A division of the Atlas Travel Network
Collette Tours Authorized Representative
1-800-942-3301
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip. Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach Meals: 12 Breakfast(s), 5 Lunch, 9 Dinner(s) Hotel Accommodations: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service chargesLIMACasa Andina Private Collection MirafloresSACRED VALLEYCasa Andina Private Collection Valle SagradoCUZCOHotel NovotelQUITOSwissotelGUAYAQUILOro Verde HotelMIAMICrowne Plaza Miami International Airport On some dates alternate hotels may be used. Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.
Day 1
Overnight Flight Welcome to a journey of a lifetime to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, two of the worlds "must see" destinations. Vast in landscapes and diversity, you will experience unchanged cultures and the breathtaking beauty of the Andes and lush tropical landscapes of the Galapagos, teeming with exotic wildlife including fur seals, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Depart on your overnight flight to Peru this evening. Day 2 Arrive Lima, Peru - Tour Begins Arrive this morning in the "City of Kings," Lima, Peru. A room has been reserved for you to check in and relax upon arrival. Day 3 Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley of the Incas Fly this morning into Cuzco, in the heart of the Inca civilization. Board your coach to descend through the Andes to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This majestic valley was the agricultural center for the Incas, ranging from Pisac to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Following the route of the Urubamba River, the valley boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Peru. Day 4 Sacred Valley of the Incas-Ollantaytambo-Sacred Valley of the Incas Day 5 Sacred Valley of the Incas - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu - Cuzco Begin the day with a breathtaking train ride through the Andes from Ollantaytambo to the mysterious Machu Picchu! Hidden by mountains and the semi-tropical jungle, the "Lost City of the Incas" is deemed the most spectacular sight on the continent of South America. Spend the day with your tour guide exploring the ruins. Return by train this evening to the majestic ancient capital city of Cuzco. Day 6 Cuzco Explore this former capital of the Inca Empire during a colonial city tour, experiencing the architectural legacy visible in the Cathedral, Santo Domingo and the Plaza de Armas. Discover the important sacred Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Fortress and Qenko Temple. Next, meet Peruvian children with a special visit to a local orphanage sponsored by the Collette Foundation. Day 7 Cuzco - Lima - Quito, Ecuador Return to Lima this morning for your connecting flight to Ecuador, a country of rich indigenous cultures and spectacular natural scenery. Your day ends in the capital city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site located just a few miles south of the Equator. Day 8 Quito Quito''s mild climate and dramatic mountain landscapes make it a pleasure to explore. Spend your morning touring the charming colonial center where you will see the Presidential Palace and 17th century church of La Compañía with its breathtaking gilded altars. Next, visit the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum where you will cross from one hemisphere into another! The remainder of the day is at leisure so you can experience this historic city on your own. Day 9 Quito - Baltra Island, Galapagos - Embark Ship - Bartholome Island Today begins your adventure in the Galapagos! A morning flight takes you to beautiful Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. Upon arrival you will enjoy lunch aboard the m/v Galapagos Legend followed by a welcome session to introduce you to your home for the next 4 nights. This afternoon, disembark at Bartholome Island, known for its spectacular volcanic formations. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the amazing views of lava fields and moon-like craters. At the summit of the island, you''ll be awed by the panoramic view of the surrounding islands and the famous eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During your hike to the summit, you can expect to see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tequilla and various cacti. You will also have the opportunity to snorkel to see Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and white tipped sharks--from a safe distance! This is a day you will never forget. Day 10 Isabela Island (Urbina Bay) - Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point) Start the day with an exploration of Isabela Island where you will visit the incredible fossil beach and coral area. Depending on the season of your visit, you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants along the beach. After the nature walk, you will have time for some snorkeling in the warm waters of Urbina Bay. Then it’s on to wonderous Fernandina Island. It''s here that you will see oversized marine iguanas mingling with sally lightfoot crabs, and sea lions sharing the beach with adorable Galapagos penguins. In addition to the diverse wildlife, you will also lay eyes on such interesting sights as brachycereus cacti, "pa-hoe-hoe" and "AA" lava formations, and the vast mangrove beds that extend into the sea. Day 11 Santiago (Egas Port) - Rábida (Jervis) Another day…another incredible island. Today you will explore Santiago, whose landscape is characterized by tuff-stone layers and lava flows. A birdwatcher''s paradise, look out for hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. Other common sights include marine iguanas grazing on algae beds, fur seals frolicking in deep pools of cool water, and coral-colored crabs teetering along the rocky shore. If you choose to swim or snorkel, you might find octopuses, sea horses or star fish. Your next stop is the island of Rábida. The volcanic beach is covered in dark red sand and lazy, lovable sea lions. It''s considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diverse volcanic rocks on the islands. During your exploration you will hike to the scenic salt water lagoon, frequented by graceful flamingos. If you are visiting between July and September, you are likely to see brown pelicans nesting in the salty bushes. The eccentric boobies and nine species of Darwin''s finches can also be observed here. This evening, cap off your day of sightseeing with some stargazing from the deck. With no lights around to spoil their splendor, it really is quite a sight. Day 12 Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Station) Your first stop today is the Charles Darwin Research Station, a world-class facility where international scientists conduct biological research and conservation projects. Here you can admire the famous giant tortoises that are part of the station’s breeding program. You''ll also have a chance to admire the prickly-pear cactus forest and spot many species of land birds. Later, trek through the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit breathtaking Cerro Chato, where you''ll find more of the giant tortoises that gave the islands their name. These gentle giants are sure to impress you with their size and humble beauty. Finally, you may choose to walk inside the dormant lava tubes for an incredible glimpse into the turbulent formation of these islands. Day 13 Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach) - Disembark Ship - Baltra Island - Guayaquil Today you will experience Bachas Beach, a stunning white sand beach located on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. Among the sand and surf, you’re bound to find many of the sea birds, marine iguanas and sea turtles that make their home at Bachas Beach. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a dip in the clear, turquoise waters. Later, return to the Galapagos Legend to check out and transfer back to Baltra´s airport. Your afternoon flight brings you to Guayaquil, Ecuador''s largest city. Day 14 Guayaquil - Miami, Florida Known as the "Pearl of the Pacific," Guayaquil is a bustling coastal community. Enjoy a city tour showcasing the picturesque waterfront area of Malecon 2000 and the 19th-century neighborhood of Las Peñas, with its colorful, Spanish-style wooden houses. From Santa Ana Hill, enjoy magnificent views of the city below and the chocolate-colored Guayas River. Your day highlights the architecture, traditions and customs of the Ecuadorian coastal region. Finally, visit the Botanical Garden where you can observe over 73 bird species and 60 species of butterflies. After enjoying this last taste of Ecuadorian natural beauty, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Enjoy the breathtaking voyage through the Andes to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome train.
Spend two nights in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands while on a memorable 4-night cruise. Visit the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum where you will cross from one hemisphere into another! Package Notes: Rooms have been reserved at the Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores for use upon arrival in Lima.
In general, hotels outside of Lima are small with one or two levels and do not have elevators which may require you to climb 10-15 steps to get to/from the room. Highest elevation is approximately 11,000 feet (Cuzco, Peru). The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through Collette Vacations. While on the Galapagos cruise, the normal daily schedule consists of a shore excursion immediately following breakfast, return aboard for lunch, and an afternoon shore excursion. Transfers to/from the boat are by small boats called "pangas". Landings are either "dry" or "wet" and you might have to wade ashore in shallow water. At all times you are accompanied by your naturalist guide. Shore excursions normally last 2 - 2.5 hours each. In some cases, the terrain can be a little strenuous. Passengers should consult their physician should they have any concerns regarding their physical condition. Complete passport information is required 60 days prior to departure to confirm flight arrangements to the Galapagos Islands. Each client is responsible for proper documentation and inoculations that may be required and/or recommended to participate on this tour. Please contact your local travel clinic or personal physician for specific details on the destinations you are traveling to and from. Many activities in this itinerary include walking on uneven terrain, or require significant walking at times. Some of the unique experiences, such as visiting historical areas, means accessing locations by foot because motorcoaches are restricted. If you require a walker or wheelchair, or have difficulty walking, you may not be able to access some of these areas and may want to consider an alternate Collette vacation. Our travel counselors can provide additional information or assistance to help you determine the perfect trip for you. If you have not purchased air through Collette and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
© 2008 Atlas Cruises & Tours. A division of the Atlas travel network.
Site Map | Operators: Collette |Contiki |Cosmos |General Tours |Globus |Insight |Trafalgar