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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Legacy Of The Incas With Galapagos Islands & Peru Ext
Be sure you’ve packed your camera on this amazing vacation to Peru and the Galápagos Islands, as you’ll enjoy magnificent scenery in the Peruvian Amazon, thrilling wildlife in the Galápagos Islands, and amazing ancient ruins in some of Peru’s most historic areas. Peru is one of the great originating centers of ancient culture and on this vacation, you’ll discover archeological treasures, visit ancient ruins, and learn about an ancient culture. A highlight of your vacation is a tour to Machu Picchu, where you’ll visit this amazing Inca city. Stand in awe as you witness the ancient ruins surrounded by soaring peaks—one of the most majestic images in South America! Of course, no trip to Peru is complete without seeing the Nazca Lines. Here, you’ll wonder why the ancient Nazca people, who thrived here from 200 BC to 500 AD, created illustrations that could only be seen from far above the earth. It’s a puzzle that has kept archaeologists speculating ever since they were discovered.Also spend time in Peru’s Amazon. Discover the tropical jungle on multiple boat trips and be on the lookout for turtles, caimans, monkeys, river birdlife, and more—not to mention the lush vegetation. Search by canoe for the resident giant river otters, and visit a parrot clay to observe the parrots and macaws. In the Galápagos Islands, enjoy a 4-night cruise and watch for blue-footed boobies, fur seals, sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguin, and more. For even more fun, consider swimming and snorkeling in search of sea life. From ancient ruins and ancient civilizations to captivating flora and fauna, this tour to Peru and the Galápagos Islands has it all. You’ll be sure to arrive home with plenty of photos and stores from this enriching vacation.No one brings the world’s stories to life like we do. What story will you discover next?
Highlights:
Itinerary:
| Day #1 |
Arrive in Lima, Peru. Welcome to Lima, where you will be met by a Globus representative. Enjoy time at your hotel to relax and refresh before time to explore the city. |
| Day #2 |
Lima–Puerto Maldonado. Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Embark on a motorboat for a journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and river birdlife, such as capped herons, black skimmers, and kingfishers. Arrive at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge within the Ese’ Eja native Indian community. After settling in, take a walk to the canopy tower to observe the forest and river and its inhabitants. (B,L,D) |
| Day #3 |
Puerto Maldonado. A boat trip and walk brings you to Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake to search by canoe for the resident giant river otters—the largest and most endangered of the otter species. This afternoon, learn about medicinal uses of the area’s endemic plants. Tonight, why not participate in a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife? (B,L,D) |
| Day #4 |
Puerto Maldonado. For more insight into jungle life, visit the Parrot Clay Lick and watch parrots and macaws perch to eat clay. Also visit a native slash-and-burn farm, once thought to be wasteful but now a proven sustainable method. (B,L,D) |
| Day #5 |
Puerto Maldonado–Lima. Fly to Lima today, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B) |
| Day #6 |
Lima, Peru. This afternoon, your Local Guide focuses on the city’s colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. This evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow traveling companions. (B,D) |
| Day #7 |
Lima–Ica. Nazca Lines. Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the town of Ica, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for a FLIGHT over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the NAZCA LINES, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians. Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D) |
| Day #8 |
Ica–Ballestas Islands Cruise–Lima. Head north to the Bay of Paracas. CRUISE out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Board your motorcoach and arrive in Lima by late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by and ANDEAN FOLKLORIC SHOW. (B,D) |
| Day #9 |
Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley. Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to the semi-circular KENKO Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. See the ancient site of Puca Pucara before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built. Next, visit PISAC, an old mountain village where you will have the opportunity to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life. Enjoy free time here to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day #10 |
Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu. Visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO this morning before boarding a TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Then, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to legendary MACHU PICCHU, “The Lost City of the Incas,” high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Tonight, stay at a nearby hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day #11 |
Machu Picchu–Cusco. Your entrance to Machu Picchu is included for a second day. Enjoy the tranquility of the morning with free time to wander the ruins at your own pace and experience the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by TRAIN and continue on to Cusco. (B,L) |
| Day #12 |
Cusco–Juliaca–Puno (Lake Titicaca). This morning, learn more about the Incas and their struggle against invading Spaniards on your Cusco city tour with visits to the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY. Board an afternoon flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,D) |
| Day #13 |
Puno. Excursion to Lake Titicaca. Today, take a motor boat trip to some of the more unique islands of LAKE TITICACA. Start with TAQUILE ISLAND, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating UROS ISLANDS, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made by reeds and are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L) |
| Day #14 |
Puno–Sillustani–Juliaca–Lima. Depart for Juliaca this morning, visiting the ruins of SILLUSTANI en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas, above-ground cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. Fly from Juliaca to Lima this afternoon. Later, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner. (B,D) |
| Day #15 |
Lima–Quito. Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. (B) |
| Day #16 |
Quito, Ecuador. On an included city tour, see INDEPENDENCE SQUARE with its CATHEDRAL and SAN FRANCISCO PLAZA CHURCH, and the BASILICA. (B) |
| Day #17 |
Quito–Baltra–Santa Cruz (Embarkation)–Cruising. Fly to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island and board the Galápagos Explorer II for your 4-night Galápagos Islands CRUISE. Cruise to Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) to visit a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by many species of birds. Also watch for the numerous iguanas that nest here. (B,L,D) |
| Day #18 |
Bartolomé & Santiago Islands. Wake up at Bartolomé, a volcanic island with black lava fields, a gray-brown cinder cone, and white sand beaches. Walk to the summit for an impressive view, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. You may see the Galápagos penguin, the only existing species of penguin in the equator area. Next, cruise to Santiago and Puerto Egas, once a buccaneer supply base. Watch for Galápagos hawks, Darwin’s finches, land and marine iguanas, fur seals, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Swim and snorkel in search of sea life. (B,L,D) |
| Day #19 |
Fernandina & Isabela Islands. On Fernandina, the youngest of the islands, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, and sea lions are abundant. Continue to Isabela, the biggest island, with unique animals including the world’s only surviving population of mangrove finch and giant tortoises that have been isolated long enough to evolve into distinct subspecies. During a boat ride, observe nesting blue-footed boobies as well as pelicans, sea turtles, basalts, sea lions, and land iguanas. Snorkeling offers a great view of marine life. (B,L,D) |
| Day #20 |
North Seymour & Santa Cruz Islands. Today begins on North Seymour, where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to the rocks. The interior has a Palo Santo and small Opuntia forest with blue-footed boobies and frigatebird colonies. Next up: Santa Cruz, where vegetation ranges from cactus to rainforest. Visit a reserve with giant tortoises in their natural surroundings, and walk through a naturally formed lava tunnel. (B.L,D) |
| Day #21 |
San Cristobal (Disembarkation)–Guayaquil. Sea lions greet you on San Cristóbal. Watch for Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, and the endemic Chatham mockingbird. Then, fly to Guayaquil. (B) |
| Day #22 |
Guayaquil. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Hotels:
Puerto Maldonado Posada Amazonas Lodge (BA), Lima Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores (MD), Paracas Doubletree Paracas (F), Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley (SF), Machu Picchu Sumaq Hotel (F), Cusco Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (SF), Puno Libertador Lake Titicaca (F), Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galápagos Cruise Galápagos Explorer II (F), Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)
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Pricing Options:
| Depart US | Land-Only |
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| 01/12/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 02/02/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 02/16/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 02/23/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 03/02/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 03/16/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 03/23/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 04/20/2011 | $5,549.00 | | 04/27/2011 | $5,549.00 | | 05/11/2011 | $5,549.00 | | 06/01/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 07/06/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 07/20/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 07/27/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 09/14/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 09/21/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 10/05/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 10/12/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 10/19/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 11/02/2011 | $5,569.00 | | 11/23/2011 | $5,549.00 | | 01/11/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 01/25/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 02/01/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 02/15/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 02/29/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 03/07/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 03/14/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 04/04/2012 | $5,959.00 | | 04/11/2012 | $5,959.00 |
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©2005 Flamingo Travel Group
All Rights Reserved
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