South & Central America, Galapagos

Wild Galápagos & Peru Escape

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Experience the best of Galápagos, and Machu Picchu too, in ten action-packed days. Starting in Lima on a Friday night, stay two nights in the Sacred Valley, enjoy fabled Machu Picchu and see Cusco, imperial capital of the Inca. Journey to Galápagos for a five-day voyage, with multiple adventures every day on land and undersea—walks and hikes, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling—returning home on Sunday. Operating year-round aboard the yacht-like, 48-guest National Geographic Islander, you’ll experience Galápagos and Peru in true Lindblad-National Geographic style, but in less time. As with our classic 16-day Galápagos + Machu Picchu & Peru’s Land of the Inca, available aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, each voyage is crafted to offer you a diverse sample of experiences.

Highlights

• Soak in the scenery and culture of the Sacred Valley of the Inca

• Journey between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu by Inca Rail

• Remain into the late afternoon at fabled Machu Picchu

• Voyage aboard the 48-guest National Geographic Islander with a team of naturalists

• Maximize your time in Galápagos with options to hike, Zodiac cruise, and snorkel every day

DAY 1: Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Costa del Sol, connected to the airport. You may also elect to arrive early for the Taste of Lima pre-voyage extension. It adds just a day and gives you a chance to rest, relax and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city

DAY 2: Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco this morning. Drive through the Sacred Valley to Chinchero, a typical Andean village where National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa joins us for lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions. Continue to Tambo del Inka, where we stay two nights. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Machu Picchu

Drive to Ollantaytambo, where we board our train to Machu Picchu. Set at less than 8,000 feet in the “eyebrow of the jungle,” the sanctuary is surrounded by tropical mountain forest with diverse birds and orchids. We linger after day- visitors are gone, returning to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka this evening. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: Sacred Valley / Cusco

After breakfast this morning, depart for Cusco with a full day to explore. Tour the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of this burgeoning cultural capital and center of the Inca universe, where colonial buildings stand atop Inca foundations. Check in at Palacio del Inka in the historic center. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore nearby celebrated restaurants or rest and relax at the hotel. (B,L)

DAY 5: Cusco / Lima / Guayaquil

Bid farewell to Peru and continue to Ecuador for part two of our expedition with flights from Cusco via Lima to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. Overnight at Hotel del Parque. (B,L,D)

DAY 6-9: Guayaquil / Baltra / Embark / Galápagos

Fly on Day 6 to Galápagos. Each day we hike, swim, snorkel, or explore by kayak or Zodiac—all the while witnessing incredible interactions between animals in their natural habitat. Start exploring on Isla Santa Cruz with a trip over the highlands of Santa Cruz upon arrival. Over these few days, walk in a cactus forest with endemic land iguanas on Santa Fe. Wander among sea lions and admire soaring sea birds on Plaza Sur. Search for penguins on stark black lava at Sullivan Bay on Santiago. Snorkel in crystal-clear water at Sombrero Chino. And sail across the Equator and into the flooded caldera at Genovesa, a seabird paradise where we bid farewell to Darwin’s Islands. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: Disembark / Baltra / Guayaquil / Home

Fly to Guayaquil, where dayrooms are reserved at the Hotel del Parque before flights home. Or spend the night and return home on Day 11 at no additional cost. Or elect the post-cruise extension to Quito & Otavalo. Ask your Expedition Specialist for details. (B

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.