Highlights of Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos + The Amazon
Truly the experience of a lifetime, marvel at the magnificence of Machu Picchu, the enchanting beauty of Ecuador and the captivating natural wonders of the Galápagos on this unforgettable tour and cruise.
Immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery of the Amazon with a stay in the heart of the luxuriant, tropical rainforest.
The most famous resident of the Galapagos Islands - a Giant Tortoise
The Amazon River in the lush Ecuadorian rainforest
The vast Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest
San Francisco Cathedral, Lima
Plaza de Armas, Lima
Enjoy tranquil canoe trips along the stunning Amazon waterways
Suspended canopy walkways over the Amazon Rainforest
Korikancha Sun Temple, Cuzco
Temple of Sacsayhuaman, Cuzco
Squirrel Monkey - just one of the many animal species you could see
A colourful Amazon tree frog
Q'Allaqasa Ruins, Pisac
Urubamba Valley en route to Machu Picchu
A parrot clay lick in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Awesome Machu Picchu
The Andes
Quito, Ecuador
Primada Cathedral, Quito
The Equatorial Monument - marking the centre of the equator
Otavalo
Otavalenas - locals in traditional dress, Otavalo
Plaza de Ponchos artisan market, Otavalo
Woven goods in Otavalo market
A Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Islands
San Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands
Great Frigate bird on Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands
A basking Land Iguana, Galapagos Islands
Sealions on a Galápagos beach
Sally Lightfoot Crab on Fernandina Island, Galápagos
Unique Blue-Footed Booby, Galápagos Islands
Stunning landscape of Seymour Island, Galápagos Islands
Marine iguana on a pristine Galápagos coastline
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Your Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Lima.
Fly to Lima where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for two nights.
DAY 2: Lima.
Known as the 'City of the Kings', Lima is a fascinating blend of colonial history, Hispanic culture and modern skyscrapers. Today, tour its colonial landmarks, including Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th century mural-decorated cloisters. Also see the Larco Herrera Museum's impressive collection of pre-Columbian artefacts. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
DAY 3: Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley.
Fly to Cuzco, a magnificent Andean city, once the Inca capital and now the gateway to some of Peru's best-known Inca sites. Travel to the Sacred Valley, winding through snow-capped mountains and ancient villages, to see the Kenko amphitheatre, ancient Puca Pucara and the massive Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Next, visit the bustling local market in the aeons-old mountain village of Pisac. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu.
Marvel at the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo followed by a visit a traditional family home before boarding a train that weaves through the lush Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. At the site, ascend to the Lost City of the Incas, a phenomenal collection of ruins perched against a breathtaking mountain backdrop and framed by dense jungle. Your guided tour will reveal the secrets and stories behind this sacred site and its best-known structures, including the stupendous Temple of the Sun, Andean Cross and staggered fountains. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Machu Picchu - Cuzco.
Enjoy the tranquillity of Machu Picchu this morning with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cuzco. (B, L)
DAY 6: Cuzco.
Delve into the history of the Inca civilisation and its wars with the Spaniards on a tour of Cuzco. Marvel at the imposing cathedral and Santo Domingo Monastery before tonight's dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by Andean folk music. (B, D)
DAY 7: Cuzco - Quito.
Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this eclectic city blends a colonial old town with a modern district of office blocks and shopping streets. (B, D)
DAY 8: Quito.
Learn about Quito's history on an included tour of the city's highlights including the Legislative Palace and its historic stone murals, Independence Plaza, San Francisco Monastery, the Jesuits' La Compania Church, the impressive paintings at the Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin and the Equatorial Monument, which marks the centre of the world. (B)
DAY 9: Otavalo.
Visit Otavalo, home to the colourful Plaza de Ponchos artisan market, Latin America's largest market. Explore the atmospheric maze of multi-hued stalls, which bustle with traditionally dressed Quechua traders, before heading to the indigenous Quechua Indian village of Peguche to visit homes and see exquisite weaved handicrafts being made. Enjoy a home-hosted meal of traditional Andean delicacies before returning to Quito. (B, L)
DAY 10: Quito - Santa Cruz Island (for embarkation).
Fly to the Galápagos Island of Baltra and board MV Santa Cruz for your four-night cruise. Each day, visit different islands and head ashore with an expert naturalist who will introduce the unique wildlife. First, head across to Santa Cruz Island and Las Bachas beach, where abandoned WWII military barges can be found. Today, it is an important nesting area for East Pacific green sea turtles and abundant wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Return to your ship for a Captain's welcome cocktail and dinner. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: Santiago (James) Island.
Join your naturalist for a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer's Cove on Santiago Island, also known as James Island. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. This afternoon, visit Puerto Egas, known for its black sand beach and a landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds as well as a colony of fur sea lions, and marine iguanas. Enjoy a chance to snorkel or swim, or cruise in a glass-bottom boat. (B, L, D)
DAY 12: Rábida & Bartolomé Islands.
Today visit the red-coloured beach of Rábida Island. Your naturalist will point out sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin's finches. This is a wonderful place to snorkel from the beach, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. This afternoon, cruise to Bartolomé Island and perhaps hike to the summit for stunning views of two beautiful bays and fascinating lava formations including the iconic Pinnacle Rock. You'll also have the chance to snorkel and possibly see Galápagos penguins. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: Genovesa (Tower) Island.
Sail to Genovesa Island, also known as Tower Island, and begin with a panga cruise along the cliff shore to see large nesting colonies of Nazca and red-footed boobies as well as other seabirds. Climb Prince Philip's Steps and explore with your naturalist to see masked and blue-footed boobies, storm petrels and maybe even short-eared owls. Later head to Darwin Bay to observe seabirds such as frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, finches and mockingbirds. Enjoy time on the beach to swim or snorkel in the beautiful natural harbour. (B, L, D)
DAY 14: Quito - Coca.
Fly to Coca and transfer by canoe to your forest lodge in the Amazon for a three-night stay. (B, L, D)
DAY 15: Amazon.
Begin the day with a stroll on the lodge's suspended canopy walkway, enjoying birds-eye views of the rainforest. Your naturalist will point out some of the many different species of vibrantly coloured birds before you return to the jungle floor for a walk through the forest to learn about the medicinal plants found here. After a picnic lunch in the primary forest, return to the lodge by canoe. This evening enjoy a night walk or canoe ride with your local guide, to observe animal and plant species rarely seen by day. (B, L, D)
DAY 16: Amazon.
Enjoy an optional visit to a parrot clay lick, where parrots and parakeets can be seen in their thousands. Later, enjoy a cruise on the Napo River, searching out the awesome wildlife of the Amazon basin including monkeys, sloths and squirrels. Spend some time fishing for piranhas before continuing to Kapok Tree Tower, perched 135 feet above the ground. (B, L, D)
DAY 17: Coca - Quito - UK.
Transfer to Coca for your flight to Quito and your connecting flight to the UK. (B)
DAY 18: Home landing in the UK.
Note: Accommodation in the Amazon may be more basic than on the main tour.
MV Santa Cruz
Twin cabin with porthole window, MV Santa Cruz
Twin cabin with window, MV Santa Cruz
On deck Jacuzzi, MV Santa Cruz
Restaurant, MV Santa Cruz
Lounge, MV Santa Cruz
Bar terrace, MV Santa Cruz
Bar, MV Santa Cruz
MV Santa Cruz
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MV Santa Cruz
Specifically designed for Galápagos cruising, MV Santa Cruz is equipped with specialised, state of the art technology to provide you with an authentic, luxurious, expedition-styled cruise. Offering wide, spacious deck areas, ideal for island viewing, a good variety of on board amenities, and air-conditioning throughout, MV Santa Cruz accommodates 90 guests in well-appointed, bright, airy cabins; a perfect environment in which to relax and cruise in comfort amidst the world's most unique, natural and stunning landscapes.
Public Rooms & Facilities
Sun deck; restaurant/dining room; lounge and bar; Jacuzzi and solarium; observation area; reading room with natural history library and lectures; expert team of multilingual naturalists on board; stargazing programme; boutique and gift shop.
Dining
Your cruise includes full board. The dining room provides open seating throughout for all meals and provides a menu renowned for its selection of good international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. Breakfasts and lunches are provided with a selection of Ecuadorian specialities on offer, while complimentary wine is served with all on board dinners.
Cabins
All cabins have twin or double beds; air-conditioning; safety deposit box; hairdryer; shower and wc. Your holiday price includes a main deck cabin or you may choose to upgrade.
Options/Upgrades
Cabin Categories & Descriptions:
Twin/double main deck cabin with porthole or window
Twin/double upper deck cabin with porthole or window
MV Santa Cruz
MV Santa Cruz Sun Deck
MV Santa Cruz Boat Deck
MV Santa Cruz Upper Deck
MV Santa Cruz Main Deck
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Main Deck standard outside twin/double cabin with porthole or window
Upper Deck standard outside twin/double cabin with porthole or window
Highlights of Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos + The Amazon 17 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and departure month, update the calendar then select your holiday.
Highlights of Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos + The Amazon 17 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.
Highlights of Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos + The Amazon
Price from £5085.00
Holiday Highlights
- Lima Sightseeing, Larco Herrera Museum, welcome dinner
- Cuzco Sightseeing, dinner with Andean Folklore music
- Sacred Valley Visits to Kenko, Puca Pucara, Pisac, Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo
- Machu Picchu Sightseeing
- Quito Sightseeing, Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, farewell dinner
- Equatorial Monument
- Otavalo Plaza de Ponchos market
- Galápagos Islands Charles Darwin Research Station, daily guided sightseeing with a local naturalist
- Amazon Jungle walk, Canoe ride, Napo River cruise, Piranha fishing
Departures from
- London Heathrow
Departures between
27 Oct 2012 to 16 Mar 2013
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
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