Machu Picchu + Galapagos

10 days: $4325 per person
Domestic flights included
(What’s Included)

Visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and then take a five-day Galapagos cruise. Our most popular Galapagos itinerary visits the islands of Bartolome, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Rabida and Santa Cruz – a great combination of wildlife viewing, remote visitor’s sites and fascinating volcanic formations. And as on all Southern Crossings tours, you’re taken care of from beginning to end – airport transfers and domestic flights included!

Our preferred Galapagos boats are the Galapagos Legend, the Coral I and the Coral II. Click here for more information on these boats as well as other options.

Departs any Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday!

MACHU PICCHU + GALAPAGOS TRIP ITINERARY

Galapagos Legend Cruise itinerary

(Note: Coral I and II vary slightly – click here for details)

Day 1

Galapagos (Baltra Airport). Departure from Guayaquil ( or Quito) to Baltra (aprox. two and half hour flight). Passengers will be picked up at the airport by our guides and taken to the pier to board the boat.
Bartolome. Dry landing. Passengers will see volcanic formations like lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After hiking to the summit you can enjoy a great view of the surrounding islands, including Pinnacle Rock’s eroded tuff cone. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, and various cacti. Visitors will be able to snorkel and see the Galapagos penguin, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks from a safe distance.

Day 2

Urbina Bay (Isabela). Wet landing. Passengers will visit the fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. After the walk we will have time for snorkeling.

Fernandina (Espinosa Point). Dry landing. Visitors will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally light-foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will spot brachycereus cactus, and “pa-hoe-hoe” lava and “AA” lava formations. Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea.

Day 3

Santiago (Egas Port). Wet landing on a dark sand beach. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. You can observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. Passengers will see marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur seals swimming in deep cool-water pools. Here you can swim and snorkel and find octopuses, sea horses, star fish.

Rábida (Jervis). Wet landing. The volcano-formed beach is dark red and is often occupied by sea lions. It’s considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the Islands.

You’ll hike to a salt water lagoon, where flamingos can sometimes be found.

July through September is a good time to observe brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. Boobies and 9 species of Darwin’s finches can also be observed. You can take a ride along the reefs in a dinghy, as well as snorkel.

Day 4

Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station). Travelers will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here guests can admire the giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Visitors can also admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Later on, you’ll have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.

Santa Cruz (Highlands). Travelers can trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit Cerro Chato, where they will be able to observe the famous giant tortoises. Additionally, travelers can walk inside the dormant lava tubes.

Day 5

Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach). Wet landing. This beach is located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Visitors will encounter many sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and have the opportunity to swim on the white-sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to Baltra’s airport. Return flight to Guayaquil ( or Quito).

TRIP DETAILS
Machu Picchu + Galapagos
Domestic flights included
10 days: $4325 per person

Joining the Tour

On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis!

What’s included in the trip:

• All airport transfers
• Southern Crossings bilingual guides
• All other internal transport (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
• Four domestic flights, Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima, Mainland Ecuador – Galapagos Isaland, Galapagos Islands – Mainland Ecuador
• Five nights of hotel accommodation, four nights aboard ship in the Galapagos
• Breakfast included with all hotel stays
• Machu Picchu excursion, including bilingual guide, round trip Vistadome or Executive train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
• Private Cuzco and Lima city tours if flight schedules allow
• Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket which gives entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco
• Five day/four night Galapagos cruise, including all food, excursions, fuel surcharge of $90.00 and Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card (US$ 10.00)
• All meals included on cruise
• 24 hour customer support line while on tour
• Southern Crossings T-shirt

What’s not included

International flights, airport taxes (approx. US$45), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. We recommend www.travelguard.com although any travel medical coverage is acceptable.

In the Galapagos, the following is not included:

- Galapagos National Park Tax: US$ 100.00 (this is paid in the Guayaquil airport)

- Wet suit (US$ 25.00)

- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, not including water which is provided.

- Medical Services, travel insurance and other not specified.

- Tips & personal expenses.

Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima/Cuzco/Machu Picchu/Quito/Guayaquil: $140 double/$130 single.

Accommodation Upgrades
This tour includes 3 star hotels.  We would be happy to give you an upgrade to four or five star. If you would like to select a specific hotel, take a look at the accommodations page above and let us know your preference.  We can then work it into your custom itinerary.

PRE-TRIP PLANNER

Required documents
All travelers to Peru and Ecuador are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

Required immunizations
No vaccinations or immunizations are required for this tour.

Things to bring
One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:

• Passport and, if necessary, visa
• Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
• Airline ticket
• Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
• Wearable pouch for documents and money
• Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
• Smaller, comfortable day pack
• Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Rain poncho or jacket
• Waterproof pants
• Sun hat
• Hat for cold weather
• Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
• Scarf and gloves
• T-shirts
• Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
• Towel and swimsuit
• Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
• Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
• Lip balm
• Earplugs
• Alarm clock or watch
• Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
• Camera and film/digital memory cards
• Camera batteries
• Playing cards, games, reading material
• Prescription medications
• Snorkeling gear/wet suit (both available for rental on the Galapagos boat)

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru and Ecuador. It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.

Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
Cuzco and Quito: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are chilly.
Machu Picchu: similar to Cuzco, but warmer and with more chance of rain.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Guayaquil and Galapagos: hot and humid, rain always possible. Galapagos can have a cooler, more moderate climate depending on current conditions.

Baggage
For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru and Ecuador, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.

Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. The unit of currency in Ecuador is the US dollar.
Automatic cash points are available in Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Quito and Guayaquil. Credit cards and cash are accepted on the Galapagos cruise and in Puerto Ayora. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that in Peru, cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Ecuador is about 20% more expensive than Peru, and the Galapagos are about 20% more expensive than the rest of Ecuador, although most things you would need to spend money on are included within your cruise package. Currency Converter