QUITO, GALAPAGOS, M/V SANTA CRUZ II, LIMA, CUZCO & MACHU PICCHU

Cruising Galapagos for 4 nights and then visit Cuzco & Machu Picchu

14 days/12 nights

DEPARTURE DATES: Every Saturday

INCLUDING:
Meeting and transfer service. Tours as mentioned in itinerary, including entrance fees and English speaking naturalist guides. Hotels as per itinerary including room taxes and service charges with Buffet Breakfast, 2 nights in Lima, 3 nights in Cuzco, 1 night in Aguas Calientes, 2 night in Quito, all the transfers, The 5 day/4 night Galapagos Cruise aboard the M/V Santa Cruz II (Horizon deck) with 2 lower berths. Meals as noted in itinerary B=buffet breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. . Airfare Quito-Baltra-Quito and Quito-Lima-Cuzco-Lima via Lan Peru. Tips to airport porters.

NOT INCLUDED:

Services not mentioned in itinerary; Passport fees; Galapagos National Park Tax upon entry $100; $20 immigration card to enter Galapagos; Airport departure taxes of $2.00 to $5.00 for local flights in Ecuador; Insurance; Tips to hotel porters and tour guides; USA & Ecuador airport departure taxes (usually included in your international air ticket.

Call (770) 732-9434 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12723617

Tour Operator
Tara Tours
Duration
14 Days
Escorted
Escorted - No
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1MiamiSAT. MIAMI-QUITO : Depart Miami for Quito, Ecuador. After going through customs and immigration, you will be transferred to hotel Hilton Colon.
Day 2QuitoSUN. QUITO- City Tour : Morning drive along the northern residential section and see the impressive Parliament Building. Then stroll downtown to visit the colonial temple and monasteries designated by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Visit San Augustine Convent with its colonial cloisters, coffered ceilings and vast collection of paintings. Continue to the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building and Archbishop's Palace. Next, visit the great church and Monastery of San Francisco with the Virgin of Quito at its main altar. Your scenic tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito.(B)
Return and to your hotel Hilton Colon (B)
Day 3GalapagosMON. QUITO-GALAPAGOS (Northern Island Itinerary) : Baltra Island
Transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. Morning arrival to Baltra Island, immediate transfer to the dock to board the new M/V Santa Cruz II. Welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
After WWII, US military barges were beached and abandoned here. Locals referred to the beach as the barges beach, a name that morphed to "bachas". Today it is an important nesting area for the east Pacific green sea turtle. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is a glorious white beach, with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Briefing and dinner.
(B,L,D)
Day 4GalapagosTUE. GALAPAGOS : Espumilla Beach (James Island)
After breakfast, a wet landing on the large coffee-coloured sand beach, just north of the prized fresh water supply that once attracted pirates and whalers. Galapagos Islands visitors who today come to Espumilla Beach arrive in search of birds rather than water. A short walk inland takes guests through a mangrove forest. Sea Turtles also visit these mangroves to nest. Beyond the mangroves lies a brackish lagoon where flocks of pink flamingos and white cheeked pintails can be seen. Lunch on board.
Puerto Egas (James Island)
Wet landing for a mid-length walk. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and there is a colony of fur-sea lions. Opportunity for snorkelling and swimming from the beach after the walk, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 5GalapagosWED. GALAPAGOS : Rabida Island (Jervis)
Disembark at Rabida Island (wet landing) on a red-coloured beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. A gratifying stroll along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted. Lunch on board.
Bartolome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. A great way to start the day! This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase with handrails; the view from the top is worth the effort. Dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, then time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and some snorkelling, possibly with Galapagos penguins, or else a ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 6GalapagosTHU. GALAPAGOS : Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island)
The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs and then disembark (dry landing) on rocks for a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a stimulating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of masked boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). Lunch on board.
Darwin Bay (Tower/Genovesa Island)
In the afternoon, a wet landing for an easy stroll observing thousands of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs. Briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7LimaFRI. GALAPAGOS-QUITO-LIMA : Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal (Chatham) Island)
After breakfast, departure to the port and airport to take the flight back to the mainland. Arrive in Guayaquil and connect with flight to Lima, Peru (B)
Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel RADISSON MIRAFLORES. (B)
Day 8LimaSAT. LIMA -City tour : Morning private sightseeing tour of modern and colonial Lima the "City of Kings" founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1,535 and the most important city in the Americas during the Spanish Viceroyship. You will be passing by Miraflores and San Isidro, the old district of Rimac, Main Square , the Cathedral, San Francisco Church, Torre Tagle Palace and many other landmarks. (B)
Day 9CuzcoSUN. LIMA-CUZCO : Transfer to the airport for flight to Cuzco. Reception and transfer to the SONESTA CUZCO or CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco and the surrounding valley and ruins of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca-Pucara and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. (B)
Day 10Machu PicchuMON. CUZCO-MACHU PICCHU : Full day excursion by train to the most mysterious and energetic place of the Inka civilization. Early morning your tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the train station for your 3 1/2 hour trip with spectacular views of the Urubamba River and the Andean mountain range to Machu Picchu. Temples, palaces, towers and staircases are built into the side of the mountain. Here your tour guide will take you from site to site explaining the advanced world of the Inkas. Overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) at hotel EL MAPI. (B,L,D)
Day 11CuzcoTUE. MACHU PICCHU-CUZCO : Morning at leisure to explore the Lost City of the Inkas on your own or visit the local market in Aguas Calientes. (B)
Day 12CuzcoWED. CUZCO : Day at leisure to explore this magnificent city on your own. Cuzco is like a walking museum, wherever you go in the old city you will find inka palaces, aqueducts, temples, colonial churches, cobble stone streets from hundreds of years ago-.just fantastic. HOTEL SONESTA CUZCO or CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION (B)
Day 13Return USATHU. CUZCO-LIMA-USA : Transfer to the airport for flight to Lima where you will be connecting with your international flight back to USA. (B)
Day 14Arrive USAFRI. ARRIVE USA : Transfer to the airport. (B)
Dates/Pricing

Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
 $7,990.00* (USD) / Santa Cruz II Cabin type : Rates per person (includes local/intercountry airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito-Lima and Lima-Cuzco-Lima - Horizon Deck Twin/Double : DoubleQuote
 $8,260.00* (USD) / Santa Cruz II Cabin type : Rates per person (includes local/intercountry airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito-Lima and Lima-Cuzco-Lima - Expedition Deck Explorer Twin/Double : DoubleQuote
Disclaimer

Not included International air portion USA-Quito and Lima-USA . For Christmas and New Years -please add 10% .

* Children rate based -sharing room with 2 adults.

SAMPLE AIRFARE VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES FROM MIAMI: US$600-700 (Miami-Quito and Lima-Miami)

Add-ons: add $180 from ORL, TPA, JAX, FMY and Zone 1; $220 from ATL; add $250 from BDL, BOS, BWI, EWR, NYC, PHL, RDU, WAS, + Zone 3 - - Add $300 from CHI, CLE, DTT; - Add $330 from DEN, DFW, HOU, MSY, SJU ZONE 2 & 4; Add $390 from LAX, SFO + ZONE 5; Add $410 from Zone 6. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

American Airlines Zone Chart:

Zone 1: FL; Zone 2: AR, LA, MS, NM, OK, TX; Zone 3: CT, GA, MA, MD, NC, NH, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT; Zone 4: AL, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, TN, WI; Zone 5: CA, ID, NV, UT; Zone 6: OR, WA

DEPOSITS:

US$600.00 per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 65 days before departure.

INSURANCE:

Through Insure America, cost for this program starts at US$465 pp.

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellations must be in writing and received by Tara Tours Inc.

Penalties are as follows prior to departure date:

At any time....deposit to Galapagos cruises of $300 per person is not refundable.

120-61 days $350 penalty per passenger service charge.

60-31 days 50% penalty plus any cancellations from the hotels, airlines or cruise line.

30 or less -no refunds

  
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