GLOBUS 2009: LEGACY OF THE INCAS WITH GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EXTENSION (SPE)
17 days from Lima to Galapagos Islands
Discover the lasting impact of the Incan civilization during this exciting vacation to Peru. Your trip begins with an introductory tour of the colonial heritage of Lima 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 Inca baths of Tambomachay and 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. 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. Then back to Cuzco for a sightseeing tour with visits to the cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery. Next, travel to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy a hydrofoil cruise on this world-famous lake. Visit 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 daily cruises with a naturalist to outlying Galapagos Islands, including a guided tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Fly to Guayaquil to conclude your exciting vacation to Peru and the Galapagos Islands.
HOTELS
Lima Sheraton Lima (SF), 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 Jose Antonio Hotel Puno (F); Galapagos Extension: Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galapagos Islands Finch Bay Hotel (F), Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)
HOTELS
Lima Sheraton Lima (SF), 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 Jose Antonio Hotel Puno (F); Galapagos Extension: Quito Hilton Colon (SF), Galapagos Islands Finch Bay Hotel (F), Guayaquil Oro Verde (SF)
Call (407) 246-7055 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7472030
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Duration
- 17 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Lima, Peru | (Sat.) Your flight to South America arrives early this morning and will be met by your Tour Director. Transfer to your hotel 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, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin. 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 2 | Lima-Ica Nazca Lines | (Sun.) 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 3 | Ballestas Islands Cruise-Lima | (Mon.) 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. (B) |
| Day 4 | Lima-Cuzco-Sacred Valley | (Tue.) 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 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, 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 5 | Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu | (Wed.) 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 6 | Machu Picchu-Cuzco | (Thu.) 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. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by ANDEAN FOLKLORIC MUSIC. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | Cuzco-Juliaca-Puno (Lake Titicaca) | (Fri.) 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 8 | Puno Excursion to Lake Titicaca | (Sat.) 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 9 | Puno-Sillustani-Juliaca-Lima | (Sun.) 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 10 | Lima-Quito | (Mon.) Fly to Quito and join the Galapagos Highlights Monograms vacation (non-escorted but aided by insightful Local Hosts). (B) |
| Day 11 | Quito | (Tue.) On an included city tour see INDEPENDENCE SQUARE with its CATHEDRAL and SAN FRANCISCO PLAZA CHURCH, and the BASILICA. (B) |
| Day 12 | Quito-Baltra Island-Santa Cruz | (Wed.) Fly to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island and the Finch Bay Hotel. Enjoy daily included cruises with a Naturalist to outlying Galapagos Islands. Stop for a guided tour of the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, the breeding place for the famous Galapagos giant tortoise since 1965. (B,L,D) SPECIAL FEATURE: The Finch Bay Hotel offers a private seaside location with amenities including a bar, lounge, restaurant, outdoor pool, and Jacuzzi-and beachfront access. All rooms offer twin beds, private bathroom, and air-conditioning. Guests will enjoy daily boat excursions to various Galapagos Islands, kayaking, snorkeling, bicycle rides in town, and viewing the local flora and fauna. |
| Day 13 | Santa Fe Island | (Thu.) Cruise to Santa Fe and see the endemic Santa Fe land iguana and the large Opuntia cactus forest. The beach area is covered with California sea lions, and the coastline is excellent for snorkeling with sea turtles. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14 | South Plazas & Punta Carrion Islands | (Fri.) Board a yacht for South Plazas and Punta Carrion Islands. Wildlife includes sea lions, land iguanas, and hybrid iguanas, which are the result of a cross between male marine iguanas and female land iguanas. You may see nesting swallow-tailed gulls, masked and blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, and Audubon's shearwaters. (B,L,D) |
| Day 15 | North Seymour Island & Las Bachas Beach | (Sat.) Visit North Seymour Island and Las Bachas Beach, recognized for tropical birds, colonies of sea lions, and opportunities to see small groups of fur seals. (B,L,D) |
| Day 16 | Santa Cruz-Baltra-Guayaquil | (Sun.) Fly to Guayaquil and transfer to the hotel for the final night of your vacation. (B) NOTE: The end city of Guayaquil on this vacation is different than the regular Monograms Galapagos program. |
| Day 17 | Guayaquil-Homebound Flight | (Mon.) Depart this afternoon for hometown connections. (B) |
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.Single Room Supplement: $1198. Triples not available. Extra nights in Lima: In single room $120; in twin room $70; in triple room $70. Extra nights in Guayaquil: In single room $135; in twin room $90; triple rooms not available. 2010 prices and itineraries subject to change.
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-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
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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.
