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| Combine the 2 most famous and most exciting tourist destinations in Southamerica. During a 4 days cruise on a beautiful yacht through the Galapagos Islands you can snorkel with penguins and sea-lions, encounter the odd hammerhead shark, watch giant 200 kg tortoises lumbering through cactus forest and enjoy the courtship display of the blue-footed booby and magnificent frigate bird, all in startling close-up.
From this wildlife sanctuary our journey leads us to the political and religious capital of the Incas: Qosqo (the “Navel of the Earth”), once the hub of the greatest empire ever seen in the Americas. In the hills above the city we explore the fascinating archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman – the former Inca house of the sun and beyond the verdant Sacred Valley, with its colourful local markets and ancient palaces like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, we visit Machupicchu, timeless and enigmatic, lost for centuries amid lush tropical vegetation. |
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| ITINERARY |
| DAY 1: | QUITO (Arrival) | | Individual arrival, reception at Quito airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free for optional visits or resting. Overnight at hotel in Quito | | DAY 2: | QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE | | Early morning transfer hotel-airport for national flight Quito – Baltra Airport (Galapagos Islands). Upon arrival reception by our representative and transfer to the Yacht. Cabin assignation, welcome drink and orientation. Overnight on our Yacht.(B/L/D) | | DAY 3-4: | EXPLORING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS | | | | While your exact routing depends on the National Park Service, you may visit the following islands:
Santa Cruz: This epicenter of Galápagos administration is home to the National Park headquarters, as well as the Charles Darwin Research Station where you’ll learn about their vital preservation work. Wild giant tortoises forage in the highlands.
Española: Blue-footed boobies and sea lions galore. Española marine iguanas and waved albatross (mid-April through mid-December) are exclusive to this island. Snorkel and stroll one of Galápagos’ best beaches.
Floreana: Flamingos sometimes feed in the island’s large lagoon and colonies of sea lions and blue-footed boobies reside here. Snorkel with playful sea lions.
Genovesa: Genovesa, a collapsed caldera, allows picture-perfect anchorage. It’s home to the red-footed and Nazca booby, a significant population of frigate birds; and it’s a great place to snorkel.
Fernandina: Explore Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island — the most pristine and youngest island in Galápagos — where marine iguanas warm themselves and sea lions bask by mangroves.
Isabela: Visit the small town of Puerto Villamil and nearby saltwater lagoons, explore the island’s caves or simply stroll along a beautiful beach.
Bartolomé: This is an enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves and beautiful golden sand converge. Great walks, views and a good chance to snorkel with penguins — a tropical oxymoron.
Santiago: Santiago provides a chance to see the Galápagos fur seal, along with the opportunity to enjoy the best "tide pooling."
| | DAY 5: | GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – GUAYAQUIL - LIMA | | Morning return to Baltra Island in time for national flight to Guayaquil. Afternoon connection for international flight Guayaquil-Lima. Upon arrival (appr. 8.00 p.m.) reception and transfer to the hotel in Lima for overnight. (B) | | DAY 6: | LIMA - CUSCO (Sacsayhuaman) | | Morning transfer Hotel – Airport for national flight Lima-Cusco, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free morning for acclimatizing (3300 m) and optional visits. In the afternoon we visit the impressive Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, once the Inca “House of the Sun”, with temples, palaces and important astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 200 tons and were placed with incredible precision. In the late afternoon we visit the Centre of Native Art to enjoy typical music and dances of the region. Overnight in Cusco. (B) | | DAY 7: | SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS | | Early morning bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way we visit a weaving centre/museum, where the local weavers explain the textile making process from shearing, spinning and dying with plant extracts to the actual weaving.
We continue our tour with a visit to the archaeological site of Pisaq, fascinating for its location and architecture. We will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful place. After visiting the colorful handicraft market in the village of Pisac, we enjoy a delicious lunch in the valley. In the afternoon we drive to the typical village of Ollantaytambo, often described as a living museum, for the descendants of the Incas continue to live in the houses built by their ancestors. Overnight in Ollantaytambo. (B/L) | | DAY 8: | MACHUPICCHU | | After breakfast, we make the magnificent train ride through the Urubamba Gorge to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu). During the 2 hour ride following the course of the Urubamba we descend into ever more lush tropical vegetation. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we drive up to the most famous site in the southern hemisphere: legendary Machupicchu. We visit this magical site with an expert guide and then have some time for individual exploration. In the afternoon we return by bus to Aguas Calientes where we can relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B) | | DAY 9: | MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO | | Free day in Machupicchu for optional visits of the sanctuary or hikes in the area. Afternoon trainride back to Cusco for overnight. (B) | | DAY 10: | CUSCO - LIMA | | Transfer Htl-Apt. for national flight Cusco-Lima and international connections. (B) | |
| OUR SERVICE INCLUDES: |
Transportation: 2 national flights Ecuador: Quito-Baltra Island-Guayaquil
1 international flight: Guayaquil-Lima
2 national flights Peru: Lima-Cusco-Lima
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| Accommodation: 3 nights Cruise ship (double cabins) and 6 nights hotel (double rooms) | | Tours: As mentioned incl. transport and bilingual guide | | Included Meals: All breakfasts, 1 lunch and full board on Galapagos Island Cruise | |
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| NOT INCLUDED: |
| Not mentioned international flights, airport taxes, Galapagos Nationalpark fee (USD 100.—/Pers.), optional or not mentioned tours/meals and extra services such as tips. |
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| SEASON: |
All year |
| DURATION: |
10D/9N
Quito - Lima |
| FITNESS-LEVEL: |
Easy |
| DEPARTURE DATES 2010: |
Daily, Check available cruise ships |
| TRIP COST 2010 | 2-3 Participants | 4+ Participants | Single Supplement | | 14D/13N, 3-4* Hotels & 8 Day First Class Cruise: | US$ 0.--/Pers.
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| For special group discounts or customized tours contact us: info@culturasperu.com |
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