Machu Picchu & Galapagos - Itinerary
They rank as two of South America’s greatest treasures: the enigmatic ruins at Machu Picchu, where you spend the night at an intimate on-site hotel; and the fascinating Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s “living laboratory,” where you will cruise aboard an intimate, privately chartered boat. It’s an exhilarating discovery of lost worlds.
Begin in the Peruvian capital, Lima, and continue on to the indigenous villages of the beautiful Sacred Valley. At Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” climb among the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and absorb the beauty and mystery of a place whose original purpose has been lost to time. Visit Cuzco, the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Fly to Quito and board your privately chartered cruise boat for your excursion among the Galapagos. Catch a glimpse of an endless array of wildlife, from flamingos to iguanas, Pacific green sea turtles to pelicans, and sea lions to penguins. Tour the Charles Darwin Research Station where international scientists conduct biological research and conservation projects. Take time to shop for rugs, jewelry, and textiles at the 400-year-old sprawling Indian market at Otavalo.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Lima, Peru
Day 2: Arrive Lima
Upon arrival in Lima very early this morning, we transfer to our hotel for breakfast and to rest until noon (rooms are ready for our early arrival). Then we tour the Larco Herrera Museum, whose ceramics collection includes a renowned set of erotic pre-Columbian pots. This afternoon we take a city tour of the Peruvian capital followed by dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 3: Lima/Cuzco/Sacred Valley
Early today we fly to Cuzco, where upon arrival we stop for brunch then continue on to the beautiful Sacred Valley, a region of Inca sites and indigenous villages. After visiting the Indian market at Pisac, we reach our hotel mid-afternoon. Before dinner we attend a native Offering to the Earth ceremony. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Sacred Valley
Today’s tour begins in the Incan farming town of Chinchero, where residents live much as their ancestors did, wearing traditional clothing and engaging in age-old customs. Next we tour the important salt pans in the lovely colonial town of Maras, where we also have lunch. We spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo, a living town and site of massive Incan ruins that still inspire wonder today. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu
Early this morning we travel by train for the one-and-one half-hour journey to Aguas Calientes, where we board a bus for Machu Picchu. Our first guided visit of the stunning “Lost City of the Incas” begins late this morning. Thanks to its small size, our group will move nimbly through the ruins and have the leisure to absorb the beauty and mystery of this site whose original purpose has been lost to time. Following our tour, we check in at the 30-room Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, just 20 yards from the entrance to the ruins. While most visitors see Machu Picchu on a day trip, we have the rare privilege of spending the night and seeing the ruins after all the tourists have left. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cuzco
Today before the day trippers arrive we take our second guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and free time before our mid-afternoon train to Cuzco. (B,L)
Day 7: Cuzco
This morning we tour the archaeological hub of the Americas, the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, and UNESCO World Heritage site. We stop at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an Incan masterpiece, then enjoy lunch in the home of a gracious Cuzco family. This afternoon is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 8: Cuzco/Quito
Early today we fly via Lima to Quito, arriving late afternoon. This evening we take a brief tour of this capital city’s colonial high-lights then dine at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 9: Quito/Baltra/Galapagos Cruising – Santa Cruz Island
Our Galapagos adventure begins with an early departure for Baltra, where we board the privately chartered M/Y Coral II. After a briefing and lunch on board we head to Santa Cruz, where we visit a lagoon frequented by flamingos; ride a train up Dragon Hill for views of the bay; and take a dinghy ride to see land iguanas and Pacific green sea turtles, among other local residents. Back on board we enjoy a welcome cocktail party and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Galapagos Cruising – Rabida and Santiago Islands
This morning we make a wet landing on a red-sand volcanic beach visited by sea lions, brown pelicans, boobies, and nine species of Darwin’s finches. Next up: a dinghy ride to a nearby reef for snorkeling (if we choose). This afternoon’s visit to Santiago reveals a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows where a variety of herons linger, while a colony of fur-sea lions cavorts in deep pools of cool water. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Galapagos Cruising – Fernandina and Isabela Islands
At Fernandina this morning we come face-to-face with the islands’ largest colony of marine iguanas, plus flightless cormorants, sea lions, and Galapagos penguins. This afternoon we reach Tagus Cove on Isabela, the largest of the 13 major Galapagos islands and where we learn about its volcanic origins on a nature walk and dinghy ride. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Galapagos Cruising – Bartolomé and Santa Cruz Islands
On our first stop today we see a variety of volcanic formations on our guided walk to the summit. At Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz this afternoon we ride a dinghy through the primeval mangrove to observe marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and yellow rays. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Santa Cruz Island/Guayquil/Quito
This morning we see interpretive displays on Galapagos geology, marine and animal life, and climate at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where international scientists conduct biological research and conservation projects. After some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora we fly from Baltra back to Quito (via Guayaquil). Dinner tonight is on our own. (B,L)
Day 14: Quito/Otavalo
Today’s excursion is to the northern highlands to the sprawling Indian market at Otavalo. At least 400 years old, it offers everything from farm animals, produce, and tools to rugs, jewelry, and textiles. We also stop in the small town of Calderón, known for its bread-dough figurines. After lunch at a local hacienda we visit the village of Cotacachi, with more than 100 leather shops. Tonight we toast our exhilarating adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Depart for U.S.
Late this afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Miami. (B)
