20-DAY GALAPAGOS ISLANDS & PERU DISCOVERY

Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.

Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip.

In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. Once we arrive, we will have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins.

In the afternoon we will head to “La Loberia”, which is home for large Galapagos sea lions. We can spot them launching over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin finches along the beach. In-between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galapagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.

In the morning, we will take a speed boat to Kicker Rock, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of its resemblance. This site is located off the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 feet above the ocean, form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight due to the many tropicbirds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish, such as rainbow fish, and sharks, like hammerhead-, reef- and white tip sharks.

After lunch, we visited Sea Lions Island (Isla de Los Lobos). This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, frolicking, jolly sea lions who will welcome us to their home with open fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

In the morning, we will take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago and the place where the most volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported.

The island is formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf, five of them still active, and therefore the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.

In the afternoon, we will explore the incredible ecosystem and wildlife of the island, enjoying great views of flamingos and marine iguanas in the salt water lagoons, white sand beaches and mangrove forests. This area is filled with birdlife, including American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas.

One of the highlights of today is the Tortoise Breeding Centre, where we will see the giant tortoises in the various stages of development, from eggs to small hatchlings, to juveniles to sub adults. We will also visit the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the ‘50s, when Isabela was used as a penal colony and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad, because of the isolation they experienced.

After dinner we can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Today we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. We will have a fantastic snorkeling experience in its turquoise, crystalline waters, inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions.
Later, we will take a walk to explore the islet beaches, surrounded by mangroves. This is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches made of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.

Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla”, taking surfing lessons, biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel.

Boat ride to the Lava Tunnels time: 1 hour each way.

Snorkeling time: 2 times of 1 hour each.

What to wear today: shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent, buff.

After the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla” or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.

In the morning we will embark on a fast boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will have time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species we met during our adventure, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoise. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful scenery with those lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers and finches on our hike. We can also observe frigatebirds which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake.

We will return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your pace! As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (about 3 ½ miles long), a beautiful white sand beach and nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites swimming or snorkeling. Alternatively, you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as a trip to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island or a scuba-diving day trip, just to mention a few.

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

A representative of Valencia Travel Cusco will be waiting for you at the airport to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores.

Lima city tour: In the mid-morning, you will have a city tour where you will have the opportunity to visit key sites of Lima, including:

• “Huaca Pucllana” (magnificent ceremonial and archeological center).
• The historic center of Lima.
• Colonial buildings (Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, the City Hall).
• The Central bank Museum.
• San Francisco.
• The modern Lima.

After touring the colonial city of Lima, we will rest before traveling to the home of the condor.

After breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport where you will board your flight to Arequipa!

On your arrival to Arequipa, a representative of Valencia Travel Cusco will pick you up and take you to your Hotel. Then you have the opportunity to walk around the white city and its surroundings. The architecture in the historic center is characterized by the prominence of ashlar, the use of which begins in the last third of the s. XVI. This volcanic stone, white or pink, exceptionally soft, lightweight, and weatherproof, emerged as a seismic structural solution.

After breakfast, we will pick you up at 8:00am. Enjoy a bus journey of approximately 4 hours including stops along the way with beautiful landscapes and scenery. You will arrive at the town of Chivay and have time to settle into your hotel. In the afternoon, you can go to the thermal baths, which are 3 km from Chivay. They cost 10 soles per person (not included in the tour price). In the evening, there is a folkloric show with dinner (not included in the tour price).

We will have breakfast around 5.30am and then leave the hotel to go to Cruz Del Condor. This is the point where you can see the depth and beauty of Colca Canyon and where you will hopefully be able to see condors. After this, we head back towards Chivay, visiting a few small villages on the way.

We will have lunch in Chivay in the afternoon and then begin the journey to Puno. Once you arrive in Puno (the folklore capital), we will transfer you to your hotel where you will stay the night.
At night, keep to the main, lit areas. The main street will be obvious and there are many little restaurants there. This would be a good time to buy gifts for your host family on your island trip. Gifts are not obligatory but recommended. Suggested gifts are; 1 kilo of sugar, 1 kilo of rice, and a bottle of oil. Practical items such as these are welcome. Please do not take sweets for the children or give your host family money.

After breakfast between 7.00am and 8.00am, we will transfer you from the hotel to the port of Puno where you will board the motor boat to take you first to the floating Uros Islands, which are located 25 minutes from the port of Puno, more of 65 small islands floating living today, but you will visit two. While visiting, the guide will explain a little about their history and lifestyle of the people living on these floating islands for many years, you will also have the opportunity to talk with the people of these islands and visit their homes and learn a little of their lifestyle. You will enjoy one hour of visiting floating around these islands. Afterward we will sail towards “Taquile Island”, which takes approximately two hours. The island is a traditional Quechua-speaking community, full of ancient agricultural terraces and some ruins dating back to the pre-Inca times.

The Taquile population was relatively isolated from the mainland until the 1950s, and the notion of community and family is still very strong among them. The weaving tradition of this Island goes back to early civilizations, thus keeping elements from pre-Inca Andean cultures alive in the present. The most characteristic garments are the “Chullo”, a knitted hat with an earflap; and “The Calendar Waistband”, depicting the annual cycles connected to ritual and agricultural activities. When you reach the island, you walk up along a narrow path, enjoying impressive views of Lake Titicaca and seeing gorgeous little houses inhabited by the direct descendants of the Inca Culture. You will then have free time to explore the Island on your own, and afterwards you will meet the group for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we will go down to the harbor to take a boat to continue with a one-hour boat ride to the peninsula Chucuito. South of the city of Puno is the community of Luquina and Karina located. The remarkable thing about this place is that the tourist field is new, the inhabitants of this place are very willing to receive visitors in their community, and definitely, you will be received directly by the families and they will take you to their homes and spend the night. Karina community has the white sand beach of Lake Titicaca larger and hence we have for you, activities like fishing, and farming.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Today we will enjoy breakfast with our host family, and then we will participate in the local activities provided such as farming, and taste their daily living style. Then we will have lunch, and finally say goodbye to the local family and go down to the harbor to take the boat. Afterward we will sail towards “Puno”, which takes approximately two hours. We will arrive back in Puno at around 5:00pm.

We will pick you up at 7:10am and take you to the bus station to catch the bus to Cusco. The bus trip is more like a tour – it stops at four interesting sites along the way where you have guided tours:

• Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are interesting sculptures and tombs.
• La Raya: This is the halfway point between Cusco and Puno and the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and it is common to see typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña. It is also the geographical border between the two cultures – Quechua and Aymara.
• Sicuani: Enjoy a delicious Buffet lunch in this town.
• Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of monumental dimensions; 100 meters long, 26 meters wide and 14 meters high. The temple is divided into two naves, and each nave has eleven giant columns – huge!
• Andahuaylillas: This is the Sistine chapel of South America: this church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art.

The arrival time to Cusco will be around 5pm.

Optional: Full-day Sacred Valley tour (USD 45 extra cost per person).

You will have breakfast (included) and be picked up from your hotel at 8:00am. This is a full-day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting the colorful Indian market in Pisac where you will be able to appreciate the mixture of color and tradition. You have the opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase hand-made souvenirs. Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley.

The Valley is 31 km/19 mi from Cusco, and at an altitude of 2,970m/9,700 ft. After Pisac we head to Urubamba where we have a delicious buffet lunch at Tunupa restaurant. Then we continue on to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied town on the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire, giving you a feeling of what it would have been like to live during this time.

The last visit will be to the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market, which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end of the tour, we will return you to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco at approximately 6:30pm. The night will be free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice. We always have plenty of restaurant suggestions for you should you require them.

We will pick you up at 8:00am (to be confirmed) and take you to the train station. The train leaves at 11:30am (time may change depending on availability and changes to timetable). After a 3.5-hour journey of majestic views, you arrive at Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs Town) where you will spend the night. There will be plenty of time to relax if you want to have a hot bath in the natural springs! Things to do in Aguas Calientes:

• Visit the Machu Picchu ‘Manuel Chávez Ballón’ museum and orchid exhibition. This is open from 9am to 4.30pm, and is a 35 minute walk down the road from Aguas Calientes to Puente Ruinas. It is a very illustrative museum that gives an interesting introduction to Machu Picchu.
• Thermal baths – 10 soles per person.

You will have breakfast and then your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:40am. You will take the bus up to majestic Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise, and then begin your walking tour (approximately 2 hours) with your guide. After this, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves.

You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (you can get back by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. You will then get the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

P.S: If you desire to climb up the Wayna Picchu Mountain, please request it as soon as you can in order to avoid any disappointment if you miss it. We usually do this at 10:00am.

After breakfast, enjoy the last views of Cusco with the free walking tour. Then we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport where you will take your flight to Lima.

Optional: Free walking tour at 10:00am (time to be confirmed) that will show you various parts of the city of Cusco. We will see the following places:

• Plaza de Armas / Main Plaza, which is home to the main cathedral and colonial houses
• Plaza Nazarenas (with the convent of Nazarenas)
• San Blas neighborhood
• The twelve angles stone
• San Pedro local market