12-Day Cusco, Machu Picchu & Galápagos Islands Tour

Day 1 · Transfer to your hotel in Quito

1. 1

   Quito Airport Shuttle

   3 hours Admission included

   Private transportation from the airport to your hotel in Quito

Selected hotel in Quito

Day 2 · Quito City Tour + Teleférico + Mitad del Mundo

1. 1

   Mitad Del Mundo

   20 min Admission not included

   Visit to Mitad del Mundo

2. 2

   TeleferiQo Quito

   one hour Admission included

   Visit to Teleferico in Quito

3. 3

   Intinan Equator Museum

   3 hours Admission included

   Visit to Intinan Museum in Mitad del Mundo

4. 4

   Quito Old Town

   3 hours

   Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 2,850 m. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.

5. 5

   Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania

   20 min Admission included

   Known colloquially as la Compañía, is a Jesuit church in Quito, Ecuador. It is among the best-known churches in Quito because of its large central nave, which is profusely decorated with gold leaf, gilded plaster, and wood carvings. Inspired by two Roman Jesuit churches

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Day 3 · Quito - Baltra – Highlands – Twin Craters, Lava Tunnels

1. 1

   Layover Stay Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport

   4 hours

   Breakfast in the hotel. Your driver will pick you up to take you to the airport to catch your flight to Galapagos.

2. 2

   Reserva El Chato

   4 hours Admission included

   Arrive at Baltra´s airport, your guide will pick you up at the airport and drive up to the ranch in the highlands. This area concentrates vast extensions of forests of Scalesia, Miconia, and giant tortoises. This is a great place to observe these iconic animals in their natural habitat. We will visit lava tunnels and the twin craters of the Galapagos; it is a rewarding visit for nature-loving tourists. The lush green landscape of the highlands stands in stark contrast to the more arid coastlines of the lowlands, providing a very different Galapagos experience. Lookouts over the crater sinkholes show off the stunning scenery, and there are plenty of interesting birds too. Overnight in a hotel in Santa Cruz.

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Day 4 · Full day navigable tour

1. 1

   Puerto Ayora

   7 hours

   Breakfast in the hotel. Depending on the dates and/or navigable site available, pick-up from the hotel will be early in the morning (6 or 7:00 am) to take you to the small vessel at the embarkation point in Puerto Ayora for a unique experience with Galapagos wildlife and endemic vegetation. The destination can be either Santa Fe, Pinzon, or Floreana (the destination depends on availability and regulations of the National Park). The activities will include hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and breathtaking sightseeing. After land and sea excursions, we will return to the hotel in Santa Cruz where you can relax and later have dinner at the restaurant specified by the guide. Overnight in Santa Cruz.

Box Lunch

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Day 5 · Isabela - Tintoreras

1. 1

   Las Tintoreras

   5 hours Admission included

   At 6:30 am, you will take the speed boat to Isabela, (2 hours). Upon arrival, a guide will transfer you to your hotel and you will have the rest of the morning free. If you want, you can walk to the nearby flamingo lagoon to spot these graceful birds or visit (entrance free) the tortoise breeding center. In the afternoon, we will visit "Las Tintoreras," a chain of small islets full of the cove and hidden beaches. The islet of Tintoreras is situated in the south of Puerto Villamil. It has a bay where it is possible to see sea lions, marine turtles, iguanas, manta rays, etc. This bay is connected by a superficial crack with crystalline water which is closed off during low tide. In this crack, it is possible to see the sharks from Blanca Point swimming with the rest of the tropical fish and sea lions (snorkel). Overnight in Isabela.

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Day 6 · Isabela - Cabo Rosa Tuneles

1. 1

   Isabela Island

   5 hours Admission included

   Breakfast in the hotel. Departure by boat to Cabo Rosa (45 min by boat), where lava flowed into the ocean and formed beautiful lava tunnels. There you will see penguins, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles. However, the highlight is diving. You can see sharks, turtles/sea lions, sea lions, rays, seahorses, and many tropical fish. The tour to Cabo Rosa lasts approximately 5 hours. Then, we will take a speedboat to return to Santa Cruz Island. Overnight in Santa Cruz.

Box Lunch

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Day 7 · Baltra - Guayaquil / Flight to Lima

1. 1

   Lima Airport Shuttle

   8 hours Admission included

   Transfer from the islands to /Guayaquil, flight connection to Lima

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Day 8 · City Tour in Lima

1. 1

   Stop 1

   4 hours Admission not included

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   In afternoon visit of the city of Colonial and Modern Lima, we will visit Lima in its 3 historical periods, Pre Hispanic, Colonial, and Modern. We will have a panoramic view of "La Huaca Pucllana", we will visit the impressive Historical Center of Lima, its palaces, mansions, churches, and plazas ending with a visit to the residential and financial area of San Isidro. Finally, we will have an unforgettable view of the Pacific Ocean in the district of Miraflores. Return to the hotel.

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Day 9 · Flight to Cusco / City Tour

1. 1

   Stop 1

   4 hours Admission included

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   Transfer to the airport to board the regular flight to Cusco. Arrival, reception, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the morning free to acclimatize to the altitude.

   In the afternoon pick up for your City Tour Cusco where you will visit The Cathedral, Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the nearby ruins: Qenqo (Ceremonial and Ritual center, place where sacrifices were made), Puca Pucara (this complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacutec as a Tambo), Tambomachay (also called “The Bath of the Inca”) and Sacsayhuaman Fortress (place where the main Inca Festivals, Inti Raymi and Warachicuy take place). Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

   Overnight. (B, D)

   Cusco: 3,395 msnm

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Day 10 · Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes

1. 1

   Sacred Valley

   8 hours Admission included

   Breakfast at hotel.

   In the morning departure for our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the textile center Awanacancha, then we will go to the town of Pisac, here we will visit a picturesque craft market where we can see how until today the locals maintain the tradition of exchanging their things or food, just like it was done in the past. Buffet lunch at local restaurant.

   Later we will go to the town of Ollantaytambo where we will visit the fortress that bears the same name. Here we will visit the most important attractions of the place, and our guide will give us an explanation about its history. Transfer to your hotel in Valley. Finally, we will depart from Ollanta train station towards the majestic city of Aguas Calientes, the travel time is approximately 01 hour 30 minutes. Arrival to Aguas Calientes town and transfer to your hotel

Selected hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 11 · Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

1. 1

   Machupicchu

   8 hours Admission included

   Breakfast at hotel.

   This day will be the highlight of our trip, the visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Very early we will board the buses to ascend to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world. The tour will be 02 hours and 30 minutes and the visit includes the Intihuatana (the Solar Clock), the Palace of the Incas, the Three Windows, etc. At the end of it we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes to go shopping and lunch at local restaurant.

   At a scheduled time, transfer to the station to board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Cusco (only driver).

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Day 12 · Cusco - Lima

1. 1

   Cusco Cathedral

   one hour

   Breakfast at the hotel.

   At the scheduled hour, transfer to the Airport to board your international flight