Peru & Ecuador: Machu Picchu & Galapagos Expedition

Upon arrival at Cusco's airport look for a sign with your name on it to take you on a private transfer to your hotel. After you have checked in to your hotel and have settled in get ready to go on a half day city tour of Cusco. This beautiful city has an interesting history, both from Inca and colonial times. You will start this half day tour at Cusco’s main square, which was named Huacaypata (Warriors Square) by the Incas. Enjoy listening to the tour guide on the history this special place has to offer. You will get to admire the city’s cathedral which was built between 1560 and 1664 with the red granite stones from the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The cathedral is without doubt one of the most impressive buildings in Cusco. The historical buildings hosts one of the most significant collections of gold and silver work of the colonial period.

Next, you will continue to Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent was built on top of the most important Inca temple dedicated to the worship of the sun with walls covered with gold leaf. Wandering through the streets of what once was the capital of the Inca Empire, you will feel like you are traveling through time. After exploring Cusco, you will go to the nearby ruins Sacsayhuaman Fortress known for its immense temple walls made out of huge stones constructed in a zigzag pattern; the red fort Puca Pucara; the Qenko Amphitheater, and Tambomachay, the Inca baths. Once the tour is completed enjoy a private transfer back to your hotel.

Today enjoy an early morning transfer with your private tour guide to the train station for an amazing train trip to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The Vistadome train offers a unique connection with a beautiful scenery along the way to Machu Picchu, making passengers feel as if they were somehow part of the nature that surrounds them. The panoramic windows located beside and above your seat will bring you close to nature unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

You will meet your tour guide in Aguas Calientes who will then take you to Machu Picchu and give you a guided tour through the archeological site. You will walk to the bus station to take your bus up to Machu Picchu.  Machu Picchu was only re-discovered in 1911 by the explorer Hiram Bingham. This area is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscapes architecture in the world. Located on an enclave on the saddle of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, in an area of lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship, a site for star-gazing and a private hacienda of the family of the Inca Pachacutec. It consists of two main areas, one agricultural which was formed mainly by mountains and food stores and the other urban which is known for its sacred zone with its temples, squares and royal tombs. The stairways and canals carved out of stone are recurrent throughout this remarkable archaeological site. 

You will get to enjoy lunch at the Tinkuy restaurant. Tonight enjoy spending the night at the the beautiful Sumaq hotel. 

Train schedule subject to availability

Luggage allowed: A day backpack (11 pounds per person). The rest of the luggage must be left at the hotel

No service the last Sunday of every month

Today enjoy a tour of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and climb to Huayna Picchu. It has a steep climb but well worth it because of the fantastic views of the valley and different perspectives of Machu Picchu.

In the afternoon, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and the Vistadome train back to Cusco. Return trips on the Vistadome offer an onboard fashion show featuring the exclusive baby alpaca wool collection with the latest trends in alpaca apparel. As an added bonus, you can enjoy live dances inspired by the ancient culture of the Andes. Passengers will enjoy a snack made from local ingredients to get the full Andean experience through our cuisine. This trip will also include a non alcoholic beverage for your onboard refreshment. On your arrival a private transfer will be waiting for you with a sign and your name on it to take you to your hotel in Cusco. 

Today based on your flight time your English speaking tour guide/private transfer will meet you at your hotel to take you to the Cusco Airport. When you arrive to the Quito airport look for a sign with your name on it to enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Keep in mind the airport is located in the town of Tababela, about 43 km from Quito and will take approximately 45 minutes to and hour to arrive. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing or exploring this beautiful city on your own.

Today enjoying going on a city tour and explore the beautiful colonial center of Quito. Your first stop will be at the Basilica Church known to be one of the most important pieces of neo-gothic architecture in Ecuador. The tour will continue to Plaza Grande (also called Independence Square) to admire the historical buildings like the Presidential Palace, Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. After, you will get to visit the imposing San Francisco de Quito Church known as the largest religious complex in South America. The church houses masterpieces of talented indigenous artist from the famous Quito Art School. Enjoy walking through the lively colonial streets of the old town to visit other historical highlights. Visit the famous Panecillo Hill and enjoy the breath taking views over the city and the contrast between colonial and modern Quito from above.

The second part of this tour will take place at the north part of the city, a 35 minute drive from Quito's Old Town. This is where the equator line meets the prime meridian and the coordinates indicate point 0° 0’ 0”. The trip will end with a visit to the Teleferico (Cable car) which is located at the eastern end of the city at the height of the boundary between the north and center of Quito and enjoy the most incredible view of the city.

Today enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to the airport in Quito. The airport is located in the town of Tababela, about 43 km from Quito and will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to arrive. Today you will fly from Quito to Baltra Island. Your arrival will occur about midday (local time) where the tour guide will be waiting for you with a signboard with the name of the M/C Ecogalaxy at the lobby. First, you need to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee ( $100 per person, in cash). Your baggage will be taken care of by one of the crew members who will transport them directly to the yacht. The Captain and crew will welcome you with a drink and escort you to your cabin. After enjoying lunch, the tour guide will give you a short explanation about the afternoon activities.

In the afternoon enjoy going on a walk on the Isla Lobos (Lobos Island), a small islet separated from the main Island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue footed boobies nest and sea lions rest. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty. Tonight enjoy spending the night on the amazing EcoGalaxy Catamaran (Standard Cabin).

Today after enjoying breakfast, the Yacht will make a wet landing on Santa Fe Island which was formed from an ocean floor uplift and not a volcanic eruption, and thus its mostly flat shape. The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is extremely picturesque, where you can visit two different trails. One which will lead you to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where you will find land iguanas, endemic to the island. The other trail is near the beach and is a short circular trail where you will find another colony of land iguanas. A particular attraction  of the unusually tall forest prickly cactus.

You will then return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to South Plaza, where we make a dry landing on the pier of the island to enjoy the antics of the sea lions. A walk through a cactus forest will allow you to observe land iguanas and many species of tropical birds.  You will then return to the yacht to eat dinner and enjoy some relaxation time.

Today enjoy visiting Seymour Island which formed by the lifting of volcanic marine lava. Marine fossils dating back to the Pleistocene period are found on this island. In 1932, Captain Alan Hancock and his crew took 72 malnourished land iguanas from Baltra Island to North Seymour Island to help the iguanas live in better conditions. The vegetation of North Seymour is bushy and it host the largest nesting colony of Great frigate birds in the Galapagos.

Mosquera Island is located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions and is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on this island therefore visitors can enjoy the open area. Most of the island is covered with sand and barren lava rock. We will then make our way back to the yacht to have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening. 

Today after enjoying breakfast we will visit Genovesa Island. This bay originated when the crater of the island collapsed below sea level. The wet landing (jumping from the panga to the shallow waters of the shore) is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This is a favorite island for birdwatchers to get the opportunity to see red footed-boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned, and black-crowned lava herons, and yellow warblers can usually be seen in the area.

Continuing on the trail, you will climb to the edge of the cliff to see red footed-boobies nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Bird watching includes sightings of sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves, and swallow-tailed gulls. The trail is made of volcanic rock and has a length of 1.5 km and will take approximately two hours to walk it. The youngest area of the island from a geological point of view, is found here. We will then make our way back to the yacht to have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening. 

Today enjoy visiting the enchanted island of Santa Cruz known for finding the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. A memorable experience! 

Here is where this amazing voyage ends and a private transfer will be waiting for you to take you to the airport. You will fly from Baltra Island to Quito.  On your arrival your private transfer will be waiting for you with a sign and your name on it. The airport is located in the town of Tababela, about 43 km from Quito and will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to arrive to your hotel. Enjoy spending your night at the beautiful Patio Andaluz Hotel.

Today you will enjoy a private transfer from your hotel in Quito to the airport. The airport is located in the town of Tababela, about 43 km from Quito and will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to arrive.