|
|
AVALON 2009: DISCOVER THE GALAPAGOS & PERU W/THE AMAZON EXTENSION (WGGE)
18 days from Lima to Quito
|
|
 Natural and historic treasures await on this cruise vacation of Peru and the Galapagos. Enjoy a walking tour of Lima; a guided visit of Cuzco, former capital of the Inca Empire; a train excursion on the Chiva Express, and time at leisure in Quito. Also visit the Inca baths of Tambomachay, ancient Puca Pucara, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, and the highlight of your adventure: mystical Machu Picchu. Finally, fly to Baltra Island for a 4-day cruise among various Galapagos Islands.
HOTELS
Lima Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores (SF), Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection (SF), Machu Picchu Sumaq Hotel (F), Cuzco Casa Andina Private Collection Cuzco (SF), Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galapagos Cruise Santa Cruz, Amazon Extension Sacha Lodge (BA)
|
| Call (559) 686-1631 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7294658 | | Globus | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Fly to Lima, Peru | (Wed.) Board your flight to Lima, known as the "City of Kings." Your flight to South America arrives late this evening and will be met by your Local Host. | | Day 2 | Lima | (Thu.) Your Local Guide focuses on the city's colonial heritage during today's walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and visit the CATHEDRAL, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima, are housed. From here, stroll to the SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. Also visit the LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM housing an impressive collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian artifacts. This evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a welcome dinner at Casa Moreyra with your fellow traveling companions. (B,D) | | Day 3 | Lima-Cuzco-Sacred Valley | (Fri.) Fly to Cuzco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Continue into the Sacred Valley and visit the nearby Inca baths of TAMBOMACHAY and 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. 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 chance to visit a local home and experience their way of life. Enjoy free time in the town center to browse colorful stalls where vendors sell their handicrafts, ranging from fine alpaca sweaters and blankets to hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu | (Sat.) Begin the morning with a visit to the Inca fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO. Next, board a TRAIN through the lush Urubamba Valley. Ascend to legendary MACHU PICCHU, "The Lost City of the Incas," high above the valley and 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. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Machu Picchu-Cuzco | (Sun.) With your second included entrance to Machu Picchu, enjoy the tranquility of the morning with free time to wander the ruins at your own pace and absorb the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cuzco. (B,L) | | Day 6 | Cuzco | (Mon.) Learn more about the Incas and their struggle against the invading Spaniards, visiting the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY on your guided tour. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by ANDEAN FOLKLORIC MUSIC. (B,D) | | Day 7 | Cuzco-Quito | (Tue.) Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D) | | Day 8 | Quito | (Wed.) An included sightseeing tour showcases Quito's treasures: the historic stone murals of the LEGISLATIVE PALACE; Independence Plaza and the 16th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY; the Jesuit's LA COMPANIA CHURCH with its stunning golden altars; and the impressive paintings at the WORKSHOP AND MUSEUM of Oswaldo Guayasamin. Be sure to have your photo taken in front of the EQUATORIAL MONUMENT, "the center of the world." (B) | | Day 9 | Quito Excursion atop the Chiva Express | (Thu.) Today's adventure takes you near Cotopaxi National Park at the foot of Cotopaxi Volcano. Enjoy lunch at a local family's hacienda where your meal comes from the surrounding area-with fresh cheese from the farm, vegetables just picked from the garden, homemade desserts, and natural seasonings. There will be time to horseback ride, bird watch, or explore the surroundings on foot. Later, head to the station of Chasqui, where the "CHIVA EXPRESS," a colorful one-coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to "ride the roof" and take in the panoramic views of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. Up top in the open air you will enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you roll along the rails, passing local villages and country homes. (B,L) | | Day 10 | Quito-Baltra-Galapagos Islands (Embarkation)-Cruising | (Fri.) A morning flight to Baltra, one of the remote Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, board the sleek Santa Cruz and enjoy four days of CRUISING among various Galapagos Islands. Each day, travel ashore to the remote islands with your expert naturalist who introduces you to the unique fauna living free and fearless of man. Today, visit San Cristobal Island, where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galapagos back in 1835. This island is home to seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, and frigate birds. Also look for the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird and Chatham Lava Lizard-both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. (B,L,D)Note: The ship's itinerary may vary according to the Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited. | | Day 11 | Galapagos Islands Cruising | (Sat.) Your exploration continues on Espanola (Hood Island). Here, you will see unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, Darwin's finches, and the famous blowhole. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas and a rookery of sea lions right at the landing site. This afternoon, visit a brackish-water lagoon on Floreana where Greater Flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, and sandpipers may be observed. For marine enthusiasts this is a great place for snorkeling! (B,L,D) | | Day 12 | Galapagos Islands Cruising | (Sun.) This morning brings you to the youngest island, Fernandina. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment and the highest density of marine iguanas. Sharing their habitat are sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and hawks. In the afternoon, enjoy coastal exploration along the cliffs of sunken Ecuador Volcano by panga, where our naturalist guides explain the dramatic geology of the area with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. This is the nesting place for flightless cormorants, the only birds in the world that have changed from flying birds to diving birds. Wildlife here includes sea lions, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, and noddy terns. (B,L,D) | | Day 13 | Galapagos (Disembarkation)-Quito | (Mon.) Early this morning, visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, established to help conserve the Islands' natural habitat and protect the famous giant tortoises. Depart the Galapagos today for Quito. This evening, gather with your fellow traveling companions as your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable experience. (B,D) | | Day 14 | Fly from Quito to Coca | (Tue.) (B,L,D) | | Day 15 | Amazon | (Wed.) (B,L,D) | | Day 16 | Amazon | (Thu.) (B,L,D) | | Day 17 | Coca-Quito | (Fri.) Depart your Amazon Lodge today for Coca where you will board your return flight to Quito. The remainder of your day is yours to explore on your own. (B) | | Day 18 | Return Home | (Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| US$ Price Details
Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.Single Room Supplement: $2270Triples not available.2010 prices and itineraries subject to change.Extra nights per person in Lima:in single room $135; in twin room $80.Extra nights per person in Quito:in single room $125; in twin room $80.Cruise pricing is based on cabins located on the main deck. Upgrades are available. Call for pricing.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
