Arrive In Ecuador And Prepare Yourself For The Adventure In The Middle Of The World quito ecuador An international trip of so many hours can tire even the strongest, that's why we will take care of everything upon your arrival to the Ecuadorian capital. At Quito Airport, your local host will be looking for you at the arrival gate of international flights to accompany you to the hotel of your preference in Quito.

Once you have settled in your room, you can take a comforting shower, leaving behind the fatigue of such a long flight, and rest or you can take advantage of the time to enjoy a tasty lunch (on your own) in your hotel or surrounding restaurants, previously recommendation of our host.

Tonight we recommend you rest and gather your energy for the next day!

• Overnight in Quito.
• Included meals: None.

Today the Ecuadorian Andes and their crown jewel, Quito, welcome you for an unforgettable day of exploration. You’ll start the morning with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before meeting your local guide, who will take you on a journey through both the colonial heart of the city and its modern districts.

Quito sits high in the mountains at more than 9,351 feet above sea level, making it the second highest capital in South America. As we approach the historic center, the contrast becomes clear. The northern part of the city shows its contemporary side, while the old town reveals stone churches, elegant domes, stucco houses with arched doorways and balconies framed with ironwork. Every corner reflects the significance and splendor Quito held during the Spanish colonial era.

During the tour, you will visit the iconic Plaza de la Independencia, where Ecuadorians first raised their voices for freedom in South America. Afterward, we continue to the San Francisco Church to admire its striking facade and terrace. Your guide will then take you to the Middle of the World monument, the exact place where the Equator splits the planet into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. At the Intiñan Solar Museum, you’ll learn about the scientific and cultural history behind the equatorial line.

As evening approaches and this memorable day comes to an end, your guide will bring you back to your hotel in Quito so you can rest and get ready for the next chapter of your adventure.

• Overnight in Quito.
• Included meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy 5 days/4 nights cruise on board Galapagos Explorer II. SATURDAY TO WEDNESDAY

At proper time transfer from hotel to airport in order to take the regular flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Today the Andes of Ecuador and the city of Quito welcome you with a day full of discovery. Your morning begins with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before meeting your local guide, who will lead you through the city’s historic core and its modern neighborhoods.

Quito rests high in the mountains at more than 9,351 feet above sea level, making it the second highest capital in South America. As you move toward the historic district, the contrast becomes unmistakable. The northern part of the city offers a modern landscape, while the old town showcases stone churches, graceful domes, and traditional houses with arched entrances and balconies lined with ironwork. Each street reflects the importance and charm that Quito held during the colonial period.

The tour includes a visit to Plaza de la Independencia, where the call for freedom first echoed in this part of the continent. From there, you’ll head to the San Francisco Church to appreciate its beautiful facade and terrace. Later, your guide will take you to the Middle of the World, the spot where the Equator separates the planet into two hemispheres. At the Intiñan Solar Museum, you’ll explore the science and stories connected to the equatorial line.

By late afternoon, after a day filled with culture and unforgettable views, your guide will bring you back to your hotel in Quito so you can unwind and prepare for the adventures that await you tomorrow.

• Overnight in Quito.
• Included meals: Breakfast.

Our journey through the Andes begins today. After enjoying a good breakfast at your hotel, a host will accompany you to the Lima airport, where you’ll take a comfortable seventy five minute flight to Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire.

From your window, you can watch the Pacific Ocean fade into the horizon as the landscape shifts into tall sand dunes, and then into the dramatic slopes of the Andes. These mountains were once ruled by the remarkable Inca civilization, whose presence can still be felt across the region.

When you land in Cusco, our local host will be waiting for you in the domestic arrivals area, holding a sign with your name. He often says that being in Cusco feels less like altitude and more like being close to the heavens. To help your body adjust gently, we will head straight to the Sacred Valley, which sits about six hundred meters below Cusco. Don’t worry, you’ll explore Cusco in full at the end of the trip, once you’re fully acclimated.

As we enter the Sacred Valley, our first stop will be Awanacancha, an exceptional cultural project. Here you can observe the four native South American camelids raised in captivity: llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. You’ll also be able to feed them and learn how to tell them apart. Local families will show you how they continue to use ancient Inca techniques to transform these soft fibers especially those from alpacas and vicuñas into colorful textiles. Their work includes embroidered blankets, woven belts and other handcrafted pieces.

We then continue down the valley to reach Pisac, an impressive archaeological site perched on a hill. Its enormous terraces, stone structures, ceremonial areas and ancient Inca cemetery offer a fascinating first encounter with Peru’s Andean heritage. After visiting the ruins, we’ll walk through the traditional Pisac market, filled with vibrant stalls offering handmade crafts such as textiles, sculptures, jewelry and paintings inspired by Andean life.

Next, we will head to a charming restaurant surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley for a lunch featuring local ingredients, fully included in the program. If you prefer, you can choose the restaurant ahead of time with guidance from our travel specialists.

At the end of the day, we will arrive at our hotel in the Sacred Valley. Dinner is at your leisure, and a restful night is almost guaranteed after such a full day.

• Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
• Included meals: Breakfast and lunch.

The day to conquer Machu Picchu has arrived! After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, our host will take you to Ollantaytambo train station to dispatch you on a charming and comfortable train heading to Aguas Calientes, the modern town of Machu Picchu. The magical train trip will last one and a half hours, crossing the spectacular Peruvian jungle, always accompanied by the singing of exotic birds, leafy undergrowth, and the Vilcanota river that will follow the train's movement, like a snake on the lookout for its prey!

Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes train station, our local guide will await you at the arrivals gate. With your guide, you’ll go to the bus station to take a “CONSETTUR” bus heading to the top of a mountain where Machu Picchu citadel is located. After 35 minutes of the bus trip, the bus will drop you at the same entrance gate to Machu Picchu.

Then, you will enter the famous Inca citadel to start living the magic there! You can get lost between enclosures, squares, temples, and stone alleys perfectly carved and fitted. Exploring for two hours the mysteries and magic of an Inca citadel that continues to amaze the world with its beauty. Of course, as a soundtrack, you will listen to the stories of its construction, inhabitants, and function from your private guide.

Once the tour is over, but not before taking your dream photo of Machu Picchu, our tour guide will dispatch you in a CONSETTUR bus returning to Aguas Calientes town. There you’ll enjoy a fantastic lunch included in our program in one of the best restaurants in the zone.

Next, you’ll have to go to the Aguas Calientes train station to take your train to return to Cusco. There, you will take a comfortable train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train stations. Whatever station you arrive at, another member of our staff will wait for you to transfer to the Cusco Hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner on your own, before taking a relaxing shower and enjoying a well-deserved rest.

Don't worry; as you can see, you will always be assisted at any departure or arrival point!

OPTIONAL: If you want to continue enjoying Machu Picchu, this package, like all the others, can be fully customized by adding a night in Aguas Calientes. So, on the following day, you'll be able to enjoy a second visit to the enigmatic Inca citadel or hike to nearby mountains like Huayna Picchu and get fabulous photos of Huayna Picchu. Just tell us your requirements, it’s as easy as that!

Overnight in Cusco.

Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Are you ready to visit the beautiful, old, Capital of the Inca empire, the “Rome of America”. Of course, we refer to Cusco!  After your hotel provides a comforting and delicious breakfast, your guide will be ready to transport you into the past.

First, you’ll explore the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its giant rocks perfectly fitted into its structure. The tour will continue by visiting the Qenqo Inca ceremonial center with its ancient sacrifice vestiges. Then, the Inca, military barrack, Puca Pucara will fascinate you with its beautiful views of Cusco. Following, our guide will show you the retreat place of the Inca sovereign called Tambomachay, with its beautiful water fonts, where the sovereign spent long periods resting and hunting.

Then, we will return to Cusco Center to lose ourselves in its charming stone alleys by appreciating the renaissance architecture of the Cathedral of Cusco and its famous painting collection of unique art style called "Escuela Cusqueña".

Later, your guide will lead you to Qoricancha temple, located a short distance from the Cathedral, where you will be fascinated with the mix of Inca and Spanish architectural styles, besides some original remains of the Inca temples inside it.

Finally, our tour will end in the main square. You might enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on your own in one of the nearby restaurants, or we can arrange transport to drop you off at your hotel. Whatever your decision, tell your guide what you would like to do!

• Overnight in Cusco.
• Included meals: Breakfast.

The worst part of a trip is when those good adventures you will remember forever, end. That is why Machu Travel Peru wants to save you the penalty. You will only have to enjoy a comforting breakfast fully included in your hotel reservation and let yourself go.

At a predetermined hour, LEADING PERU TRAVEL staff will transfer you to the Cusco airport and dispatch you on a flight to Lima.

Do you like the sound of our "From The Wondrous Galapagos To the Magical Machu Picchu" tour? Do you have extra requests or questions? Please don’t hesitate to write to us. We will always be attentive to personalize your dreams in Peru at your desire!

NOTE: This program will allow you to visit Quito and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Also, Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Moray, Salineras, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Additionally, you can add more exciting day tours in Ecuador or Peru or another destination in any of both countries. Please make contact with our travel agents!

• Included meals: Breakfast.

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