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The tour starts at our hotel in Cuzco this morning. Hotel check-in often isn't until 3 pm. The Inca capital of Cuzco is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations, as well as museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. To help acclimatise, we have a relaxed walking tour this afternoon to discover its historic buildings and winding streets. It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude. *Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Today has been left free to explore the city in more detail. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and the Koricancha Sun Temple, located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves. Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. Alternatively, you may wish to take an optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the incredible ruins at Pisac. Various other optional activities can be arranged from Cuzco - your leader will have the details. *Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
This morning we take the train to Aguas Calientes, a lively town in the valley below Machu Picchu. This afternoon and the rest of the day is free for visits to the hot springs or shopping in the large craft market. Our Machu Picchu entrance ticket is valid for tomorrow, however should you wish to visit the ruins today as well, you will need to purchase an extra ticket. Please inform your leader at the start of the holiday if you would like to purchase an extra entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. For those who wish to walk to Machu Picchu, there is an optional day walk along a section of the Inca Trail. The trail passes the ruins of Wiñay Wayna and ascends a stone staircase to the Sun Gate for the iconic view of Machu Picchu and its magnificent backdrop. Although this optional walk is available at no extra cost, it must be pre-booked since numbers are strictly limited (and a permit required). You should request this at the time of booking. A packed lunch is included today. *Accommodation: Hotel Hatun Inti Classic (or similar)*
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be hours long. Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route. We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins). *Accommodation: Hotel Casa Andina Koricancha (or similar)*
Today we depart Cuzco on a flight to Quito via Lima. Quito has one of the best-preserved colonial centres in South America and plenty of vibrant markets to explore. *Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)*
We have a half-day city tour of Quito, one of the smaller and more attractive of the capitals of South America - 2,850m high in the western cordillera of the Andes. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, and as always at altitude, it is a good idea not to do anything too strenuous at first! We explore the colonial centre with its narrow streets and hanging balconies. The tour usually includes the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential and the Archbishop palaces as well as La Compañia Church with its impressive gold leaf decorations. A short drive brings us to El Panecillo Hill for a panoramic view of the city and to admire the 45m high statue of the ‘Virgen de Quito’, the only original Madonna with wings. Please note that entrance fees are not included. *Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)*
We return to Quito airport for the flight to Galapagos and the island of Baltra via Guayaquil. We will take a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island, where we drive to the highlands to look for wild tortoises. We follow this with a visit to the Charles Darwin Centre, where we learn about the ecology of the islands and visit the centre's turtle hatchery. After this visit, we board the boat at Puerto Ayora, the island's main town. Please make sure that you bring your camera, sun cream and appropriate clothing: comfortable footwear for some short walks (possibly amongst grass), light clothes, a hat/cap and a light waterproof in case of a shower or mist. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
Our Galapagos Cruise alternates between two itineraries. For the next seven days, your specific itinerary in the Galapagos depends on the departure date of the trip (please ask your Sales Consultant if unsure). *Itinerary A (Tower):* Walk on the tiny Plazas Islands to see a cactus forest, land iguanas and seabirds, then cruise to the white sand beaches of Santa Fe. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* A short walk on the tiny island of Chinese Hat before snorkelling with Sea lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark red beach of Isla Rabida to walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Blue-footed and Nazca boobies. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* A day at San Cristobal Island: the white sand beach, Blue-footed boobys and old cone of Cerro Brujo, giant tortoise at Galapaguera and crystal clear waters around the striking spear of Kicker Rock. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* We start three days exploring the largest island of Isabela with the chance for early morning exploration of the mangroves at Los Tintoreras and then walk to the huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra volcano. Our scheduled visit to Las Tintoreras alloted by the Galapagos National Park is from 0600 to 0800 hrs, therefore should you wish to stay onboard and have a lie in instead that's not a problem. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* Swim with Sea lions and Marine iguanas at the paradisiacal beach at Gardener Bay on Espanola (Hood) Island. In the afternoon, walk amongst Nazca and Blue-footed booby birds and nesting Waved Albatross (in season) next to pounding surf at Punta Suarez. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Cruising round Isabela's west side, we're likely to see whales and dolphins. We land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava flows and also explore the islets of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* At Floreana Island snorkel in the spectacular sunken crater of Devil's Crown amongst thousands of fish. We will then visit the lagoon at Punta Cormorant (often with flamingos) and Post Office Bay, the mailbox used by 18th Century whalers. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres and we walk here amongst exposed coral heads, wandering giant tortoises and huge land iguanas. We'll then make an afternoon visit to Tagus Cove and Darwin Lake, directly opposite recently active Fernandina Volcano. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* To Dragon Hill, a nesting site for land iguanas with a large lagoon; dramatic Sullivan Bay with a walk on a huge lava flow only 100 years old before swimming from the white-sand beach in crystal clear waters. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst of a huge colony of Marine iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and supports a large Sea lion and Fur seal colony. We then cross the straights and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* Less-visited Genovesa (also called Tower) Island is home to an abundance of Red-footed boobies, Fur seals, Storm petrels and Short-eared Owls. Here, we look for tropicbirds at Prince William Steps before snorkelling, whilst at Darwin Bay, Galapagos mockingbirds also await. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* Excellent birding on Santiago (James) Island at Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon snorkel and a walk amongst incredible volcanic scenery up little Bartolome Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle Rock. *Accommodation: Cachalote Explorer*
*Itinerary A (Tower):* We explore the mangroves of Turtle Cove at dawn watching marine turtles rising for air; rays and herons fishing from the trees. *Itinerary B (Fernandina):* An early morning walk on North Seymour amidst Palo Santo trees and Blue-footed booby colonies. *Both itineraries:* After a late breakfast we disembark for the journey back to Baltra to transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Guayaquil. For land only clients, the tour ends at Guayaquil airport.* If booking an onwards flight from Guayaquil today please ensure that it does not depart before 6pm.*
* 6 nights en suite hotels, 7 nights on board a motor yacht in en suite,
air-conditioned cabins
* Optional Inca Trail day walk: request on booking
* Group normally 2 to 16 plus local leader/staff. Min. age 16 yrs
* Spends time at altitude
* Travel by flight, minibus, train and motor yacht
On board the Galapagos boat, all meals are included and are served in a
buffet style. There is a wide choice of food available, including vegetarian
options.
For the rest of the trip, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants for any
meals which are not included in the itinerary. Hotel breakfasts are normally
simple buffet-style affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal,
sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice.
Regrettably, we cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be
available for breakfast in all locations - if you have an intolerance you may
wish to bring your own breakfast food. We provide a packed lunch on day 3,
whether you are taking the train or doing the optional walk to Machu Picchu.
Drinking water is provided; please bring a reusable water bottle with
you.
* 6 nights en suite hotels, 7 nights on board a motor yacht in en suite,
air-conditioned cabins
* Optional Inca Trail day walk: request on booking
* Group normally 2 to 16 plus local leader/staff. Min. age 16 yrs
* Spends time at altitude
* Travel by flight, minibus, train and motor yacht
Seven nights are spent on board a motor yacht - single cabins are not
available, and if you are travelling on your own you will be paired up in a
cabin with a member of the same sex. There may be passengers on the boat who
have not booked through Exodus, and occasionally this may include families
with children below the minimum age of this trip.
The Galapagos boats operate different itineraries on alternate weeks:
Itinerary A (Tower) and Itinerary B (Fernandina). Each itinerary follows a
different path and visits a different set of islands in the Galapagos -
please refer to the correct itinerary for your date within these Trip Notes.
During the cruise we live aboard, visit a number of islands and sites and
spend as much time as possible ashore watching the birds and animals. Due to
local regulations, there is usually very little disruption to the schedule,
but this can also mean little deviation in the event of poor weather or other
circumstances. Exodus use only small Galapagos boats (8 to 16 passengers) as
we believe this is the most satisfying and environmentally friendly way to
see the islands. We do not use the large boats preferred by some of our
competitors.
In the Galapagos, each day will feature a mixture of walking, snorkelling and
exploring the islands by boat. To get closer to the designated landing sites
on each of the islands we disembark into small pangas (motorised dinghys).
Landings on the islands are divided into two types - wet and dry. For dry
landings, the panga will take you right up to a landing stage or rocky
outcrop where you can disembark without getting wet. However in some places
where there is no landing stage the panga will stop close to a beach and you
will be expected to walk through shallow water (generally no more than
ankle-deep) to the shore. The leader will always advise conditions prior to
leaving and it is possible to skip any particular excursion if you would
rather relax on board the boat.
There are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling in the Galapagos and this
is one of the best ways to experience the marine life. A mask and snorkel
will reveal an exciting underwater world with Sea lions, rays, turtles,
Marine iguanas and a colourful array of fish. On most days of the itinerary
there will be one or two snorkelling sessions. Snorkelling in the
Galapagos does not require any special skills, however, at times you will be
snorkelling in open water where there are fairly strong currents. Before
going into the water, the guide will evaluate the strength of the currents
and the general condition of the sea to make sure they are right for this to
be a safe and enjoyable activity. The dinghy will remain very close at all
times; if you get tired or feel like coming out of the water you only have to
raise your arm and they will come to pick you up so you can rest for a while
before going back in or stay in the dinghy until it is time to return to the
boat. Snorkelling equipment (snorkel, fins and masks) is provided, however,
is advisable to wear a wetsuit which not only protects you from the cold but
also makes floating much easier without as much effort.
*Galapagos Conservation Trust*
We are delighted to offer our client’s travelling to Galapagos and Ecuador
a six month free membership with Galapagos Conservation Trust, the UK’s
only charity dedicated solely to protecting the Galapagos Islands. With your
membership, you will receive a responsible travel guide, their biannual
magazine, invitations to exclusive events and information on GCT’s
conservation work and appeals. To redeem your membership, please email
gct"mailto:gct@gct.org%20"gct
@gct.org and quote the code EXO-GCT.
This trip spends considerable time at altitude, Cuzco itself lies at 3400m
above sea level.
Please note that there are now extremely stringent booking procedures in
place for the Inca Trail. If you would like to do the optional day walk to
Machu Picchu on day 3 then it's essential that you let us know at the time of
booking as a permit is required to do so. We will also need your full
passport details or we will be unable to process your booking.
*Inca Trail Regulations*
Those who have opted to do the day walk along a section of the Inca Trail
will require an Inca Trail permit. There are a number of important
regulations regarding the Inca Trail that we would like to make you aware of:
1) Spaces on the Inca Trail are on a first come, first served basis and we
urge you to book as early as possible.
2) If you cancel your booking more than 8 weeks before departure and wish to
transfer your deposit to another departure or another trip the transfer
fee is £150 as we will lose the permit we have purchased. This is an
amendment to our Booking Conditions. No transfers are possible within 8
weeks of departure.
3) Bookings can only be made if we are supplied with your full name,
passport details, date of birth and nationality, exactly as per the
passport you will be using to travel to Peru (this information is used to
purchase your Inca Trail permit). If your passport details do not match
those on your permit you will be refused entry to the Inca Trail by the
local authorities.
4) Should the passport used to purchase your permit be lost, stolen or
expire before your Inca Trail start date, you must purchase a new
passport and notify Exodus immediately as we will need to apply to amend
your Inca Trail permit. To do so, you must supply copies of both your old
and new passports to Exodus in advance of travel and pay an
administration fee of £25. For this reason, we strongly recommend that
you make a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
5) Please be aware that these regulations may change at any time, and Exodus
is not responsible for the decisions made by Peruvian authorities.
6) There is a possibility that the Peruvian authorities may increase the
entrance fees to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other major sights at
any time. If they do so, we will inform you of this increase and the
extra amount will need to be paid locally in cash in Peru.
*Please Note:* If you have elected to do the optional day walk along a
section of the Inca Trail, you should be aware that whilst your departure
date may be 'Guaranteed', your Inca Trail permit itself will initially be 'On
Request'. If travelling within the current year we will try to purchase your
permit immediately upon receiving your booking. If travelling next year, we
will apply for your permit as soon as they are released for sale. In either
case, in the event that we are unable to get your permit we will contact you.
*List of Regulations for visiting Machu Picchu:*
The main points impacting your visit are the following:
1) The tickets are valid only for one entry which means that you cannot
leave the site and re-enter.
2) Once you have done the chosen circuit with your guide, you cannot walk
back to view anything already visited and once you finish the circuit,
you will have to leave the site. You can no longer explore the site
further after the guided tour.
3) The two visit times for visiting the site, either 6am-12pm or 12-16.30pm.
These regulations will affect how long you are able to spend at Machu Picchu
and which temples you can visit. In the past, after the guided tour
passengers could stay longer to explore the site, this is not possible
anymore. The alternative that we are implementing on our visits to allow you
further time, is to explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun Gate and Inca
Bridge) before starting the guided tour. The guided tour will be about 2
hrs in duration, and unfortunately at the end of it, you will need to exit
the site. You will be able to visit the Condor’s Temple, but not the Sun
Dial Temple or the Sun Temple on this itinerary.
Schedule of visit to Machu Picchu on this itinerary:
* Early bus to Machu Picchu and explore upper part with the tour leader
until 10am.
* 10 am start the guided tour
* 12.30pm passengers leave Machu Picchu
Hotels & Motor Yacht
6 nights comfortable hotels, all en suite, 7 nights on board a motor yacht,
the Cachalote Explorer, in en suite, air-conditioned cabins.
*Cachalote Explorer:* A 16-passenger Motor-Yacht with 8 comfortable
double/twin cabins, each with en suite facilities. All cabins are
air-conditioned and have the following: shower with hot water, toilet,
amenities and towels, porthole windows. Max speed 8 knots, size 88ft.
Renovated in 2018.
The hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary, however,
accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date.
In Cuzco, Aguas Calientes and Quito, we generally stay in small,
locally-owned hotels in central locations close to restaurants and shops.
Please note that central heating is very rare in Peru, even in good standard
hotels. Most hotels provide plug-in heaters and spare blankets. A railway
line runs straight through the centre of Aguas Calientes and whilst we try to
allocate rooms away from it whenever possible, the trains might be heard from
some rooms.
Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the six hotel nights in
Peru, subject to availability – please enquire at the time of booking.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer single cabins on board the boat in the
Galapagos, and you will be paired up with another traveller of the same sex
for the 7 nights on board.
On this trip, we have a Peruvian tour leader for days 1-5 of the itinerary,
up to departure from Cuzco. In Quito, we will have the services of a local
representative for the airport transfers and the city tour. In the Galapagos
Islands, a local naturalist guide, registered with the Galapagos National
Park Authority, will accompany us on board the boat.
On board the Galapagos boat, all meals are included and are served in a
buffet style. There is a wide choice of food available, including vegetarian
options.
For the rest of the trip, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants for any
meals which are not included in the itinerary. Hotel breakfasts are normally
simple buffet-style affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal,
sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice.
Regrettably, we cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be
available for breakfast in all locations - if you have an intolerance you may
wish to bring your own breakfast food. We provide a packed lunch on day 3,
whether you are taking the train or doing the optional walk to Machu Picchu.
Drinking water is provided; please bring a reusable water bottle with
you.
For the road sections of this trip we use private mini-bus or small coach,
depending on group size.
We travel by train (with Peru Rail) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
(the town below Machu Picchu) in Expedition Class. Seating is four seats to a
table and the carriages have panoramic windows and air conditioning/heating.
The boat in the Galapagos is described in the Accommodation section. The
domestic flights from Quito to the Galapagos are often indirect, via
Guayaquil.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London:* *16 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Avianca (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
Internal flights during the trip are normally with Avianca.
*Travelling land only: 14 days starting in Cuzco, ending Guayaquil airport*
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Cuzco in the morning of Day 1 of
the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the
Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
*Important notes for land only*
For land only clients, the tour ends at Guayaquil airport on Day 14. If
booking an onward flight from Guayaquil the same day, please ensure that it
does not depart before 6pm. This allows some contingency time should your
flight from Galapagos to Guayaquil be delayed.
Land only prices do not include the cost of the flight from Cuzco to Quito on
Day 5 of the itinerary and it is your responsibility to book these. Please
ask your Sales Consultant for details of the recommended flight from Cuzco to
Quito.
*Collecting baggage in Lima*
If you are flying via Lima you will need to collect your baggage in Lima,
even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Cuzco (and even if
you are told at Heathrow that you do not need to pick it up). After
collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then
drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This is a requirement of
Lima airport.
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival transfers for any flight for this trip,
for both Land Only and Flight Inclusive clients, so no matter which flight
you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. We do
not offer free departure transfers on this trip because the tour ends at
Guayaquil airport. All those taking advantage of the free airport arrival
transfers must provide full flight details in advance; unless specified
otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel;
transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge;
transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on
a flight with similar arrival times.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about US$15 (Cuzco) or US$25-50 (Quito)
should you decide to make your way independently.
Peru's diverse geography results in a very varied climate. In Cuzco and the
Andes, April to November is the dry season; during these months the sky is
generally bright and clear with strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes
clouding over as the day progresses.
In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any time of year, including
cloud rolling up from the Amazon basin, rain or even snow, and rapid and
unexpected changes! During the dry season temperatures at night can dip to
around the freezing mark (and sometimes below!). The chart below only shows
average temperatures, daytime and night-time extremes in the Andes,
particularly in the dry season can be very different from these.
Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are in the Cloud Forest and as such attract
large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon
Basin. Rain here can be heavy, but is seldom prolonged.
In Quito it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime
temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20ºC, nights 8ºC.
Some rain can be expected in February to May and October to November but
storms, though heavy, are generally short, and Quito is considered to have
quite a pleasant climate.
It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, though the weather
patterns are complicated and cannot be reduced to easy formulas. The weather
is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region, the Humboldt,
bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Niño, which brings tropical
water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to Galapagos they converge (which
varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.
'Dry season'
Generally speaking, late May to early December is the cooler 'dry' season. In
this period it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist
(garua) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered
in cloud and fog or rain. At this time the winds are in the southeast and are
higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone
worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime
maximum temperatures lie between 27ºC and 31ºC, the cooler months being
July to November. In July and August the fairly strong winds introduce a
chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the
year the official night temperatures vary between 19ºC and 24ºC.
'Wet season'
Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to
Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May.
Approximately every seven years the El Nino current actually hits the islands
and there will be heavy rains in these months. In other years rain usually
falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are
higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but
potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually
better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there
is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to
go.
There are plenty of wildlife highlights throughout the year:
January: Nesting land birds; Green sea turtles arrive to lay eggs on the
islands beaches; land iguana’s start breeding on Isabela.
February: Nesting Marine iguanas on Santa Cruz; Greater flamingos start
nesting on Floreana.
March: The bright red throat pouches of frigatebirds are inflated during
mating season on Genovesa and San Cristobal.
April: Huge numbers of Waved albatross on Española displaying courtship
rituals; eggs of Green sea turtles begin to hatch; land iguana eggs hatch on
Isabela.
May: Courtship of Blue-footed boobies begins on North Seymour; Waved
albatross on Española start laying eggs.
June: Giant tortoises migrate to the lowlands and start nesting; migrating
birds stop in the Galapagos to rest; migrating Humpback whales can often be
seen around the western islands.
July: Dolphins and whales are more likely to be seen around the western
islands; Blue-footed boobies on Española start breeding.
August: Nazca boobies nest on Genovesa Island; Sea lions start giving birth
to pups.
September: Penguins seen in the water when snorkelling around Bartolome.
October: Galapagos Fur seals start mating; Blue-footed boobies start raising
chicks.
November: Curious Sea lion pups found in the water amongst snorkelers.
December: Mating Green sea turtles; Waved albatross chicks fledge.
A daypack or other smaller holdall - you will be asked to pack a smaller
overnight bag for the trip to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu whilst your main
luggage will be kept in a secure location in Cuzco. This is because there is
a luggage limit of 5kg per person for the train journey between Ollantaytambo
and Aguas Calientes.
Good sturdy shoes or walking boots
Warm fleece jacket
Layers of warm clothing
Hats (for sun protection and also for warmth)
Waterproofs
Sunglasses
High SPF sunscreen
Waterproof sandals or canvas shoes (for wading ashore on wet landings in the
Galapagos Islands)
Swimming gear (for hot springs and Galapagos Islands)
Insect repellent
Sandals
*Please note:* the internal luggage allowance on internal flights in this
destination is 20kg.
Snorkel and face mask (these are available to hire on board, but it is much
better to have your own if you enjoy snorkelling)
Camera with telephoto lens
Binoculars
Small sewing kit with safety pins
Hand sanitiser
Torch (head torches are ideal)
Cold water detergent or laundry soap (biodegradable)
Water bottle
Please note that walking poles are not permitted inside the ruins of Machu
Picchu without a medical certificate detailing their necessity.
* *
We recommend using local ATMs to obtain local currency in Peru, but if you
are taking cash, most major currencies including Sterling, Euros and US
Dollars can easily be changed into local currency at all bureau de change,
although US Dollars usually attract the best exchange rates. Torn, damaged or
marked foreign bills are usually refused in Peru. Although it is possible to
obtain Peruvian Soles before you travel, you should carefully check the
exchange rates as they can be lower than changing money locally.
You are best off exchanging cash into Sol as you go so you are not left with
excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount
into Soles at the counters in the baggage hall. Change is often in short
supply, so try to break up large notes at the earliest opportunity, and when
changing money ask for small denomination banknotes.
Some larger establishments in Peru accept US Dollars but the vast majority of
places will only accept Sol.
US Dollars are the official currency in Ecuador, but please note that
obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be
difficult, and in some cases they may not be accepted due to recent increases
in the circulation of forged high value banknotes. You should carry a number
of small notes (US$1 or US$5) for small transactions, as many small
businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.
Although we no longer collect local payments on the majority of our trips,
there is a compulsory locally payable Galapagos Tax of US$100, which is
collected by the National Park Service on arrival at Baltra. In addition, all
visitors to the Galapagos are required to obtain an immigration control card
in mainland Ecuador - this costs US$20 per person and is also payable locally
in cash. Please note that Galapagos taxes are subject to increase without
notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or Baltra.
Food, drinks and similar incidentals can vary in price enormously in Peru and
are relatively expensive compared to other developing nations. Allow about
US$15-20 per meal not included to eat at good restaurants (excluding
alcohol). Cheaper food is abundant at small local cafes, although sanitary
conditions at these places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft
drinks are readily available for around US$1-2 each.
All food is provided in the Galapagos, but for the days in Quito we provide
breakfast only and you should budget around US$60 for all meals in Quito.
Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is
imported from the mainland (although there is limited opportunity for
purchasing food, drinks and beverages onshore), however, your only
expenditure for this portion of the trip is likely to be any souvenirs and
alcoholic beverages.
Snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) as well as wetsuits are
available free of charge on board. Alternatively, you can bring your own
equipment to ensure a good fit.
A credit card can usually be used for incidentals on board the boat although
it does depend on the strength of the internet connection which is not always
reliable. It is better to have enough cash to cover costs on board just in
case of any issues. Only cash is accepted for the Galapagos tax, the
migration card and any tips for staff. Only US dollars are accepted on board.
Airport taxes are included in the price of your flight ticket, and there will
be no need to pay these locally.
*Peruvian Passport or Identity Card Holders*
Please note that the cost of Exodus holidays in Peru is based on the
assumption that you do not hold a Peruvian passport or resident's card. If
you are officially resident in Peru or are a Peruvian passport holder, you
will be liable to an additional 18% tax on the majority of services, and this
extra sum will be payable locally to our local partner. Other nationalities
are exempt from this tax. Please notify us at the time of booking if you are
legally resident in Peru or hold a Peruvian passport so that we can advise
you of the total cost of these taxes.
*Optional Excursions*
Your tour leader will be able to tell you about the full range of optional
excursions available throughout your holiday however the most popular ones
are as follows:
A Partial Tourist Ticket (BTG) is required for entrance to the sites in and
around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley – this is not included in the excursion
prices below but can be purchased locally From PEN70 (approx. US$21/£15).
*City tour and 4 ruins (half day – 5 hours):* From US$48 per person (based
on 4 participants), excludes BTG. This includes visits to the nearby ruins
of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucará as well as a tour of the
city itself, including the Plaza de Armas, where the Cathedral is located,
Qorikancha ‘Sun Temple’ (entrance included) and San Pedro Market.
*Sacred Valley tour (full day – 8 hours):* From US$58 per person (based on
4 participants), excludes BTG. Drive to the Sacred Valley, stopping at El
Mirador viewpoint en route. Visit Pisac Market and fortress and
Ollantaytambo; return to Cuzco.
*South Valley tour (full day – 7 hours): *From US$66 per person (based on
4 participants), excludes BTG. Visit the little-known valley to the south of
Cuzco, including the terraces at Tipon, the pre- Inca ruins of Pikillaqta and
the ‘Sistine Chapel of the Americas’ in Andahuaylillas (entrance
included); return to Cuzco.
Prices of excursions vary depending on the number of people taking part. The
prices given within these Trip Notes are based on 4 participants and are
intended as a guideline only. Actual prices will be more for smaller group
sizes and less for larger group sizes. All tours use private transport and
there will be an English-speaking guide. *Please note that cash is the
preferred method of payment for any of the optional activities. *
For some activities, a minimum number of participants may be required. Some
activities may not always be possible due to weather, seasonality, national
holidays, or unforeseen circumstances.
*Peru:*
Exodus encourages customers to tip local support staff if they would like to.
In Peru, it has become customary for local staff to receive tips and these
tips can be an important source of extra income for hard-working crew.
Whether to tip and how much to tip should be a personal decision. As
customers often ask us for a suggestion of how much is appropriate for
different individuals, we have prepared some guidelines together with our
local partner - your leader will provide a handout which we hope will be
useful to your group. Please note that PEN is the preferred currency for
tips.
*Tipping Kitty:* On this trip we recommend running a tipping kitty. A
tipping kitty means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry
about giving out small tips to various people who have helped during the trip
(i.e. drivers, local guides, boatmen, hotel staff). The contribution per
person per day we suggest is US$5 (PEN 15).
*Tour Leader*: Leaders are fairly paid for their role but are of course
always grateful for recognition of their skills and hard work. Tips for
your leader should be based on their performance and engagement with the
group, and if you are happy with the leader’s work, we recommend somewhere
around US$5 (PEN 15) per person per day, but customers are encouraged to
contribute what they feel happy giving - either less or more than the amount
suggested above.
*Ecuador:*
Tipping is an optional but very much customary practice in Ecuador and forms
part of the service culture. Due to the dominance of US visitors in the
destination, tips are reasonably high and this is likely to add up during
your stay. Please remember that you are never under any obligation to give a
tip and you should only do so when you are happy with the service you have
received.
To show appreciation to local guides on the mainland, a tip of around US$3-5
per day from each group member is sufficient. Drivers and other local staff
may be given closer to US$1-2 in tips per day.
It is also usual for groups to tip the boat crew in addition to the guide. It
would be reasonable for each group member to contribute about US$20-25 a day
for the crew and staff in the Galapagos. You may also wish to tip the
naturalist guides directly and this is at your discretion, but US$ 5 - 6 per
person per day would be a good gratuity.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Compulsory Galapagos taxes approx. US$120 (paid locally)
* Flights between Cuzco and Quito (if booking excl. flights)
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.