Peru and Galapagos holiday
Highlights
Lima | Cusco | Sacred Valley of the Incas | Pisac complex & Ollantaytambo | Machu Picchu by rail | Lake Titicaca | Uros Islands Sillustani | Guyaquil | Four-day Galápagos Islands cruise on a motor yacht | Optional: walk a section of the Inca Trail, climb Huayna PicchuDescription of Peru and Galapagos holiday
Taking a two week holiday to South America can feel like a compromise; how do you choose between its phenomenal wealth of cultural and natural highlights, without feeling like you’ve missed out? This small group, Peru and Galapagos holiday is one solution – giving you plenty of time to explore the Incan wonders of Peru before flying 1,000km offshore to the Galapagos Islands, to encounter volcanic landscapes and a wealth of wildlife. Your tour leader will take care of all the logistics, with specialist guides joining you along the way to share the secrets of Peru and Ecuador’s most impressive cultural and natural highlights.Internal flights ensure you cover more ground in less time, as you are whisked down to Cuzco from Lima, to start your trip at the heart of the Inca Empire. Here, immaculately crafted stone walls stand side by side with baroque colonial churches and contemporary bars and cafes – a wonderful insight into ancient and modern Andean culture. Travel deeper into the mountains and further back in time with explorations of ruins such as Pisac and Sacsayhuamán – taking the train to Machu Picchu for the grand finale. From here you’ll venture down to Lake Titicaca, ringed by snowy Andean peaks, and where you can take a tour to the floating Uros Islands, woven from reeds.
The next set of islands have somewhat more solid foundations: the volcanic Galapagos, reached via a flight from Lima via Guayaquil in Ecuador. You’ll have five days to explore this fascinating archipelago while living onboard a comfortable motor yacht with en suite cabins. Embark each day to discover how Darwin developed his theory of evolution and see how the giant tortoises, marine iguanas and dancing boobies have adapted to life in this remote outpost.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Small group adventure holiday
This trip is run by a company which specialises in only Central and South America holidays. Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip and how many others are booked on it) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone, with your partner or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places, whilst being led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader.Responsible tourism
Peru and Galapagos holiday
Carbon reduction
Your holiday will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this holiday and how to reduce them.
Environment
Tourism to Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos Islands has boomed over the past few decades. For this reason there is even greater emphasis for holidays to be carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. The cruise in the Galapagos is on a boat that has a history of strictly upholding the Galapagos Park rules which are designed to protect the natural resources and animals within the park. These include the prohibition of taking any flora from the islands, touching the animals and staying within carefully planned viewing areas and designated pathways. Before you set off on the cruise, the specialist guides will cover these aspects in detail and throughout the trip the passengers are sensitively reminded of these. The team on board also provides and recycles plastic bottles so that nothing need be disposed or left on the islands. The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) carries out scientific research and complementary actions with collaboration from local, national and international partners to conserve the Galápagos. Their focal point is the Charles Darwin Research Centre (CDRC) at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. We will visit this centre as part of the tour and learn from the carefully laid out resources. It is possible to view and support the conservation and breeding of the unique species of Galápagos Tortoise, as well as learning in depth about Foundation’s work in conserving the island’s fragile natural resources.
Community
Experienced guides, including a resident biologist, are from the region itself and provide a range of carefully planned excursions to the surrounding area rich in various forms of wildlife.
Your tour leader, who is either from or spent a considerable amount of time living in Peru, will encourage interaction with the local communities at every stage. This includes trips to local markets in Cusco and the Sacred Valley and also out to the Uros Islands in Lake Titicaca, where a selection of remote, traditional communities have turned to tourism to diversify their livelihoods and welcome visitors to their extraordinary islands, entirely made of the local totora reed. A wonderful opportunity to experience the fascinating indigenous way of life.
1 Reviews of Peru and Galapagos holiday
Reviewed on 12 Dec 2018 by Valerie Hughes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting Machu Picchu.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take walking boots and go everywhere you can.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We should like to think so.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant.
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