Trails, Turtles & Treks (Start Guayaquil, end Cusco)
Overview
Highlights
- 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
- See the island's famous sea lions
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Boat cruise & off shore bird spotting experience
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
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.
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Your Peruvian adventure starts today, meet up with your fellow explorers before your Inca Trail Trek
Today we explore the Sacred Valley. Take a guided tour of the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins, one of Peru’s oldest towns before spending the night in the Sacred Valley. Tonight make sure you rest up, as tomorrow the expedition to Machu Picchu will begin!
This morning the adventure will really begin! We will drive to Piscacucho village, at kilometre 82 of the Cusco-Machupicchu Railway, we’ll begin the hike up through the Valley of Wayllabamba, at a relatively easy pace to get acclimatised to the altitude. We'll hike un...
On our second day we begin our ascent, to a place called Yunca Chimpa, on the way we will see the nature and ecological change in the region. From here we will continue up to Llulluchapampa (3,750 metres). From this point we can see the Wayllabamba valley and Warmiwañ...
The third day will start with an ascent to the Ruins of Runkurakay, an inca resting place and see us climb to Runkurakay pass which is 3,860m. We start the descent to the impressive Archeaological Site of Sayaqmarca (3,600m), a mysterious inca outpost. We'll continu...
It’s our final morning on the trail and today we walk towards the Sun Gate, where you'll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu and get the feeling that you've conquered an enchanted land! Explore the magical ancient ruins & imagine life as it was in the Inca tim...
Today we make our way back to Cusco via the Sacred Valley. We will stop at the weaving community of Chinchero, one of the great local causes supported by Contiki, ContikiCares & The TreadRight Foundation, in partnership with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise, l...
Don’t forget to swap addresses with your mates and Tour Manager, as our South American adventure ends this morning after 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.
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Positive
Booking the trip was easy and staff was rapid in getting back to all my inquiries.
Tour Operator
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.
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