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A
wonderful family journey full of wildlife and adventure.
Description | Itinerary
Description
This active,
adventurous Galápagos / Peru cruise and tour combines the
ancient empire of the Incas with the timeless natural world
of the Galápagos Islands. A highlight of your Galápagos /
Peru cruise and tour is a visit to the mysterious ruins of
Machu Picchu, the spectacular Lost City of the Incas - and
one of the must-see destinations on earth. Embark on a
memorable cruise aboard one of the finest
expeditionary-style yachts in the Galápagos for amazing
wildlife viewing and an opportunity to get up close to giant
Galápagos tortoises, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine
iguanas, and penguins. Enjoy lunch on a Peruvian farm,
dinner at a Colonial home, two nights in a converted
monastery, and tours of Lima, Cusco, and Guayaquil; at the
end of your land tour in Peru cruise the extraordinary
waters of the Galápagos.
Day 1: The best Galápagos / Peru cruise
and tour begins Lima
Your Galápagos / Peru
cruise and tour begins at the Miraflores Park Hotel.
A transfer is included from Lima's Jorge Chavez
International Airport to the five-star Miraflores Park
Hotel, located in an oceanfront section of Lima.
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel,
Lima, Peru
Day 2: Discover colonial Lima
In Lima, sightseeing highlights include a visit to a ranch
for an impressive performance by Peruvian prancing horses,
followed by lunch – definitely a highlight on Tauck's
Galápagos / Peru cruise and tour. Enjoy welcome cocktails
and dinner at Casa Aliaga, a 66-room home built in 1535 that
has remained in the same family for generations.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel,
Lima, Peru
Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Fly to Cusco, and enjoy lunch at a traditional farm on your
way to El Valle Sagrado, the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Visit the great fortress of Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved
Inca settlement and a National Archaeological Park. Dating
to the 15th century, it features an intricate walled
complex.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sol & Luna Lodge
& Spa, Yucay Valley, Peru
Day 4: Machu Picchu, Galápagos / Peru
cruise and tour highlight
Journey by rail to the spectacular, mystical ruins of Machu
Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Join a local
guide for in-depth exploration, climbing up to the
well-preserved remains. Explore the extensive terracing and
intricate stonework found on nearly vertical terrain,
surrounded by soaring jungle peaks and the Andes Mountains.
Your hotel enjoys stunning views of the Andes Mountains and
is located close to the entrance to the ruins – which
means you can visit the Inca citadel when you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Lodge, Aguas Calientes, Peru
Day 5: Sunrise over Machu Picchu
Take the opportunity to experience the spiritual complex of
Machu Picchu at sunrise – a highlight of any Galápagos /
Peru cruise and tour – before the day-trippers arrive. The
morning mist adds to the mystery of the site’s origins and
why it was abandoned. Depart for Cusco, where your lodgings
are in a lavishly restored historic monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio,
Cusco, Peru
Day 6: Curious Cusco, a Galápagos / Peru
cruise and tour gem
Your Galápagos / Peru cruise and tour continues with
sightseeing in Cusco, once the powerful capital of the
ancient, sophisticated Inca empire. See Plaza de Armas, a
large square that was the center of the ancient city; the
Cathedral; and colonial buildings dating from the 16th and
17th centuries. A guided walking tour of Sacsayhuaman
explores the ruins of this Inca military fortress, providing
great views of the city below.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio,
Cusco, Peru
Day 7: Journey to Ecuador
Your Galápagos / Peru cruise adventure begins! Fly to Lima
and take a connecting flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s
largest city. It’s renowned as a major port and enjoys a
pleasant tropical climate.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colón
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 8: Greetings Galápagos
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast and
home to wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy a
seven-night cruise aboard Tauck’s exclusive
expeditionary-style yacht, topped by an observation deck.
The cruise itinerary is flexible, allowing the ship to
access many remote islands, choosing beaches that are full
of wildlife. Landings are made in a panga, a Zodiac-style
raft, and may require wading ashore in shallow water.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 9: Explore Hood Island on landings
wet and dry
Both wet and dry landings by panga take you to Hood
Island to visit with its friendly sea lions and observe
finches, mockingbirds and other birdlife. Ride a
glass-bottom boat in Gardner Bay, walk across volcanic
landscapes to check out unique seabird colonies at Punta
Suárez, or spend some time snorkeling in crystal-clear
waters.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 10: Flamingos and more on Floreana Island
On Floreana Island, join your expert naturalist guide
on an easy nature hike to a lovely lagoon, where you'll see
flamingos in their pristine habitat. Explore Post Office
Bay, where a primitive island "post office" has
been in use for hundreds of years, and land by panga to visit turtles,
rays and other wildlife up close.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 11: In Darwin's footsteps on Santa Cruz Island
Head for the inland highlands on Santa Cruz Island,
as well as the craters of Los Gemelos and a Scalesia forest.
Meet giant tortoises and observe a wide variety of flora –
such as the giant prickly-pear cactus – and fauna at the
Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll also learn
about the history of the islands.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 12: Birds galore on Tower Island
Land by panga
in a lovely natural habor on Tower Island to view thousands
of incredible birds – including large colonies of frigate
birds, storm petrels, Nazca boobies and many more. In most
cases, the birds and animals of the Galápagos are unafraid
of humans, so you can get right up close to them.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 13: Cross the Equator to Isabela and Fernandina
Cross the Equator aboard Isabela II today en route
to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápgos
Islands (they're only about 5 to 10 million years old).
Arrive at Isabela's Tagus Cove to see Darwin Crater; you'll
also have an opportunity to do some snorkeling, as well as
view Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas and sea lions on
Fernandina.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 14: More wonders on James and Bartolomé Islands
Stroll across the ancient lava flows of James Island
and spot marine iguanas, fur seals and myriad birds. There
are even more wonders in store – on a climb to the top of
Bartolomé Island and on a panga
ride around Pinnacle Rock where you may get a look at
Galápagos penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos
Islands
Day 15: Explore Guayaquil
Disembark Isabela II,
and fly to Guayaquil. A tour of the city precedes some free
time, perhaps to stroll the waterfront promenade, El
Malecon. Share favorite experiences from your Galápagos and
Peru cruise and tour at the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colón
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 16: Goodbye Galápagos / Peru cruise and tour
Tour ends in
Guayaquil. A transfer is included from the Hilton
Colón Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport; allow 2
1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: This is an
active journey that includes a fair amount of walking, often
on uneven terrain; Zodiac-style rafts are used for shore
excursions. We may not visit each of the islands in the
order here, but typically visit two different sites per day.
Cruise Itineraries are approved by the Galápagos National
Park Service 30 to 60 days before departure and are subject
to change. Inquire upon booking.
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