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Galapagos Multi Sport & Machu Picchu Tour
Combine the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands with the ancient mysteries of Machu Picchu
Duration: 13 days
4+ Travelers: $3995 per person
3 Travelers: $4370 per person
2 Travelers: $5265 per person
Internal flights are not included in trip costs
Internal airfare: $1170 low season / $1225 high season (subject to change)
In just two action-packed weeks, this trip allows you to explore two of the top attractions in South America, Peru's Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Your Galapagos hiking adventure begins with a land-based week in the pristine Galapagos Islands, observing its unique wildlife at close range. On hiking trails, by sea kayak, snorkeling, and mountain bike, you'll explore several of the central and southern islands, staying in comfortable hotels and taking advantage of your prime location to experience the unique Galapagos Island culture. Next, it's off to the magnificent Andean highlands of Peru, to experience the highlights of the impressive Inca Empire. Our native guides will take you off the beaten path to visit the legendary Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Ollantaytambo and the hidden city of Machu Picchu. You'll have a chance to shop at the colorful markets of Cusco and Chincheros along the way. For travelers on a schedule, this Ecuador Peru adventure to the countries' most well known sights makes a unique South America travel odyssey.
To arrange a private departure for the Galapagos Multi Sport & Machu Picchu Tour, please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.
Itinerary for Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands
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Day 1 (Sat) QUITO or GUAYAQUIL
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Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Upon early arrival, optional tours to museums or other Quito attractions can be arranged.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Sun) QUITO or GUAYAQUIL - SAN CRISTÓBAL (Hiking)
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The morning begins with a transfer to the airport for the flight to San Cristóbal Island. After arrival and check-in at a comfortable hotel, enjoy a welcome lunch and briefing. We’ll hike out of town to the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, for an overview of the island’s geology, evolution and natural history. From here take an invigorating hike to nearby Frigate Hill where you witness breathtaking views of the coastline and Puerto Baqueriz Moreno on the other side. This is an excellent bird watching spot where magnificent frigate birds, with wing spans of over six feet, soar above. The great frigates share the hill with blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and Darwin's finches. On the way back, you'll stop for a tropical swim along the white sands of Carola or Mann Beach. The first night is spent at a charming San Cristóbal hotel where we will enjoy dinner. The remainder of the evening is free to explore this quaint island town. (B,L,D)
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Day 3 (Mon) SAN CRISTÓBAL (Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling)
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From the sparkling coast, slip into sleek ocean kayaks and spend the day paddling along the turquoise waters to Playa Ochoa, watching sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds from bays and coves along the way. We will stop in Darwin Bay, the first landing site of the MS Beagle. After reaching Playa Ochoa, we will continue to nearby Isla Lobos looking for marine iguanas and swimming with friendly sea lions. Enjoy a hearty lunch before paddling to Roca Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone often covered with seabirds. The jutting rocks offer excellent snorkeling in the Galapagos. Here, marine life is abundant, with hammerheads, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, golden rays, clams, starfish, marine invertebrates and dozens of tropical fish species swimming in and out of the rocky channels. Return to the hotel to relax for the evening. (B, L)
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Day 4 (Tue) SAN CRISTÓBAL - SANTA CRUZ (Hiking)
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After breakfast, you'll take a fast boat from San Cristóbal to the island of Santa Cruz, where you'll be transferred to El Chato Reserve, a natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. Here we’ll hike to learn about these giant and search for pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds may be seen bathing in freshwater lakes. You'll explore unique volcanic tunnel formations in lava caves, and if the weather is clear, be able to see Media Luna, an ancient collapsed crater at the top of the island. We’ll continue to Los Gemelos, two volcanic craters near the top of the island and hike around through a beautiful Scalesia forest. This is the habitat for the short eared owl, one of two owl species on Santa Cruz. In the afternoon we return to Puerto Ayora and your hotel. (B, L)
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Day 5 (Wed) SANTA CRUZ (Charles Darwin Center, Sea Kayak and Hike)
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After breakfast, you'll visit famed Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about Galapagos conservation and wildlife management efforts. Here we meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his species. After exploring the Research Station, we will slip into kayaks and paddle through the calm turquoise waters of Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, winding through high-walled lava channels home to white-tipped sharks and rays. Above, colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons, crabs and marine iguanas perch along the cliffs. Making the relaxing paddle back to Puerto Ayora, we hike to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the archipelago and nesting site of thousands of marine turtles. This four mile loop is on trails through dry forest habitat home to hundreds of iguanas. You'll return to your hotel in the afternoon and have the evening free to sample the cuisine and nightlife. (B, L)
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Day 6 (Thu) ISABELA ISLAND (Bike and Sea Kayak)
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In the morning, travel by boat to Puerto Villamil, capital of Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos. During the crossing we will be on the lookout for migrating dolphins and whales (July to October). Isabela was formed by the merging of six shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. All but one of these volcanoes is still active, making this island one of the Earth's most volcanically active places. Despite the island's potential for destruction, Isabela's wildlife is rich beyond comparison. We arrive and prepare to mountain bike the beautiful coastline, enjoying its scenery and ample wildlife. We first visit the Wall of Tears, a wall built from lava blocks by prisoners between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was used as a penal colony. The wall was intended to keep prisoners busy and represents an interesting history of the island. We continue mountain biking along the coast exploring the white sand beaches, mangroves, and brackish lagoons. The area is filled with impressive birdlife, including herons, flamingos, finches, American oyster catchers, and many shore birds. Sea lions and marine iguanas can also be found. After returning for lunch, we don ocean kayaks and paddle to Tintoreras, a small set of wildlife-filled islets within the bay. Here we may be able to encounter the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin that lives near the equator. Sharks, sea lions, illusive marine turtles and other wildlife abounds. Return to the hotel in the afternoon for a relaxing evening and dinner. (B,L,D)
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Day 7 (Fri) ISABELA ISLAND (Hiking)
View Isabella accommodations picture gallery
After breakfast, travel to Santo Tomas, where the road ends in the highlands. The day's explorations are through a world of recent geological history still in the making. We hike dirt trails to reach the rim of volcano Sierra Negra which possesses the second largest caldera in the world. From this high vantage point, the views of the five by six-mile wide caldera and Perry Isthmus are astonishing. Sierra Negra is an active volcano that last erupted in October 2005. Following a satisfying lunch, we can chose to continue on the optional trek to Volcano Chico, an impressive area offering fumaroles and extraordinary lava formations. This site is a natural museum containing examples of the geologic occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands. In the late afternoon, return to Puerto Villamil for our last afternoon on its exotic white beaches and to stay overnight at the hotel. (B, L,D)
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Day 8 (Sat) ISABELA - SANTA CRUZ - BALTRA - LIMA
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This final Galapagos Island morning begins with a peaceful voyage back to Santa Cruz Island. From there, you'll be transferred by bus to Baltra Island for the return flight to Quito and your connecting flight to Lima, Peru. From the airport, you'll be transferred to a comfortable Lima hotel. (B)
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Day 9 (Sun) LIMA - CUSCO
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In the morning, you'll take a morning flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire, shifting gears from the natural world to Machu Picchu history. Southern Explorations guides pick you up at the airport and drive you into Cusco where you'll have a guided walking tour through the town's colorful markets, the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a lunch of regional Peru cuisine, you'll take in more of the area's prominent Inca sights. You'll see the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, with its megalithic terraces, the carved stone and subterranean altars of Kenko; the small Puka Pukara fortress, situated to protect the royal capital from attack; and finally the water temple of Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, you'll return to your hotel to relax or further explore the fascinating mix of Peru culture on your own. (B)
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Day 10 (Mon) CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
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Today you'll take a day-long guided excursion that passes through snowcapped mountains to reach the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. Among the sights along the way are Inca agricultural terraces that climb steep valley walls and the ruined temples of Pisac with panoramic views of jagged granite peaks before stopping in the town of the same name. Here you'll visit one of the best textile markets in the Andes and learn about the local Peru culture. Following lunch, you'll travel on to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with an impressive Inca fortress. You'll stay overnight at a hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)
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Day 11 (Tue) SACRED VALLEY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU
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The views from Machu Picchu down into the valley of the Urubamba are as spectacular as the views of the ancient city itself
This morning you'll have time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and take a refreshing walking tour of the town and its Inca ruins before heading to the Ollantaytambo train station for today's unforgettable trip. Making its way east, the train follows the Urubamba River into a magnificent cloud forest, arriving at the Aguas Calientes station. Here you'll have a traditional lunch of Peru cuisine before meeting the bus to take you the rest of the way to Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). You'll spend the afternoon exploring these most famous of Inca ruins, returning in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes where you'll be spending the night at a local hotel. You'll have time for a soothing soak in the hot springs and a tasty dinner before turning in early to be rested for tomorrow's unforgettable Machu Picchu experience. (B)
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Day 12 (Wed) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHEROS ARTISAN MARKET - CUSCO
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Today, you'll have the opportunity to see sunrise at Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive and spend more time among the ruins. You may wish to climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or take a picturesque walk to the Temple of the Moon. At midday, you'll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before catching an early afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. A private van will be waiting at the train station to travel to the collective textile market at Chincheros, where the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley will be explained and you'll see some of the best textiles available in Peru. This is the ideal place for last-minute shopping before returning to your Cusco hotel for the evening. (B)
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Day 13 (Thu) CUSCO - LIMA - HOME
In the morning, you'll be taken to the airport for the return flight to Lima to make your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations' services. If your schedule permits, you may wish to consider extending your Peru tour to other regions or spend extra days in Lima or Cusco which we would be happy to arrange. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR EXTENSIONS
PERU EXTENSIONS
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT GALAPAGOS
TOURS AND TRAVEL
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Saturday Departures
2 person minimum / 10 maximum
January
17-29
8 spaces left
February
14-26
March
14-26
April
11-23
May
23-06/04
June
20-07/02
July
18-30
August
08-20
September
05-17
October
10-22
November
21-12/03
December
12/26-01/07/10
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All land and sea transportation during the itinerary
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- Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- 2 tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
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- Train Ticket back to Cusco - Vista Dome train
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- English speaking certified guides
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- Snorkeling gear
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- Sea kayaking gear
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- Mountain bicycling gear
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- Horse back riding gear
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International airfare to Quito, Ecuador and from Lima, Peru
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- Domestic Airfare: Quito / Galapagos / Quito
Low Season: $360
(May 1 - June 14 / Sept 15 - Oct 31)
High Season: $415
(Jan 1 - April 30 / June 15 - Sept 14 / Nov 1 - Dec 31)
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- Domestic Airfare: Guayaquil / Galapagos / Guayaquil
Low Season: $320
(May 1 - June 14 / Sept 15 - Oct 31)
High Season: $465
(Jan 1 - April 30 / June 15 - Sept 14 / Nov 1 - Dec 31)
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- airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
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- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100 Adult/$50 Child)
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Alcoholic beverages
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- Travel insurance
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- Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
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- Wetsuit rental ($35 per week), recommended during May - November
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate
ACCOMMODATION
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Galapagos Multi Sport & Machu Picchu:
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12 nights hotels
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $225
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount