Blue-footed boobies , Galápagos , Ecuador |
DAY 7 • Second visit to Machu Picchu Return to Machu Picchu this morning , when the ruins are quiet and uncrowded . You can explore the ruins on your own , or depending on which trails are open , choose between hikes to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate .
Meals : B , L | El Mapi Hotel or similar
DAY 8 • Transfer to Cuzco • Ollantaytambo Return by train through the Urubamba Gorge before discovering the Ollantaytambo ruins . Then , transfer to Cuzco .
Meals : B , L | José Antonio Cuzco Hotel
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DAY 15 • Cruise Galápagos Islands We may call on Santa Cruz and the Central Islands , home to lava lizards , marine iguanas , sea lions , and an amazing array of birds such as blue-footed boobies and Darwin ’ s finches .
Meals : B , L , D | Galápagos Small Ship
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DAY 16 • Cruise Galápagos We continue exploring the Galápagos today .
Meals : B , L , D | Galápagos Small Ship
DAY 17 • Disembark ship • Fly to Quito • Return to U . S .
After disembarking our ship , fly via Guayaquil to Quito for your return flights home , or begin your post-trip extension to Landscapes of Bolivia : La Paz & Lake Titicaca .
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SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA |
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DAY 9 • Cuzco • Qoricancha Sun Temple • San Blas Explore the Qoricancha Sun Temple , Cuzco ’ s most important ceremonial structure during the Inca era . Then , enjoy a walking tour of the historic San Blas neighborhood . |
Meals : B , D | Wyndham Hotel Quito or similar |
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Chinchero village , Peru |
Meals : B , D | José Antonio Cuzco Hotel
DAY 10 • Cuzco • Fly to Quito , Ecuador Fly to Lima for our connecting flight to Quito , Ecuador .
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See the full deck plan for our Galápagos ship on page 295 . |
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the Larco Museum . Later , enjoy a walking tour of downtown Lima , including the historical center , Central Market , and Chinese quarter . |
Meals : B , L | José Antonio Deluxe or similar
DAY 4 • Fly to Cuzco • Weaving demonstration • Controversial Topic : Coca leaves • The Sacred Valley
Fly to Cuzco , the center of the Incan world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site , then drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas . En route , we ’ ll observe a weaving demonstration , as well as meet women who sell coca leaves and learn about the Controversial Topic of this coveted plant .
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Meals : B , L , D | Villa Urubamba or similar |
DAY 5 • A Day in the Life of Urubamba • GCF visit : Local school • Home-Hosted Lunch
Experience A Day in the Life of the Urubamba community . After visiting a local school ( when in session ) suppported by Grand Circle Foundation , head to Urubamba ’ s market to pick up ingredients for the Home-Hosted Lunch we ’ ll share as guests of a Sacred Valley family .
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Meals : B , L , D | Villa Urubamba or similar
DAY 6 • Sacred Valley • Machu Picchu Witness a traditional healing ceremony by a curandero , an Andean medicine man , then travel by train to Machu Picchu . Upon arrival , we ’ ll explore the remnants of the Ritual Baths , the Palace of the Princess , the Main Fountain , and the Sun and Condor temples .
Meals : B , L , D | El Mapi Hotel or similar
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Meals : B | NH Collection Quito Royal Hotel or similar
DAY 11 • Quito • Controversial Topic : Quito sex workers • Market Visit
Explore Quito , including the Plaza of Independence , the Presidential Palace , La Ronda street , and more . We ’ ll also meet with a local woman to learn about the Controversial Topic of the prevalence of sex workers in Quito ’ s Old Town . Later , we ’ ll visit Iñaquito market .
Meals : B , L | NH Collection Quito Royal Hotel or similar
DAY 12 • Quito • GCF visit : Sinamune • Visit Inti Nan & Equator Museums
Enjoy a special performance by the Sinamune Disabled
Children ’ s Orchestra ( when in session ), sponsored in part by donations from Grand Circle Foundation . Then , visit the Inti Nan & Equator Museums .
Meals : B , L | NH Collection Quito Royal Hotel or similar
DAY 13 • Fly to the Galápagos • Embark ship Fly from Quito via Guayaquil to the Galápagos . Embark our exclusive charter ship .
Meals : B , L , D | Galápagos Small Ship
DAY 14 • Cruise Galápagos Islands No matter which island we call on , each of our days will follow a similar pattern : After breakfast , a Zodiac craft brings us close to the islands for dry or wet landings . If time allows , we might swim near our boat .
Meals : B , L , D | Galápagos Small Ship
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For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / mpg2024pricing
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
The Peruvian Amazon : Treks , Cruises & Indigenous Communities
PRE-TRIP : 6 nights from $ 1,295
Bolivia : La Paz & Lake Titicaca POST-TRIP : 8 nights from $ 1,795
ARRIVE EARLY We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip . Price shown includes accommodations and private airport transfer .
• Arrive early in Lima before your Peruvian Amazon pre-trip extension or before your main adventure from $ 80 per room , per night
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