ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Welcome to Quito Or Guayaquil

In the Guayaquil or Quito airport you will be greeted and taken to the Hotel.

Day 2: Quito or Guayaquil, Baltra, Bartolome Island

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport. You will be greeted at the airport by our guides and then taken to the pier to join the Galapagos Bartolomé Island Dry landing. Volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit, there is an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of PinnacleRock. During the ascent travelers often see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti can be seen. Enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galapagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.

Day 3: Fernandina Island (Suarez Point)

After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, you will see the largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot Crabs. Also enjoyed are the Flightless Cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations, observers will note Brachycereus Cactus, “pa-hoe-hoe” lava, and other unusual lava formations. View recent lava flows from a safe distance. Also, numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system. Isabela Island (Tagus Cove)Is the largest island in the Galapagos.

At Tagus Cove enjoy a dry landing. Learn more about the eruption of five volcanoes that flowed together to form this landmass. During the walk, you will see the largest population of Giant Tortoises. (about 4000, but difficult to spot) the marked trail leads to Darwin ‘s saltwater lagoon and an excellent view of the lava fields, scoured with unique volcanic formations. Time is allowed for viewing marine life from the dinghy. Frequently visitors see Galapagos Penguins at this site. A view of graffiti dating back to the 1800’s can help passengers better appreciate the relationship between the islands and tourism today. Most of the graffiti is believed to be done by pirates and buccaneers.

Day 4: Santiago Island (Egas Port)

Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. Enjoy the sight of Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. There is a colony of Fur- Seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called “grottos”. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling in search of Octopuses, Sea Horses, StarFish and other sea life caught in the small tidal pools. From a safe distance, you can admire Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, White Tip and Galapagos Sharks, Golden and White Spotted Eagle Rays, Jacks, Wahoo, Tuna, Groupers, Red-Tailed, and Dog Snappers, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles.

All located in the backdrop of cold water and warm water corals, fans, and sponge. Rábida Island / Jervis Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks in all of the Islands. Here a short trail leads to a saltwater lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangroves found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be found are boobies and 9 species of Darwin ‘s finches. Dinghy ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island(Charles Darwin Station)

Investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. You can also admire Giant Tortoises, part of the breeding program. Also, travelers can admire the impressive Giant Prickly-Pear Cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40 minutes. After this visit passengers have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay. This area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land Iguanas, again thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island Galapagos-Guayaquil

Disembarkation at Bachas Beach (wet landing) which is located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. In this site, you will be encountered by sea lions that will be found bodysurfing, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and passengers would have the opportunity to swim in this white sanded beach. Baltra Island Return to Baltra´s airport in order to take the flight back to Guayaquil. In Guayaquil you will be greeted and taken to the Hotel Continental in the center of Guayaquil.

Day 7: Guayaquil, Lima, Cusco

Hotel greeting and transfer to Guayaquil airport for flight to Lima and connection to Cusco. Cusco airport greeting and transfer to Hotel Jose Antonio in Cusco. Rest and acclimate this day.

Day 8: City Tour Cusco

Notes: At 2 PM you will be able to take the Cusco City tour to see the archaeological sites to the north of the city. The tour includes visits to the famous archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman with its magnificent monolithic stones, Quenqo, the fountains at Tambomachay and Puca Pucara. Return to the Hotel Jose Antonio after the Cusco City Tour.

Day 9: Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)

Notes: Check out of your hotel this morning after breakfast and store the bulk of your luggage at your hotel and get claims checks for your bags. You will be spending this evening in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. One of the most important tours recommended by ILE Tours is the full-day Sacred Valley Tour. Here you will learn of the Incas important and impressive legacy left to us by their knowledge of building and great respect for the sun and nature. After breakfast, you will be greeted in your hotel and driven NE out of Cusco to Pisaq. Stop periodically at scenic overlooks for pictures of the dramatic landscape before continuing on to Pisaq. Known for its indigenous craft market (on Sunday, Thursday and Tuesday) Pisaq was also the easternmost fortress of the Sacred Valley. The fortress you can still see high above the town square to the north. Next, we will continue west through the Sacred Valley to the picturesque town of Urubamba where we will stop to enjoy an excellent Andean buffet lunch in one of the best restaurants. You will next visit the archaeological city of Ollantaytambo, the Inca’s northern fortress city that guarded the Sacred Valley in the north. Here you will appreciate the complexity of the magnificent Inca construction built in accordance with the landscape. Ollantaytambo which still retains its original Inca style and layout. After the tour takes the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes where you will be greeted and escorted to the Hotel Hanaqpacha.

Day 10: Machu Picchu Tour, Cusco

Notes: Sunrise in Machu Picchu. You will be greeted in Aguas Calientes by your guide and taken by bus up to Machu Picchu, one of the most remarkable and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world. Few works made by man are as harmonious with nature as the citadel of Machu Picchu. The “Lost City” is located at the top of a flattened mountain. Enjoy the wonders of Machu Picchu with your guide: the Sacred District, the Popular District to the south, and the District of Royalty in the urban sector. Visit the Temple of the Sun, the Room of the Three Windows and Temple of the Condor. Besides, the outstanding archaeological remains see the spectacular panoramic views of the Jungle Mountains and the Urubamba River 400 meters below. After the tour return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the Vistadome train back to Cusco. In Cusco, you will be greeted and escorted back to the Hotel Jose Antonio.

Day 11: Cusco Lima, City Tour Lima

Notes: In the morning you will be greeted in your hotel and taken to the Cusco airport for your morning flight to Lima. You will be greeted at the Lima airport and taken to the Hotel Exclusive in Miraflores. After checking in your will taken on the Lima City Tour. Private Lima City Tour After breakfast our guide will pick you up at your hotel to start the “City of the Kings”- Lima City Tour. You will begin by visiting the Plaza de Armas, a World Heritage UNESCO site, with its bronze fountain built-in 1560. Next, you will visit Catacombs of San Francisco where you will see a fine collection of pre-Columbian gold, silver and bronze, weavings, ceramic works, mummies, catacombs and a splendid collection of arms from the Spanish colonial era. You will visit the upscale neighborhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro as well as the old streets of Lima. We will finish the tour at Huaca Pucllana, an important ceremonial and administrative culture center in ancient Lima, built in the 4th century AD. You will be returned to The Hotel Exclusive, Miraflores in the early evening after the tour. Overnight Hotel Exclusive

Day 12: Lima Home

In the morning you will be greeted in the Hotel Exclusive and taken to the Lima airport for your flight home.

What is Included:

• Lima-Cusco-Lima airfare
• Lima-Guayaquil-Lima airfare
• Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil airfare
• Hotel Exclusive Lima
• Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco
• Hotel Continental Guayaquil
• 4 star hotel in Aguas Calientes TBD
• All hotel /port /airport in-out transfers
• Bilingual naturalist guide on cruise
• Professional English speaking guides in Cusco and Machu Picchu
• Bus tickets Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes
• Machu Picchu admission
• Private tour of Machu Picchu
• Private Cusco City Tour
• Private Sacred Valley Tour w/lunch
• Vistadome train tickets from Aguas Calientes-Machu PIcchu-Cusco
• Breakfasts in hotels
• All meals aboard Galapagos yacht cruise
• Personal assistance every day