Peru and Galapagos Cruise

You are met by our staff at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Miraflores, where we will give you information about Peru and your tour and also answer any question you may have. Miraflores is a safe area by the coast where the best hotels and restaurants are situated.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Arequipa (The white city), maybe the most beautiful city in Peru, where we will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel. Rest and relax in the morning to get used to the altitude. In the afternoon we pick you up for a city tour of Arequipa where you will visit the Chilina valley and the old San Lorenzo district. You will get a nice view of the city and you will visit the Main Square and the Cathedral as well as the extraordinary Santa Catalina Monastery which is built of volcanic lava and dated back to the 16th century. You will end the day with a visit to Juanita, the best preserved mummy in the whole Americas, which was found in 1995 during an expedition high up in the mountains.
(In Arequipa you may also enjoy yourself with river rafting, mountain biking, trekking, and other adventure activities. Let us know if you want to add a day or two).

In the morning we will pick you up at the hotel for a two days Colca Canyon tour. You travel towards the hot springs of Yura, passing the volcano Chachani and then further up to the natural reserve of Pampa de Cañahuas, where you will see groups of llamas and alpacas. In the wetlands of Tocra you can see lots of various migratory birds, including flamingos. We pass the crater of an extinct volcano (Cuchura), and make a stop at the highest point of the trip, Patapampa, (4,910 m), where you will have spectacular views of the Andean mountains. Then starts the descent to the Colca Valley where you will arrive in Chivay, the main-village in the Valley. You are accommodated in your hotel and are then having a free afternoon to discover the Colca Valley district and maybe visit the hot springs for a nice bath. In the evening you may enjoy a delicious dinner in a restaurant with folkloric show and local dances.

After an early breakfast, we head further into the Valley towards the deep ravine, Cruz del Condor, where the condors mostly are seen. The view from this place is amazing and you’ll also stop by several times during the journey to admire the Colca Canyon. The condors can have a wingspan of over three meters and in the morning they take advantage of the warm upwind from the gap to be able to sail out from the cliffs in search of food. After a walking tour along Colca Canyon, it is time to return to Chivay. On the way, we stop in the picturesque villages of Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, with beautiful colonial churches and at the viewpoints of Choquetico and Antahuilque, where you will experience beautiful views over terraces in the valley as well as Inca and pre-Inca graves. On return to Chivay, you will then travel by bus to Puno (approximately 6 hours with breaks for sight-seeing). We will meet you at the bus terminal for transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, you are picked up for your guided tour of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. On the first stop, you will visit the floating reed islands of Uros. The inhabitants will show you how the islands are built and you may go for a short trip in one of their reed boats. Then you go to Taquile, a truly beautiful island where the locals live as they have been doing during centuries with their small scale agriculture and animals. You walk around on the island with the guide and after lunch, it is time to go back to Puno where you will arrive late afternoon and get transferred to your hotel.
(It is possible to stay overnight on the island in a family´s home. This is a very nice and special experience which we really recommend, keep in mind that the houses are very rustic though).

Early transfer to the bus station for your tour with a comfortable tourist bus to Cusco. You travel across the Andean highlands in a very beautiful landscape, and make several stops on the way to visit museums, ancient Inca ruins, markets and small villages. A stop for lunch is also made at La Raya, 4310 m above sea level. The journey takes about 9 hours, but it never becomes tedious thanks to all interesting stops along the way. Late in the afternoon you arrive in Cusco, the Inca Empire’s old capital. We meet you at the bus terminal for transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy a morning to sleep a little longer or explore Cusco on your own. After lunch you will be picked up for a guided tour in Cusco and its surroundings, with visits to the four famous Inca ruins which lies in the outskirts of Cusco; the water temple of Tambo Machay, the Puca Pucara fortress, the oracle place Quengo and the impressive fortress and temple of Sacsayhuamán. Three enormous boulders, each one weighs 120 tons, are making three perfect zig-zag walls and the view of Cusco from this place is wonderful. You will finish the day with a walking tour in the center of Cusco with visits to the Cathedral, the Main Square and the Sun Temple of Korikancha.

Today, you have a fulll day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You start by visiting Pisac founded during the colonial period to see interesting ruins from the Inca era. The market on the main square is where the native Americans sell their products and crafts which are very well known and loved by visitors. After lunch you will visit Ollantaytambo, the only place the Spanish conquerors never managed to capture. The ruins are up on a hill just outside the village. Ollantaytambo is close to the start of the Inca trail and therefore we spend the night in the village. In the evening you may explore the village and surroundings on your own, or rest for the upcoming four days trek.

You will be picked up from the hotel in Ollantaytambo and provided with equipment, food, and porters for the four days trek. When all preparations are made we continue with a short ride to Piskacucho situated 2700 meters above sea level.
We start the trek with crossing the river Urubamba on the Piskacuchobridge and continue through easy terrain until we reach the village of Miskay (alt. 2750 m) for a break and a quick rest. The terrain gets a bit steeper until we reach a plateau with a spectacular view over the Inca ruins of Patallacta. The trek continues about two hours to the next break where we have lunch and rest before the last two hours of today’s trek. On the last part, you will enjoy amazing views over the mountain range Vilcanota and the snowy peak of Mount Veronica before you reach Wayllabamba (alt. 3000m). Here dinner will be served and you set camp for the night.

The second day of the Inca Trail is the toughest one. After an early wake up and breakfast you will start with hiking 9 km (5,6 miles) uphill, surrounded by lush vegetation and small streams. The altitude makes the trek hard for people not used to it and it is important that you take your time with many shorter breaks to not get exhausted. When we reach Llulluchapampa we will take a longer break to gather strength to climb the highest and most famous pass on the Inca trail, Abra Warmihuaña or Dead Woman’s pass (alt. 4200m). The climb will take about 2 hours. At the pass we relax for a while to enjoy the view and take photos. The final part of today’s hike is a 2,5 km (1,5 miles) winding path downhill through a valley with rich animal life. Lunch will be served during the hike. Time and place will be decided depending on how the group feels. The goal for todays´ adventure is the valley of Pacamayo at the altitude of 3600 meters where you get a well-deserved rest and dinner, before going to sleep in your tents.

Day 3 you will walk 15 km (9,4 miles) along an archeologically rich trail with beautiful scenery. We start the day with going up to the Runkurakay pass at 3970 meters above sea level. Halfway through the pass you will encounter the ruins of Runkurakay, an old Inca watch-house with spectacular views over a large area. During the day you will have many opportunities to catch your breath to stunning views over the mountain ranges Vilcabamba, Pumasillo and the ruins of Sayacmarca (alt. 3624m). We continue through forests and the last ascending part for today until we reach the pass Abra de Phuyupatamarca at 3700 meters. The hike goes down to the Inca town Phuyupatamarca. This ruin is called the “Town above the Clouds” and is surrounded by Inca terraces consisting of sophisticated watering systems. By sunset, you will reach the ruins of Wiñaywayna, or “Forever Young”. This is believed to have been a center where water was worshipped. Flower enthusiasts will be pleased to see the pink orchids in addition to learning about the ruin. Very close by is the campsite where you can find hot showers and a restaurant. Tonight you will say goodbye to the cook and the porters who will leave early the next morning on the train back to Cuzco.

After an early breakfast we leave the camp at 5 am for today’s adventure. We want to reach Inti Punko, or the Sun Gate at 6 am to catch the amazing sunrise. You will see the sunlight dispel the morning mist and the ruins of Machu Picchu appear in the light. It is a magical sight that will leave a mark in your memory forever. After you seen the ruins from above it is time to walk down and explore them from the inside. We start with a two-hour guided tour and then you have plenty of time to explore them on your own. For those who still feel strong after the trek one alternative is to climb the peak of Huayna Picchu. From the top you have a spectacular view over Machu Picchu. The climb is hard and requires good physical condition. If you are up for the challenge it is recommended to make the reservation early. Only 400 persons per day are allowed to climb.
In the afternoon you will travel back to Cusco by train and we transfer you to your hotel.

Today your adventure continues with white-water rafting in The Sacred Valley. After you have eaten a strengthening breakfast we pick you up at nine o’clock and take you to ”Adventure Center”, where you will spend about two hours on the river. Thereafter lunch is served in the village of Hachicata, and a moment of rest. Next part of the river is a bit more difficult and after that, we move to Calca to try out the rapids there. Finally, we go down the most difficult part of the river in Huarán. The rapids you will go down are graded II, III, and IV in difficult level. Hopefully happy and not to wet, we drive you back to your hotel where you arrive at around 6 pm.

After breakfast we pick you up at the hotel got s transfer to the airport in Cusco and your flight to Puerto Maldonado. There you will be welcomed at the airport Padre Almirez International Airport by your guide, he will be by your side throughout the whole visit in the jungle. First he takes you to the local office in Puerto Maldonado to get your ”Official Waterway Permits”. In the Office there is a possibility to leave luggage that you don’t need during your jungle visit. While you are waiting you can visit Grau square in Puerto Maldonado and take photos of where the rivers Madre de Dios and Tambopata unites. When the permits are done you board a typical Amazon River boat at ”Capitania Port” with your jungle lodge as destination. The ride on the Madre de Dios River will take about 40 minutes.
On arrival at Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge you will be warmly received with a welcome drink and checked in to your bungalow before you enjoy lunch. The restaurant at the lodge is well known for its tasty cuisine served in an artistic way, prepared by the lodges’ French chef.After lunch you have time to rest a little in hammocks outdoors, in your bungalow, or perhaps take a refreshing swim in the pool.

At 3:30pm is it time for your first hike and contact with the jungle. During the trip you will see and experience a big variation of tropical trees, medicinal herbs, insects, butterflies and wild animals. On the way back you will stop at an observation tower where you can see, toucans, macaws and other bird species before we reach the lodge again to enjoy the magical sunset in the jungle. The excursion takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. After the hike you have some time to relax. Some ideas are a refreshing swim in the pool, an exotic drink at the terrace bar or just sit down under a palm or a mango tree to admire the sunset.
Around 7pm, before dinner is served, you take an evening trip in a boat, a small safari where we hope you will see the white caiman crocodiles that are on the river banks.
After the tasteful dinner those who want can relax in our sofas or meet new international friends in the bar. You can also enjoy swimming in the pool (with a bar) under the Amazon sky with the constellation of ”the Southern Cross” among others.

We start the day at 5:30 am with a 20-minute morning walk until we reach a ”parrot clay lick”. Here are a variety of bird species (parrots) that eat a special kind of clay that is important for their metabolism. It is a fantastic and exotic variety of colors of the various species of parrots.
At 8 am it is time for breakfast and some free time where our advice is to explore the exquisite gardens of Corto Maltes Amazonia with its large variety of exotic plants and flowers.
Once again we go out on the Madre de Dios River at 10:30, this time with the destination Monkey Island. As the name hints, we will here see the entertaining monkeys in their natural habitat. After visiting the monkeys we get on the boat again for a 30 minute ride to Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve. We make a walk of about 5 km through the dense vegetation of the tropical rainforest and see giant trees, snakes, monkeys, birds and in some cases, the very shy Jaguar may be seen here.
Our next destination is the Heavenly Sandoval Lake which, because of its favorable location hosts a large number of different animal species: birds (particularly the hoatzin, kingfisher, cormorant), different types of monkeys (squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys). In the Lake, we can see the giant otter, black caimans, piranhas, and sometimes even have the good fortune to see an anaconda at the surfaces covered with reeds. This is also the residence of the great arapaima; a fish that can be more than 2.5 meters long and weigh over 200 kg. On the way back to the lodge you can see various species of nocturnal animals.
We arrive at about 8pm and after an active day in the Amazon jungle, you get some well-deserved rest and food. You will be served dinner with exotic taste and dessert in the same spirit. If you still have some energy left you can relax with some music and a drink in the bar or chill out in a hammock and listen to the sound of the rainforest. The lodge also offers qualified massages.

After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to chefs and other staff on Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge. Your guide will take you back to the office to pick up your left luggage. Before take-off we visit the local market where we find the region’s special food products, in particular a variety of exotic fruit from the Amazon. In time for your flight departure our staff takes you to the airport and we hope you had a pleasant and exciting stay in this remote corner of Peru.
Back in Lima we pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hotel in Miraflores. You have then the afternoon and evening free to spend according to your own wishes.

You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast for transfer to the airport in Lima, where your flight to Quito departs. We meet you at the airport in Quito and take you to the hotel. During the day you will have a city tour where you will visit most of the famous places in the city and its surroundings. The evening is free for your own choices.

You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast for transfer to the airport in Lima, where your flight to Quito departs. We meet you at the airport in Quito and take you to the hotel. During the day you will have a city tour where you will visit most of the famous places in the city and its surroundings. The evening is free for your own choices.

You are picked up early in the morning for transfer to the airport in Quito and your flight to the Galapagos Islands, where the motor yacht Galapagos Galaxy is waiting for your with great comfort and all included.

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
San Cristobal airport. Reception at airport. Transfer in. On board M/Y Galapagos Galaxy you will be served a welcome drink and lunch

PM LOBOS ISLAND.
Panga Ride, swimming and snorkeling. This place is the habitat of seals, frigates, finches, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the small endemic Galapagos snake. Here, we can swim and snorkel in the same place.
Leon Dormido: is formed by two rocks of approximately 148m above sea level named thus because of its similarity with a lion. We will pass between both rocks but it is not possible to disembark.

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND
Breakfast early in the morning. Thereafter our first visit is BAHIA GARDNER: wet landing, activities for this visit: short walks, swimming, snorkeling and observation of seal colonies.
The sea-lion is one of the animals in Galapagos which gets the total attention of the visitors in the Galapagos. They are curious and playful, but at times aggressive; they are nice and loving, but also lazy. In Gardner Bay we are going to find many of them relaxing on the beach enjoying the sun. We will be snorkeling in the area where we will be able to swim with the sea-lions and observe these fascinating animals at close range. We will also swim with the sea turtles, a diversity of tropical fishes, marine iguanas, etc. We will then return to the ship to sail towards the next island. Lunch.

SUAREZ POINT: Dry landing. Activities in this place: walking, (recommendable clothes: sports shoes, hat, cap, solar lotion).
There is no color more amazing and outstanding on this tropical desert island than that of the blue-footed boobies. They have an impressive way of ”greeting” and it is a real spectacle to watch the ritual parade of these birds. On several islands, we can admire this bird as the nests and feed are located in places close to the coast. In this place, we will also be able to observe the Albatross with a weight of three to four kg and a wing-spread of more than two meters. This aristocratic bird is one of the biggest birds on the islands. About twelve thousand couples have their nests in Española Island. This species is considered endemic to this island and during our walk, we will be able to observe these fantastic birds. We will be a part of the beautiful landscape this island offers. Important Note: Albatross will be not possible to be seen between January and March. We also will observe colonies of marine iguanas, zayapas, mask boobies, finches, Española cucuves and seagulls unique of this island. Our walk will take place on lava rock paths where we will be able to admire the hollow blowers. The vegetation of this island is of red mangrove. Delicious snacks and fresh beverages will be served.

FLOREANA ISLAND

Breakfast early in the morning. Our first visit will be POST OFFICE BAY: Wet landing. Activities in this place: short walks, swimming, snorkeling. Description of the place: it is situated to the north on Floreana Island. The Post Office Bay name is because of Capitan James Colnett, who installed an empty ron barrel, to use it as a post office for the whaling fleets that frequented the islands for a long time. You may send some postcards from here to your friends and relatives. Lunch will be served.

PUNTA CORMORANT: wet landing, snorkeling, and short trekking. This place is located in the west part of Floreana Island and it is famous for a dark green beach due to the great number of olivine crystals. You can see many sea lions, sea iguanas, frigates and pelicans. Second visit: DEVIL´S CROWN: Activities in this place: panga ride and swimming. Here, we will find a group of rocks that look like a crown, due to the constant erosion caused by the sea. It is one of the better places to do snorkeling, close to and around the crown, excellent visibility to admire a great variety of fishes and sea animals.

SANTA FE ISLAND AND SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND

SANTA FE: Wet landing. Activities for this day: hiking, swimming and snorkeling. Description of this place: with 24 Km2 and 60 meters height above sea level, it is a central island which is an unique place to visit; an incredible bay with turquoise water protected by a natural barrier of rocks from where you can enjoy colonies of seals and hawks flying over. It is also home of one of the two species of land iguanas of the islands, their main food are the leaves and fruits of the large and thick cactus. Crabs, nocturnal herons, marine iguanas, cucuves and land doves are seen frequently. The Bay is an excellent place to swim and do snorkeling. Marine turtles, rays, sea lions and tropical fishes are amazing attractions. Snacks and refreshing beverages are served on board. Lunch. Navigation towards South Plazas Island.

SOUTH PLAZAS are two small islands, created by land uplift where land iguanas are known to be smaller than normal, they nest during the warm time of the year. The hike goes along an extraordinary cliff where sea birds nest.
Approximately there are 1000 sea lions on this island (Zalophus wollebaeki) and they are located on the south side of the Plazas.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

We eat our breakfast very early in the morning. Our luggage and all our belongings are to be ready to check out from the ship. Our last visit: ESTACION CHARLES DARWIN.
Charles Darwin Station is located in the Main Port of the Santa Cruz Island, and we will go by our private bus to take us to the entrance of the center of turtle breeding where we will enjoy turtles and land iguanas in captivity. This center is the main site of breeding on the islands. Animals that were in danger of extinction on the different islands are maintained in captivity and thanks to dedicated work of several institutions some species are saved. Here was where the most famous turtle ”Solitary George” ,the last survivor on the species of Pinta Island, lived. Transfer out.

After the visit we will go to the airport for check-in to your flight back to Quito.
Depending on when your international flight leaves from Quito, you eithercatch your flight the same day, or stay one night on a hotel in Quito until the next day to fly home.