Discover South America - its cultural sites and its magnificant nature. Combine two highlights in one trip and visit the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Discover the culture of the Incas and discover the Galapagos Islands like Charles Darwin did and be impressed by the variety of this unique continent.

Machu Picchu & Galapagos cruise in 17 days (sample itinerary)

Day 1 (Saturday): Flight to Lima (Peru)

From Europe we recommend to fly by KLM. The comfortable Business Class offers spacious seats, a first class entertainment program and high class cousine.
You will arrive in Lima the same day. Welcome at the airport of Lima and transfer to your hotel in Lima. The rest of the day you can relax in your nice hotel or walk around on your own. We can also recommend an optional city tour. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Lima

After breakfast you will get to know Lima. First you will visit the Huaca Pucllana ruins in Miraflores. The ruins date back to the Lima culture around 200-330 AC. Afterwards you will visit the historic Lima as well as the moderns parts of the city (San Isidro, Miraflores, Larco Mar). Later you will visit the Gold Mueseum of Lima where you can find exhibits of 3000 years. The most interesting part of the mueseum is the collection of weapons. This night you will sleep in your Hotel in Mirflores. (F/-/-)

Day 3: Lima - Cusco

Early morning transfer from your hotel to the airport. Flight with a local airline from Lima to Cusco. After arriving in your hotel in Cusco you will have enough time to get used to the altitude. In the afternoon you will discover Cusco and its surrounding areas during a guided city tour. You will visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral as well as the Korikancha and sun temple. Beyond the city centre you will visit the Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the Sacsayhuaman ruins. After a very interesting day you will pass the night in you hotel in Cusco. (B/-/-)

Day 4: The Sacred valley of the Incas

Full day excursion to the sacred valley along the river Vilcanota. Visit of the traditional market of Pisac (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). Visit of the Ollantaytambo fortress. Ollantaytambo is one of the few existing examples of urban management during the Inca period. Drive back to Cusco and overnight in your hotel there. (B/L/-)

Day 5: Train to Aguas Calientes and guided visit of Machu Picchu

Early morning transfer to the train station. A three houre ride in the Vistadome train will bring you up to Aguas Calientes from where you will take a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. During a guided tour you will visit the ruins, houses and temples of the Incas. Afterwards you will have enough time to visit the ruins on your own as well. After lunch you will take the train back to Cusco. Optional: you can sleep near the ruins in Aguas Calientes (ask for available offers). Overnight in Cusco in your hotel. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Cusco - Lima - Quito

Today you will fly with a local airline from Cusco to Quito (connection in Lima). Upon arrival in Quito transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at your disposal. (B/-/-)

Day 7: Guided city tour "Quito colonial" + Mitad del Mundo

Visit of the historic center of Quito. You will visiit Plaza Grande (Plaza de Independencia) with its colonial buildings and the magnificant church "La Compania de Jesus". You will stroll across the Plaza San Francisco to be able to see one of the biggest cloisters of South America.
Afterwards you will drive to the northern part of the city where you will find the equator monument called "Mitad del Mundo". Here you can be on the northern and southern hemisphere at the same time. Today you will sleep in your hotel in Quito. (B/-/-)

Day 8 (Saturday): Flight to the Galapagos Islands to start your cruise

Early morning transfer to the airport . Flight from Quito via Guayaquil to Galapagos. Arrival on San Cristobal island. Transfer to the harbour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Boarding of the luxury catamaran Nina (five-star category) which is operating on Galapagos since 2009. Your cruise will begin. In the morning we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands.
PM: La Galapaguera or Interpretation Center
The Galapaguera allows you to see the Giant tortoise in its natural environment. You can see baby tortoises and well as the large adults. A visit to the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal is also possible. (B/L/D)
Advice: departure of the Nina every Saturday. Please ask for other options.

Day 9: Española Island

AM: Suárez Point
Often listed as a Galapagos favorite visitor site, you have the chance to see blue-footed boobies and waved albatross as well as the famous “blowhole” spurt water high into the air. The landscape is great for photography.
PM: Gardner Bay
Española Island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Gardner Bay has a lovely white sanded beach where you will see a sea lion colony. It is a good place for snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Floreana Island

AM: Champion & Cormorant Point
The trail will take us along the beach where sea lions are basking on the sand. Further ahead, behind white and black mangroves we will reach a vast brackish water lagoon where flamingos can be seen. We will carry on until we reach a look out point and then to the white sand beach which is a sea turtle nesting ground. The nearby Champion Islet is widely considered to be one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the Galapagos.
PM: Post Office Bay
At Post Office Bay 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. In those times ships could often be away from home for 2 years or more. Ships on their outward journey would leave letters and ships returning home would collect them and mail them in their homeland. The custom continues to this day between Galapagos visitors! (B/L/D)

Day 11: Santa Cruz Island

am: Charles Darwin Research Station
The visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station allows you to learn about the giant tortoise breeding and repatriation program and the eradication of introduced species. You will be able to walk among the giant tortoises. The station is also home to the world´s rarest animal. There is only one Pinta Island giant tortoise remaining on this planet. He is known as Lonesome George. Afterwards you will have an opportunity to look around Puerto Ayora (souvenir shopping etc.).
pm: Islas Plaza
This island is a very special place for the Galapagos; you will find a big colony of Sea Lions, land iguanas, several birds species, a beautiful view to the ocean from a cliff and a forest of Opuntia Cacti. (B/L/D)

Day 12: North Seymour & Bartolomé Islands

AM: North Seymour Island
North Seymour is a very low-lying island and has a very large population of blue footed-boobies. It is also home to the largest colony of the magnificent frigate birds in Galapagos. The large red pouch of the males makes for quite a spectacle. The first half of the trail is sandy but the second half is rocky (be sure to bring good walking shoes).
PM: Bartholomew Island
Bartholomew Island is the home to the Pinnacle Rock and the most famous vista in Galapagos. You may see sharks swimming close to the shore. You may also get a chance to swim with the Galapagos Penguin. Climbing to the top of this island rewards visitors with panoramic views of varied lava formations, volcanic peaks and a moon-like landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Fernandina & Isabela Islands

AM: Isabela Island - Vicente Roca Point
The largest and one of the most volcanically active islands, Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise - one for each of its five volcanoes. We will visit Punta Vicente Roca which has beautiful volcanic scenery, with amazing lava intrusions as well as a huge sea cliff.
PM: Fernandina Island - Espinosa Point
No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island, and, as a result, it claims to be one of the most pristine ecosystems in Galapagos. Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. The La Cumbre volcano with its lava fields spreading out to the ocean dominates the landscape. We land at Punta Espinosa, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, visitors arrive at the island's highlight - the flightless cormorant nesting site. (B/L/D)

Day 14: Santiago & Rabida Islands

AM: Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
Puerto Egas (also called South James Bay) is on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Puerto Egas is one of the few places in Galapagos where you can see Galapagos “Fur seals”. We start with an easy walk along the beach. The lava and black sand beaches make for great photography. Here you will also find good snorkeling off the beach with a broad array of marine life to be seen.
PM: Rabida Island - Playa Roja
Rabida Island (also called Jervis) is a bird-watcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as 9 varieties of finches, large billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans. The trail starts along the red sand beach and then to the top of a hill where you will have a great view of the surrounding landscape. (B/L/D)

Day 15: San Cristobal Island / Departure

AM: Isla Lobos
The name “Isla Lobos” means Sea Lion Island, which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island is also a great place for snorkeling (and if we’re lucky with the sea lions as well).
PM: Departure
Flight from Galapagos to Quito via Guayaquil. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Quito. Later the day we will invite you for a dinner in one of the best restaurants of South America: the Theatrum Restaurant in the historic center of Quito. (B/-/D)

Day 16: Flight back from Quito

After breakfast we will bring you to the airport. You will take your flight back home. (-/-/-)

Day 17: Arrival

If your final destination is Europa you will arrive there today. Welcome back home! (-/-/-)

List prices 2009 and 2010 per person in a double room (min. 2 persons):

Ask for special rates and last minute deals.
Cheap group rates available.
Contact us for rates in US-$ (form opens in new window)

10.989 Euro low season (01. January - 14. June and 01. September - 15. December)
High season surcharge (rest of the year): 599 Euro per person

Single and triple rooms upon request.

All offers subject to availability. Prices are per person in a double cabin (double occupancy) and payment by bank transfer. All prices are final prices incl. VAT. Please see our general terms and conditions for further booking and payment details.

Services included :

• Flight Europe-Lima / Quito-Europe with the KLM Business Class
• Cruise (group travel) and round trip (private travel) like mentioned
• English speaking guide druing round trip
• private transportation during round trip
• entrance fees during round trip
• flight Cusco-Lima-Quito in Economy Class (LAN or TACA Airlines)
• flight Quito/Guayaquil-Galapagos-Quito in Economy Class (TAME or Aerogal)
• overnight in First Class Hotels in a double room during round trip and in double cabins during cruise on Galapagos
• English speaking naturalist guide during cruise on Galapagos
• melas like mentioned
• purified drinking water during cruise

Airlines, itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Passport, immigration, health rules and regulations for German citizens:
Entry regulations for all travelers: wine red, machine-readable passport with photo which has to be valid at least 6 months when leaving the country. For journeys (as a tourist) up to 3 month health regulations apply: you will need a valid yellow fever vaccination (WHO conform) when leaving Peru and entering Ecuador.

Contact us for your individual offer and tour