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Sold Out! |
Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, lots of meals, guided touring and much more!
This tour program is currently sold out.
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Join us on a fascinating voyage of discovery as we visit some of the most splendid and awesome sites in the world. We'll travel first to Peru, which, like the Parthenon in Greece or the Pyramids of Egypt, provides an unforgettable glimpse of the genius of the lost world of the Inca People.
You'll have the opportunity to visit Lima, the City of Kings and the country’s capital, Cusco, the 11,000 ft high Inca capital, Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and among the most impressive archeological discoveries of all times, and Lake Titicaca on Peru's border with Bolivia, among the highest and most beautiful lakes in the world.
In Ecuador, we’ll visit Quito, the lovely colonial capital city, whose Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Otavalo, whose colorful, charming market is known throughout the world, and the Galapagos Islands, a magical, unique, living laboratory, where Darwin, and those who followed, studied evolutionary changes that led to a new understanding of life on earth.
This is truly a once in a lifetime adventure you'll never forget, full of discovery, beauty, history, culture and more fun than you can imagine. And while there are no compromises in the quality of the hotels and the scope of touring included in our program, it's yours for a price that's as amazing as the trip itself!
Departures of our Peru, Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands tour program prior to June 2007 feature a different itinerary.
Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting tour to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands begins this evening as you depart on your overnight flight bound for Lima, Peru.
Day 2: Arrive Lima, Peru. Early morning arrival in Lima, Peru's diverse capital. After arrival formalities, transfer to your deluxe hotel to check in and relax after your flight. This afternoon enjoy a tour of both modern and colonial Lima, founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro. See the historical center and the San Francisco Church as well as Plaza de Armas and the Government Palace. Later, visit the fashionable districts of San Isidro and Miraflores with their beautiful parks and elegant residences facing the ocean. Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. El Pardo Hotel (Due to a major convention in Lima, passengers on the Nov. 3 departure will stay at the Jose Antonio Hotel). (D)
Day 3: Lima, Cusco. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a short morning flight to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire and located 11,000 feet above sea level. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel located in the heart of the Old City just a few blocks from the Main Square. According to Inca legend, the city was founded by Manco Cápac, whose golden sceptre disappeared into the ground on its own showing him where to establish the city of Cusco (the navel of the world). A guided tour takes you to the main sites of this impressive city, including the Plaza de Armas, center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco and where you find the beautiful 16th century cathedral, built on the ruins of the Koricancha, an important Inca temple to the Sun God. During Inca times this temple was literally covered with gold, but within months of the arrival of the first conquistadors this incredible wealth had all taken as treasure for Spain. Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (B)
We went on the Peru & Galapagos trip in Nov, 2007 and loved it. The guides were teriffic, the hotels were top notch, exceeding my expectations. The boat in the Galapagos had lovely large staterooms, good food, great naturalist guides, and was an overall excellent experience. I would do the trip again in a minute!
Pat Atkins, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Day 4: Cusco, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Pisac Market & Sacred Valley. Today you will visit some of the villages and towns that are representative of the picturesque traditions and lifestyle of the Andes. Your first stop is at the village of Chinchero, a small Andean Indian town where the locals still dress in traditional clothing and live mostly in adobe houses. Located high on the windswept plains of Anta, Chinchero, the mythical birthplace of the rainbow, affords visitors beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Continue to Ollantaytambo, located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of a series of steep terraces which helped provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba river—an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex, still under construction at the time of the conquest by Spain, was never completed. (B,D)
This afternoon, drive to Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a wonderful market. Here you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in their traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce. Drive to nearby Yanahuara for overnight. Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley (B,D)
Day 5: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. It's a short drive from your hotel to the railroad station where you'll board the VistaDome train and travel through the lush Urubamba Valley, passing through stunning scenery en route toMachu Picchu, the most spectacular setting of any ruin in the world. Even those who aren't normally excited by archaeology will be impressed by this Lost City of the Incas.
Unknown to the outside world until Yale's Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu sits on the spine of a ridge 2,000 ft/610 m above the rushing Urubamba River. After lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge restaurant, enjoy the afternoon to explore on your own. Later, take the shuttle bus to nearby Aguas Calientes where you'll check into your hotel, located on the bank of the Urubamba River. Hatuchay Tower Aguas Calientes (B,L)

Day 7: Cusco, Lake Titicaca. Take a drive of unbelieveable beauty through the Andes and toward the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. Driving from Cusco to Puno through the Andes, you reach an elevation of more than 14,000 ft/4,265 m at La Raya (the apex between the Andes and Altiplano) as you pass through tiny villages of craftsmen, potters and weavers, farms, waterfalls, clear blue sky, deep blue water and dry, reddish-brown landscape. Have cameras charged and ready for the incredible panoramic shots you'll want to take along the way. Arrive at Puno this evening, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, 3800 m above sea level. Tonight join your fellow travelers for a "mate de coca" made with coca leaves and very popular among the locals of the Altiplano, followed by dinner. Casa Andina Private Collection Puno (B,L,D)
Day 8: Lake Titicaca, Uros, Sillustani, Juliaca & Lima. This morning you'll visit beautiful, Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America and according to Andean legend, the birthplace of civilization. A highlight of your tour is a visit to the floating island of Uros, where many of the inhabitants still practice the old traditions of fishing, trapping birds, weaving and sailing in boats and living in houses made of totora reeds which grow abundantly in the lake. Continue to the Chullpas (pre-Colombian funeral towers) of Sillustani, built by the Aymara-speaking Collas tribe who dominated the Titicaca region before the Incas. Colla nobility buried their nobility and riches in these towers, which have long since been vandalized and emptied of treasure. Yet, they are well worth the visit as the engineering involved in their construction was as impressive and complex as anything built by the Incas. Later, drive to the nearby airport at Juliaca to board your flight to Lima. Posada del Inca El Olivar. (B)

In the modern city, visit the Legislative palace and Alameda Park with the oldest observatory in South America. The real beauty of Quito, however, is in its wonderful, colonial Old Town, where you'll find blocks of colonial architecture, some of it dating from the mid-1500s when the Spanish founded the city. (Before the Spanish arrived, Quito was an important Inca settlement, and before the Inca, other tribes lived at the site.) Vintage facades line the streets and large open plazas are surrounded by cathedrals and stately public buildings. Even more breathtaking than the exteriors are the interiors of some of the buildings, particularly the churches, some of which gleam with real gold leaf. Visit the Monastery of San Francisco, Quito's oldest church, begun in 1536 and finally completed in 1605 and an exact replica of the Escorial Palace of Madrid. Hilton Colon Hotel (B)
Day 10: Quito, Galapagos Cruise: San Cristobal Island. Transfer to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal, Island, the easternmost gateway to the Galapagos Islands. Board your first class cruiser, the Galapagos Explorer II, your home for the next three nights. Settle into your cabin and later this afternoon, join your fellow travelers at Cerro Brujo, an impressive geological formation that offers roosting sites for brown pelicans, boobies and gulls. The white coral sand beach is beautiful and perfect for sun bathing and swimming, and just behind the beach you'll find a lagoon where common stilts, ducks, herons and other coastal birds feed. Return to your boat to enjoy your first dinner and overnight aboard. MV Galapagos Explorer II (B,L,D)
Day 11: Galapagos Cruise: Espanola Island, Suarez Point & Gardner Bay. Land at Suarez Point on Espanola Island, where you'll walk over rugged volcanic rocks to see colonies of sea lions and throngs of marine iguanas sunning themselves. At an overlook, you'll see many sea birds, including fork-tail frigate birds, hawks and mockingbirds, but you'll have to look carefully to spot the saddleback tortoises, native to this island, which despite their large size manage to hide in the bushes. The most spectacular of the sea birds are the waved albatrosses, the largest birds in the Galapagos. From March through November, you can usually watch the birds' elaborate courtship ritual, as they bow, click their bright yellow bills, circle and honk at one another before mating for life. It's quite a show. After raising their young, the birds head out to sea, where they often spend three or four months without touching land. End this morning's excursion viewing the famous blowhole, where the water spurts about 75 feet into the air.
This afternoon, visit the beautiful white-sand beach at Gardner Bay, where the sea lions are so comfortable with visitors that you can easily snap photos with them and observe their behavior. Among other wildlife found here are Galapagos hawks, American oyster catchers, doves, hood mockingbirds, three species of Darwin finches and yellow warblers. The swimming is good, and you can snorkel in the bay near Gardner Rock and be assured of seeing a variety of colorful fish, rays, baby sea lions, starfish and an occasional white-tipped reef shark.
(B,L,D)
Day 12: Galapagos Cruise: Santa Cruz, Darwin Station & Rabida Island. Explore Santa Cruiz Island and the Charles Darwin Research station in Puerto Ayora this morning. This is sure to be the highlight of your visit to the Galapagos Islands, as this is the place to see giant tortoises, both in the wild and in captivity. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, you can observe baby tortoises being bred for release on their native islands. Further inland in the Highlands, as the center of the island is known, you can view the giant tortoises in the wild where they are usually wallowing in a shallow pond or plodding through dense brush.
Later land at Rabida Island on a red-colored beach of volcanic origin, often called the geographic center of the Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the islands. Stroll along the beach and observe a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and several species of Darwin’s Finches. Very close to the beach is a salt pond where Greater Flamingos often can be seen. From June to November, a large colony of pelicans nests nearby. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Galapagos Cruise: Santa Cruz Island & Quito. Arrive at Bachas Beach on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz Island. Here you'll encounter various species of sea birds, marine iguanas and sea turtles. Enjoy a last opportunity to swim and snorkel at this white, sandy beach. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B) Hilton Colon Hotel
Day 14: Otavalo Excursion. Today you'll experience Otavalo, whose beauty lies in its people, the Otavaleño Indians, and their market, undoubtedly one of the most important and spectacular in all of Latin America. Unlike other indigenous people who have given up their traditional dress for jeans and tee shirts, Otavaleños are still easily identified by their distinctive dress: women wear intricately embroidered blouses and a wealth of beaded necklaces, while men have long, braided hair and wear calf-length white trousers, ponchos and sandals. The market is centered around main Plaza, but don't hesitate to wander into the side streets, where the goods on display start to diversify and the prices get lower. Enjoy the cacophony of sounds as Spanish, Andean pipe music, and Quichua, the native language of the area, mix together and the explosion of color from the many fabric, fruit and other stalls that line the plaza and side streets. Later this afternoon, visit Cotacachi, another small town famous for its leatherwork, Peguche, known for its weavings and San Antonio de Ibarra, where you'll find wonderful carved figures from wood. This evening, join your fellow travelers in a festive farewell dinner and folklore show. Hilton Colon Hotel (B,D)
Day 15: Quito/USA. Transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA, arriving later today. (B)
The elegant MV Galapagos Explorer II is a modern first class cruiser especially adapted for Galapagos Cruises. The ship can accommodate up to about 100 guests in either classic ocean-facing cabins with portholes or higher deck cabins with large panoramic windows. All cabins are outside facing, spacious and have a private bath with shower and two lower beds. The ship has ample public facilities including a lounge, game room, library and a small swimming pool. The elegant restaurant serves delicious continental cuisine.To enrich your visit to the Galapagos Islands, there are several expert naturalists on board as well as a glass-bottom boat available for those not wishing to snorkel.
Click here for more information about the ship, including deck plans.
Known throughout the world for its amazing ruins and stunning location high in the mountains, Machu Picchu was accidentally discovered in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The beauty of its location and the genius construction make Machu Picchu the "lost city of the Incas" and the archaeological jewel of South America. Machu Picchu's remains are comparatively well preserved because the Spaniards never reached the city. It was buried in the jungle for centuries, and even after its 1911 rediscovery, the city remained inaccessible until the 1940s, when an archaeological expedition working at the site discovered the Inca Trail cutting through the valley below. While most visitors spend only a few hours here, you'll stay overnight and have ample time to absorb the mystery and beauty of this amazing, not-to-be-missed site!
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the subtropical archipelago of the Galapagos Islands consists of 13 larger and numerous lesser islands that compose a natural paradise of unrivalled beauty. Its remoteness from the mainland left the Galapagos largely untouched by humans for centuries. As a result, the Islands remain a unique desination and one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders.
The islands make up one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. Its volcanic geology is striking, but the impressive array of rare flora and fauna is the real attraction. A remarkable 50% of its species are endemic to the islands. The Galapagos’ most famous residents are the giant tortoises that can weigh up to 600 lbs and live for nearly 200 years. Scarlet-breasted frigate birds, tiny penguins, graceful albatrosses, and marine iguanas also populate the islands. This explains why Charles Darwin spent five months on the Galapagos, observing its wildlife. He later used his findings to publish his most famous work, Origin of Species.
Special conservation efforts are essential in helping the Islands maintain their natural splendor. In keeping with these efforts, visitors must adhere to Galapagos National Park regulations that require that all visitors be accompanied by a certified guide and that they stick to the marked trails on the 60 designated visitor sites on the islands. Most importantly, visitors may not touch or feed the animals in order to avoid making the animals dependent on humans. Nevertheless, you will be surprised to see how close some of the animals will come, so be sure to have your camera ready at all times.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Peru, click here.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Ecuador, click here.
• Round trip flights from Miami via LAN Peru/LAN Ecuador including fuel surcharges, (add $190 if departing from New York) (flight schedule)
• Intra-South America flights, ground transportation and transfers
• Accommodations in Superior and Deluxe hotels with private bath
• Three-night Galapagos Cruise aboard MV Galapagos Explorer II
• 25 bountiful meals including 13 full buffet breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
• Comprehensive guided sightseeing tours and shore excursions including entrance fees
• Professional English-speaking tour directors and guides
TourCode: d-000
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Tour prices are per person, double occupancy, including airfare. Prices in red reflect an early booking discount if you reserve by Dec. 14, 2007. * Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee for this tour of $100. |
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* As of April 2008, the Ecuadorian government requires all cruise passengers in the Galapagos to pay this fuel surchage. Fee is paid locally. ** As part of increasing conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands, the Ecuadorian government has implemented a new measure to oversee the number of visitors to the Islands. All tourists must now obtain a transit control card upon arrival in the Galapagos. *** All departure taxes are paid locally at the time of departure. Amount is approximate and reflects current exchange rates. |
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* Please note that single cabins on the Galapagos cruise are extremely limited. |
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Ask about availability and prices for connecting flights from other cities. |
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Travel Insurance: Our comprehensive policy is available for only $99-$159 per person (depending on total trip cost) and is recommended to protect your investment.
Cabin Upgrades on Galapagos Cruise: Our prices are based on outside cabins (with porthole) on the Magellan and Columbus Decks.
Flight Schedule: Click here for a full flight schedule.
Our tours may look similar to others you've seen, but we invite you to shop & compare. There are important differences that make Friendly Planet tours the best you can find.
No Compromise on Quality: Despite our extraordinary prices, there are no compromises on our South America tours. You'll stay in Deluxe and Superior First Class, centrally located hotels that are noted for their amenities and service.
Included Features: Your transfers as well as important visits to all the "must see" places in Peru and Ecuador are all included, not expensive extras as in other tours.You'll even visit Lake Titicaca, among the highest and most beautiful lakes in the world, as an included feature on our tour. Included meals feature delicious local specialties as well as classic American favorites.
Free Destination Guide: You will receive a free, comprehensive Friendly Planet Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos destination guide with lots of destination information, helpful hints, plenty of night-life and restaurant suggestions, organized by cuisine and cost, so you have up-to-date spots to try on the evenings when dinners are not included. Your free guide will even include recommendations for tipping, local customs, dress, great shopping spots and much more.
Credit Cards or Cash: Whether you pay by check, money order or your favorite major credit card, your tour price on this tour is the same. No extra cost to charge your dream vacation when you book with Friendly Planet. Credit Card Authorization Form.
Personal Service: Most important of all, the extra ingredient that makes our tours stand apart from others—the wonderful, personal attention you'll receive from our friendly staff in the USA and our representatives in South America —is completely free of charge. Compare our programs to others, feature for feature. You'll see for yourself that ours are the very best value for money you'll find anywhere.
AVAILABILITY: Our cruise tours are heavily in demand, and even if a departure shows as available, availability may be limited to certain decks or cabin categories. Please check with us by telephone (800-555-5765) for up-to-the-minute status on our cruise programs. If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.
IMPORTANT TRAVELERS NOTES: *The high altitudes reached on this trip (Cusco is at 11,000 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, requires that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concers regarding your ability to handle these conditions..
*If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.
Wait-listing on Friendly Planet Sold-Out Departures: If your preferred departure is sold out, you can place yourself on a waitlist by completing the online reservation form and submitting it to us. Just click on the "waitlist" button, complete the form and click "submit". In the comments box at the very bottom of the form, please write any notes regarding your request, especially any flexibility you might have in your dates of travel. This way, if your first choice doesn't clear, we can try for a second or third choice. We will make every effort to clear your space in a timely way so that you can join us on tour. You do not need to send any deposits for waitlists. When we clear your space, we'll contact you immediately by phone or email, and if you still wish to travel, we will arrange for deposits or payments at that time. We regret that we cannot accept waitlists beyond 35 days prior to departure. If you see "sold out" next to the dates you wish to reserve or waitlist, please note that this departure is now closed, including waitlist possibilities.
Already Booked? Print and complete your Tour Registration Form (PDF).
