Discover Machu Picchu & Galapagos (14D)
Our passengers can choose any of our Galapagos Boats and combine them with any of our Machu Picchu programs (all private tours). The example program below is a combination our popular Exploring Machu Picchu itinerary & Treasure of the Galapagos Catamaran itinerary. If "SPECIALS" are being offered for the Galapagos boat dates you are interested in, the program price will be adjusted accordingly - check out the individual boat pages for applicable specials.

DAY 1 (Mon) LIMA
Lima Accommodations
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or to visit the city and surroundings sites.

DAY 2 (Tue) LIMA – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Morning departure for flight to Cusco (10,856 ft.), center of the Inca Empire. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, allow yourself the necessary time to acclimatize to the altitude, and feel the history and culture of this amazing Andean city. (B)

DAY 3 (Wed) CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
After breakfast you will have a morning guided walking tour to visit the historic sites of Cusco, the colonial Cathedral and the impressive Temple of the Sun (Koricancha). We then transfer to the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital from attacks and the water temple Tambo Machay. Return to hotel; balance of day at leisure. Overnight Cusco. (B)

DAY 4 (Thu) CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
Sacred Valley Accommodations
Full day guided excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the picturesque town of Pisac and its open air market*; this is a great opportunity to get souvenirs. After lunch, we continue down the Urubamba valley to reach the charming town of Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.). Here we will have plenty of time to explore the town and the impressive Inca fortress that towers nearby. The Urubamba valley was an important agricultural area in Inca times, as manifested by the many Inca remains dispersed throughout the valley. Overnight Ollantaytambo hotel. (B,L) *Due to its popularity, there is a market at Pisac every day, with the largest market day being Sun, as well as Tue & Thu.

DAY 5 (Fri) SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu Accommodations
Morning transfer from your hotel to take the Vistadome train (8 am) from Ollantaytambo to the Aguas Calientes train station. The scenery during the ride down the Urubamba gorge changes from mountain vegetation to cloud forest. Arrival at the train station (9: 22 am) and a half hour bus ride will bring you to the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). Once here, you will have a guided tour of the ruins (3 hrs approx). Lunch near the ruins at the Sanctuary Lodge. Afternoon exploration of ruins and return to Aguas Calientes by bus at time of your choice. Overnight Aguas Calientes hotel. (B,L)

DAY 6 (Sat) MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Early rise for those who want to experience the serene beauty of Machu Picchu in the morning (great opportunity for crowd less photos). Arrive early for the opportunity to climb the famous peak of Huayna Picchu (8,900 ft/2,720 m), which is beautifully situated overlooking the Machu Picchu ruins*. Rest of day you are free to explore the ruins at your leisure, hike to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge. The mid-afternoon Vistadome train (3-4 pm approx.) returns us to Cusco via either Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where a private bus is waiting to transfer us to Cusco and your hotel. Overnight Cusco hotel. (B)

*Climbing Huayna Picchu – an early AM departure is essential, as only the first 400 hikers are allowed to climb the famous peak per day (subject to change by park administration at any time). Consult your guide as to the preferred departure time.

DAY 7 (Sun) CUSCO - LIMA - QUITO
Quito Accommodations
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight to Quito.  Airport pickup and transfer to hotel. Remainder of day at leisure.  Overnight Quito hotel. (B)

DAY 8 (Mon) QUITO (City Tour - private)
Quito Accommodations
Today we have a private city tour of Quito's "Old Town" followed by a visit to Quito’s most impressive view. We depart in the morning to Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll The Quito City tour starts with a stroll to the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its original gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive facade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The city tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. Overnight Quito hotel. (B)

DAY 9 (Tue) QUITO - SAN CRISTOBAL (Interpretation Center)
AM: Morning transfer to airport for your flight to the Galapagos to begin your cruise.
Begin Treasure of Galapagos Catamaran Cruise
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in Galapagos; on its southwestern side is the town of Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the province of Galapagos. Located here is the other airport in the Galapagos. Upon airport arrival, all passengers must pay the Galapagos Entrance Fee ($100.00 USD per person). Guides and transport will be waiting for passengers at the airport in order to begin the selected Galapagos cruises.

PM: Interpretation Center - Opened to the public in 1998 by the Galapagos National Park, the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the natural and human history of the islands. (Dry landing) (B,L,D)

DAY 10 (Wed) SAN CRISTOBAL (Cerro Brujo, Punta Pitt)
AM: Cerro Brujo - This inviting powdery beach beside a turquoise waters is a great introduction to the islands offering an opportunity to go snorkeling with the possibility of seeing rays, sea turtles and the archipelago’s playful sea lions. (Dry landing)

PM: Punta Pitt – A unique volcanic formation of eroded cones on the northeast part of San Cristobal. The area is a nesting site for all three species of the Galapagos Booby and home to an endemic species of Lava Lizard. The view is impressive when you walk up to the high part of the island. Cerro Brujo and Turtle Bay, where flamingos and turtles can be seen, are often visited during trips to Punta Pitt. (Dry landing) (B,L,D)

DAY 11 (Thu) LOBOS - SAN CRISTOBAL (Playa Ochoa)
AM: Lobos is a small island located north of San Cristobal. Across the channel, it is possible to watch the resident population of sea lions resting and barking on the lava shores. This site is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and frigates. This islet offers good swimming and snorkeling possibilities. (Wet landing)

PM: Playa Ochoa - A small island just an hour from San Cristobal Island. A subtle introduction to the Galapagos Islands. It is an easy wet landing with a short trail leading to a sandy beach good for swimming. Pelicans and other Galapagos sea birds fly overhead. There is a small tidal lagoon behind the beach where sea birds can be observed as well as the rare Chatham mockingbird. (Wet Landing) (B,L,D)

DAY 12 (Fri) FLOREANA (Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant)
Floreana is one of the most interesting islands in the Galapagos with early human inhabitants that date back to the 1930's. Floreana has a colorful history of pirates, whalers, convicts and colonists.
AM: Post Office Bay - This is one of the most intriguing sites because of a wooden barrel that was put there in the 18th century by a group of whalers. From that time, tourists and seamen have used it as a post office. Visitors sift through the pile of postcards and letters deposited inside the barrel, and if they find one that they can deliver personally to its destination, they take it with them. (Wet landing)

PM: Punta Cormorant - At Punta Cormorant the landing is on a beach with green olivine sand. Several trails on the island allow you to explore and experience a brackish lagoon where long, skinny-legged flamingoes wade through the water, sifting shrimp with their curved bills. White-cheeked pintail ducks, stilts, and other shorebirds feed along with the flamingoes. The trail then goes over a hill to a stunning white beach consisting of ground coral where the green sea turtles nest. (Wet landing) (B,L,D)

DAY 13 (Sat) SANTA CRUZ (El Chato) – BALTRA – QUITO
Quito Accommodations

AM: Highlands/El Chato - El Chato is a reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant tortoises can be observed in the wild.
Transfer to the Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito.

Transfer to the Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito. Arrive Quito, airport pickup and transfer to hotel. (B)

DAY 14 (Sun) QUITO – HOME (or begin extension program)
Transfer to the airport for your international departure home (End of Services). Galapagos adventures, Trip Extensions to other regions or Extra Days in Quito can also be arranged. (B)

Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Physical Requirements: This trip involves easy to moderate walking in the Galapagos and at high elevations in Peru (above 10,000 ft.). Good walking/aerobic fitness is required. Any physical activity at high altitude can be a challenge. It is the traveler’s responsibility to best evaluate their physical ability to meet the stated Physical Requirements.