Galapagos Islands and Peru

Today after breakfast you will be met by your guide and taken to Cusco. Airport in time for your flight to Galapagos. On arrival in the Galapagos you are met and taken to your boat. 

AM: Gardner Bay - Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters. Here you will find three species of Darwin Finches. Also, here it is possible to observe resident and migratory bird species. This zone is really important for marine tortoises nesting. 

AM: Charles Darwin Station - Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. One of the main attractions is the National Park information centre, the Van Straelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. After the morning excursion you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the mainland. Transfer to Baltra Airport, flight to Guayaquil. After arrival your guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel.

You will start your tour visiting the Coricancha, also known as 'The Temple of the Sun' which was built by the Inca Pachacutec and at the arrival of the Spaniards became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent. Then visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas. You will continue your tour to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, one of the most emblematic buildings of the Incas built by the Inca Pachacutec in the fifteenth century. This is a huge fortress built with large stones whose transportation remains still a mystery. Continue to Quenqo, located 4 kilometres from the city of Cusco. Quenqo is an archaeological complex of mainly religious use where it is believed agricultural rituals were performed. Finally get to know Puka Pucara, located 7 kilometres from the city of Cusco.

You will start your tour at Awanakancha, a farm of South American camelids and showroom of textiles, where local families show the entire traditional process of weaving and making garments. You will then visit the Pisac market, which has scores of stands that exhibit and sell products manufactured by the residents of the area. It is possible to find textiles, carvings and replicas of old Inca pieces. After having lunch at a local restaurant, you will go to the Ollantaytambo town, a typical example of the urban planning of the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their old traditions. Ollantaytambo shows a huge archaeological complex that, considered one of the most monumental works of the Inca Empire. Although it bears the name of fortress, it was actually a tambo, a leisure place used to accommodate the delegations that travelled long distances.

Today you can optionally return to Machu Picchu and visit any of the attractions of the citadel. Visit the Intipunku, which in Castilian means 'Sun Gate' and is the last stop before entering Machu Picchu if you follow the Inca trail from Ollantaytambo. It was kind of a checkpoint control and the sun rises every day through this door if viewed from the most important buildings of the citadel. In the afternoon head to the train station of Aguas Calientes and from there take the train back to the Ollanta station. A vehicle will be waiting for you at the train station of Ollantaytambo to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.