GO 6: Galapagos Cruise, Ecuador & Peru

Day 1 - Lima - Peru

AM
Lima Transfer in (airport – hotel) Welcome to the City of Kings.

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

PM
First Class Hotel in Lima

Day 2 - Lima - Cusco

AM
Flight to Cusco.
After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, guests will have free time to adjust to the altitude.

Day 3 - Cusco - Machu Picchu & Cusco

AM
Machu-Picchu

Early in the morning, we head by train to one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, we continue on a bus ride to Machu Picchu, with a view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Guided visit to Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls fitted with precision. We will visit the famous ceremonial shrines, terraces, and steps.

Day 4 - Cusco - Lima to Quito

AM
Cusco - Lima to Quito, Ecuador

Guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight from Cusco to Lima and from Lima to Quito, Ecuador. 

Welcome to Quito! A representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax, and settle in.

Day 5 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World

PM
The Middle of the World

Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.

Day 6 - Welcome to Galapagos & Mosquera Islet

AM
✈ Welcome to Galapagos. Departure from Quito to Baltra Island is a 2 1⁄2 hour flight. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides who will accompany them on a short ten-minute bus ride to the pier where they will board the Galapagos Legend.

Day 7 - Santiago Island & Rabida Island

AM
Egas Port (Santiago Island). The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It’s best known for the dramatic shoreline, where we meet a host of species that choose to live between land and sea. Among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals, which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk.

Day 8 - Isabela Island

AM

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) At the far end of a long level hike, we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, we hope to run into a few impressive land iguanas and some volcanoes endemic to Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Day 9 - Fernandina Island & Isabela Island

AM

Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island) Pristine Fernandina, the marine iguana capital. Its desolate volcanic backdrop hosts a massive concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Surprisingly, Galapagos penguins share the same shoreline. Snorkeling offers an exciting opportunity to witness marine iguanas feeding underwater, alongside penguins, turtles, and unique flightless cormorants.

Day 10 - Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island

AM

Highlands turtle Reserve – In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600 lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highlands species, especially several species of the famed finches.

Charles Darwin Research Station – We visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes places as part of our efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment.

Day 11 - Bartolome Island & Santiago Island

AM

Bartolome Island Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island, Our subsequent snorkel here might put us face to face with Galapagos penguins, white- tipped reef sharks, and playful sea lions.

Day 12 - San Cristobal Island

AM

Punta Pitt (San Cristobal Island) This is the only place on the islands where we will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-footed will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca ́s on the ground near the cliff edge, and the blue-footed will be further inland. Frigate birds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.

Day 13 - San Cristobal Island & return to Quito

AM

Cerro Colorado (San Cristobal Island) In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.

✈ San Cristobal Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Quito.

Day 14 - Transfer to Airport

Day 1 - Lima - Peru

AM
Lima Transfer in (airport – hotel) Welcome to the City of Kings.

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

PM
First Class Hotel in Lima

Day 2 - Lima - Cusco

AM
Flight to Cusco.
After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, guests will have free time to adjust to the altitude.

Day 3 - Cusco - Machu Picchu & Cusco

AM
Machu-Picchu

Early in the morning, we head by train to one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, we continue on a bus ride to Machu Picchu, with a view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Guided visit to Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls fitted with precision. We will visit the famous ceremonial shrines, terraces, and steps.

Day 4 - Cusco - Lima to Quito

AM
Cusco - Lima to Quito, Ecuador

Guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight from Cusco to Lima and from Lima to Quito, Ecuador. 

Welcome to Quito! A representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city, relax, and settle in.

Day 5 - Quito Old Town Tour & Middle of the World

PM
The Middle of the World

Afterward, our guide will visit the Middle of the World Complex at latitude 0*0*0. Return to the hotel for the night.

Day 6 - Welcome to Galapagos & Mosquera Islet

AM
✈ Welcome to Galapagos. Departure from Quito to Baltra Island is a 2 1⁄2 hour flight. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, passengers are greeted at the airport by our knowledgeable guides who will accompany them on a short ten-minute bus ride to the pier where they will board the Coral I or Coral II.

Day 7 - Isabela Island & Fernandina Island

AM

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island). Spectacular site, surrounded by immense cliffs of an eroded volcano. Studded with resting seabirds like brown noddies and Nazca boobies. Superb snorkeling with unique fish species. Swim with penguins and green turtles.

PM

Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island).Pristine Fernandina, the marine iguana capital. Its desolate volcanic backdrop hosts a massive concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Surprisingly, Galapagos penguins share the same shoreline. Snorkeling offers an exciting opportunity to witness marine iguanas feeding underwater, alongside penguins, turtles, and unique flightless cormorants.

Day 8 - Isabela Island

AM

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) At the far end of a long level hike, we arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano, we hope to run into a few impressive land iguanas and some volcanoes endemic to Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.

Day 9 - Santiago Island

AM

Egas Port (Santiago Island). The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most, it’s best known for the dramatic shoreline where we meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals, which maintain a small colony at the end of our walk.

PM

Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island). It has an extensive features relative to young pa-hoe-hoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. In the middle of the lava flow, older reddish-yellow-colored tuff cones appear. Mollugo plants with their yellow-to-orange whorled leaves usually grow out of the fissures. Walking on solidified lava gives the impression of being on another planet.

Day 10 - Santa Cruz Island & North Seymour Island

AM

Bachas Beach – Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore, and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes.

Highlands Tortoise Reserve. In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more species, especially several species of the famed finches.

PM

North Seymour Island. This flat, uplifting, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females and, we will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies too. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.

Day 11 - Santa Cruz Island & Mosquera Islet

AM

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island). Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race. The center is set in the Galapagos National Park Service where various interpretative buildings are available to visit. The grounds, with large stands of native vegetation are one of the better places to spot some of the seldom seen Darwinís finches.

PM

Mosquera Islet. This tiny, low-lying islet, converted into coral sand, is set between the north and south Seymour Islands. It’s home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand, it’s an excellent spot to observe shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here, one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas.

Day 12 - South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Island

AM

South Plaza Island. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, we spend time watching birds like frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds.

PM

Santa Fe Island. After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, we may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, we spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with us and . We begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti and we can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana.

Day 13 - Lobos Island & return to Quito

AM

Lobos Island. Isla Lobos is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Once on the island, the trail is about 850 meters and there will be rocky trails and a nice & easy sand trail too. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds nests at this site.

✈ San Cristobal Airport After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Quito.

Day 14 - Transfer to Airport