Tour Details - LEGACY OF THE INCAS WITH PERUVIAN AMAZON PRE EXTENSION AND GALAPAGOS POST EXTENSION
LEGACY OF THE INCAS WITH PERUVIAN AMAZON PRE EXTENSION AND GALAPAGOS POST EXTENSION
DISCOUNTS ON EVERY TOUR, UP TO 23% !!!
Tour Duration: 23 days Tour Code: SPY2012 Tour Type: Panorama Prices From: A$7645 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN LIMA, PERU. Welcome to Lima, where you will be met by a Globus representative
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)
3
LIMA-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)
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)
5
PUERTO MALDONADO-LIMA. Fly to Lima today, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B)
6
LIMA This morning, 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)
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 (300m)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)
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 an ANDEAN FOLKLORIC SHOW. (B,D)
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 SACSAYHUA MAN, 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 free time to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Later, visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAY TAMBO followed by the opportunity to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
10
SACRED VALLEY-MACHU PICCHU. This morning, board 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)
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)
12
CUSCO. 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 . The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure. (B,D)
13
CUSCO-JULIACA-PUNO (LAKE TITICACA). Board a flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,D)
14
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. Later, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
15
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. (B,D)
16
LIMA-QUITO Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. (B)
17
QUITO, ECUADOR. On an included city tour, see INDEPENDENCE SQUARE with its CATHEDRAL and SAN FRANCISCO PLAZA CHURCH, and the BASILICA. (B)
18
QUITO-BALTRA-SANTA CRUZ (EMBARKATION)-CRUISING. Fly to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island where you will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, home to famous "Lonesome George," established to help conserve the Galapagos' natural habitats and protect the area's famous giant tortoises. Next, board the Galapagos Explorer II for your 4-night Galapagos Islands CRUISE. With Globus, enjoy a $60 USD per person onboard credit to use during your cruise. (B,L,D)
19
SANTA CRUZ & SANTIAGO ISLANDS. Wake up at SANTA CRUZ for a visit to the white-sand beach of Las Bachas. Here your Naturalist points out various seabirds, flamingos, marine iguanas, and sea turtles. This is also a great place for snorkeling. Next, cruise to SANTIAGO and Puerto Egas, once a buccaneer supply base. Watch for Galapagos hawks, Darwin's finches, land and marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. You will also encounter a Galapagos fur seal grotto, one of the few places in the archipelago where fur seals can be seen. From here you can swim and snorkel in search of octopus, sea horses, starfish and other sea life. (B,L,D)
20
GENOVESA ISLAND. Upon arrival at GENOVESA Island, your visit to Prince Philip's Steps begins with a scenic panga ride along the cliffs to see the large number of shore and seabirds nesting in the cliffs' ledges. Disembark at the base of Prince Philip's Steps and climb up the stairs to a trail where birdlife abounds. A walk with your Naturalist reveals large colonies of masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels, and even short-eared owls. In the afternoon, disembark at DARWIN BAY to observe thousands of birds mainly frigate birds, red-footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Return to the beach for swimming and snorkeling while looking for colorful tropical fish, golden rays and hopefully some hammerhead or Galapagos sharks. (B,L,D)
21
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 magnificent frigate bird colonies. Next up: SANTA CRUZ, where vegetation ranges from cactus to rainforest. This island supports the largest population of giant tortoises after Isabela - here your Naturalist takes you to a giant tortoise reserve where you can observe these impressive creatures in their natural surroundings. (B.L,D)
22
SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)-GUAYA QUIL. After breakfast, visit the Galapagos National Park INTERPRETATION CENTER on San Cristobal to learn more about its ecosystems, flora, and fauna as well as the great emphasis on conservation. While here watch for the Chatham Mockingbird and Chatham Lava Lizard-both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galapagos. Later, head to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. (B)
23
GUAYAQUIL. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
LIMA: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit San Francisco Monastery; welcome dinner; dinner with Andean Folkloric Show; farewell dinner
ICA: Fly over the Nazca Lines; cruise to the Ballestas Islands
SACRED VALLEY: Visit the Kenko Amphitheater, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
MACHU PICCHU: Take a train through the Urubamba Valley; sightseeing with Local Guide and a second entrance to the ruins on your second day in Machu Picchu
CUSCO: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery
LAKE TITICACA:Guided sightseeing to Taquile and Uros Islands
SILLUSTANI: Visit the ruins
PERUVIAN AMAZON EXTENSION: Amazon Extension 3 nights in the Peruvian Amazon
GALAPAGOS: BIslands Extension Sightseeing in Quito; 4-night Galapagos Islands cruise
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
MEALS: American breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L), and 9 threecourse dinners (D) including a welcome dinner, a dinner with Andean music, and a farewell dinner in Puno; Amazon Extension: 10 additional meals as per itinerary; Galapagos Extension: 15 additional meals as per itinerary
Meals Breakfast - 22 Lunch - 10 Dinner - 17
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
