Expedition Details

Trip Highlights

• Walk and snorkel among the abundant and fearless wildlife of the Galápagos Islands.
• See day break over the ruins at Machu Picchu from the fabled Sun Gate.
• Discover the monumental ancient fortresses of the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
• Take in the splendor of Cusco's architecture, a rich mix of Inca and Spanish colonial styles.

Itinerary - 16 Days

Day 1 — U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador

Depart for Guayaquil and upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.

Day 2 — Guayaquil/Galápagos

This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board our comfortable expedition ship. During lunch, sail to North Seymour Island for a magnificent introduction to the diverse wildlife of the islands. This afternoon, walk along the sandy shoreline looking for land iguanas, sea lions, and rare birds.
(B,L,D)

Days 3 through 8 — Exploring Galápagos

In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our itinerary is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to go on nature walks with local naturalists; swim; snorkel; or explore the waters by kayak, glass-bottom boat, or Zodiac.

We plan to make the following stops during this voyage:

Isla Bartolomé
Bartolomé's landscape is an enchanting convergence of lava flows, mangroves, and beautiful white-sand beaches. Here you may also have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins.

Isla Santiago
Santiago offers some of the best "tide pooling" in the islands. Follow a path along a series of pools and underwater caverns in search of Galápagos fur seals, sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Isla Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a breeding station for endangered native species. Join a staff member of the research station for an introduction to the Darwin Foundation's ecological studies and giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Later, travel into the highlands and roam the moss-draped landscape where wild tortoises often forage.

Isla Isabela
Spend the early morning on the lookout for dolphins; whales; sea turtles; and the astonishing ocean sunfish, the Mola mola. Then trace the southern coast of Isla Isabela to the cliffs known as Punta Vicente Roca. Explore caves and hidden lagoons by Zodiac, and don snorkeling gear to examine shells and other marine life embedded in hardened lava flows. Many species of birds-from flamingos and penguins to flightless cormorants-can be found here.

Isla Fernandina
Discover Punta Espinosa on Isla Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos. Through a thicket of white mangroves lies the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos. Sea lions play along the coast and flightless cormorants hunt from their nesting site against the dramatic backdrop of Isla Isabela's volcanoes.

Isla Floreana
At Champion Islet, snorkel among sea lions in clear waters, or peer into an underwater world in a glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only) while keeping an eye out for flamingos, pintail ducks, and shorebirds. Hike to a pristine white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Those interested can take a Zodiac ride to Post Office Bay. If you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near you, the tradition is to deliver it by hand.

Isla Española
A paradise for bird lovers, Isla Española is home to Darwin's finches, Hood mockingbirds, and blue-footed boobies. You'll also see Española marine iguanas, which develop vivid green and red coloration from their food, a coastal seaweed that blooms in iguana-mating season.
(B,L,D)

Day 9 — Galápagos/Guayaquil

Depart Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru via Guayaquil, arriving in the early evening.
Ramada Costa Del Sol Airport Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Lima/Cusco/Sacred Valley of the Inca

This morning, fly from Lima to Cusco and drive to Awanacancha, a farm where South American Camelidae are bred. Visit Pisac, the gateway to the Sacred Valley, and walk through the local food market before visiting nearby ruins.
Hotel Sol y Luna (B,L,D)

Day 11 — Sacred Valley of the Inca

Venture into the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, go horseback riding, watch a Paso horse demonstration, go for a hike in the nearby countryside, or indulge in a spa treatment. Enjoy a barbecue dinner around the campfire, and take in a vibrant dance performance.
(B,L,D)

Day 12 — Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu

Travel to Machu Picchu this morning. Join a guide for an introduction to the site and then stay overnight at the Sanctuary Lodge—sharing Machu Picchu with only a handful of visitors.
Sanctuary Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Machu Picchu/Cusco

Before sunrise, hike to the Sun Gate, once the final checkpoint on the road to Machu Picchu. Watch day break over the quiet ruins. The morning is free to explore the site at your own pace. After a train and bus ride, we arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon for two nights at our elegant hotel.
Hotel Monasterio (B,L,D)

Day 14 — Cusco

Explore the Inca Empire's capital city of Cusco, and visit the vast Sacsayhuamán fortress. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or stroll around the city, stopping in at one of the museums of the magnificent 17th-century cathedral and convent of Koricancha.
(B,L)

Day 15 — Cusco/Lima

Return to Lima this morning. Browse pre-Columbian artifacts at the renowned Larco Herrera Museum, and wander across the Plaza Mayor. Following a traditional Peruvian lunch, the afternoon is free.
Miraflores Park Hotel (B,L)

Day 16 — Lima/U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the Lima airport for your return flights.
(B)

Related Trips

• Galápagos
• Galápagos Family Odyssey
• Peru: Land of the Inca

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Expedition Dates

2010

• Aug 07 - 22, 2010
• Aug 21 - Sep 05, 2010
• Sep 24 - Oct 09, 2010
• Oct 08 - 23, 2010
• Oct 16 - 31, 2010
• Oct 22 - Nov 06, 2010
• Oct 30 - Nov 14, 2010
• Nov 05 - 20, 2010
• Nov 13 - 28, 2010
• Nov 19 - Dec 04, 2010
• Nov 27 - Dec 12, 2010
• Dec 11 - 26, 2010
• Dec 17, 2010 - Jan 01, 2011
• Dec 25, 2010 - Jan 09, 2011

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