Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders featuring a 4-Night Cruise

What's Included

• 4-Night Galápagos Cruise

  Embark on a 4-night cruise of the Galápagos Islands on a private yacht with a naturalist guide.

• Machu Picchu Exploration

  Explore the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu.

• Giant Tortoises Encounter

  Meet giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

• Andean Textile Methods

  Discover centuries-old Andean textile methods in the Peruvian Andes.

• Train Journey to Machu Picchu

  Wind through the Andes in a train to Machu Picchu.

• Equatorial Line Monument Visit

  Stand tall in the 'Middle of the World' at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum.

• Interactive Cooking Class

  Master two of South America’s classics, ceviche and pisco sours, at an interactive cooking class.

• Farm-to-Table Meal

  Indulge in a farm-to-table meal in a local community.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursions

  Optional excursions such as the Machu Picchu sunrise tour are not included and require additional payment.
  
  

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
  
  

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
  
  

• Gratuities

  Gratuities for guides, drivers, and staff are not included.
  
  

Experiences

• Discover centuries-old Andean textile methods in the Peruvian Andes.
• Wind through the Andes in a train to Machu Picchu.
• Stand tall in the “Middle of the World” at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum.

Options

Lima: Machu Picchu Sunrise

Ascend to Machu Picchu in the early hours of the morning on your own. Be one of the first to enter the sanctuary just as the sun rises over the high mountains encircling it. Spend time exploring the grounds at your leisure or merely pick a spot to sit and enjoy the morning serenity of this magical place. Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option needs to be purchased at least 30 days prior to tour departure and is non-refundable after purchase.
Option is self-guided and includes bus and entrance tickets. Departures may vary and begin at approximately 5 a.m., allowing up to 4 hours on mountain. Guests will walk approx. 5-10 minutes from the hotel to the bus with TM to pick-up location where guests hop on the included roundtrip transfer to Machu Picchu themselves. Guests will have the opportunity to explore Machu Picchu on their own and will need to return to Aguas Calientes with sufficient time to board their group train departure. Tour Manager will advise on recommended return time. This optional tour is non-refundable after purchase.

Culinaries

• Master two of South America’s classics, ceviche and pisco sours, at an interactive cooking class.
• Indulge in a farm-to-table meal in a local community.

Must See

• On a private yacht, embark on a 4-night cruise of the Galápagos Islands with a naturalist guide.
• Explore the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu.
• Meet giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Choice Highlights

Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru, located in the central coastal region of the country, overlooking the Pacific. The population in the metro area is 2.8 million, and it was founded in 1535 by conquistador Francisco Pizarro. About a third of the country’s population lives in or near Lima. Much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1940, and during the rebuilding, much of the current population migrated to Lima from the country. The historic center was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, and it contains sights such as the Monastery of San Francisco, Plaza Mayor and Cathedral. Lima is known as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas” with cuisine influenced by the Spanish conquerors and by immigrants from other European countries, Africa, China and Japan.

Also known as Urumbamba Valley, Sacred Valley of the Incas is near Cuzco and overlooked by Machu Picchu. The valley was formed by the Urumbamba River, making it very fertile. There are many remains of Inca villages in the valley, and it was thought to be used for production of maize (corn). Mummies of Incas have been discovered in the valley.

Learn to cook Peruvian favorites at a cooking class, hosted in a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Try your hand at concocting a quintessential dish and cocktail, and taste the fruits of your labor.

This is a ceramics workshop and studio in the Urumbamba Valley opened by artist Pablo Seminario who has studied ancient Peruvian pottery techniques for almost 30 years. His current works are combinations of traditional and modern styles, and he has pieces displayed in the Field Museum in Chicago. He makes pieces that range from utilitarian, such as bowls and plates, to decorative, such as Peruvian masks and jewelry pieces.

Enjoy a home-hosted Peruvian meal in Cuzco. You’ll get to know some locals in the intimate setting of their home, and learn about their culture at this special dining experience.

This is an Inca ruin dating from the 15th century, located in the Andes in Peru above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was thought to have been built as an estate for an Inca ruler and was abandoned after only about 100 years when many inhabitants died from diseases such as smallpox brought by the Spaniards, and transmitted to the site by travelers. The site was discovered by Hiram Bingham, a lecturer at Yale, in 1911 and National Geographic Magazine devoted a whole edition to it in 1913. It is now Peru’s most visited tourist attraction, and numbers have to be carefully controlled to minimize negative impacts on the site by too many people.

Cuzco is a city of over 400,000 people in southeastern Peru. It was the historic capital of the Inca Empire, and it has an elevation of 11,200 feet. Cuzco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Inca Empire existed from the 13th century until the arrival of the Spanish in 1532, who took the city of Cuzco from the Incas in 1536. When Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911, the city became the starting point for tourists to visit the ruins. It has become a very important destination in itself. The old city center is noted for its combination of pre-colonial (Inca) and colonial buildings, and important sights include the Barrio de San Blas, the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas.

For the afternoon, you have the choice between two activities. You can visit the sacred Inca ancient ruins of the Sacsayhuamán Fortress. Your other option is to embark on a walking tour of San Blas, the traditional old quarter of Cuzco, lined with restaurants and artisan shops.



Sacsayhuamán Fortress

Activity Level 4: Guests must be able to walk continuously for 10-15 minutes on uneven surfaces with slight inclinations.



Walking Tour of San Blas

Activity Level 4: Guests must be able to walk continuously for 30-45 minutes on uneven surfaces, up and down steep streets.

Discover Quito’s colonial center on a tour featuring the Presidential Palace and the 17th century Church of La Compañia. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience as you cross between hemispheres at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum at the “middle of the world.”

This is a park located on the Equator about 16 miles from the center of Quito (Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Spanish). It contains a 30 meter high stone monument which commemorates a mission by the French Academy of Sciences to investigate the shape of the Earth, and there is a small museum inside the monument of articles of Ecuadorian culture. The park also contains a planetarium, a miniature model of Quito and several restaurants.

Spend 4 nights aboard a new, privately-chartered luxury yacht. Take in the beautiful views as this elegant ship takes you through the waters of Peru and the Galápagos islands. The ship is intimate and modern, including a comfortable lounge with large windows that look out across the ocean scenery.

Mode of Transport

Travel includes flights over the Andes to Cuzco, a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu, and a flight to the Galápagos, where you'll embark on a private yacht cruise. Local transportation is provided for excursions and transfers.

Accommodation

Stay in comfort at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley, and Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu, with a luxurious 4-night cruise aboard the M/Y Coral II yacht in the Galápagos Islands.