Wonders of the Galapagos & Peru

Upon arrival to Guayaquil, you will be greeted by an English-speaking representative who will welcome you to Ecuador and assist you in meeting your transfer, which will then bring you to your hotel. Please note, that your first night can alternatively be arranged for arrival and overnight in Quito (extra cost).

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and board a flight to the Galapagos Islands, landing at Baltra Airport before transferring to Santa Cruz Island. Suggested flight (subject to change) from Guayaquil: XL1413 GYE/GPS 1115-1212 (not included, extra cost). Suggested flight (subject to change) from Quito: XL1413 UIO/GPS 0935-1212 (not included -- extra cost).
Today you will arrive on Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. This tiny island was a military base during the Second World War and hosts the island's principal airport. The airport was built using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use, some of which you'll notice as you transit through the facility. It was the first ecological airport in the world. Ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Afterward, drive to an exclusive giant tortoise reserve where your tented camp is located. Perched high on a hillside overlooking the ocean, Magic Galapagos Tented Camp will be your home for the night. Take in the sounds of nature in the evenings, with the Milky Way acting as your nightlight. Feast your eyes on the mountains and forest surrounding the lodge, and enjoy the peace of the hillside with seasonal resident giant tortoises potentially nearby. Watching the colorful sunset from Magic's western perch is the perfect segue into the evening. Dinners are scrumptious three-course affairs, prepared by expert chefs in an open-air kitchen in the main lodge. A favorite post-dinner activity is a short walk to the natural lava tubes on the reserve for a nightcap in the one-of-a-kind 'Lava Lounge!' It's the perfect spot to relax around the fire and share stories from the day's adventures.

After enjoying breakfast, get set for a half-day bay exploration. This morning, join a Puerto Ayora bay exploration. Beginning at the main dock, set out on a quick 10-minute navigation to la Loberia Island named after a sea lion colony that inhabits the land. This small island is a great place to snorkel amongst sea turtles and a great variety of colorful fish, and for playing with the ever-friendly and inquisitive sea lions. Your next stop will be a hike to the Túnel del Amor (lover's tunnel) with a great viewpoint from where, if lucky, you can watch resting white-tip sharks. On the way back, visit Punta Estrada's dock, where you'll go on a walk to spot marine iguanas.
OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXPERIENCE WITH EXTRA COST: Visit Cerro Meza & Kayak at Garrapatero. (This tour replaces the Bay Exploration. Minimum 2 passengers.)

Following breakfast at your hotel, join a motor yacht for a shared excursion. Embark our motor yacht and enjoy a daily excursion with welcoming crew members and a knowledgeable naturalist guide, and experience the remote islands in comfort and style. This excursion will take you to experience the Galapagos Islands in a safe and comfortable manner. Check the boat's weekly itinerary. You may visit North Seymour and Bachas, South Plazas, Santa Fe Island, or Bartolome and Sullivan Bay, according to boats' schedules allowed by the National Park. ** These excursions are subject to availability and change without prior notification. Later, drive to Puerto Ayora to spend the night.

After breakfast, transfer to Baltra´s airport to board connecting flight to Lima-Peru. Suggested flights (subject to change) Guayaquil XL1412 GPS/GYE 1255-1547 + LA2415 GYE/LIMA 2040-2245 (not included, extra cost). Upon arrival in Lima, you will be picked up and taken to your hotel. A local representative will give you a documentation kit with a detailed program explanation. Luggage and hotel registration assistance will be offered.

Following breakfast, set on a half-day exploration of Lima. You will visit the modern and colonial parts of Lima, known as The City of Kings, starting at the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, and passing along a "Huaca" or sacred pre-Inca site, before heading to the Historic Center. There, you will walk along some of the most historically important streets of the city, leading to the Plaza de Armas, where you will have some time to take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it. You will also have the chance to take a peek into an iconic building that has served Lima's citizens for centuries and continues to be an important landmark. Then you will visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo, an astonishing building with colonial style. After exploring the Historical Center, you will head towards the Larco Museum, which houses the incomparable Treasures of Ancient Peru private collection.

After breakfast and coinciding with your flight to Cusco, you will be transferred to Lima airport. Suggested flight (subject to change): LA2047 LIM/CUZ 0930- 1053 (not included, extra cost). Once in Cusco, enjoy the charm of this beautiful colonial city that was built upon the remains of amazing Inca buildings. Not to miss the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), the Cathedral, and the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. This afternoon is left at leisure to help adjust to the elevation, though an optional evening activity can be arranged.
OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST:
PM HD CITY TOUR VISIT TO SAN PEDRO MARKET AND RUINS (SIB) -- (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS)
You will visit the city of Cusco, known as the Imperial City and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will start your tour at the iconic San Pedro market, a local market where you can explore the colors, flavors, and traditions of modern Cusco. The visit continues with the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, above which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day. You will continue ascending to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Afterward, you will explore the Q'enqo archeological site, where important Inca ceremonies took place. Finally, you will arrive at the Plaza de Armas (main square), where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city.

Once breakfast is finished, you will set out in the direction of the Maras salt mines, an amazing place where the finest salt in the world is extracted: Maras salt. On the way, you will make a stop at the Raqchi viewpoint, from where you will have an impressive view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, you will visit the Misminay community. Upon arrival, the villagers will give you a warm welcome with music and typical dances. There, you will be able to learn about the Andean families' lifestyle, by sharing some of their daily activities with them. Then, you will enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch prepared with local products. You will continue with a visit to Moray, a fascinating archeological site with huge concentric terraces, which the Incas used as a botanical laboratory.

Enjoy another hearty breakfast before setting out to visit indomitable Machu Picchu. To begin, you will board the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu (timetables are subject to confirmation). Upon arrival, prepare to visit one of the most striking wonders of the world: Machu Picchu. You will be driven to the archeological site, the visit of which will be an unforgettable experience, with a professional tour guide to impart to you all the history that surrounds this mysterious and enchanting place. Once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate. At the agreed-upon hour, you will descend to nearby Aguas Calientes for lunch, and board the train later that afternoon for the return trip to Ollantaytambo, then transfer back to Cusco.

After breakfast, the day is yours! Enjoy a day at leisure in Cusco. Alternatively, consider joining an optional activity to tour Rainbow Mountain (extra cost).
FULL-DAY VINICUNCA RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (SIB) -- (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS)
You will leave your hotel in Cusco early in the morning, crossing the South Valley, towards Cusipata. From there, you will be transferred to Phulawasipata where you will begin your walk. After some time to prepare, you will start with the ascending route to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. The place will amaze you with its vivid colors and natural beauty. There, you will have time to take photos and fill yourself with the energy of the place. At the end of this visit, you will walk back to the starting point. Finally, you will be taken back to your hotel in Cusco.

Settle in for a final breakfast, then, at the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima. Suggested flight time: 12 am to 4 pm (not included, extra cost). Kindly note that there are diverse options, in case you need to connect to your international flight home.