Legacy of the Incas with Galápagos Cruise 2021

Calendar? Astronomy? Alien artwork? None of the above. But the discovery of Peru’s Nazca Lines gave a whole new meaning to drawing a line in the sand. Flightseeing is the best way to see these massive geoglyphs etched into the desert— where the ancient Nazca people likely performed spiritual ceremonies. From the Lost City of the Incas surrounded by the peaks of the Andes to the floating Uros Islands on the highest lake in the world, this vacation to Peru leads you to great heights while also going to greater depths to illuminate its archaeological, historical, and cultural wonders. In addition to two days of exploration at the mysterious and magical ruins of Machu Picchu, you’ll also visit the Sillustani pre-Incan burial ground, cruise to the wildlife paradise of the Ballestas Islands, and frolic through the wonders of colonial and culinary Lima as well as the Inca capital, Cusco.

When satisfying your inner historian, don’t forget your inner naturalist. Cruise around the famed Galápagos archipelago, where you’ll share the shores with every native species from the blue-footed boobies to the pint-size penguin. A meet-and-greet with a colony of sea lions seals the deal on this wondrous extension to your Peru vacation.

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MEALS

ITINERARY

Day 1

Welcome to Lima! Meet your Tour Director upon arrival

Day 2

LIMA Guided sightseeing includes the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, Cathedral, and San Francisco Monastery. Visit and tastings at a [LF] Peruvian food market. Welcome dinner at Casa Garcia Alvarado (one of Lima’s finest historic homes)
Breakfast Dinner

Day 3

LIMA Fly to Cusco. SACRED VALLEY Lakeside lunch followed by an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra (Mother Earth Ceremony) with local shaman. Visit Pisac village and its famous market
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 4

SACRED VALLEY Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit a [LF] local Peruvian home. Scenic ride on the Vistadome train through the Urubamba Valley. MACHU PICCHU Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide. Pisco Sour demonstration and dinner at your nearby hotel
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 5

MACHU PICCHU Second included entrance to Machu Picchu. Afternoon train to the Sacred Valley. Transfer to Cusco. CUSCO Free time this evening
BreakfastLunch

Day 6

CUSCO Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide includes visits to the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Monastery. Inka King greeting and visits to Kenko Amphitheater and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Free time this afternoon before dinner
Breakfast Dinner

Day 7

CUSCO Fly to Juliaca. Scenic drive to the shores of Lake Titicaca
Breakfast Dinner

Day 8

PUNO Scenic boat ride to Taquile and Uros Floating Islands. Guided sightseeing of Lake Titicaca includes a local home visit and lunch
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 9

SILLUSTANI Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide to Sillustani Pre-Incan Burial Ground and a [LF] local home. JULIACA Fly to Lima. LIMA Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 10

LIMA Scenic drive along the Pan-American Highway to the Bay of Paracas. PARACAS Scenic cruise to the Ballestas Islands in search of sea mammals, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. See the huge Candelabro etching on the Paracas Cliffside. PISCO Flightseeing over the 500-BC Nazca Lines (mysterious drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the desert)
Breakfast Dinner

Day 11

PARACAS Scenic drive to Lima. LIMA Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Breakfast Dinner

Day 12

CUSCO Fly to Quito. QUITO Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 13

QUITO Guided sightseeing includes Independence Square, the Cathedral, and San Francisco Plaza Church
Breakfast

Day 14

QUITO Fly to San Cristobal. SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Embark the Seaman Journey for a 4-night cruise. This afternoon, visit the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center with your expert Naturalist and learn about ongoing conservation of the archipelago, its history, ecosystems, flora, and fauna
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 15

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and learn about the island’s giant tortoise population and measures taken to help preserve and breed these endangered species. The center includes a large corral, breeding center, and interpretative trail, where it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds, such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finch, and the Galápagos flycatcher. This afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo, offering beautiful views of Kicker Rock and famous for being the first place Charles Darwin visited in the archipelago. Visit a lagoon, home to many migratory bird species, such as black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and whitecheeked pintails. Also, enjoy snorkeling with the sea lions and other marine life
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 16

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND Join your Naturalist for excursions to Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez on Española Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. Here, you will see the famous blowhole, as well as unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 17

FLOREANA ISLAND Visit Cormorant Point to see a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galápagos. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific sea turtles. Enjoy a chance to snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions, and even white-tipped reef sharks. This afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, named for the wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through. Here, you may also encounter Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards, and take advantage of another chance for great snorkeling
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 18

SANTA CRUZ Visit Charles Darwin Research Station, where the Galápagos giant tortoise breeding program helps preserve the fragile Galápagos environment. Learn how eggs are brought from the nearby Galápagos Islands, incubated artificially until the galápaguitos (little turtles) are born and then at the age of five are returned to their native areas. BALTRA Fly to Guayaquil. GUAYAQUIL Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 19

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast

Day 20

ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU

Day 21

LIMA

Day 22

LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY

Day 23

SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU

Day 24

MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO

Day 25

CUSCO

Day 26

CUSCO–JULIACA–PUNO (LAKE TITICACA)

Day 27

PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA

Day 28

PUNO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–LIMA

Day 29

LIMA–PARACAS. BALLESTAS ISLANDS CRUISE & NAZCA LINES

Day 30

PARACAS–LIMA

Day 31

LIMA–QUITO, ECUADOR

Day 32

QUITO

Day 33

QUITO–SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND (EMBARKATION)–CRUISING

Day 34

CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND

Day 35

CRUISING: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND

Day 36

CRUISING: FLOREANA ISLAND

Day 37

CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ (DISEMBARKATION)–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL

Day 38

GUAYAQUIL

Day 39

BreakfastDinner

Day 40

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 41

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 42

BreakfastLunch

Day 43

BreakfastDinner

Day 44

BreakfastDinner

Day 45

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 46

Breakfast

Day 47

BreakfastDinner

Day 48

BreakfastDinner

Day 49

Breakfast

Day 50

Breakfast

Day 51

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 52

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 53

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 54

BreakfastLunchDinner

Day 55

Breakfast

Day 56

Breakfast

Day 57 ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU.

Welcome to Lima! Meet your Tour Director upon arrival

Day 58 LIMA.

LIMA Guided sightseeing includes the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, Cathedral, and San Francisco Monastery. Visit and tastings at a [LF] Peruvian food market. Welcome dinner at Casa Garcia Alvarado (one of Lima’s finest historic homes)
Breakfast Dinner

Day 59 LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY.

LIMA Fly to Cusco. SACRED VALLEY Lakeside lunch followed by an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra (Mother Earth Ceremony) with local shaman. Visit Pisac village and its famous market
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 60 SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU.

SACRED VALLEY Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit a [LF] local Peruvian home. Scenic ride on the Vistadome train through the Urubamba Valley. MACHU PICCHU Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide. Pisco Sour demonstration and dinner at your nearby hotel
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 61 MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO.

MACHU PICCHU Second included entrance to Machu Picchu. Afternoon train to the Sacred Valley. Transfer to Cusco. CUSCO Free time this evening
BreakfastLunch

Day 62 CUSCO.

CUSCO Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide includes visits to the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Monastery. Inka King greeting and visits to Kenko Amphitheater and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Free time this afternoon before dinner
Breakfast Dinner

Day 63 CUSCO–JULIACA–PUNO (LAKE TITICACA).

CUSCO Fly to Juliaca. Scenic drive to the shores of Lake Titicaca
Breakfast Dinner

Day 64 PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA.

PUNO Scenic boat ride to Taquile and Uros Floating Islands. Guided sightseeing of Lake Titicaca includes a local home visit and lunch
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 65 PUNO–SILLUSTANI–JULIACA–LIMA.

SILLUSTANI Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide to Sillustani Pre-Incan Burial Ground and a [LF] local home. JULIACA Fly to Lima. LIMA Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 66 LIMA–PARACAS. BALLESTAS ISLANDS CRUISE & NAZCA LINES.

LIMA Scenic drive along the Pan-American Highway to the Bay of Paracas. PARACAS Scenic cruise to the Ballestas Islands in search of sea mammals, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. See the huge Candelabro etching on the Paracas Cliffside. PISCO Flightseeing over the 500-BC Nazca Lines (mysterious drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the desert)
Breakfast Dinner

Day 67 PARACAS–LIMA.

PARACAS Scenic drive to Lima. LIMA Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Breakfast Dinner

Day 68 LIMA–QUITO, ECUADOR.

CUSCO Fly to Quito. QUITO Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 69 QUITO.

QUITO Guided sightseeing includes Independence Square, the Cathedral, and San Francisco Plaza Church
Breakfast

Day 70 QUITO–SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND (EMBARKATION)–CRUISING.

QUITO Fly to San Cristobal. SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Embark the Seaman Journey for a 4-night cruise. This afternoon, visit the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center with your expert Naturalist and learn about ongoing conservation of the archipelago, its history, ecosystems, flora, and fauna
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 71 CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND.

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and learn about the island’s giant tortoise population and measures taken to help preserve and breed these endangered species. The center includes a large corral, breeding center, and interpretative trail, where it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds, such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finch, and the Galápagos flycatcher. This afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo, offering beautiful views of Kicker Rock and famous for being the first place Charles Darwin visited in the archipelago. Visit a lagoon, home to many migratory bird species, such as black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and whitecheeked pintails. Also, enjoy snorkeling with the sea lions and other marine life
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 72 CRUISING: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND.

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND Join your Naturalist for excursions to Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez on Española Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. Here, you will see the famous blowhole, as well as unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 73 CRUISING: FLOREANA ISLAND.

FLOREANA ISLAND Visit Cormorant Point to see a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galápagos. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific sea turtles. Enjoy a chance to snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions, and even white-tipped reef sharks. This afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, named for the wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through. Here, you may also encounter Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards, and take advantage of another chance for great snorkeling
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 74 CRUISING: SANTA CRUZ (DISEMBARKATION)–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL.

SANTA CRUZ Visit Charles Darwin Research Station, where the Galápagos giant tortoise breeding program helps preserve the fragile Galápagos environment. Learn how eggs are brought from the nearby Galápagos Islands, incubated artificially until the galápaguitos (little turtles) are born and then at the age of five are returned to their native areas. BALTRA Fly to Guayaquil. GUAYAQUIL Free time this evening
Breakfast

Day 75 GUAYAQUIL.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Accommodations