Inca Kingdom and Galapagos 13 days.
Price per person from: $ 3 800:-
Explore the long history of the Inca kingdom and enjoy the wonderful nature around the fabulous Galapagos Islands. Our tour starts in Lima, Peru where we visit the cities most famous sights. We then continue up into the Andes Mountains to the old capital of the Incas – Cusco. Here you can clearly see the mixture of old and new and the traces left behind by the Spanish conquistadors.
We take a tour through the Sacred valley before we visit the most known of all the Inca kingdoms sights – the legendary Machu Picchu!
Our tour then takes us to Ecuador and the capital Quito where you can stand with one foot on each side of the equator. The tour ends with a visit to the wonderful archipelago of Galapagos, where we take a cruise around the island and see birds, iguanas and not to forget the giant torties!
This tour is suitable both for persons interested in history and nature!
Tip! You can take a longer tour around the Galapagos Islands or a beach stay along Ecuadors west coast! Contact us for ideas.
This is included:
Domestic flight Lima – Cusco. Local flight Cusco – Quito / Quito – Galapagos / Galapagos – Guayaquil.
All transfers.
9 nights in a standard class hotel. (It’s possible to upgrade to comfort class)
3 nights in a cabin on a standard class ship. (It’s possible to upgrade to superior or first class)
Bilingual guide (English / Spanish) for excursions and transfers.
Private city tour in Lima.
City tour in Cusco.
2 days tour to the sacred valley including Machu Picchu.
City tour in Quito.
4 days cruise around the Galapagos Islands.
Meals according to program.
Travel guarantee via Swedish Kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Day 1: Arrival to Lima.
At the arrival to Limas international airport you are met by a representative and are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own.
Day 2: Lima.
Today we take a private city tour in Lima where we see the splendid Plaza Mayor, and the impressive Cathedral. We then continue to the San Francisco monastery where we visit the catacombs.
The afternoon is free to spend on your own. Explore Miraflores or visit one of the city’s many museums. (B)
Day 3: Lima – Cusco.
After breakfast we get transfer to the airport to fly to Cusco located on an elevation of 3 600 meters in the Andes mountains. At the arrival we are transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend on your own and to acclimatize. Remember that the air is thinner at this altitude so walk slowly and drink plenty of water until you are acclimatized. (B)
Day 4: Cusco.
The morning is free to spend on your own.
In the afternoon we take a city tour in this metroplex where we can see lots of buildings from both Inca and colonial times. We visit the Santa Domingo Cathedral and the Inca Indians famous sun temple – Koricacha.
We then take a car/minivan up in the mountains that surround Cusco to visit the Inca sights of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. Ask your guide about the city’s long history or any questions you may have about Peru. (B)
Day 5: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast we take the bus out into the sacred valley. Our first stop is to Pisac where we visit the archeological site and then spend time at the city market. We continue to Urubamba for lunch before coming to Ollantaytambo. Here the Incas made their last stand in their defense against the Spanish conquistadors. We then take the train to Aguas Calientes. The little town located below the ruins of Machu Picchu. (B,L)
Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco.
We rise early to take the bus up to Machu Picchus entrance. The lost city of the Incas which was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham is beautifully located in the cloud forest on top of a mountain. We take a 2 hours guided tour of the citadel where we learn about the interesting past of Machu Picchu. After the tour you might get some time to walk around on your own. Please co-ordinate this with your local guide.
Tip! If you are looking for an adventure you can climb the Huayana Picchu mountain. Not included in your tour and have to be pre ordered. Contact us for more information.
When we return to Aguas Calientes you have lunch on your own. Then we take the train back to Cusco. Please note! Some trains stop in Ollantaytambo and from there you are transferred by bus back to Cusco. (B)
Day 7: Cusco – Quito.
We take a transfer to the airport to fly to Quito in Ecuador. At the arrival we get transfer to our hotel. (B)
Day 8: Quito.
Today we take a city tour in Quito with its surrounding area. Our guide will tell us all about Ecuadors and Quitos long history and about the Inca kingdom and the Spanish invasion. The tour starts in the old city center with its many buildings from Colonial times. We see the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop Palace, the Municipal Building (City-Hall) and churches like Metropolitan Cathedral and The Jesuit church of La Compañia de Jesús.
We then continue up to Panecillo Hill with the statue La Virgen de Quito (Virgin of Quito) which is 41 meters high. From here you have a wonderful view over Quito and the surrounding area with the snow-covered volcanos. Our last visit goes to the ”Middle of the world” located about 45 minutes north of Quito. This is the place where French scientists decided in the 1730s the position of the Equator. Here you are standing with one foot on the northern side of the world and one on the southern! (B)
Day 9: Quito – Galapagos – North Seymour.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight out to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Seymour Ecological Airport, a check-up is carried out first, to ensure that no foreign plant or animal species are introduced into the islands. Furthermore, your TCC (Transit Control Card) is stamped; this must be kept safe during your trip, as it has to be presented again on your return flight. In addition, entrance to the Galapagos National Park is due for entry (US $100). Your guide will meet you at the airport, assist you with the luggage, and accompany you on the short bus ride to the harbor of Puerto Ayora. Here you will climb aboard the M/Y Aqua! After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch on-board.
After lunch we set sail for the first visit on this journey North Seymour. This islet is one of most visited sites, and it is teeming with birdlife. An easy circular path takes you through the archipelago’s most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. At the beginning of the breeding season, adult frigate bird-males blow up their vivid red pouches to impressive football-sized balloons. This is one of the few spots where you can compare the magnificent and the great frigate bird breeding next to each other. (B,L,D)
Day 10: South Plazas and Santa Fe.
South Plaza is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives found on other islands. There are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana; they are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The large population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
We then continue to Santa Fe. Located in the south-eastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being of volcanic origin, which is why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which claim that this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands iguanas of the islands.
After disembarking into the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail, many salt bushes can be seen as well as the giant prickly pear cactus – gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are many possibilities to snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Española and Cormorant Point.
Today we are going to visit the giant turtles! Our tour starts at the information booth at Fausto Llerena where we learn about the difference between the turtles here at Española island and the other islands. We walk to the Van Straelen interpretation center where we can study the breeding project and see the animals up close. At the end of the tour we visit the exhibit area where you can take a picture together with the turtles.
During the afternoon we visit Cormorant Point located on the northern tip of Floreana. Floreana, was formed from smaller volcanic cones and is covered by tropical dry forest (palo santo). At the landing beach, you will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. The green sand on this beach contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals which have been blown out by the surrounding tuff cones. The ‘flour sand’ beach on the southern side of the peninsula is made up of even finer white coral sand which feels very smooth on the feet. Parrotfish have pulverized it, grinding the calcareous skeletons of living coral. You can spot schools of stingrays who love the sandy bottom to hide themselves. During the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury their eggs. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Dragon Hill – Baltra – Guayaquil.
Dragon Hill boasts two key-species which are very likely to be seen during every visit to the Galapagos, though not too commonly distributed throughout the islands: Galapagos land iguanas and American flamingos. You will climb a hill with giant opuntia cacti where these ‘dragons’ feed and breed. Although they are quite shy and elusive, you stand a fair chance of seeing the success of this project with your own eyes.
The short walk crosses the coastal vegetation zone, as well as the somewhat higher arid zone with vulnerable tropical dry forest. In the warm and wet season in the first half of the year everything turns green. Evergreen giant prickly pear cacti with internal reservoirs used a different survival tactic in this dry climate to the leaf dropping palo santo trees; in the end both were successful. Moreover, this is a very photogenic spot as well, with breathtaking panoramas over the bay and towards an intriguing steep volcanic spout of red lava that overlooks the area. Dragon Hill has become popular because of its saline lagoons behind the beach; these contain algae and shrimp and attract seasonally foraging American flamingos. Dragon Hill is the best location on Santa Cruz to observe them.
We are then transferred to the airport to leave the Galapagos Island and to fly to Guayaquil. At the arrival to Guayaquil we are transferred to our hotel. (B)
Day 13: Departure.
The day is free to spend on your own until it is time to go to the airport to for your journey back home or onward journey. (B)
This is not included:
International flight. (Can be bought on your own or via us)
Entrance fee to the Galapagos national park (about $ 100 which is to be paid in cash at arrival)
Transit control card (about $ 20 which is to be paid in cash at arrival)
Meals not mentioned in the program.
Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. (to be paid in cash)
Tip.
Wetsuit.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
Please observe! The Galapagos Islands are a national park and consideration is shown to the animals and their movements. Changes can occur in the programs not to disturb the animal’s natural habitats. Should any visit during the tour not be possible to execute you will be offered another visit.
Please observe that above day to day presentation is an example of a 4 days cruise. There are many boats that traffic the Galapagos islands and all of them don’t do the exact same tour. When sending in a travel request you will get the program which will apply to your tour. If you have any special requests on what you’d like to see/which animals, please tell us and we will together find the best tour for you!
The price above is an example of a tour. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies and increased flight taxes.
