Galapagos & Peru Family Adventure - 16D/15N

Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Amazon Jungle, Quito, and the Galapagos Islands.

photo of Cuzco, courtesy of Tourism Board of PeruDesigned with the active family in mind, this fun-filled 2-week tour is the ultimate adventure holiday for those interested in nature and exploring new places and cultures. From the wonders of the Inca world to the natural playground of the Galapagos, this is a vacation your family will never forget.

G.A.P. Adventures Tours
To emphasize our eco-friendly approach even more, we have elected to operate many programs with G.A.P. Adventures, a leader in eco tourism operation, committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike, working with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. These adventures offer travelers a grassroots, small group adventure vacation, with a focus on culture, nature and active travel.

Comfort Tour
By day, dart around markets, explore the heritage sites and hike through the jungle to discover rare flora and fauna; by night, cozy up in a comfy bed or have a nice dinner with new found friends. Authentic experience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a good night’s sleep. Comfort is ideal for travelers looking for a little extra cushiness from their adventure, while maintaining the grassroots travel experience. Comfort adventures make use of upgraded hotels with continental breakfast, travel by private and first class transportation, and include your arrival transfer.

Local Payment - Helping to keep the cost to you down…
Most of our adventure tours involve a Local Payment that is paid to the Leader/Representative in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as arranging internal flights as well as entrance and guide fees. Local Payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers our operational costs so we can pass the savings on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

Included: Simple hotels/guest houses (9 nights), twin-share cabins on board our motorized yacht (4 nights), jungle lodge (2 nights), 4 nights in the Galapagos Islands - Guided tour of Machu Picchu - Amazon Jungle excursion (3 nights) - Arrival transfer and breakfast daily

Not Included: International Airfares - Local payment - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is compulsory) - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Departure Dates: Jun 09, 2008 ; Jun 30, 2008 ; Jul 07, 2008 ; Jul 14, 2008 ; Jul 21, 2008 ; Jul 28, 2008 ; Aug 04, 2008 ; Aug 11, 2008 ; Aug 18, 2008 ; Dec 08, 2008 ; Dec 15, 2008 ; Dec 22, 2008 ; Dec 29, 2008 ; Jan 05, 2009 ; Jan 12, 2009 ; Mar 02, 2009 ; Mar 09, 2009 ; Mar 16, 2009 ; Mar 23, 2009 ; Jun 08, 2009 ; Jun 15, 2009 ; Jun 22, 2009 ; Jun 29, 2009 ; Jul 06, 2009 ; Jul 13, 2009 ; Jul 20, 2009 ; Jul 27, 2009 ; Aug 03, 2009 ; Aug 10, 2009 ; Aug 17, 2009 ; Aug 24, 2009 ; Aug 31, 2009.

Tour rates from: $ 2,595.00 USD + Local Payment 450 USD + Galapagos Park Fee 100 USD + Transit Control Card 10 USD.

Photo of a bird in the Galápagos Islands, courtesy of Tourism Board of EcuadorDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Arrive Lima - Arrive in Lima at any time.
  • Day 2 Cuzco - Fly to Cuzco and meet your local guide. Get to the hotel, relax and explore the Incan spiritual sites of Sacsayhuaman and Tambo Machay.
  • Day 3 Aguas Calientes - Train through the Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. Enjoy scenery or the activity along the railway. Archaeology buffs can visit Machu Picchu independently before our guided tour. Wander the local market or enjoy the hot springs.
  • Day 4 Machu Picchu / Cuzco - Visit Machu Picchu in the morning light; the best time to view the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Walk through the site before the majority of tourists arrive, while our local guide provides a detailed interpretation of Incan history. Leave for Cuzco by train in the afternoon.
  • Day 5 Cuzco - With a friendly, colonial atmosphere, Cuzco offers nearby Inca ruins, cobblestone streets, museums, markets and churches. Rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking are possible options.
  • Day 6-8 Amazon Jungle (3B, 3L, 3D) - Fly from the Andes to Puerto Maldonado, in the lowlands of the Amazon jungle. Travel by motorized canoe to our lodge in the Tambopata Rainforest Area, world record holder for the most bird sightings in one area. Explore the jungle with expert local guides.
  • Day 9 Lima - Fly to Lima via Cuzco for one final night in the City of Kings.
  • Day 10 Lima / Quito (B) - Fly to Quito. Flight is unescorted, not included and must be pre-booked. Explore the city for the night.
  • Day 11-14 Galapagos (3B, 4L, 4D) - Visit several islands, with wildlife and spectacular scenery. Each day travel with our naturalist from the yacht to the islands, via a small, motorized launch. On land explore the islands as our guide interprets the natural history and educates us on the wildlife. Most days you can snorkel among sea lions, or just relax out on deck.
  • Day 15 Galapagos / Quito (B) - Visit one last island before flying to Quito. Free night in Quito.
  • Day 16 Quito - Depart.

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Also tagged with: Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, South America, Archaeology, Ecuador, Peru, Galapagos Islands, Special Destinations, Active Travel, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Art / Architecture, Special Train, Join-In Tour, Classic Visit, Hosted Tours, Yacht Charter, GAP


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