 GLOBUS 2010: LEGACY OF THE INCAS WITH GALAPAGOS ISLANDS & PERU EXT (SPY)
23 days incl. air, or 22 days from Lima to Guayaquil
Discover the lasting impact of the Incan civilization during this exciting vacation. Your trip begins in Puerto Maldonado, the entry to Peru's Amazon Jungle, where you spend three nights at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge within the Ese' Eja native Indian community. Enjoy boat trips to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, kingfishers, capped herons, and giant river otters-the largest and most endangered of the otter species. Then fly to Lima, the capital of Peru. Start with an introductory walking tour of this colonial city with visits to the cathedral and the San Francisco Monastery. Then drive to Ica, wine capital of Peru, for a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines-geometric etchings left by ancient Peruvians. Cruise to Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals, before heading back to Lima. Fly to Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and spend the day in the Sacred Valley. While there, visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. In Cuzco, you also enjoy a sightseeing tour with visits to the cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery. Stop in Pisac to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience the way of life in this old mountain village. Visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo before traveling through Urubamba Valley by train on your way to legendary Machu Picchu, 'The Lost City of the Incas.' Your tour with a Local Guide brings you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. You also have free time to wander and tour the Machu Picchu ruins at your own pace. Next, travel to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy a boat trip on this world-famous lake to see some of the more unique islands. Visit Taquile Island, one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century, and Uros Floating Islands, islands made of reed and home of the Uros Indians. Return to Lima via Juliaca, then fly to Quito, Ecuador, for a city tour before flying to the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy a 4-night Galapagos Islands cruise and visit Bartolome, Santiago, Fernandina, North Seymour, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela Islands. Look for giant tortoises at a reserve, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, sea lions, land iguanas, Darwin's finches, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. After your cruise, fly to Guayaquil to conclude your exciting vacation to Peru and the Galapagos Islands.
HOTELS
Lima Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores (MD), Ica Hotel Las Dunas (F), Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley (SF), Machu Picchu Sumaq Hotel (F), Cuzco Casa Andina Private Collection Cuzco (SF), Puno Libertador Lago Titicaca (MF); Amazon Extension: Puerto Maldonado Posada Amazonas Lodge (BA); Galapagos Extension: Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galapagos Cruise Galapagos Explorer II (F), Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)
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| Call (877) 229-6008 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8656843 | | Globus | | Offer valid through 11/30/2009 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Lima | (Wed.) Board your overnight flight for Lima. | | Day 2 | Lima | (Thu.) Welcome to Lima, where you will be met by a Globus representative. Enjoy time at your hotel to relax and refresh before time to explore the city. | | Day 3 | Puerto Maldonado | (Fri.) Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru's Amazon Jungle. Embark on a motorboat for a journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and river birdlife, such as capped herons, black skimmers, and kingfishers. Arrive at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge within the Ese' Eja native Indian community. After settling in, take a walk to the canopy tower to observe the forest and river and its inhabitants. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | Puerto Maldonado | (Sat.) A boat trip and walk bring you to Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake to search by canoe for the resident giant river otters-the largest and most endangered of the otter species. This afternoon, learn about medicinal uses of the area's endemic plants. Tonight, why not participate in a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife? (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Puerto Maldonado | (Sun.) For more insight into jungle life, visit the parrot clay lick and watch parrots and macaws perch to eat clay. Also visit a native slash-and-burn farm, once thought to be wasteful but now a proven sustainable method. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | Lima | (Mon.) Fly to Lima today, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B) | | Day 7 | Liam | (Tue.) Your hotel is ready for early check-in for time to relax and refresh before an afternoon city tour. Your Local Guide focuses on the city's colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. This evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow traveling companions. (D) | | Day 8 | Ica | (Wed.) Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the town of Ica, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for a FLIGHT over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the NAZCA LINES, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil-some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the 'astronomical calendar' of the ancient Peruvians. Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D) | | Day 9 | Lima | (Thu.) Head north to the Bay of Paracas. CRUISE out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Board your motorcoach and arrive in Lima by late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by an ANDEAN FOLKLORIC SHOW. (B,D) | | Day 10 | Sacred Valley | (Fri.) Fly to Cuzco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to the semi-circular KENKO Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. See the ancient site of PUCA PUCARA before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cuzco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. Next, visit PISAC, an old mountain village where you will have the opportunity to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life. Enjoy free time here to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) | | Day 11 | Machu Picchu | (Sat.) Visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO this morning before boarding a TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Then, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to legendary MACHU PICCHU, the 'Lost City of the Incas,' high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Tonight, stay at a nearby hotel. (B,L,D) | | Day 12 | Cuzco | (Sun.) Your entrance to Machu Picchu is included for a second day. Enjoy the tranquility of the morning with free time to wander the ruins at your own pace and experience the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by TRAIN and continue on to Cuzco. (B,L) | | Day 13 | Puno | (Mon.) This morning, learn more about the Incas and their struggle against invading Spaniards on your Cuzco city tour with visits to the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY. Board an afternoon flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,D) | | Day 14 | Puno | (Tue.) Today, take a motor boat trip to some of the more unique islands of LAKE TITICACA. Start with TAQUILE ISLAND, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating UROS ISLANDS, home to the Uros Indians who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory. These islands are completely made by reeds and are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. (B,L) | | Day 15 | Lima | (Wed.) Depart for Juliaca this morning, visiting the ruins of SILLUSTANI en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas, above-ground cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. Fly from Juliaca to Lima this afternoon. Later, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner. (B,D) | | Day 16 | Quito | (Thu.) Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. (B) | | Day 17 | Quito | (Fri.) On an included city tour, see INDEPENDENCE SQUARE with its CATHEDRAL and SAN FRANCISCO PLAZA CHURCH, and the BASILICA. (B) | | Day 18 | Cruising | (Sat.) Fly to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island and board the Galapagos Explorer II for your 4-night Galapagos Islands CRUISE. Cruise to Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) to visit a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by many species of birds. Also watch for the numerous iguanas that nest here. (B,L,D) | | Day 19 | Bartolome & Santiago Islands | (Sun.) Wake up at Bartolome Island, a volcanic island with black lava fields, a gray-brown cinder cone, and white sand beaches. Walk to the island's summit to enjoy an impressive view, including Pinnacle Rock. You may also see the Galapagos penguin, the only existing species of penguin in the equator area. Cruise to Santiago Island and Puerto Egas, once a buccaneer supply base. Watch for Galapagos hawks, Darwin's finches, land and marine iguanas, fur seals, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Swim and snorkel in search of sea life. (B,L,D) | | Day 20 | Fernandina & Isabela Islands | (Mon.) On Fernandina, the youngest of the islands, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, and sea lions are abundant. Continue to Isabela, the biggest island, with unique animals including the world's only surviving population of mangrove finch and giant tortoises that have been isolated long enough to evolve into distinct subspecies. During a boat ride, observe nesting blue-footed boobies as well as pelicans, sea turtles, basalts, sea lions, and land iguanas. Snorkeling offers a great view of marine life. (B,L,D) | | Day 21 | North Seymour & Santa Cruz Islands | (Tue.) Today begins on North Seymour, where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to the rocks. The interior has a Palo Santo and small Opuntia forest with blue-footed boobies and frigatebird colonies. Next up: Santa Cruz, where vegetation ranges from cactus to rainforest. Visit a reserve with giant tortoises in their natural surroundings, and walk through a naturally formed lava tunnel. (B,L,D) | | Day 22 | Guayaquil | (Wed.) Sea lions greet you on San Cristobal. Watch for Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, and the endemic Chatham mockingbird. Fly to Guayaquil. (B) | | Day 23 | Guayaquil | (Thu.) Transfer to the airport this morning for your homebound flight. (B) |
| | US$ Price Details
Single Room Supplement: $2476.Triple rooms are not available.Extra nights per person in Lima:in single room $147; in twin room $85Extra nights per person in Guayaquil:in single room $158; in twin room $942011 prices and itineraries are subject to change.
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Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.
Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature. |
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