Machu Picchu & the Galapagos Your Way

This chic hotel with spa and brand new gym facilities is situated in the heart of the lively Mariscal district.

The place to start exploring Ecuador is Colonial Quito: a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city's many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best preserved colonial centers in all South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site.

Morning visit to colonial Quito. We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, La Compania, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery which was started 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. Then we will visit the city's famous La Ronda street, where we will learn about traditional work in Colonial Quito.

For our last stop, we will also be visiting the 'Panecillo', the hill that dominates the South of the city, and where we will be able to admire the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo and enjoy spectacular views of Quito.

This morning, take a flight departing from mainland Ecuador heading to Baltra (2.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the airport and take a 10 minute bus ride to the pier to board the Galapagos Legend.

Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoises' shell). The journey to the reserve offers great opportunities to see the contrasts that the island offers in reference to the variety of ecosystems. The road goes from the coast through the agricultural zone and straight up to the dense humid forests. Often, Galapagos Giant Tortoises are also seen on the way, wandering through pastures in the paddocks. This spot is a bird watchers' haven since almost every land bird present on the island lives or migrates here.

Difficulty level: Easy
Type of terrain: Flat and muddy (depending on season)
Duration: 45 minute drive and 1.5 hour walk

This morning visit El Barranco, Prince Philip's Steps. Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropicbirds fly overhead, switching between their nests and the bay, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies. At the plateau, the trail continues inland allowing you to see more nesting booby colonies in the thin Palo Santo forest. Near the end of the trail, over a rocky lava plain, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels can be observed flying in all directions. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Short-eared Owl.

Difficulty level: Moderate
Type of terrain: Rocky - Lava
Duration: 45 minute walk

During the afternoon you will disembark onto a small sand and coral beach. A short trail heads west along a tidal lagoon and then up a rocky hill that leads to a point overlooking the cliffs and Darwin Bay. Along the trail near the tidal lagoon, visitors will see pairs of Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Yellow-crowned and Lava Herons. The trail continues through Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti, and Saltbushes inhabited by Great Frigate birds and Red-footed Boobies. This is one of the few places in the islands where visitors are guaranteed to see Red-footed Boobies. It is estimated that more than 200.000 Red-footed Boobies live in the trees and bushes of Genovesa.

Difficulty level: Moderate
Type of terrain: Sand and Lava
Duration: 2.5 hour walk

This morning, make a dry landing. Walk by a brackish lagoon where feeding flamingoes can be occasionally found. The trail leads across typical dry zone vegetation up to Dragon Hill, an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, offering lovely views of the anchorage and neighbouring islands. The forest is home to mockingbirds, Darwin's finches, Yellow Warblers and Galapagos Doves.

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hours walk

In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Santa Fe. This island shows white sand beaches surrounded by sea lion colonies. Through the island path, an endemic cactus forest is passed, home of the Santa Fe land iguanas (the largest in the islands). This island is the habitat for a number of species, including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snakes, rice rats (one of the few endemic Galapagos rodents), a variety of finches and one of the four mockingbird species of the archipelago.

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 1.5 hour walk / 1 hour deep water snorkeling

Wet landing on the north side of Santa Cruz. Behind the beach lies two flamingo ponds with iguanas, coastal birds, Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as interesting native and endemic vegetation. This beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average 70 eggs each, but then will spend 3 to 5 years without breeding.

At this site, you will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago, once property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. The name "Bachas" was how the locals pronounced "barges".

Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 hour walking, 1 hour snorkeling/swimming

Later, you will go straight to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador where your tour concludes.

Offering a terrace and spa centre, Wyndham Quito Airport is located in the Quito airport and 23 miles from downtown. The perfect choice when connecting to the Galapagos, the Amazon, the coast or Cuenca.

About as close as you can get to Cusco's Cathedral and beautiful Plaza de Armas without actually being on the busy square. Intimately identified with the Cusco's illustrious history, the hotel occupies a colonial building with iconic green balconies and red tiles, and features an exposed Incan stone wall in the hotel lobby. Several rooms have coveted views of the Plaza de Armas and Compania de Jesus church.

Discover the "authentic" Sacred Valley of the Incas through this exciting day tour. The day begins with a visit to Inca's Balcony, beautifully terraced farm land with impressive views of the nearby weaving town of Chinchero. Having seen Chinchero from afar in its picturesque location within the Sacred Valley, you travel to the town itself. Home to 12 families that maintain the traditions of their forebears the town is now famous for its market and amazing examples of weaving and wools. Your visit will take you into the homes of one of the families and hear you will have a first-hand demonstration of the ancient weaving techniques and the processes of extracting the colorful dies from the produce growing in the region. Photographic opportunities abound as your hosts are dressed in traditional costumes and the indigenous features only add to the authenticity of the town and your visit. From here you travel further down the Sacred Valley to where the main road ends, and the famous fort town of Ollantaytambo is located. Strategically located as a choke point in the valley, the fort and village is a living Incan town with much of the original structure and irrigations systems still in functional use and which has been inhabited since the 13th century..

The town is also the central meeting place for porters being assigned to Inca trails which start from just outside the town as well as the main train station to and from Machu Picchu, so it is always a chaotic mix of locals, and travelers, colors, smells and activity. The fort that sits above the town and the valley. Dominates the region and it is one of very few locations that the Incan forces during the conquest, were able to defeat the Spanish in battle. With its "Andenes" (terraces dug into the slopes of mountains for agricultural use), Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress, that also served as a temple.

This charming hotel is set in landscaped gardens, 10 minutes away from Urubamba city and 15 minutes away from Ollantaytambo (train station to Machu Picchu) by car. All bungalows have a terrace and panoramic views of Valle Sagrado de los Incas hill. Hotel Hacienda serves a rich buffet breakfast prepared with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also serves authentic local cuisine throughout the day.

The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu.

Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travelers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru. Perurail provide travelers on board personalized and first level service to give them an unforgettable life experience.

The Vistadome has two stations of departure to Machu Picchu: Cusco (Poroy) and the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo).

The Vistadome also has air conditioning and heating, leather seats that adjust the body to provide comfort and relaxation during the entire trip.

Entrances to Machu Picchu are now regulated and allow entrance ON THE HOUR. Entrance times are:

6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 1PM and 2PM.

When booking you must request the hour of entrance you require or allow your destination expert to suggest a time based on your itinerary and available train times.
NOTE: You can arrive any time after your booked hour but cannot stay any longer than 4 hours from your pre-booked hour. You are not allowed in earlier than your pre-booked time.

Colored stamps are used on the ticket to determine and monitor your entry and exit time. Tickets can be checked at any time when in the ruins.

The ruins close at 5:30PM so any entrance so any entrance after 2:00PM will only allow a stay of no more than 3 and half hours!

You will be met by your guide you upon disembarking from your train, at the Aguas Calientes train station. If you are already in Aguas Calientes, your guide will meet you at your hotel reception at approximately 12 midday. He/she will then escort you to the nearby bus stop where buses transport travelers from the town of Aguas Calientes to the ruins of Machu Picchu (it's about a 20-min bus ride up to the idyllic mountain top location). On arrival at the ruins, you will begin your guided tour. You must exit the ruins by 5:00PM.

After the tour, you will exit with your guide. If you have chosen to stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, located right at the entrance of Machu Picchu, your guide will assist with your check in.

If you are returning to Cusco, at the shuttle bus terminal in Aguas Calientes, your guide will be waiting to assist with boarding your train for your return to Cusco (departures range from approx. 4:00PM to 5:30PM- schedules vary and subject to change without notice).
NOTE: You need to be at the Aguas Calientes train station 30 minutes before your trains departure time.

El Mapi by Inkaterra is located right at the foot of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and just across from the train station for Cusco/Machu Picchu train. This is a very reasonably priced hotel for Machu Picchu with full amenities. While the ruins may be ancient this hotel has all the modern comforts.

Entrances to Machu Picchu are now regulated and allow entrance ON THE HOUR. Entrance times are:

6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 1PM and 2PM.

When booking you must request the hour of entrance you require or allow your destination expert to suggest a time based on your itinerary and available train times.
NOTE: You can arrive any time after your booked hour but cannot stay any longer than 4 hours from your pre-booked hour. You are not allowed in earlier than your pre-booked time.

Colored stamps are used on the ticket to determine and monitor your entry and exit time. Tickets can be checked at any time when in the ruins.

The ruins close at 5:30PM so any entrance so any entrance after 2:00PM will only allow a stay of no more than 3 and half hours!

Today you will visit Machu Picchu (entrance and round-trip shuttle bus ticket included). As this visit is NOT GUIDED, you will be required to present your first visit ticket. (Guides are available for a extra cost. Please enquire)

Please make your way to the shuttle bus station at the south end of town near the bridge that crosses the river Vilcanota. Buses begin running from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30AM. The ruins open at 6:00AM. No reservation for the bus is required. A guide will assist with boarding your bus in Aguas Calientes and if you're departing this day, will advise you of the time you must be back in Aguas Calientes to board your train back to Cusco.
NOTE: You need to be at the Aguas Calientes train station 30 minutes before your trains departure time.

After ascending the multi-switch-back dirt road, you will be dropped off at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Enjoy Machu Picchu at your pace or partake in one of the following walks below.

Climb Huayna Picchu (the famed peak in the ruins). This must be pre-booked at the time of your Machu Picchu reservation with Goway Travel. Time spent climbing the peak would be considered part of your allowed time in the ruins.

Climb Machu Picchu Mountain. This must be pre-booked at the time of your Machu Picchu reservation with Goway Travel. Time spent climbing the peak would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

Walk to the Incan bridge - no costs. Approx. time 90 minute round trip. Not allowing for time at the bridge. Time spent trekking to and from would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

Walk to the Sun gate - no cost. Approx. time 2.5 hours round trip. Not allowing for time spent at the Sun Gate. Time spent trekking to and from would be considered part of your morning entrance ticket.

After your time in the ruins, you will exit and board the first available bus down the hill to the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you are overnighting, you will continue to your chosen accommodation. If you are returning to Cusco, at the shuttle bus terminal in Aguas Calientes, your guide will be waiting to assist with boarding your train for your return to Cusco (departs approx. 4 pm - schedules vary and subject to change without notice).

Please note that unless a SUPPLEMENT has been included you will be touring the ruins on your own today.

If you are catching a train to Cusco or Ollantaytambo, check out of your hotel or collect your bags from your hotel if you have not already.

The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu.

Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travelers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru. Perurail provide travelers on board personalized and first level service to give them an unforgettable life experience.

The Vistadome has two stations of departure to Machu Picchu: Cusco (Poroy) and the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo).

The Vistadome also has air conditioning and heating, leather seats that adjust the body to provide comfort and relaxation during the entire trip.

About as close as you can get to Cusco's Cathedral and beautiful Plaza de Armas without actually being on the busy square. Intimately identified with the Cusco's illustrious history, the hotel occupies a colonial building with iconic green balconies and red tiles, and features an exposed Incan stone wall in the hotel lobby. Several rooms have coveted views of the Plaza de Armas and Compania de Jesus church.