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17-Nights Independent Galapagos At The Finch Bay Resort & Peru With Ecuador's Amazon from $10,809
Globus
OFFER ID 1507806
How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to explore the Amazon Rainforest? To follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands? And delve further south to soar higher in the Andes and the heart of Peru? If so, this Independence by Globus vacation in Ecuador and Peru is pointing you in the right direction. Ignite your independent spirit on a canoe trip downriver from Coca to your lodge in the Amazon Rainforest, where you’re in good hands with a Naturalist guide to explore the jungle from its rainforest canopy to the forest floor. Be awestruck by the wealth of wildlife that thrives in this tropical wilderness. Then, depart for parts unknown where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. Sail in luxury upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the islands of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island, and other island sanctuaries of spectacular species. See the sights in Quito, Ecuador before setting your compass to the heart of Peru to ignite your independent spirit in Lima, Cusco, and magnificent Machu Picchu. Explore ancient ruins that defy explanation and encounter the captivating cultures that live on in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. Timeless temples, textiles, and tantalizing dishes are all on the menu with the I-time you crave on this free-spirited sojourn in South America.
17 nights from $10,809 per person
Independent Galapagos At The Finch Bay Resort & Peru With Ecuador's Amazon
Day 1 QUITO, EQUADOR
Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2 QUITO–COCA–AMAZON LODGE
• Fly to Coca where you will be met by your Naturalist.
• Travel by motorboat down the Napo River with opportunities to spot birds like herons, kingfishers, and others.
• Next, transfer to a canoe and float through narrow channels looking for monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots, or even macaws.
• Arrive at your Amazon lodge located on Añangu Lake surrounded by pristine rainforest.
• Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink, briefing, and dinner.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 AMAZON LODGE
• After an early breakfast, journey to a parrot clay lick where 11 different species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws can be seen on a daily basis.
• Later, walk to a local community where you are invited to join families of the Anangu indigenous community on their daily activities, such as harvesting bananas, coco, and manioc.
• Take a Naturalist-guided walk through the jungle in search of interesting plants and colorful or well-camouflaged insects.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 AMAZON LODGE
• This morning, ascend a canopy tower over 100 feet above the forest floor at the top of a Ceiba tree. From here, view spider monkeys, aracaris, toucans, blue and gold macaws, numerous species of tanagers, and the red-rumped cacique.
• After lunch at the lodge, explore lakes and creeks on a dugout canoe in search of river otters, potoos, kingfishers, hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 AMAZON LODGE–COCA–QUITO
• Depart your Amazon lodge and fly from Coca to Quito today.
• The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure.
(B)
Day 6 QUITO
• Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.
(B)
Day 7 QUITO–BALTRA–NORTH SEYMOUR–SANTA CRUZ
• Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos.
• Upon arrival, board a yacht bound for North Seymour, an island teeming with life. You might have to give way to a passing sea lion, marine iguana, or blue-footed boobies that nest here. As you walk along the shore, see large flocks of pelicans in a dive-bomb feeding-frenzy, and one of the Galápagos’ largest nesting sites of the magnificent frigatebird. In the bushes you can see the males up close with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacs.
• Return to the yacht and continue to the Finch Bay Hotel.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO THE HIGHLANDS
• Transfer to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to a farming area called El Manzanillo on the edge of the Giant Tortoise Reserve. Here, tortoises can be seen grazing year-round, along with woodpecker finches, mockingbirds, and flycatchers.
• After lunch, visit a local farm, where coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa beans are grown, harvested, and prepared.
• Return to the hotel and perhaps spend time on the private beach.
(B,L,D)
Day 9 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO PUNTA CARRION & SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND
• This morning, travel to Punta Carrion on Santa Cruz Island for some time to snorkel. The shallow reefs and mangroves make this an ideal site to snorkel with plenty of reef fish as well as occasional sea lions and sharks.
• Next, sail to South Plaza Island, a small island full of fascinating wildlife, both along its shore and along its dramatic, wind-swept cliffs. Here you will see large, yellow land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, masked and blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and much more during your guided walk.
• Return to the hotel this afternoon.
(B,L,D)
Day 10 SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO DIVINE BAY
• Today’s adventure takes you to wildlife-rich Divine Bay on Santa Cruz Island. Marine iguanas, herons, noddy terns, blue-footed boobies, and tropicbirds are commonly seen here. You may explore by boat or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take to the sea by kayak. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks as you cruise the tranquil waters.
• Return to the hotel for lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitats and protect the area’s famous giant tortoises.
(B,L,D)
Day 11 SANTA CRUZ–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL
• Depart the hotel this morning for the airport in Baltra.
• Then, fly to Lima where you will be met by your Local Guide who will take you to your hotel.
(B)
Day 12 LIMA
• Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias.
(B)
Today’s I-Time Tips
This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.
Day 13 LIMA–CUSCO
• Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide.
• Your guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature.
• Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. Followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara.
(B)
Day 14 CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
• Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will learn about the importance of the alpaca for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today.
• Continue to the market town of Pisaq, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices.
• At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry.
(B,L)
Day 15 SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
• Embark on a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.
• On a guided tour of Machu Picchu, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas.
(B,L,D)
Day 16 MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO
• A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins.
• Return to Cusco by train.
(B)
Day 17 CUSCO–LIMA
• Fly to Lima today.
(B)
Day 18 LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
(B)
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Connect Concepts Travel
1205 Aqua Vista St.
Studio City, CA 91602
USA
(917) 992-8757