Galapagos & Andes (Without Inca Trail Trek, start Quito, end Lima)

26 days
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USTOA

Group Tour
Experience 3 of the most beautiful spots on earth rolled into one trip. Trail finders will be right at home on this journey packed with culture, heritage, water & wildlife.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Locally guided city tour and view the Palace of Congress, Presidential Palace, Independence Square & Churches of San Francisco, La Compania & La Catedral
    • Visit Panecillo lookout
    • Visit the Equator & Inti-Ñan Musuem
    • Boat ride to Isabela Island
    • See Galapagos' famous giant tortoises
    • Visit the lava tunnels
    • Snorkelling experience
    • Wildlife kayaking adventure
    • Guided tour of the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
    • Visit Tortuga Bay

What's this trip about?

    Experience 3 of the most beautiful spots on earth rolled into one trip. Trail finders will be right at home on this journey packed with culture, heritage, water & wildlife.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityQuito
End CityLima

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • South America
  • Ecuador
  • Peru

Attractions

  • Lima
  • Quito

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Quito

Welcome to Ecuador’s capital, Quito! Meet up with your Contiki Team & group before exploring – we’ll start the trip out right with a tour around the city so you can get your bearings. Our expert guide will teach you all about this city & the history of the Inc...

Day 2: Quito to Tena

It’s out of the city & into the lush jungle with spectacular views en route. A perfect way to spend the day.

Day 3: Tena

This morning is all about ME Time. This morning, have a lie in or opt to visit an indigenous community. Get your adrenalin pumping this afternoon on a class 3-4 rapids.

Day 4: Tena to Baños

We head to Baños today, the adventure capital of Ecuador, nestled under the still active Tungurahua volcano. Tonight get local as you learn to salsa at our included lesson.

Day 5: Baños

With a free day, explore your way & Baños goes off! Situated in a valley of waterfalls & hot springs, Baños is a hub for travellers who love great weather, small town vibes & the great outdoors. Go horseback riding, canyoneering or abseiling.

Day 6: Baños to Guayaquil

Today we’re off to discover Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city & its economic hub. This cosmopolitan city is one of Ecuador’s new hotspots, a walk down to the Malecón (Cities riverfront) is a must. For a bit of a historic enlightenment why not venture to Las Peñas, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Guayaquil, its narrow streets and interesting past makes it a great visit.

Day 7: Guayaquil to Isabela Island

Well good morning paradise. The ocean is calling, and who are we to resist her? Our wildlife kayaking adventure will see us taking to the seas with beady eyes on the lookout for green sea turtles.

Day 8: Isabela Island

This morning we’ll grab some kayaks & get out on the water around Las Tintoreras where we’ll set out in search for the Galapagos Penguin – the only penguin found north of the Equator! On return, spot colourful fish as you snorkel the underground lava tubes. This ...

Day 9: Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island

This morning we’ll head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the island’s natural history on a guided tour, before we take off Santa Cruz Island. Before heading to Santa Cruz Island, you can choose to chill or get active, it's up to you! If you feel l...

Day 10: Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island

This morning we’ll pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, once home to one of the island’s most famous residents, the world-famous Lonesome George – who was 100 years old when he died. Here you’ll observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas brought...

Day 11: San Cristobal Island

Today we take to the water to get our last glimpse of the famous and equally incredible underwater world of Galapagos. First we’ll cruise along the coast in our boat where our Local Guide will point out the species of shore birds like the Great Frigatebird and other n...

Day 12: San Cristobal Island to Lima

Our included flight will land us in the seaside Peruvian capital of Lima. Arriving late, we’ll nevertheless be pumped at the prospect of what tomorrow brings – namely more Contiki peeps joining our squad as we take on Peru over the next few days. That’s right, we’ve s...

Day 13: Lima

Made up of 43 different districts, almost all with their own flare and vibe, Lima is a bustling metropolis. The opulence of the Spanish colonial era is visible everywhere in the city, from the detailed wood-work of the historic centre’s balconies, doors and architectu...

Day 14: Lima to Arequipa

This morning it’s an early start as we fly to Peru’s second largest city, the “White City” of Arequipa, or La Ciudad Blanca. Lying in the shadow of three volcanoes, including the perfectly-symmetrical El Misti, the city was built using white volcanic rock called Silla...

Day 15: Arequipa to Colca Canyon

This morning, we travel to one of the world’s deepest canyons – Colca Canyon. We’ll drive through through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve where the elusive Vicuña, the smallest of the South American camelid family roams wild. We’ll stop for a break at “the ...

Day 16: Colca Canyon to Puno

We’ll set out early this morning and head to Cruz del Condor, a platform 3800m above sea level for a chance to spot the King of the Andes, the Andean Condor. With a wingspan of up to 3 metres/10 feet, this regal bird uses the warm air currents to float effortlessly ...

Day 17: Puno

This morning, it’s time to check out the area from a different angle! First up, we’ll make our way to the town’s port by a classic means of transport, the triciclo or three-wheeled bike taxi. We’ll then jump on board our boat for a two and a half hour trip across Lake...

Day 18: Puno to Cusco

Our first stop outside of Puno is the village of Pukara, named after a pre-Inca civilization. We‘ll visit a small museum where you’ll see the Pukara archeological site (500bc-200ad). The village is locally renowned for artistic ceramic bulls which are symbols of prot...

Day 19: Cusco

Another day, another incredible Latin American destination to uncover; today it's sun up 'til sun down in Cusco. Shop for artisan jewellery and woodworks, roam the cobble-stone streets or just stroll the Plaza de Armas, eating cacao buds and sipping on coca leaf tea. ...

Day 20: Cusco to Sacred Valley

Say farewell to Cusco this morning as we make our way to the Sacred Valley of the ancient Incas. The Sacred Valley was the heart of the Inca’s agricultural setting and an important ceremonial region, with the sacred sites of Cuzco at one end and Machu Picchu at the o...

Day 21: Train to Aguas Calientes or trek the Inca Trail

For those not embarking on the Inca Trail, the morning is yours to enjoy the surrounding lush mountains of Aguas Calientes.

Day 22: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Cusco

Wake up early and enter Machu Picchu for sunrise. Learn more about Machu Picchu on a tour, then explore before returning to base.

Day 23: Cusco

Today it’s your chance to totally chill. Laze around town enjoying a cappuccino while overlooking the Plaza de Armas, or you can pick it up a notch and try one of the adrenaline filled options here. Spend a half-day horseback riding through the X-zone just north of t...

Day 24: Cusco to Jungle Lodge

We’ll catch a flight over the Andes to the city of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern jungle. We’ll have lunch on the river as we travel upstream by a traditional Peruvian boat to our Contiki Special Stay Rainforest Lodge, where we’ll try to spot toucans, macaws and...

Day 25: Jungle Lodge to Puerto Maldonado

We’ll wake early for best view of some the wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled as we travel further downstream to Tres Chimadas, an oxbow lake. We’ll board a simple catamaran with a jungle guide to learn about the flora and fauna of the area while looking out for the pre...

Day 26: Puerto Maldonado to Lima

Our local guide will accompany us to the airport for our flight back into Lima. Don’t forget to swap addresses with your mates and Trip Manager, as our South American adventure ends late this afternoon on arrival in Lima.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,465
Price per day$249
Last Updated: 0/17/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.

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.

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Tour Operator

Contiki

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We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

Accommodation

23 nights twin-share hotel accommodation, 2 nights in Contiki special stop overs 38 meals: 25 breakfasts, 5 lunches (6 with Trek option) & 8 dinners An experienced & professional Tour Manager English speaking local guides 2 internal flights & transfers Transport in a private air-conditioned coach, mini-coach or van Sightseeing tours of all major areas Local taxes & services charges (excluding compulsory US$100 entrance fee to Galapagos National Park, a US$10 INGALA fee (US$20 from March 1st 2015) & a US$5 Isablela Island tax which is only payable in cash),
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 38 meals: 25 breakfasts, 3 lunches (or 4 for Machu Picchu trekking option) & 10 dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
contiki-QULIQN12

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