South American Wonders: Galápagos, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Adventure
Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime! We are thrilled to introduce our exclusive travel package that combines three of the most astonishing destinations in South America: the Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This journey is a unique opportunity to explore the Galápagos’ unparalleled biodiversity, immerse yourselves in the rich history of the Incas in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and marvel at the grandeur of Machu Picchu.
In the Galápagos Islands, you will discover a natural paradise like no other, where wildlife thrives in its purest form. From giant tortoises to marine iguanas and exotic birds, you will have the chance to get up close to species found nowhere else on Earth.
Next, we will head to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where cobbled streets are steeped in history and culture. You will explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place where the past and the present intertwine marvelously, visiting Inca ruins and vibrant local markets filled with color and tradition.
Finally, we will culminate our journey with a visit to Machu Picchu, the Inca archaeological gem. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most enigmatic and spectacular treasures of humanity.
In summary, this travel package Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu offers a unique experience that combines the natural diversity of the Galápagos with the cultural and historical richness of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the grandeur of Machu Picchu. We are confident that this adventure will be unforgettable and leave an indelible mark on your hearts. Get ready to explore, learn, and be amazed at every step of the way!
**All our programs can be modified according to your requirements on duration, interests, activities, flight reservations or other additional destinations.**
Upon arrival at Quito International Airport our staff will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Here you will receive a briefing of the tour contracted, you will be given the vouchers for the provision of all the services included in the tour.
Meals: None
At appropiate time you will be transfered to Quito’s airport to take your plane to Galapagos.
The flight takes approximately one hour and 50 minutes. Upon arrival in Galapagos, you will have to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. Once you have clear security, get ready for your next flight to Isabela Island. It is a 30-minute flight from Baltra Island to Isabela Island in a 9 passenger aircraft.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
The Tunnels are incredible! the visit in here lasts about 4 to 5 hours where you navigate calm and crystal-Clear waters in a labyrinth of volcanic lava that forms underwater tunnels providing the opportunity to snorkel with sharks and other incredible creatures. Take a short hike in the blue-footed booby nesting area and explore the amazing underwater life of El Finado, where your guides will help you find sea horses, rays, and white-tipped reef sharks. In the afternoon you can relax at your hotel and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Today we will drive to the Sierra Negra volcano. Here we sing in to the national park, this is the last place for a toilet on the way in until we reach the Volcan de Azufre area. Explore the fumes of an active volcano. In the afternoon, relax at your hotel and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
In the morning we paddle our kayaks to explore the calm waters around the islets in the bay of Puerto Villamil, where we can explore along sea lions, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies. It is also an incredible place to snorkel with countless tropical fish, rays on Concha Perla.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Today we take our speed boat back to Santa Cruz Island. We will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to walk among giant tortoises.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
You will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Meals: Breakfast
At appropiate time you will be transfered to Quito’s airport to take your plane to Lima and then to Cusco.
In Cusco our staff will be waiting for leave you at the selected hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the Vilcanota River where you will be able to see the typical Indian market and experience its people´s customs. (On Sundays, the mass is celebrated in Quechua the native language). Lunch in a valley’s local restaurant.
In the afternoon stop by Calca and Urubamba on our way to the Ollantaytambo fortress and citadel, built to guard the entrances to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions from the rainforest´s inhabitants. It is formed by a series of overlapping terraces. We will have the chance to walk through the towns’ streets so we can have a clear idea of how this military, religious and agricultural strategic center was during the Inca Empire.
Visitors will be transferred to the train station to start their trip to the Machu Picchu citadel, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. They will get off the train at the Aguas Calientes.
Overnight at Aguas Calientes also known Machu Picchu Town.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Early in the morning, take a bus that will take them to the wonderful citadel in a 30-minute-long trip through a zigzagging road. Once there, we will have a guided tour over the citadel, visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Chambers, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Lunch in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, they will return to Cusco to be taken to their hotels.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, we will get to know Cusco city on a guided tour, visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. The tour continues outside the city to visit the Kenko, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara archaeological complexes and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress which was strategically built on a hill dominating Cusco. It is famous for its huge carved stones, put together with amazing precision to form the external walls of the complex. Some of these stones are over 9 meters high and weight more than 350 tons.
Afternoon free.
Meals: Breakfast
At appropriate time, transfer and assistance on your departure.
Meals: Breakfast
| Destination | Tourist | Superior tourist | Superior | Deluxe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Galapagos Islands |
Casa Opuntia |
Índigo |
||
|
Cusco |
Xima |
Casa Andina Premium |
||
|
Machu Picchu |
El MaPi by Inkaterra |
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel |
||
| Price per person: USD | 0 | 0 | 5324 | 6300 |
| Galapagos Islands | Casa Opuntia |
| Cusco | Xima |
| Machu Picchu | El MaPi by Inkaterra |
| Price per person: USD | 5324 |
|---|
| Galapagos Islands | Índigo |
| Cusco | Casa Andina Premium |
| Machu Picchu | Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel |
| Price per person: USD | 6300 |
|---|
Prices per person in US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
INCLUDES:
In Galapagos: Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands
In Cusco: City tour
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Full day excursion to Pisac and Ollantaytambo
In Machu Picchu: Guided tour for the citadel and lunch.
NOT INCLUDED:
PRICES
All rates are expressed in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice.
ITINERARY
All our itineraries have been very carefully prepared taking your trip’s best operation into account. However, changing the order of some tours or routes might be necessary in some cases. Although these changes occur in few instances, the itinerary details should be taken as a basic guide.
AIR TICKETS
If Colourful Peru oversees buying and issuing local-flight tickets, their prices may vary until the date of the flight’s booking and payment. Furthermore, the airline might change the flight number as well as its departure hour.
Once the flight reservation and payment are made, the latter will not be reimbursable. Changes regarding name, flight, route, trip’s date or cancellations are not allowed.
Hotel reservations that are not part of an organized trip
Cancellations and Reimbursements
Booked trips
Cancellations and Reimbursements
(*) Note: some suppliers consider stricter cancellation conditions, consequently, they reserve the right to charge additional fees for other penalties in such cases.
Regarding the Inca Trail: the reserve is subject to its payment and there will not be reimbursements in case of cancellations, moreover, neither name nor date changes are allowed.
During peak season, the company reserves the right to change the cancellation regulations in case the suppliers apply other penalties or make the aforementioned changes.
LIABILITY
Live Corporation carries out your trip’s arrangements, books transfer services, hotel rooms or other travel services required on your behalf, consequently, the company takes no responsibility for the loss of items, flight or tours delays due to events of force majeure, accidents or other events.
Important!
Live Corporation disclaims any liability for medical conditions, pregnancy, mental or physical limitations that might put at risk the health or integrity of the passenger or third parties during the operation of the booked tours or that might jeopardize the trip’s progress. Therefore, the company will not be obliged to any refunds or to address claims regarding the aforementioned reasons, even when there are not noticeable problems in normal circumstances.
Given this, it is important for the passengers to inform the company whether there is any of the aforementioned impediments, so we can offer and suggest suitable services according to the existing limitations.
CLIMATE
The climate in Peru can be divided by zones: the western Andes that has a dry and cold climate in winter and its very rainy during the summer. The rainforest that has a hot, wet and rainy climate and the desert coast with a warm climate without regular rainfall.
Cusco has a mild climate with temperatures that go from 14 ºC to 16ºC with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from December to March.
Machu Picchu has a semi-tropical climate with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from November to April.
TIME ZONE
Peru Time Zone according to Greenwich Mean Time is -5 (GMT -5), same as Bogotá and Mexico throughout the year and same as New York during summer. When it is midday in Peru the hour in the most important cities is:
| São Paulo | 14:00 |
| Frankfurt | 19:00 |
| Nueva York | 13:00 |
| Londres | 18:00 |
| Hong Kong | 01:00 + 1day |
| Singapur | 01:00 + 1day |
ALTITUDE
In Lima: 0 meters above sea level
In Cusco: 3,360 meters above sea level
In Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level
In the Sacred Valley: 2,850 meters above sea level
WE RECOMMEND
HEALTH
The Peruvian Andes are at high altitudes, so it is necessary to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness or “soroche”. It is important to rest a few hours, to walk slowly and to eat light before beginning any tour. We also recommend drinking coca tea that helps with acclimatization. Even though water is potable in most cities, it is advisable to drink bottled water to avoid any problems.
VISA
To know if you need a visa to enter Peru, please go to the closest consulate since the requirement may vary at any moment. For more information, please go to:
Visa types to enter Peru
LANGUAGE
Peru’s official language is Spanish, which is spoken by 80% of the population. However, there is a large portion of the population that speaks Quechua and Aymara (especially in the Peruvian Andes). Moreover, we can find 55 dialects in the Amazonian rainforest.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz. In some hotels, you may find dual voltage outlets, however, we suggest checking your appliances’ voltage and take precautions by having a power adapter or converter.
PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
During the last years, the Peruvian gastronomy has become famous because of its variety and exquisiteness. Among the most known dishes you can find the ceviche, a dish made of fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice.
There is a new gastronomy trend in Cusco called “novoandina”. The novoandina cuisine is based on the creation of new dishes using local ingredients such as quinoa, quiwicha, potato, alpaca and trout. This way, we have dishes such as alpaca tenderloin with “quinotto” (risotto made of quinoa instead of rice) or grilled trout with sautéed vegetables and native potatoes.
Restaurants during your trip:
Cusco: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants.
Aguas Calientes: international and local food restaurants.
IMPORTANT
Colourful Peru reserves the right to make any changes without prior notice due to weather conditions, river levels, transport departures or arrivals, etc., to assure a better development of your trip’s operation.
South American Wonders: Galápagos, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Adventure
Our team will be contacting you as soon as possible.