Mystic Machu Picchu and Glorious Galapagos

May 16-31, 2011 $5299 per person based on double occupancy Airfare to Lima and from Quito upon request - Download Itinerary Once in a lifetime adventure The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu reveals itself 8,200 feet above the Sacred Valley. Indian markets at Ollantaytambo and Otavalo await exploration. A Peruvian cooking class begins with the preparation of the famous Pisco Sour. That is only half of the adventure. The Galapagos Islands with footed boobies and giant tortoises are bound to captivate. Sitting 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, they inspired Charles Darwin to develop his theory of natural selection. Let their amazing natural beauty become part of your vacation memories. Men are welcome on this adventure. INCLUDED Lima – 1 night with transfers – all transfers and tours by private A/C buses Sacred Valley – 2 nights with transfers and flight to Cusco Maras Salt Pools and Quechua Village with lunch Machu Picchu – 1 night with Vistadome train and lunch with afternoon admission to ruins and ability to visit ruins again the next morning Cusco – 2 nights with walking tour of city and Peruvian Cooking Class with market visit – Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo fortress Quito – 3 nights with airfare and transfers City tour and excursion to Otavalo with lunch Galapagos Cruise – 4 nights including airfare and transfers. Itinerary includes Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Ferdinandina and Santiago Islands. All meals and $100 Galapagos Entrance Fee included. Quito – 1 night with transfers and airfare. Flight schedules necessitate this stay before return to US NOT INCLUDED – Departure and air taxes approximately $261 Your $500 deposit will hold your space immediately with final payment due March 15 Travel insurance is strongly recommended and available. A minimum of 10 passenger and a maximum of 20 required.

ITINERARY - Download Itinerary

MON 16 MAY - Lima  
Arrival in Lima with greeting and transfer to hotel with time to explore this colonial and modern city.
TUE 17 MAY - Sacred Valley - flight to Cusco 
The drop in altitude from Cusco allows your body time to acclimatize to the altitude. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
WED 18 MAY - Sacred Valley
Maras Salt Pools, Moray and Authentic Quechua Village with lunch.
THU 19 MAY - Machu Picchu 
Vistadome train to Machu Picchu with guided visit and lunch.
FRI 20 MAY – Cusco 
Optional morning visit to Machu Picchu. Afternoon return to Cusco, foremost city of the Inca Empire.
SAT 21 MAY - Cusco 
Peruvian Cooking Class with market visit followed by city walking tour
SUN 22 MAY - Cusco 
Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo. Bargain for handicrafts and jewelry and visit Ollantaytambo with its fortress.
MON 23 MAY – Quito  
Transfer airport for Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Balance of evening at leisure.
TUE 24 MAY – Quito City tour
WED 25 MAY – Quito
Otavalo Tour for the largest indigenous market in South America. After lunch visit Peguche for the handmade textiles and to feel the energy of a sacred waterfall and Cotacachi leather market.
THU 26 MAY – 30 MAY Galapagos Cruise aboard Galapagos Legend
Transfer to airport for Galapagos flight. Board Galapagos Legend for 4 nights of wildlife viewing, snorkeling or hiking. This 100-passenger air-conditioned mega yacht provides a staff of naturalists to guide our observations of the Galapagos fur seals, penguins, seabirds, tropical fish, manta rays, or even harmless white-tipped reef sharks. Then there are the iguanas, lava lizards, and famous blue footed boobies. This all plays out in lava flows, grottos and white sand beaches. Amazing is the only word to describe it all.
May 30 – Quito  
Disembark with transfers and flights back to Quito.
May 31 -  Return to US