(800) 308-3483 Local: (805) 484-2863
2310 Ponderosa Drive Suite 3 - Camarillo, CA 93010
Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1544300
Wonders of the Galápagos & Machu Picchu - Northern Islands Route
Discover natural and man-made wonders, from Ecuador to Peru, on a journey that includes a four-night cruise in the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands, an exclusive visit to a village in the Sacred Valley and a guided exploration of Machu Picchu, the awe-inspiring "Lost City" of the Incas.
11 nights from $16,995 per person
Abercrombie & Kent: Wonders of the Galápagos & Machu Picchu - Northern Islands Route
Day 1 Guayaquil, Ecuador
Arrive in tropical Guayaquil, gateway to the Galápagos, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Fly to the remote Galápagos island of Baltra, where you join your naturalist guide for the ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. Disembark and drive up into the island’s mist-shrouded highlands in search of giant tortoises. On the northern route of this journey, meet local students learning about their native islands on an initiative supported by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. Continue on to Puerto Ayora and board your expedition ship a four-night cruise through the Galápagos’ northern islands. Your expedition ship is built for adventure, offering spacious cabins, floor-to-ceiling windows and a comfortable atmosphere. The vessel is ecologically sound and comes equipped with pangas (rubber rafts), a glass-bottom boat and sea kayaks that allow for independent exploration. Tonight, dine on board.
After breakfast, get fitted for your wetsuit and snorkeling gear. Then, board a panga for a shore excursion to Eden Islet, a secluded, biodiverse enclave off Santa Cruz. Here, observe the island’s iconic bluefooted boobies. Take this opportunity to snorkel the reef or view marine life aboard a glass-bottom boat. Back aboard your vessel, cruise onward to Sombrero Chino, yet another secluded islet of the Galápagos archipelago. Disembark your panga to hike wilderness trails, swim in a sandy cove, and snorkel among white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.
Disembark on Bartolomé Island to hike up to the volcano’s summit and take in the views. After a panga ride to visit the penguins of Pinnacle Rock, snorkel the reef, relax on the beach or take in the local marine life aboard a glass-bottom boat. Later, swim or snorkel along the white coral sand beach of Sullivan Bay.
This morning, hike and snorkel Genovesa Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Explore Darwin Bay, snorkeling along the cliffs or paddling out in sea kayaks. View the island’s cliffs before disembarking to climb the steep, rocky pass of Prince Philip’s Steps. Your ascent leads to a clifftop frequented by species such as the Nazca booby, frigate bird, storm petrel and short-eared owl.
Disembark at Baltra Island, where you transfer to the airport to fly to mainland Ecuador, and then board a connecting flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Fly to Cusco, located more than 11,000 feet above sea level, where you are met and transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit a sanctuary to interact with the South American camelid species living there — such as llama and alpaca — and learn about the valuable fibers created from their coats. Then, visit the beautiful Hacienda Sarapampa for a Chef ’s Table experience. Enjoy lunch with the owner, who cordially shares his family’s history in farming and shows you around the farm.
Today, visit Moray, a fascinating archaeological site comprising a series of concentric agricultural terraces, some almost 500 feet deep. Then, journey to a remote mountain village, where you experience ancient agricultural methods used for centuries, on an A&K-exclusive experience. Continue to the Children of the Rainbow school, a project supported by A&K Philanthropy, where you enjoy lunch and take in an equestrian performance featuring Paso Fino horses. Return to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing Scenic Sundowner before dinner.
Visit the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its massive stone terraces, and journey deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu by train. Alternatively (at an additional cost), start toward Machu Picchu by train, stopping at KM 104 to disembark and hike to the Sun Gate above the Incan citadel. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire. Although this “Lost City” was revealed to the rest of the world by American Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location was long known to locals. Its original purpose, however, remains a matter of some conjecture, as the Incas left no written records. As you wander amid the age-old stone walls, picture life here as it might have been. Tonight, stay in the only hotel on site, just steps from the entrance.
Rise with the sun and join your expert guide to walk through Machu Picchu in the early morning mist before the crowds arrive. After your explorations, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ollantaytambo by train, savoring incomparable views of the mountain scenery that surrounds you. On arrival, transfer to your Cusco hotel, a 400-year-old architectural treasure that was once a monastery. Tonight, relax or stroll this ancient Incan capital on your own.
Discover Cusco on a city excursion that includes the Gothic Renaissance-style Cathedral Basilica on the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Temple, a Dominican church built on the foundations of the Koricancha, the Incas’ principal religious building. Later, visit Sacsayhuaman, a testament to Incan architectural skill. Compiled from colossal stones, its walls were cut and placed together with incredible precision and without a drop of mortar to hold them in place. Back in Cusco, stop for lunch at a local restaurant near the plaza. Afterward, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax or shop. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner at an elegant Cusco restaurant.
This morning, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities:
Visit the San Blas Neighborhood, a unique, bohemian enclave where you find the workshops of artisans.
Stroll San Pedro Market and Visit the Inca Museum for a taste of local fruits and cheese, and a glimpse into history.
Join a Photographer in Cusco who helps you capture authentic images of the city’s architecture and people.
Later today, fly to Lima and connect with your homebound flight.
The island is home to Darwin Bay and colonies of Frigates, Red Footed and Masked Boobies. Just behind the beach one sees inland tide pools and outcrops of black rock and saltbushes, frequented by feeding Wandering Tattlers, Turnstones, Whimbrels, Lava Gulls and Fiddler Crabs. Genovesa, as a result of its isolation, remains an undisturbed nesting ground for these birds, who fish in its rich waters, and lacks introduced as well as native land animals and reptiles-the only reptile, in fact, is a small subspecies of marine iguana. This island is a must for bird enthusiasts of all ages.
Huacas and Shrines on a bike (Lima - 4 hours)
Lima is a big and modern city, it has been in continuous occupation for almost 2,000 years. Scholars have found more than 30 archaeological sites at different locations within the city limits. “HUACAS” are pyramidal constructions with superimposed platforms ending on a flat top, they were used for religious and administrative purposes by prehispanic civilizations along the Peruvian coast.
Our specialized Guide and his assistant will pick you up at the hotel with the bikes and the necessary equipment for the activity. After the briefing you will ride along one of the principal avenues of Lima towards the heart of Miraflores while enjoying the architecture and everyday life of the city folks. The first stop is at Huaca Pucllana, built 1,300 years ago, this visit is a great introduction to the history of Lima, traditions, cuisine and economic activities of ancient inhabitants. Then, we continue to the commercial and financial district, San Isidro, to visit Huaca Huallamarca, which has been through a magnificent restoration by the City Hall, you´ll appreciate the contrast between history and modern life. Finally, we return to the hotel completing a 12 km circuit on the bike. This activity is offered for mornings and afternoons. It lasts for 4 hours. The advantage of being at sea level and our moderate weather is that we can provide it all year round. We include a vehicle as support in case someone in the group decides to stop biking during the tour.
Highlights:
Historical and Natural Sanctuaries (Lima - 6 hours)
Highlights:
The south limits of Lima house two important sanctuaries for the visitor: Villa Wetlands, a natural reserve holding a great variety of flora and fauna, its bodies of water attract a good array of biodiversity, they have identified more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds. And Pachacamac, historical sanctuary and important ceremonial center of the central coast in Perú, it was occupied by 4 consecutive civilizations before the arrival of the Spanish.
Our specialized guide and the vehicle will pick you up at the hotel. It´s necessary to reach Villa Wetlands early in the morning to enjoy the ecosystem. You walk for 2 km. around a lagoon facing the ocean with good opportunities for pictures and a clear understanding of the migratory patterns. The next stop is Pachacamac, the highlights of this massive archaeological site are visited. You will also enter the Site Museum displaying important pieces found during excavations, one of them is the wooden idol of Pachacamac, the most important prehispanic god in this area, carved in local wood more than a thousand years ago.
Return to the hotel is after noon, the activity takes almost 6 hours and you walk almost 5 km during the visits.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour can operate: daily (excepts Monday)
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
Walking the history center of Lima (4 hours)
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
Depart the pier to Lima's main square where the Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizarro, founded the "City of Kings" in 1535. The Government Palace, Lima City Hall, Archbishop's Palace, and the Lima Cathedral surround the square.
Lima was founded to be the capital and most important town of the Spanish domain in South America until the 18th century. The Historical Center represents the model of architecture and urban planning of Spanish colonial cities with high political, economic and cultural importance, as devised by Charles V in 1542.
Our expert Guide will take you to the colonial section of Lima, you will walk among historical monuments, religious and political buildings located within the perimeter declared Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. This learning experience will allow you to appreciate typical examples of Hispanic American baroque style as well as some other different styles like Art Nouveau.
Besides the stops for great pictures of Limenian architecture, you will have the opportunity to visit Casa de Aliaga, a mansion still inhabited by the same family since the foundation of the city, an extraordinary experience that will take you back in time. To finish the experience, we will visit the Dominican Convent, which was the first catholic order to arrive in Perú with Francisco Pizarro and they have a lot of history, traditions, and sainthood to impress our travelers.
Highlights:
The Amano Textile Museum (4 hours)
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
This excursion brings us to the Amano Textile Museum, renowned globally for its extensive collection of archaeological artifacts from pre-Columbian Peruvian civilizations, as well as the significant efforts of Mr. Yoshitaro Amano in safeguarding the world's global textile heritage. The museum's inception followed Mr. Amano's decision to settle in Peru, leveraging his success as a Japanese entrepreneur.
During his journeys across Peru, Mr. Amano encountered relics abandoned by grave robbers. Recognizing their cultural importance, he dedicated a substantial portion of his time to recovering and preserving these artifacts scattered throughout Peru's coastal deserts. These treasures were then exhibited in his residence in Miraflores.
The Amano family remains deeply committed to advancing conservation and research initiatives centered on Peru's textile legacy, in accordance with the vision of the museum's founder, while also paying homage to his memory.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances/stairs)
DURATION: 4 Hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 10:30 and/or 14:30
Note: Filming and photography are not permitted in the Amano Textile Museum, we suggest leaving your cameras in the bus.
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
This excursion brings Larco Museum, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle in 1926, to showcase ancient Peruvian history through its extensive collection of artifacts spanning 5000 years. Housed in an 18th-century viceroyalty mansion built atop a pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum is renowned for its erotic pottery, accessible archives, and beautiful gardens. Andres Alvarez Calderon, actual owner of the collection, emphasizes the importance of museums in preserving humanity's heritage and engaging the public through immersive experiences.
Since it was established in 1926, the Museo Larco has been acknowledged as a pioneer in terms of public access to its collections. It was one of the first museums in the world to open its storerooms to the public, and to provide online access to its entire collection, encouraging in this way the multidisciplinary research first promoted by its founder.
Larco Museum in focused on storytelling, allowing visitors to connect with Peru's ancient civilizations and their profound relationship with nature and the cosmos.
After this stop reboard the motor-coach to return to the pier.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE ALONG THE WAY
Museo Larco´s collections
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances)
DURATION: 4 Hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 09:00 and/or 14:00
Flash photography is not permitted in the Museum.
Includes:
One of the best ways to truly get to know a city is by using its public transportation systems. Be it buses, trains, subways or airways, they all give a real taste of what it really is to live in a specific city. Today you are welcome to be part of the experience of the locals and admire Guayaquil from above onboard the recently inaugurated Guayaquil Airway, an environmentally friendly project that seeks to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the air.
You will be picked up from the port and driven onboard the coach towards Parque Centenario Station where you will take the airway and, along with your guide board one of the cabins and go all the way through the Guayas River in a 20 minutes ride towards the station of Daule, where we will disembark and take the ride back to Guayaquil where you will debark at Four Mosqueteros station.
Adding the final touch to this exciting half-day visit the Anthropological and Contemporary Art Museum of Guayaquil (MAAC) that has an area of more than 9000 square feet. The museum is a pleasant surprise, not only because of its display of modern art, but because of the size and extent of its archeological collection. The MAAC is a great way to see more of Ecuador’s culture and history – and spend some time out of the sun.
At the end, board the bus and drive back to the quayside.
DURATION
4 Hours
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy (Limited Walking – under 500 meters over flat terrain with some steps)
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Cerro Blanco Wildlife and Forest Trail - 4.5 hours
| TIMING | ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST | TERRAIN | W/C FRIENDLY |
| 00:00 – 00:45 | Depart the quayside and drive to Cerro Blanco | Paved | This tour is NOT suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues, however, they must be able to board the coach on their own |
| 00:45 – 02:45 | Walk around the Canoa Trail | Uneven, slippery, muddy | |
| 02:45 – 03:45 | Deluxe Picnic | Flat | |
| 03:45 – 04:30 | Drive back to the pier for embarkation | Paved |
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.