Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Arrive Lima

Today we will arrive in Lima at any time. There are no planned activities, so head out to explore the city. In the evening we will meet our Tour Guide and fellow group members to go over the details of our trip.

Day 2 Cuzco (B)

This morning, we will take a quick flight to Cuzco, after which we will enjoy an orientation walk of this beautiful historic city. The remainder of the day is at our leisure to relax or explore the cobblestone streets during the afternoon and evening. Cuzco is considered the center of Peru. This beautiful colonial town offers much to the visitor with its nearby ruins, museums, churches and lively atmosphere. Among the more adventurous optional activities available in Cuzco we have a choice of: horseback riding around archeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara, white water rafting on the Urubamba River, and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley, or a visit to an Inca ruin along the way.

Day 3 Urubamba (B,L,D)

An early start takes us from Cuzco with a local guide into the Sacred Valley for a full day tour. We will visit the Planeterra Community Weaving Project and have the pleasure of meeting the women and watch them create their artist wares. Next, we will head out for a tour of the Pisac ruins and handicraft market, followed by a stop into a Chicha House to try the popular local beverage, which is made from fermented from corn, similar to how beer is made. We will arrive in the Inca town of Ollantaytambo for our first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. Our night is spent in a comfortable hotel in an idyllic setting outside of Ollantaytambo.

Days 4-7 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4B,3L,3D)

We will embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas and do it in style. Our deluxe trek offers comfortable mattresses, gourmet food and upgraded camping facilities. Friendly local porters and guides ensure that our trip is worry-free. The 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is physically challenging but worthwhile and the excursion is within the ability of most reasonably fit. It is a 25 mile hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 13776 ft. We will depart Ollantaytambo for km 82 where we will begin our walk in the footsteps of the Incas. As we admire breathtaking views at every step, we will move from high plateau areas to dense cloud forest. Depending on the season, we may see a great variety of flora, including miniature and large orchids, and fiery rhododendron bushes. We will pass several smaller ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata. On our second day, we will climb the long steep path to Dead Woman’s Pass. At 13769 ft above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the trek. The second pass of the hike is at 13113 ft where on clear days, we will enjoy superb views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba mountains. The trail goes through some beautiful cloud forest on the gentle climb to the third pass, where we will walk through a causeway and a tunnel, both original Inca constructions. The highest point of the third pass is at 12136 ft. On clear days we will are rewarded with beautiful views of the Urubamba Valley below. Soon we will reach the serene ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or the 'Town above the Clouds', at about 11972 ft above sea level. We will camp here or an hour and a half further along close to Wiñay Wayna ruins, a grandiose terraced hillside site, with panoramic views of the valley below and just a short hike from Machu Picchu. On the final day of the hike we will climb the steps to the Sun Gate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu. When the morning is clear, there is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous site appears in front of you.

Those choosing not to do the Inca Trail, will follow the below itinerary:

Day 4-7 Cuzco, Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (4B)

For those not hiking the Inca Trail, we will return back to Cuzco on Day 4 where we will visit a Planeterra street kids drop-in home. Before we arrive, we will stop at a local market where we will have the opportunity to buy gifts (food, pencils, stationery) for the project, if you choose. Our Day 5 is at our leisure with numerous optional activities for us to choose from. On Day 6, we will enjoy a scenic train ride through the Andes to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We will take a brief orientation tour of the town and the remainder of the day is free for optional activities; visit the hot springs, shop or even venture up to Machu Picchu to have more time to explore. On Day 7, we will rise early to meet up with the hikers at Machu Picchu for our guided tour and then return to Cuzco later in the afternoon.

Day 8 Lima (B)

A morning flight brings us back to Lima around midday. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a guided tour of the historical center of Lima, followed by a unique visit to Pueblo Libre, known especially for its historic association with Pisco production. Enjoy a typical pisco sour or some traditional food with the locals while soaking in the atmosphere.

Day 9 Lima/Quito (B)

We will fly to Quito where we will be met and transferred to our hotel. This flight is unescorted and not included and must be pre-booked.

Day 10 Baltra/ Black turtle cove (B,L,D)

We will rise early to catch our flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, our group is met by our expert naturalist guide who will assist with the transfer to the catamaran. After lunch and a briefing from our naturalist, we will embark on our first excursion to visit Black Turtle Cove, an area of small mangrove surrounded inlets where we will view various bird and marine life which can include herons, pelicans, mustard rays, white tipped sharks and sea turtles.

Day 11 Floreana (B,L,D)

This morning, we will explore Post Office Bay, on Floreana Island. The history of Floreana Island (also called Charles) has evolved to reach near mythic proportions. On Post Office Bay, we will take a short walk to an interesting lava cave. With the aid of a flashlight, we will descend about 262 ft (80 m) to the point where the sea enters the cave. In the afternoon, we will continue to Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. The landing is on a beach of green sand, colored by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicate of magnesium and iron. From the beach, we will take a short hike to a lake inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds. We will continue to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil's Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkeling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colorful fish and sea lions.

Day 12 Española (B,L,D)

Early this morning, we will arrive at Española Island, the southernmost island of the archipelago. We will explore Garner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkeling site where we will find ourselves swimming with sea lions or even reef sharks. We will continue in the afternoon to Punta Suarez on the western side of Española Island, where views are spectacular, gargantuan waves break on jagged cliffs complemented by large bird colonies. During our hike, we will follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from our naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora and fauna.

Day 13 Santa Cruz/Quito (B)

In the morning, we will arrive back to port in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island where we will visit the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. Santa Cruz is the second largest in the island group and boasts the most varied of the islands’ vegetation zones: coastal, transition, scalesia, miconia and pampa. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10-minute walk from the center of the town. Here, an exhibition displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises and a nursery to care for young tortoises until they are about three years old. Following this, we will transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for our flight to Quito. We will transfer to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at our leisure. Enjoy one last night in historic Quito.

Day 14 Depart Quito (B)

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