Enjoy the majestic city of Cusco; the magical town gives a tour of Machu Picchu and the beautiful islands of the Galapagos.
Transfer Airport to Hotel.
Free time in Cusco during the morning.
City tour in Cusco: place to visit (Cathedral and of the Qorikancha Temple, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Q’enqo, Saqsayhuamán).
Entrance to the Cathedral and the Qorikancha Temple
Entrance to the archeological sites (BTC)
Night in a hotel in Cusco.
Sacred Valley Tour: local market and ruins of Pisaq, buffet lunch in Urubamba, ruins and citadel of Ollantaytambo.
Train ticket backpacker Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu.
Night in a hotel in Cusco
Visit of Machu Picchu: guided tour of 2 hours. Free time to keep visiting the sanctuary.
Buffet lunch in Machupicchu
Return to Cusco in the afternoon
Train ticket backpacker Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo.
Night in a hotel in Cusco
Free morning.
Transfer hotel to airport.
Flight Cusco - Lima.
Airport - Hotel.
Night hotel in Lima.
Transfer hotel to airport.
Arrival in Quito (or Guayaquil), transfer to hotel.
Breakfast. Traversing the entire colonial city tour of the country's history Overnight in Quito.
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (approx. 2½ hours flight). Passengers are picked up by our naturalist guides and bused to the pier to embark the M/V Galapagos Legend.
Bartolomé:
Dry landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones —lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, a few lava lizards and some endemic plants such as Tiquilla shrubbery, lava cacti, Scalecia trees and more.
Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish schools.
Wet landing on a volcanic "black" beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish.
Fernandina (Espinosa Point)
Dry landing. The largest, most primitive-looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and sally lightfoot crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins and the "King of predators on the Islands", the Galapagos hawk.
"Pa-hoe-hoe" and "AA" lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores
Wet landing on a beach of dark volcanic sand. Visited by Darwin in 1835, the unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago’s shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside sally light-foot crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Snorkeling here offers rarities such as octopus or squid.
Rábida (Jervis)
Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting brown pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.
We visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program and have the opportunity to meet Lonesome George, the last surviving specimen of his species and symbol of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment. Admire a prickly-pear cactus forest and a variety Darwin’s finches and other land birds. You will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.
Santa Cruz (Highlands)
Travel by bus to Cerro Chato in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Visitors can enter and explore large lava tubes.
Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz; find sea birds, marine iguanas, and sea turtles on a paradisiacal white-sand beach; swimming and snorkeling are great fun. Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra Airport. Return flight to Quito via Guayaquil.
Transfer out. End of services
Prices in US Dollars per person
