Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu Tour - 10 Days

GALAPAGOS AND MACHU PICCHU TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Flight from Quito to Baltra – Bachas Beach in Santa Cruz Island.

Today, we will pick you up from the hotel in Quito and transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra. Upon arrival, meet your guide and then take you to the yacht. In the afternoon you will explore the Bachas Beach. This is a beautiful white-sand beach on which the remnants of a rusted barge, thought to have been abandoned by the Americans during WWI. It is a popular nesting site for turtles, so if you go for a snorkel, you might find yourself sharing the water with these wonderful creatures. The beach is also full of vibrant Sally Light-foot and hermit crabs, and elegant pink flamingos that frequent the saltwater pond located just behind the beach.

Activities: Walking, snorkeling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner.
Difficulty: Easy.

Day 2: Genovesa: Prince Philip’s Steps / El Barranco and Darwin Bay

In the Morning, you will visit El Barranco, This place is also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, is a rocky stairway that will lead you past a colony of Nazca and red-footed boobies leads up to a plateau of dried lava. Continuing through the thin Palo Santo forest and looking out over the plain, visitors are often treated to sites of storm petrels launching out over the ocean. A dinghy ride or kayaking boarding along the edge of the cliffs provides a good chance to see the elusive Galapagos fur seals nestled on the rocks, and snorkeling is a great activity if you fancy a dip with a variety of shark species.

In the Afternoon, You will visit the Darwin Bay,which has a small sand and coral beach that provides the perfect spot for snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding in calm, sheltered waters in the company of hammerhead sharks, rays and a plethora of colorful reef fish. Onshore, a short trail leads along a tidal lagoon and mangroves, home to a variety of land bird species, including Nazca and red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. The trail culminates at a viewpoint that offers a stunning view overlooking the cliffs and the bay below.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner.
Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 3: Santiago – Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove and Egas Port

In the Morning, We will take you to Espumilla beach, located on the northern coast of Santiago island, this is an exquisite white sand beach, whose name refers to the meringue-like trails of foam left by the lapping of the waves. Sally Light-foot crabs are in abundance here and as a result, it is common to see predatory birds such as hawks, herons and pelicans.

This idyllic location is perfect for snorkeling or kayaking boarding among a raft of marine life, including species of octopus, eels and sharks. Buccaneer Cove has an interesting history as it is where sailors, buccaneers and whalers frequently anchored their vessels in search for food and water. In more recent times it has become an important nesting site for turtles and is also popular with sea lions. A dinghy ride along the eroded shoreline provides views of intriguing rock formations that provide excellent ledges for boobies, pelicans and gulls.

In the afternoon, explore the Egas Port that was once the site of a salt mine, but now this impressive black sand beach is an excellent location for snorkeling and observing shorebirds, Sally Light-foot crabs and marine iguanas.
A stroll along the wide trails inland leads you past tidal pools and rocky volcanic formations known as grottoes where it is possible to spot fur seals enjoying a spot of shade.

Activities and Excursions: Walking, snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner.
Difficulty: Moderate ( Morning Activity) / Easy ( Afternoon Activity).

Day 4: Black Turtle Cove – Highlands and Charles Darwin Research Station

The first visit of the day is to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into a shallow lake which reaches almost a mile inland.

As you drift through quiet waters in the dinghy you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond-shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the dinghy and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egrets, all feed in the cove. It’s a peaceful place where visitors often have up-close encounters with Galapagos wildlife, often making it a highlight of the trip.

On the highlands of Santa Cruz, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous giant tortoises in the wild. Bird-watching is also one of the activities do to in the Santa Cruz highlands, since this area is home of finches and other Galapagos birds. After the visit to the highlands, we continue to the famous Charles Darwin Research Station that provides guests with a unique opportunity to find out about the vital work that is being carried out to preserve the archipelago’s ecosystems.
The Research Center is also home to a significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises, whose numbers have been in decline since the 1970’s. These captivating reptiles are very accustomed to humans, so be sure to bring your camera for some close-ups.

Activities and Excursions: Dinghy ride, Walking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner.
Difficulty: Easy.

Day 5: Lobos Island – Transfer to the airport – Guayaquil & Lima, Peru

Today, before taking you to the airport, we will take you to The Lobos Island, This Island gets its name from the herds of sea lions that have made their home here.
After this activity, Transfer to the airport to fly to mainland Ecuador, and then board a connecting flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Difficulty: Easy.

Hotel: Casa Andina.

Day 6: Lima City Tour and afternoon Flight to Cusco.

In the morning, the Lima tour begins at 8:30 am with comfortable, private transport that waits for you at every stop. Lima presents three distinct historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern. Visit the pre-Hispanic, 25-meter-tall pyramid “Huaca Pucllana,” made from mud adobes over 1,500 years ago. Explore the 18th-century downtown Lima, with its elaborate carved balconies, stone facades, churches, and squares. Lunch at one of Lima’s outstanding restaurants.

The private tour ends with a transfer to Jorge Chavez airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, we pick you up and take you to Aranwa hotel or similar.

Day 7: Cusco Walking Tour.

At noon, your guide meets you at your hotel for a walking tour (at your own speed) of downtown Cusco. Walk through original Inca and colonial streets to imagine earlier times. Visit the holy Qoricancha Temple, which was originally covered with gold plates inside and out. Experience the San Pedro Market with all your senses. End the day with a relaxing lunch at one of the many extraordinary restaurants in downtown.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Hotel: Aranwa.

Day 8: Visit Sacsaywaman, Llama farm and Pisac Inca site.

This full-day tour of the Sacred Valley begins when your private guide and a spacious, private van pick you up after breakfast. The first stop is at the Inca site of Sacsaywaman and then Manos de la Comunidad, an interpretative animal center. Learn all about the South American camelids, such as llamas, alpacas, and the rarer vicunas. You even get to feed them! The next stop is Pisac, a village with a wonderful market to buy jewelry, clothes, and art.

The shopping works up an appetite, so the next step is a delicious lunch at Sarapampa restaurant in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Hotel: Aranwa.

Day 9: Machu Picchu Private Tour by Hiran Binghan Train.

The luxury Machu Picchu Private Tours begin with a pick-up at approximately 8:00 am from your hotel, and returning around 10:30 pm. Our private tour guide and vehicle will collect you to take a 30 minutes journey to Poroy train station. Once there, you will board the 9:05 am Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes, the base village for Machu Picchu, arriving about 12:24 pm. Then you will enjoy a 25-minute bus ride up to the Inca City.

Here our guide will take you on a three-hour private guided tour of Machu Picchu, you will learn about the culture and Inca lifestyle.
After a sunset Cocktail board the train and return to Poroy train station. On arrival our representative will take you to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You will be arriving to your hotel around 10:30 pm.

Day 10: Transfer Out.

At indicated time transfer to the airport and take your connecting flight from Lima.

WHAT’S INCLUDED FOR GALAPAGOS:

– Round flight to Galapagos from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos
– Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
– Airport Reception and assistance
– Double Suite room accommodation.(King or twin size)
– Guided expeditions according to the itinerary
– Top bilingual National Park guide(English / Spanish)
– Cruise Service Officer
– Wifi Onboard
– Activity daily briefing
– All meals mentioned in the itinerary.
– Snacks and Soft drinks or juices
– Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail
– Use of sea kayaks and paddle-boards
– Expedition gear
– Yoga mats
– Kettle bells and dumbbells
– Stargazing laser pointer

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED FOR GALAPAGOS:

– Galapagos National Park Entrance fee ($200 per person – subject to change).
– Transit Control Card ($20 per person- subject to change).
– Alcoholic beverages.
– Gratuities for guide and crew.
– Travel and health insurance.
– International flights to Quito – Guayaquil to Lima –  Lima to home country.
– Airport taxes.
– Meals not mentioned on Inclusions.
– Extra personal expenses.

WHAT’S INCLUDED FOR MACHU PICCHU TOUR:

– Pick up and drop off at Lima and Cusco airport.
– Domestic flight between Lima and Cusco.
– 05 nights of 4* hotel in Lima and Cusco.
– Private Lima City tour and tickets.
– Cusco walking tour on foot and transportation.
– Tour of the sacred valley: Sacsaywaman, Llama farm and Pisac.
– Machu Picchu private tour for three hours.
– Entrance tickets, transportation and guides.
– Meals as stated in the itinerary.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED FOR PERU ADVENTURE:

– Cold, hot or alcoholic drinks.
– Gratuities for guide and crew.
– Travel and health insurance.
– International flights from Lima to home country.
– Airport taxes.
– Meals not mentioned on Inclusions.
– Extra personal expenses.