Machu Picchu & Galapagos
Machu Picchu & Galapagos
Machu Picchu & Galapagos
14 Days Starting in Cuzco and ending in Guayaquil Airport
Visiting: Cusco, Inca Trail, Quito, Darwin Island, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil
Tour operator:
Tour code:
APG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
This fascinating trip combines two truly outstanding places in South America. Flying into the Peruvian highlands, we encounter Cuzco, a city replete with Inca architecture and colonial charm. A beautiful train ride through mountains and cloud forest takes us to the extraordinary lost city of Machu Picchu. Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago is one of the world's leading ecological sites, with incredible fauna both on land and at sea as well as striking volcanic landscapes. We explore the islands from the comfort of our small motor yacht, which grants us access to areas that larger boats cannot reach.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Cuzco (3400M); Afternoon Walking Tour.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar
The tour starts at our hotel in Cuzco this morning. Hotel check-in often
isn't until 3 pm.
The Inca capital of Cuzco is among the most attractive cities in South
America, with much of the centre comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca
foundations, as well as museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. To help
acclimatise, we have a relaxed walking tour this afternoon to discover its
historic buildings and winding streets.
It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty
of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude.
Day 2 : Free Day In Cuzco; Optional Sacred Valley Tour.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today has been left free to explore the city in more detail. The Plaza de
Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and the Koricancha Sun Temple,
located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The
Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many
handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.
Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman
where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores.
Alternatively, you may wish to take an optional visit to the Sacred Valley of
the Incas and the incredible ruins at Pisac. Various other optional
activities can be arranged from Cuzco - your leader will have the details.
Day 3 : Train To Aguas Calientes; Optional Day Walk Along Inca Trail Via Winay Wayna Ruins.
Location: Inca Trail
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Hatun Inti Classic (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we take the train to Aguas Calientes, a lively town in the
valley below Machu Picchu. This afternoon and the rest of the day is free for
visits to the hot springs or shopping in the large craft market. Our Machu
Picchu entrance ticket is valid for tomorrow, however should you wish to
visit the ruins today as well, you will need to purchase an extra ticket.
Please inform your leader at the start of the holiday if you would like to
purchase an extra entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
For those who wish to walk to Machu Picchu, there is an optional day walk
along a section of the Inca Trail. The trail passes the ruins of Wiñay Wayna
and ascends a stone staircase to the Sun Gate for the iconic view of Machu
Picchu and its magnificent backdrop. Although this optional walk is available
at no extra cost, it must be pre-booked since numbers are strictly limited
(and a permit required). You should request this at the time of booking.
A packed lunch is included today.
Day 4 : Early Morning Tour Of Machu Picchu; Afternoon Return To Cuzco.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as
early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;
only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding
road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be
hours long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the
ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain
backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas
left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city
lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the
American historian Hiram Bingham.
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the
three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from
06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of
four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will
also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the
most comprehensive route.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue
by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).
Day 5 : Fly To Quito (2850M).
Location: Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we depart Cuzco on a flight to Quito via Lima. Quito has one of the
best-preserved colonial centres in South America and plenty of vibrant
markets to explore.
Day 6 : Quito City Tour.
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a half-day city tour of Quito, one of the smaller and more attractive
of the capitals of South America - 2,850m high in the western cordillera of
the Andes. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, and as always at
altitude, it is a good idea not to do anything too strenuous at first!
We explore the colonial centre with its narrow streets and hanging balconies.
The tour usually includes the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential
and the Archbishop palaces as well as La Compañia Church with its impressive
gold leaf decorations. A short drive brings us to El Panecillo Hill for a
panoramic view of the city and to admire the 45m high statue of the ‘Virgen
de Quito’, the only original Madonna with wings. Please note that entrance
fees are not included.
Day 7 : Fly To Galapagos; Visit The Charles Darwin Centre; Board Boat.
Location: Darwin Island
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We return to Quito airport for the flight to Galapagos and the island of
Baltra via Guayaquil. We will take a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz
Island, where we drive to the highlands to look for wild tortoises. We follow
this with a visit to the Charles Darwin Centre, where we learn about the
ecology of the islands and visit the centre's turtle hatchery. After this
visit, we board the boat at Puerto Ayora, the island's main town. Please make
sure that you bring your camera, sun cream and appropriate clothing:
comfortable footwear for some short walks (possibly amongst grass), light
clothes, a hat/cap and a light waterproof in case of a shower or mist
Day 8 : Galapagos Cruise Following Itinerary A (Tower) Or B (Fernandina) To Discover The Unique Wildlife Of These Volcanic Islands.
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our Galapagos Cruise alternates between two itineraries. For the next seven
days, your specific itinerary in the Galapagos depends on the departure date
of the trip (please ask your Sales Consultant if unsure).
*Itinerary A (Tower):* Walk on the tiny Plazas Islands to see a cactus
forest, land iguanas and seabirds, then cruise to the white sand beaches of
Santa Fe.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* A short walk on the tiny island of Chinese Hat
before snorkelling with Sea lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark
red beach of Isla Rabida to walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Blue-footed
and Nazca boobies.
Day 9 : Galapagos Cruise
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Itinerary A (Tower):* A day at San Cristobal Island: the white sand beach,
Blue-footed boobys and old cone of Cerro Brujo, giant tortoise at Galapaguera
and crystal clear waters around the striking spear of Kicker Rock.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* We start three days exploring the largest island
of Isabela with the chance for early morning exploration of the mangroves at
Los Tintoreras and then walk to the huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra
volcano. Our scheduled visit to Las Tintoreras alloted by the Galapagos
National Park is from 0600 to 0800 hrs, therefore should you wish to stay
onboard and have a lie in instead that's not a problem.
Day 10 : Galapagos Cruise
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Itinerary A (Tower):* Swim with Sea lions and Marine iguanas at the
paradisiacal beach at Gardener Bay on Espanola (Hood) Island. In the
afternoon, walk amongst Nazca and Blue-footed booby birds and nesting Waved
Albatross (in season) next to pounding surf at Punta Suarez.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Cruising round Isabela's west side, we're likely
to see whales and dolphins. We land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava
flows and also explore the islets of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of
penguins in the Galapagos.
Day 11 : Galapagos Cruise
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Itinerary A (Tower):* At Floreana Island snorkel in the spectacular sunken
crater of Devil's Crown amongst thousands of fish. We will then visit the
lagoon at Punta Cormorant (often with flamingos) and Post Office Bay, the
mailbox used by 18th Century whalers.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres and we
walk here amongst exposed coral heads, wandering giant tortoises and huge
land iguanas. We'll then make an afternoon visit to Tagus Cove and Darwin
Lake, directly opposite recently active Fernandina Volcano.
Day 12 : Galapagos Cruise
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Itinerary A (Tower):* To Dragon Hill, a nesting site for land iguanas with a
large lagoon; dramatic Sullivan Bay with a walk on a huge lava flow only 100
years old before swimming from the white-sand beach in crystal clear waters.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst
of a huge colony of Marine iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and
supports a large Sea lion and Fur seal colony. We then cross the straights
and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela.
Day 13 : Galapagos Cruise
Location: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Itinerary A (Tower):* Less-visited Genovesa (also called Tower) Island is
home to an abundance of Red-footed boobies, Fur seals, Storm petrels and
Short-eared Owls. Here, we look for tropicbirds at Prince William Steps
before snorkelling, whilst at Darwin Bay, Galapagos mockingbirds also await.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Excellent birding on Santiago (James) Island at
Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon snorkel and a walk amongst incredible
volcanic scenery up little Bartolome Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle
Rock.
Day 14 : Galapagos Cruise Ends; Fly To Guayaquil; End Guayaquil.
Location: Guayaquil
Meals Included: Breakfast
*Itinerary A (Tower):* We explore the mangroves of Turtle Cove at dawn
watching marine turtles rising for air; rays and herons fishing from the
trees.
*Itinerary B (Fernandina):* An early morning walk on North Seymour amidst
Palo Santo trees and Blue-footed booby colonies.
*Both itineraries:* After a late breakfast we disembark for the journey back
to Baltra to transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Guayaquil. For land
only clients, the tour ends at Guayaquil airport.* If booking an onwards
flight from Guayaquil today please ensure that it does not depart before
6pm.*
What's Included
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Meals
13 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners. -
Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Arrival and departure transfers
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Flights between Cuzco and Quito (if booking incl. flights)
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All accommodation
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All land/sea transport and listed activities
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Tour leader in Peru and registered naturalist guide in the Galapagos
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Flights between Cuzco and Quito (if booking excl. flights)
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Compulsory Galapagos taxes approx. US$120 (paid locally)
Accommodation
We spend six nights in comfortable hotels and seven nights on the catamaran, Archipel I.
Our hotels selected feature an excellent blend of three-star quality, comfort, and easy walking access to city and town attractions. Our Cuzco hotel is centrally located in the historic centre, while our Quito hotel is located close to the historic district, and close to many restaurants and attractions.
Worth knowing
Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the six hotel nights in Peru, subject to availability – please enquire at the time of booking. Unfortunately, we cannot offer single cabins on the boat in the Galapagos, and you will be paired with another traveller of the same sex for the seven nights on board.
Food
On board the Galapagos boat, all meals are included and are served in a
buffet style. There is a wide choice of food available, including vegetarian
options.
For the rest of the trip, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants for any
meals which are not included in the itinerary. Hotel breakfasts are normally
simple buffet-style affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal,
sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice.
Regrettably, we cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be
available for breakfast in all locations - if you have an intolerance you may
wish to bring your own breakfast food. We provide a packed lunch on day 3,
whether you are taking the train or doing the optional walk to Machu Picchu.
Drinking water is provided; please bring a reusable water bottle with
you.
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.