bus, on the south shore of San Cristóbal Island. Return to town and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.
Flight from Galapagos to Guayaquil.
Guayaquil
Transfer from the Airport to the selected Hotel.
Overnight at Selected Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.
13th day: Guayaquil
CITY TOUR & HISTORICAL PARK:
The visit includes the main attractions of the Port of Guayaquil, starting with the Centennial Plaza that honors the heroes of Guayaquil's independence, and then along 9th of October Boulevard to the heart of the business district of the city with the Plaza of the Administration and the striking Government and Municipal Buildings. A short stroll takes guests to the famous Moorish Clock Tower and Bolívar Park, with an equestrian statue of South America's liberator, Simón Bolívar. The latter is also called "the park of the iguanas", as here they roam undisturbed and perch on the treetops, blending perfectly with the green leaves. Beside the park is the neo-gothic Metropolitan Cathedral. Then drive to the southern end of Guayaquil's ravishing Malecon 2000 to see the Crystal Palace, the Integration Square, the Plaza of the Flags and the Plaza Olmedo, which are together, at the beginning of a 2.5 Km. (1.5 mile) waterfront, running parallel to the River Guayas and featuring historical, cultural and entertainment areas. An easy walk, past decorative elements featuring the four elements: earth, fire, water and air, leads to La Rotonda, which commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin, the liberators of South America. Then on to Barrio Las Peñas, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, whose wooden constructions have been beautifully restored, housing many art galleries. Drive past Guayaquil's cemetery with outstanding marble sculptures by famous Italian artists on to Urdesa residential area to end at Malecón del Salado, the latest urban regeneration project of the city. Then, take the road to Samborondón to visit the Historical Park or Parque Histórico created by the Central Bank of Ecuador to preserve the culture and customs of the Ecuadorian coast. The park provides an opportunity to discover the traditions and roots of our culture. Visitors will enter an unknown part of the world. The park is divided in three sections, each one dedicated to the preservation of an important part of our history: Wildlife, Urban-Architecture. and Traditions.Wildlife Section: This area was designed to restore and preserve the original vegetation and wildlife of the ecosystems representative of this zone like mangrove, flooded savanna and tropical dry forest, which existed in abundance in the province of Guayas in the past. Architectural Section: In the 1980's the Central Bank of Ecuador rescued four building of historical significance and importance. These buildings have been being rebuilt at Parque Historico recreating the architectural style of the era through the design of interior and exterior spaces. This gives visitors a unique perspective of what Guayaquil was like in the early 20th century, and a feel of having traveled back in time.Traditions Section: In this zone Parque Historico tries to establish a close encounter with the way of life, customs and production in the coastal countryside of the late 19th century and early 20th century, in which there was a resurgence of the national economy due to the cocoa production.
Overnight at the selected Hotel.
Meals included : Breakfast.
14th day: Guayaquil
Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast. |