Treasures of the Incas with Quito and Galapagos Islands Cruise (Summer 2018)
Overview
Highlights
- Cusco: Sunday market in Chinchero, truly authentic and local
- Visit the Salt Pans of Maras and learn about the ancient economy of the Inca empire revolving around caring for terraced salt pools. Lake Titicaca: Stand on the floating islands of Uros and hear about the day to day struggle just to stay afloat on top of Lake Titicaca from family members who know no other way of life.
- Cusco: Dine at MAP, one of the city’s most prominent dining venues. This contemporary Peruvian haute cuisine restaurant offers an artistic dining experience, candlelit for a dazzling evening ambiance.
- Lima: Over a hot chocolate or authentic café pasado, learn the secrets and discover the unique flavour of Peruvian coffee with an expert barista.
- Macchu Picchu: Learn how to blend the perfect pisco sour.
- Quito: The innovative Restaurant Theatrum, located in the lively Theater Square, re-imagines Ecuadorian cuisine, blending ingredients and specialties from the country’s coastal, mountain and Amazon regions.
- Sacred Valley: Delight in a Pachamanca Feast prepared in an underground oven and served in an exquisite garden.
- Dining Summary: 17 Breakfasts (BB), 13 Lunches (L) and 14 Dinners (DW).
- Aguas Calientes: With a Local Expert, explore the cloud forest, visit a working tea plantation and an orchid farm.
- Cusco: With a Local Expert, practice your bartering skills at a local market. Enjoy a fun challenge of purchasing items from the market (with money and a list supplied by your Travelling Concierge) for the best prices possible. All purchases are later donated to local needy families.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- You will be escorted by one of our fine Travelling Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Relax in comfort on Luxury Gold’s air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom, onboard restroom and and complimentary bottled water for you to enjoy while travelling.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travelling Concierge will enchant you with a Luxury Gold Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
- Included complimentary, private transfers are available on start and end dates, and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold.
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
A drive north will take you to the Monument to the Equator. Here, you can experience the rare opportunity of standing in the Northern and Southern hemispheres simultaneously. Next, visit the Ethnographical Museum, which presents the history of the cultures of Ecuador....
In the morning, fly to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands, where you will be met and transferred to the Itabaca Channel. A ferry will take you across the channel to Santa Cruz Island, where you then head for the highlands to learn about the island’s ecosystems and biodi...
In the morning, a panga (dinghy) will ferry you to Eden Islet to observe Blue footed boobies, reef sharks and frigates. There will be a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, ride in a glass-bottom boat to see the tiny island of Sombrero Chino. Upon retu...
In the morning, the Galapagos icon of Bartolomé Island awaits. Ascend a wooden staircase for spectacular views from the top before boarding a panga cruise around the colossal Pinnacle Rock. After lunch, the panga will take you to Sullivan Bay, a white, coral-sand beac...
Begin your day with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds, with options available for all travellers. In the afternoon, there is a panga ride alongside the cliffs before disembarking for a captivating walk to observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, Frigatebirds, storm petrels, and the elusive short-eared owl. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Return to Baltra Island to disembark and be transferred to Baltra Airport for your flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (FB) Anticipated arrival time in Lima is 22:00. (Buffet Breakfast)
Experience Lima through the eyes of a Local Expert as you are introduced to the 'City of Kings'. Explore the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Lima, view the cathedral, and visit the Monastery of San Francisco. Your Highlight Lunch is at Amoramar, in the bohemian distr...
Board your flight to Cusco before continuing to Peru's Sacred Valley. Visit the colourful market in the town of Chinchero. Next, you will meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua scholar, president of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco and a recipient of a T...
Enjoy a leisurely start before heading to the town of Maras to meet with a local family and learn about the traditional arts and crafts of the region. View the spectacular terraced salt pans, dating back to Inca times. These have been passed down through families for ...
Visit the town of Ollantaytambo, a national archeological site. Travel by Vistadome train for your scenic journey to Machu Picchu, before enjoying an included lunch at your resort. A Local Expert will then show you the nature trails of this fascinating cloud forest ec...
The entire day is for you to discover the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Meet your Local Expert for a walk through the enigmatic 'Lost City of the Incas'. Witness the great Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, believed to be an ancient sun clock. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner with Wine)
Return by train to Sacred Valley for a Pachamanca Feast Highlight Lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked underground. Next, get up-close to llamas, guanacos, alpacas and even the rare vicuñas. Later, arrive at your hotel, steps away from the Plaza de Armas. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch)
Join your Local Expert to explore Cusco, visiting the Temple of the Sun at Korikancha, the cathedral and the citadel of Sacsayhuaman. Set out for San Blas, Cusco's artisan centre, to visit a candle shop and learn about its importance to the locals. Enjoy some free tim...
Board your included flight to Juliaca and then continue to Puno, nestled along the majestic shores of Lake Titicaca. Your lakeside hotel is on Esteves Island. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner with Wine)
Cruise Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, where locals bundle reeds from the lake to build floating platforms, houses and canoes. Enjoy lunch hosted by the local community of Amantaní Island. Afterward, there will be time to explore local handicrafts before returning to Puno, where you can relax until dinner with wine. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner with Wine)
Head to Sillustani on the shores of Lake Umayo to explore the impressive burial grounds, before your flight to Lima. In the evening, you are treated to a sensational Farewell Celebration Dinner with wine at world-renowned Astrid y Gast��n, located in a magnificent San Isidro hacienda with over 300 years of history(Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner with Wine)
Your Peruvian adventure draws to a close today with a transfer to the Lima airport. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Insight Vacations Reviews & Ratings
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Trusted Customer
Jan 2025
Wonderful learning experience with amazing people
Insight Vacation genuinely cares about travelers having an amazing experience. The tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was so incredible! She's e...
Trusted Customer
Jan 2025
Best of Britain
The itinerary covered lots of ground and showed amazing sites! Tour direct...
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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.
Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.
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