Peru and Galapagos Tour
Fixed departure Tour
13 Days
In addition to tailor-made itineraries, BFirst Travel offers now the Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour.
Our group tour aims to show you two of the most important sites of the South American continent and take you close up to the most dramatic landscapes. You will enjoy good company of other fellow travellers, while our local guides inform and enrich your experience. Travel in comfort, visiting both the highlights and hidden treasures of the continent, staying in good standard and well-located accommodation. Competitively priced, this itinerary is designed to offer you real value for money.
The highlights on this tour are: Cuzco; Machu Picchu; Lake Titicaca and the Galapagos Islands.
Guaranteed departure on fixed dates, minimum 4 participants with local English speaking guide.
Hotels quoted are tourist, superior and first class categories (similar to 3*, 4* and 5* categories). The hotels we use are clean, safe, with private facilities and are centrally located.
Day 1
Lima - MON
Arrival at the airport in Lima, where you will be welcomed by our local English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and Check-in.
Day 2
Lima / Sacred Valley (Yucay) - TUE
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
On the way you will visit the Pisac Indian market in the town of Pisac. Here a very special and traditional market is performed every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. A large handicraft fair is organized by the Pisac and Cuzco craftsmen who exhibit and sell wide variety of fine crafts such as woven goods, Alpaca rugs, tapestry, sculpture, jewellery.
Continue to the ruin site of Ollantaytambo and visit the town, the shrines and the fortification with its stairs to the sky. Drop off will be at your hotel in Yucay, located in the Urubamba valley.
Day 3
Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Cuzco - WED
Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that goes through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small busses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town Machu Picchu. Called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world.
Extensive guided visit of the ruins and return by bus and train to the Sacred Valley. Transfer to your hotel in Cuzco.
Day 4
Cuzco - THU
In the afternoon the half-day city tour begins. You will be shown the exact centre of the Inca Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Then proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin located approx. 3 km above Cuzco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view of the city. Stop in Tambo Machay, the bath of the Inca, Kenko, the giant rock whose niches and gaps were carved in a strange way, and Puca Pucara, the ruin of a small fort.
Day 5
Cuzco/Puno - FRI
A full day bus journey from Cuzco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks, passes up to 4.300 m above sea level and then goes down to Puno, which is right on Lake Titicaca. On route we will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi, the small town of Pucara besides another Inca remains. Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. After arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel.
Day 6
Puno - SAT
Full day excursion on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros floating islands. The Aymara Indians build their houses over floating artificial islands that elaborate themselves on the waters of the Titicaca in which they inhabit in organizations and with ancestral customs.
Continue to Taquile Island where you find numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing. The island is narrow, only about 1km wide, but 6-7km long. The people here still wear their traditional clothes and there is a co-operative shop on the Plaza where one can buy woollen goods of very fine quality.
Day 7
Puno/Lima - SUN
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery.
Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific ocean.
Day 8
Lima/Quito - MON
Transfer from the hotel to Lima airport and flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito Transfer to the hotel.
Enjoy a sightseeing-tour of the city of Quito which leads you through the historical centre of Quito for a walk through the culturally diverse history of this city. We will pass the church of La Compañia, which has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior. the Independence Square with the Government Palace and the Cathedral including a visit. Afterwards, we will visit the famous hill of the old town, Panecillo (little bread) where you will see the angel statue “Virgen de Quito”.
Then proceed to the Equatorial Line Monument called “Middle of the World” where you get a truly rare experience to stand in both, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. The Equatorial Monument marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the Equator. The area has been built as a typical colonial town, with restaurants, gift shops and Post Office with philatelic sales. Visit the monument and Ethnographical Museum, which shows the history of the Indian cultures of Ecuador. Return to the hotel.
Day 9
Quito - TUE
Day at leisure
Optional: Full Day Tour Otavalo Indian Market (approx. 8 hours)
On the approximately two-hour bus ride to famous Otavalo market, you will use the Panamericana Norte. We will visit the small town of Calderón, where the typical miniature bread figurines are made, and then the road descends into the spectacular same-time arid and fertile Guayllabamba gorge and village. With a bit of luck, a few minutes’ later you can enjoy the opportunity of looking out the snow caped Cayambe. The Ecuadorian Line goes directly through the glacier of the immense volcano, which shows the highest worldwide point on the Ecuadorian line. Pass the Lago San Pablo with its great background – the rock massive Taita Imbabura.
In Otavalo you will discover the worldwide known Indian handcrafts market.
The local Indians have achieved economic prosperity as a result of their skill in weaving a tremendous variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. Here you will enjoy the unique variety of handicrafts and textiles that offer this giant colourful market and certainly, you will be able to carry some new souvenirs with you.
Before continuing to Cotacachi, the group can visit Laguna Cuicocha, a crater lake at an altitude of 3.000m. The small town Cotacachi itself is Ecuador’s center of leatherworks. Here you can stroll through the small streets choosing one of the various shops as your favorite. Return to Quito.
Day 10
Quito/Galapagos - WED
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the departure flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrival by air with EQ195 at 12:30 to
Embarkation of the Galápagos Explorer II
Day 11
Galapagos Cruise - THU
Punta Suarez,
Day 12
Galapagos Cruise - FRI
Charles Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora,
Day 13
Galapagos Cruise - SAT
Bachas,
Tourist Class Share Twin
Superior Class Share Twin