Inca and Galapagos Explorer

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Lima

Day 2 Chincha (B)

Day 3 Nazca (B)

This morning we visit the Ballestas Islands by boat to view sea lion colonies, penguins and other bird life.Continue south by land to Nazca with a stop to see the Huacachina sand dunes along the way. The pleasant colonial town of Ica enjoys a dry and sunny climate and is known for its huge sand dunes around the Huacachina oasis. Apart from the dunes, the town is well known for its wines, and there are several wineries and distilleries in the area.Next visit one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The lines consist of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of flat desert. Some of the lines measure up to 10 km (32 miles) in length, and yet remain perfectly straight. The depictions of birds, insects and animals are only recognizable from the air. Who drew the lines, and why, is something modern archaeologists can only theorize about, but current beliefs suggest that they may be part of complex agricultural calendar. From the ground we can make out very little, and the best view is from a light aircraft, which can easily be arranged.

Day 4 Puerto Inca (B)

Day 5-6 Arequipa (2B)

Day 7-8 Puno / Lake Titicaca (2B)

Our day starts with a flight to Juliaca and a short drive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The remainder of the day is at leisure in the town. The next morning we head out by boat across Lake Titicaca for an included excursion to visit the remarkable floating reed islands of Uros and to explore beautiful Taquile Island.Located at 3830 m above sea level, Puno is the highest night stop on the tour. As a result the weather can be extreme with very cold nights and a strong sun during the day. Puno is also known for its wealth of traditional dances: there are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in the street processions celebrating Catholic feast days. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting at the right time you may even catch one of these celebrations.Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 2000m, and the views from the islands are stunning. We explore the unique floating islands of the Uros people, made of Totora reeds. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Colla and Inca tribes. Sadly, the Uros language has died out, and today the islanders speak Aymara due to intermarriage with Aymara-speaking clans. Today about 300 families live on the islands, however their numbers are slowly declining.The Totora reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake are used for making everything from the islands themselves to the model boats that the islanders sell. The islands are made up of layers upon layers of reeds; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top. The reeds are also used to build their boats, which if constructed well will last up to 6 months.

Day 9-10 Cuzco (2B)

Day 11 Ollantaytambo (B, L)

Travel with our local guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the impressive Pisac ruins and the colourful artisan market (market days only). The day trip finishes in the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, site of another large Inca ruin.The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. This major ruin site is known as the best surviving example of Inca urban planning and engineering. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest. We spend the night in this small town before heading out towards Machu Picchu the next morning.

Day 12 Aguas Calientes (B)

We board a morning train that winds through the steep Urubamba Valley to its final destination of Aguas Calientes. Relax in the natural mountain hot baths that gave the town its name. For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning.

Day 13 Machu Picchu / Cuzco (B)

Rise early to take advantage of viewing Machu Picchu in the early morning light. This is the best time to view the 'Lost City of the Incas'. Join our local guide for a detailed interpretation of the site and Inca history without the pressure of other tour groups that arrive at midday. Later in the afternoon we return to Cuzco by train, arriving in the evening.Machu Picchu is both the best and the least known of the Inca ruins. It is not mentioned in any of the chronicles of the Spanish conquistadors and archaeologists today can do no more than speculate on its function. The local Quechua farmers in the area knew of Machu Picchu for centuries, but it was not until an 11-year-old boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in search of Vilcabamba) to the site on July 24, 1911, that the rest of the world became aware of its existence. At that time the site was covered in thick vegetation, and Bingham and his team returned in 1912 and 1915 to clear the growth. Over the years, much work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain.

Day 14 Lima (B)

Time for some last minute shopping in Cuzco before our flight back to Lima and the final stop on the Peruvian part of our journey. Enjoy one last night out on the town before heading to Ecuador. Overnight in Lima.

Day 15 Lima / Quito (B)

Day 16 Baltra / North Seymour (L,D)

Day 17 Rabida (B, L, D)

Day 19 Santa Cruz/Quito (B)

The morning finds us in the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see and learn about giant tortoises and Darwin's famed studies and explorations.Santa Cruz is the most populated island within the archipelago, and Puerto Ayora is its main town. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town. Here, an exhibition centre displays photos of recent volcanic eruptions, charts outlining geological formations and drawings of the evolutionary development of endemic species. A corral houses adult Galapagos Tortoises, and a nursery cares for young tortoises until they are about three years old, when their shells have hardened enough to resist attack from feral dogs.We transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and enjoy one last night on the town.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Hotels (16 nts), Twin-share cabin on board the motorized yacht (3 nts).
Brochure Notes	1. Passport details, nationality, full name and date of birth must be advised at time of booking. 2. The Lima-Quito international flight (Day 15) is not included and must be purchased separately at time of booking. This flight must arrive in Quito on Day 15.3. Note that suites on the boat have a double bed.
Combination	This trip combines our Inca Explorer PEI and 6-day Voyage Galapagos EV06G tours.
Departure	Departs weekly
DepEnd	Mon-Sat
Group Size	Max 15 (20 in the Galapagos), Avg 10
Included Highlights	Hacienda tour and local music show, Ballestas Islands trip, Chauchilla cemetery and potter's workshop tour, Arequipa city tour, Guided tour of Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley tour, Guided tour of Machu Picchu, 3 nights in the Galapagos Islands, Arrival transfer in Lima and continental breakfast daily.
Local Payment	USD500Galapagos Park Fee USD100 and Transit Control Card Fee USD10 - payable on arrival in the Islands.
Meals Included	Continental breakfast daily, lunch in Ollantaytambo, and all meals while in the Galapagos.
StartFinish	Lima to Quito
Testimonial	My adventures through Peru and The Galapagos Islands were unforgettable! My five senses had a great workout, and loved every minute of the experience. - Eleasa Maklin travelled on Inca & Galapagos Explorer
Transport	Private van, Local flights, Train, Motorized yacht.
Brochure Intro	A comfortable exploration of the essential Peruvian highlights combined with a 6-day cruise around the Galapagos Islands. Experience the adventure of a lifetime in style!

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-01-19	2009-02-07	7+
2009-01-26	2009-02-14	1
2009-02-02	2009-02-21	7+
2009-02-09	2009-02-28	7+
2009-02-16	2009-03-07	7+
2009-02-23	2009-03-14	2
2009-03-02	2009-03-21	7+
2009-03-09	2009-03-28	7+
2009-03-16	2009-04-04	5
2009-03-23	2009-04-11	7+
2009-03-30	2009-04-18	4
2009-04-06	2009-04-25	7+
2009-04-13	2009-05-02	4
2009-04-20	2009-05-09	7+
2009-04-27	2009-05-16	7+
2009-05-04	2009-05-23	1
2009-05-11	2009-05-30	7+
2009-05-18	2009-06-06	6
2009-05-25	2009-06-13	7+
2009-06-01	2009-06-20	6
2009-06-08	2009-06-27	7+
2009-06-15	2009-07-04	7+
2009-06-22	2009-07-11	7+
2009-06-29	2009-07-18	7+
2009-07-13	2009-08-01	7+
2009-07-20	2009-08-08	7+
2009-07-27	2009-08-15	7+
2009-08-03	2009-08-22	7+
2009-08-10	2009-08-29	7+
2009-08-17	2009-09-05	7+
2009-09-07	2009-09-26	7+
2009-09-14	2009-10-03	7+
2009-09-21	2009-10-10	7+
2009-10-05	2009-10-24	1
2009-10-12	2009-10-31	7+
2009-10-19	2009-11-07	7+
2009-10-26	2009-11-14	7+
2009-11-02	2009-11-21	7+
2009-11-09	2009-11-28	7+
2009-11-16	2009-12-05	7+
2009-11-23	2009-12-12	7+
2009-11-30	2009-12-19	7+
2009-12-07	2009-12-26	7+
2009-12-14	2010-01-02	1
2009-12-21	2010-01-09	7+
2009-12-28	2010-01-16	7+
2010-01-04	2010-01-23	7+
2010-01-11	2010-01-30	7+
2010-01-18	2010-02-06	7+
2010-01-25	2010-02-13	7+
2010-02-01	2010-02-20	7+
2010-02-08	2010-02-27	7+
2010-02-15	2010-03-06	7+
2010-02-22	2010-03-13	7+
2010-03-01	2010-03-20	7+
2010-03-08	2010-03-27	7+
2010-03-15	2010-04-03	7+
2010-03-22	2010-04-10	7+
2010-03-29	2010-04-17	7+
2010-04-05	2010-04-24	7+
2010-04-12	2010-05-01	7+
2010-04-19	2010-05-08	7+
2010-04-26	2010-05-15	7+
2010-05-03	2010-05-22	7+
2010-05-10	2010-05-29	7+
2010-05-17	2010-06-05	7+
2010-05-24	2010-06-12	7+
2010-05-31	2010-06-19	7+
2010-06-07	2010-06-26	7+
2010-06-14	2010-07-03	7+
2010-06-21	2010-07-10	7+
2010-06-28	2010-07-17	7+
2010-07-05	2010-07-24	7+
2010-07-12	2010-07-31	7+
2010-07-19	2010-08-07	7+
2010-07-26	2010-08-14	7+
2010-08-02	2010-08-21	7+
2010-08-09	2010-08-28	7+
2010-08-16	2010-09-04	7+
2010-08-23	2010-09-11	7+
2010-08-30	2010-09-18	7+
2010-09-06	2010-09-25	7+
2010-09-13	2010-10-02	7+
2010-09-20	2010-10-09	7+
2010-09-27	2010-10-16	7+
2010-10-04	2010-10-23	7+
2010-10-11	2010-10-30	7+
2010-10-18	2010-11-06	7+
2010-10-25	2010-11-13	7+
2010-11-01	2010-11-20	7+
2010-11-08	2010-11-27	7+
2010-11-15	2010-12-04	7+
2010-11-22	2010-12-11	7+
2010-11-29	2010-12-18	7+
2010-12-06	2010-12-25	7+
2010-12-13	2011-01-01	7+

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