22 Day Galapagos & Peru DEAL HIGHLIGHTS Experience The
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22 Day Galapagos & Peru DEAL HIGHLIGHTS Experience the incredible Galapagos Islands Visit Machu Picchu, Cusco, Santa Cruz & More Includes Return International Flights SUMMARY Galapagos, an archipelago like nothing you will see anywhere else in this world. The wildlife, volcanic landscapes and exotic plant life are everything you imagine and more. Combined with a tour visiting Peruvian icons such as Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, you have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will surprise, delight and inspire for many years to come. This epic 22 day adventure takes in the 15th century Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, and includes time to explore the cities of Lima and Cusco at leisure. Tour the Sacred Valley and the ruins of Pisac; visit Lake Titicaca and sail to Taquile Island; and get a taste of daily life on a traditional homestay on Luquina Island. Then, enjoy a five night adventure in the Galapagos Islands, where you can snorkel in Academy Bay, and explore Santa Cruz, Isla Lobos and San Cristobal. Package includes return international flights, five internal flights, 19 nights accommodation, return airport transfers, and more. Curious about seeing ‘the middle of the world’? Why not upgrade to the 28 day package with mainland Ecuador extension and experience highlights such as the Mindo Cloud Forest. ITINERARY 22 Day Galapagos & Peru Day 1 Australia - Lima, Peru Today, depart from Sydney to Lima, Peru via Santiago. Fly with LATAM Airlines, Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand and codeshare partners (subject to availability). Upon arrival into Lima, a representative will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro or similar, Lima Meals included: In-Flight Day 2 Lima City Tour After breakfast enjoy a city tour and visit key sites of Lima, including Huaca Pucllana, colonial buildings such as the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the Central Bank Museum. Afterwards return to the accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro or similar, Lima Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Lima - Cusco This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Be met upon arrival at Cusco airport and be transferred to your hotel. Take the remainder of the day to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Cusco Free Day After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at leisure or join an optional half day city tour. Optional Half Day Cusco Tour This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your half day city tour (not included). Firstly you will visit the exquisite architectural feats of the ancient Koricancha Temple. Continuing onwards to the Main Cathedral (not included) where the first stone was placed in the construction of this magnificent cathedral in 1560. It is a marvel of religious art and home to approximately 300 paintings from the Cusquena School of Art. Afterwards, continue to the archaeological complex of Saqsayhuaman. You will then visit the labyrinth of Q'enqo which is a religious centre dedicated to the adoration of the Earth, and Puca Pucara (reddish place) that was previously used as a military control centre. Complete the tour seeing Tambomachay (Temple of the Water) an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, consisting of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls (not included). Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel accommodation with the evening at leisure. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Cusco - Sacred Valley Tour - Urubamba This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and travel from Cusco, past Saqsaywaman over the mountains towards the Sacred Valley. Here you will descend 1500 feet to the valley floor, and find yourselves by the sacred Urubamba River and the village of Pisac (approx. 1 hour). In Pisac, enjoy a quick visit to a traditional artisan market, where you can browse and buy some local souvenirs if desired. Afterwards, drive up to Pisac where you can explore the extensive ruins whilst enjoying stunning views over the valley. Here you will be given a guided tour of the Citadel of Pisac, in which you will see the ruins of temples, homes, altars, carvings, tunnels, caves and the famous Intihuatana, "The hitching post of the sun". Intihuatana, the place when the sun gets tied, is a religious construction and used like a clock to measure when it was time to celebrate the winter solstice, one of the most important celebrations and rituals of the entire ancient Incan empire. For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, please advise your guide so they can organize a time and place to collect you when returning past the market. Afterwards continue onwards to Urubamba (approx. 1 hour), where you will make a stop for lunch (not included). A short drive onwards takes us to Ollantaytambo, which is surrounded by the sacred mountains. Here, you will enjoy further exposure to Incan constructions, mainly the amazing temple of the sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved, stone water fountains, stairs and terraces. See the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress. Afterwards return to Urubamba where you will check into your accommodation. Overnight: San Agustin Hotel or similar, Urubamba Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Urubamba - Aguas Calientes This morning after breakfast transfer to Ollantaytambo train station (approx. 30 mins) to board a train for Aguas Calientes (approx. 1.5 hours), a beautiful thermal town down the valley from the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel accommodation. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard, Aguas Calientes or similar, Machu Picchu Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Grand Citadel Machu Picchu - Cusco After an early breakfast a local guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin the short bus journey to the gates of Machu Picchu where you may have the opportunity (weather permitting) to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises of your life (approx. 40 minutes). After entering the Citadel you will begin a guided walking tour (approx. 2 hours) where you will be taught about the history of the area and shown around the ruins. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore this mysterious ancient city at leisure. This afternoon, meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Be transferred to the train station and begin the journey back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo. (approx. 3.5 hour train journey). Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Cusco Free Day Today enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore this beautiful mountain city at your own leisure. Overnight: Ramada Costa Del Sol or similar, Cusco Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Cusco - Pukara - Puno This morning rise early for breakfast and transfer to the bus station to travel onwards to Puno. This is a great bus trip on a modern vehicle stopping at several interesting sites along the way such as Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple), an Incan church of monumental dimensions and La Raya: the half-way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). Along the way enjoy a rest stop and delicious buffet lunch in the town of Sicuani. The landscapes along this route are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuna are common sights. Upon arrival at the bus station in Puno, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will meet your guide who will welcome you and provide you with some extra information for the following days activities. Please note: the bus transportation includes WiFi, food and drink services on board, entertainment options, guided narration in English and Spanish, leather seats with wide leg rests, individual tables and air conditioning. Buses do not have toilets onboard, but this journey includes stops approximately every hour to allow for this. Overnight: Casa Andina Classic or similar, Puno Tikarani Meals included: Breakfast;Lunch Day 10 Puno - Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands - Traditional Homestay After breakfast this morning, transfer from the hotel to the port of Puno where you will board a motorboat for the unique floating Uros Islands located 25 minutes from the port of Puno. The islands have been created entirely with the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. Partially edible (tasting like non sweet sugarcane), the reeds are also used to build homes, boats and crafts. The islands are constructed from many layers of the totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom, so the ground is always soft and springy. You will visit two different islands and your guide will explain a little about the history and lifestyle of the people who have lived here for many years. You will have the opportunity to visit some of their homes to learn a little about their lifestyle. Afterwards enjoy sailing to Taquile Island (approx. 2 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 importance of community and family is still very strong. When you reach the island, take the opportunity to walk up a path, enjoying impressive views of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy some free time to explore the island at your own and afterwards come together for lunch at a local restaurant.