Machu Picchu and Galapagos Luxury Travel
PAQUETES Ecuador
ITINERARIO DIA A DIA
Day 1 - Arrival in Lima Peru
Reception at the International Airport in Lima, assistance with your baggage and private transportation to your hotel. OVERNIGHT IN LIMA
Day 2 – Lima, Peru
Today we will enjoy the Unique Vice-Royal mansion (XVIII century), built on top of an archaeological pyramid (VII century). Surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Its masterworks are the worldwide icons in Pre-Columbian art, after have been exhibited for 80 years in the world’s leading museums. This famous museum has the largest and finest gold, silver and jewelry collection of ancient Peru. Its Erotic art collection is one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. Didactic galleries, full of highlights, make easier the comprehension of 3000 years of the Peruvian Pre-Columbian history. OVERNIGHT IN LIMA
Day 3 – From Lima to Cuzco, Peru
In the morning private transportation from your hotel in Lima to the Jose Chavez airport on time for your next flight to Cuzco. Reception and private transportation from the Cuzco Airport to your hotel.
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude.
In the afternoon a walking tour to experience the mystery of the Cathedral, Temple of the Sun, the famous twelve sided stone, narrow streets with the finest walls as example of Inca Architecture, and the San Blas suburb, the residence of the best artists since the colony. OVERNIGHT IN CUZCO
Day 4 - From Cuzco to Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham Train
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will depart to the Poroy train station. Here we will take a unique ride to Machu Picchu in one of the finest trains, the Hiram Bingham. The Hiram Bingham carries passengers on a spectacular journey through changing landscapes, passing lush fields, colorful villages and the wonderful vistas of the beautiful Andes.
The train leaves from Poroy in the morning, taking a spectacular journey through a changing landscape while guests enjoy breakfast. After departing Poroy and going through Cachimayo, the train descends to the plateau of Anta, a patchwork landscape of typical Andean crops and passes lush fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes.
Far to the left, just below the horizon, the massive agricultural terraces of Jaquijahuana can be seen, close to the village of Zurite. Sadly, these great terraces are all that remain today of what was once a major Inca city, lost forever during the first years after the Spanish conquest.
Beyond the town of Huarocondo the great plain narrows dramatically as the track enters a deep gorge carved by the rushing Pomatales River down which the railway, too, is funneled until it meets the Urubamba River, which runs through the beautiful Sacred Valley.
The train passes through extensive areas of terracing dotted with the ruins of Inca fortresses. Bisecting this are still-visible sections of an ancient, long-abandoned highway adopted by the muleteers of the late 19th century, who used it to travel between Cuzco and the rubber plantations of the Amazon lowlands.
Five kilometers beyond Pachar, is the village of Ollantaytambo where farmers work with the same patience and skill that their ancestors must have employed to shape and then move the huge blocks of stone with which they built both their homes and the temples in which they worshiped.
As the train leaves Ollantaytambo to begin the last part of its journey to Machu Picchu, the temple complex known as The Fortress, dedicated sometime in the 15th century to the many deities of the Inca pantheon, can be seen to the right above the earthwork ramp once used to drag its monolithic blocks up from the valley floor.
The railway follows the river into the Urubamba Gorge. At Coriwaynachina, known simply to the generations of hikers who have begun the Inca Trail there as Km 88, a fine staircase carved into the rock leads to a series of ruined buildings where once, it is said, Inca artisans took advantage of the constant wind that rises from the valley floor to smelt gold.
Emerging from a short tunnel, a series of beautiful agricultural terraces marks the ruins of Qente, which in Quechua means hummingbird. In this fertile micro climate fed by a nearby waterfall, giant hummingbirds are indeed a common sight in the early morning and bright flowers bloom all year round.
Surrounded by tall ceibos and rocky outcrops hung with orchids and bromeliads, the train passes Km 104 at Chachabamba, from where the one-day trek to Machu Picchu via the magnificent ruins of Winay Wayna begins.
At just two km from Machu Picchu, the train arrives at Aguas Calientes. Surrounded by the high, green mountains that cradle the famous lost city, as well as myriad other Inca remains, this small town, which is well known for its thermal baths, has blossomed into a popular overnight destination for travelers to Machu Picchu.
Guests disembark at Aguas Calientes and are taken by bus to Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, overlooking the ancient citadel, for lunch. A private guided tour of the sanctuary follows with descriptions and history of this magnificent location.
After the ruins tour we will go directly to the Machu Pichu Sanctuary Lodge for a sumptuous dinner. OVERNIGHT IN MACHU PICCHU
Day 5 – Machu Picchu to Cuzco, Peru
Free morning to enjoy a great breakfast at the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon transfer to the train station for your 3 ½ hour journey back to Cuzco. OVERNIGHT IN CUZCO
Day 6 – From Cuzco to Lima, Peru
Mid day transfer from your hotel to the Cuzco airport for your next flight to Lima. Free afternoon. OVERNIGHT IN LIMA
Day 7 – Lima to Quito, Ecuador
Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the airport for your next flight to Quito. Arrival in Quito and private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour. OVERNIGHT IN QUITO
Day 8 – Quito to Baltra - Galapagos Island, Ecuador
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos Islands takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be met by your guides, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized dinghies, known locally as “pangas” will transport you to the Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard. After departure there will be a briefing, lunch and a safety drill.
Saturday Afternoon: Las Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island
Las Bachas Beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Brief swim
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 9 – Galapagos Cruise, Puerto Egas, Santiago, Bartolome Island
Puerto Egas (James Bay) is located on the northwest side of Santiago. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. The trail leads to the Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they can be seen. After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles and reef sharks.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
Sunday Afternoon: Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it is a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay.
Type of landing: Wet at first site and dry at second site
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 10 – Galapagos Cruise, Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz, Rabida Island
The name Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk.
Type of landing: Dry
Water activities: Swimming
Monday Afternoon: Rábida Island
Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 11 – Galapagos Cruise, Tagus Cove, Isabela and Elizabeth
Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). Depending on the season, you will go hiking, snorkeling or kayaking. On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwin volcano. At the top of the trail, you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake.
The morning activity is followed by a panga ride, where you will have the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales.
Type of landing: Dry or wet, plus panga ride
Water activities: Snorkeling and kayaking (depending on the season)
Tuesday Afternoon: Elizabeth Bay – Isabela Island
Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. A panga ride around two islets called the Marielas offers a wide variety of bird life, such as flightless cormorants, herons, and blue-footed boobies. Then we will enter a sheltered cove – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays.
Panga ride only
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 12 – Galapagos Cruise, Pta Espinosa, Fernandina, Isabela Island
Fernandina last erupted in 1995. La Cumbre Volcano dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Punta Espinosa is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk.
Type of landing: Dry
Wednesday Afternoon: Punta Vicente Roca – Isabela Island
Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. After the snorkeling you will go on a panga ride, which will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos’ spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area.
Panga ride only
Water activities: Snorkeling
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 13 – Galapagos Cruise, Charles Darwin, Santa Cruz Island
On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit you will have some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora.
Type of landing: Dry
Thursday Afternoon: Santa Cruz Highlands – Santa Cruz Island
From Puerto Ayora you will travel by bus to the lush, green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. You will have the opportunity to walk through lava tunnels so take a flashlight if you have one. Optional activities such as biking, relaxing on the beach or just strolling in town are available.
Type of landing: Dry
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 14 – Galapagos Cruise, Gardner Bay, Espanola Island
Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. After the beach time you will have a chance to deep water snorkel from the panga, or go kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
Friday Afternoon: Punta Suarez – Española Island
Punta Suarez is one of the most popular and attractive sites in the Galapagos. Due to its isolation from other islands, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland from the landing site, groups of Española marine iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest almost on the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business. The trail continues towards a blow hole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropic birds. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatrosses on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world.
Type of landing: Dry
OVERNIGHT ON BOARD OF MV ECLIPSE
Day 15 – Galapagos Cruise, Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in Galapagos.
It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a resting site for sea turtles, rays and sharks. This site is only accessible by panga.
Panga ride only
Disembark and departure from Baltra Airport to Guayaquil and connection back home.
END OF THE PROGRAM
