Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Peru

Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Peru

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Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Peru

13 Days Starting in Quito, Ecuador and ending in Lima, Peru

Visiting: Quito, North Seymour Island, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal Island, Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

Tour operator:

Globus

Tour code:

ISK3-2025

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Cruise

Interests:

Cultural, Wildlife Tours

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend, combined with an exploration of Peru's rich cultural heritage. Begin in Quito, Ecuador, with a private city tour showcasing its colonial legacy. Sail through the Galápagos Islands, encountering unique wildlife such as blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, and snorkel in the pristine waters of Bartolomé Island. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island before flying to Peru. Discover Lima's colonial history, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and take a scenic train ride to the iconic Machu Picchu. Enjoy guided tours, luxurious accommodations, and a blend of natural wonders and historical marvels on this extraordinary adventure through South America.

Highlights

  • Explore the rich legacy of Quito with a private city tour, including Independence Square and San Francisco Plaza Church.

  • Walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds on North Seymour Island.

  • Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island for impressive views and encounter marine iguanas and lava lizards.

  • Snorkel in the clear waters of Bartolomé Island, home to sea turtles, reef sharks, and Galápagos penguins.

  • Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island and learn about conservation efforts.

  • Discover Lima's rich colonial history with a city tour, including the cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent.

  • Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the market town of Pisaq and the ruins of Ollantaytambo.

  • Embark on a train trip to Machu Picchu and explore the "Lost City of the Incas" with a guided tour.

Places You'll See

Hilton Colon Quito (Sat)

Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel And Villas

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Quito,Ecuador

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito

Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2: Quito

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast

QUITO
• Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.

(B)

Day 3: Quito,Baltra (Embarkation),Galápagos Cruising: North Seymour Island

Location: North Seymour Island

Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

QUITO–BALTRA (EMBARKATION)–GALÁPAGOS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
• Fly to Baltra and transfer with your expert Naturalist to the Galápagos Legend for your 3-night cruise.
• Sail to North Seymour, a landmass formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. Take a walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles. You will also encounter sea lions, land iguanas and, on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galápagos snake.

(B,L,D)

Day 4: Cruising: Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island

Location: Galapagos Islands

Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLAND
• Wake up at Bartolomé Island to discover a fascinating moonscape formed by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock. You will also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies. Bartolomé offers some of the best spots to snorkel, thanks to clear waters and abundant sea life, including sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and maybe even Galápagos penguins.
• This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and take a walk on young Pahoehoe lava flows formed during the last quarter of the 19th Century. See the reddish-yellow tuff-cones with various flora growing from the fissures. Walking on the solidified lava gives the impression of walking on another planet. After your guided walk, spend time snorkeling from the white sand beach where you may see penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays.

(B,L,D)

Day 5: Cruising: San Cristobal Island

Location: San Cristobal Island

Accommodation Name: Galápagos Legend

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
• Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristobal and walk to the top of a volcanic tuff to be rewarded with several magnificent viewpoints. This is one of the few sites where the Galápagos’ three booby species (blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca) can be seen together. You will also find the two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. The island waters are excellent for dinghy rides to see a range of seabirds—and a great spot to snorkel!
• At Cerro Brujo, visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species, and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal, and the adjacent coast. Your visit includes time to swim with the sea lions and other marine life.

(B,L,D)

Day 6: Cruising: San Cristobal (Disembarkation),Quito,Lima,Peru

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)–QUITO–LIMA, PERU
• After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal. Learn about the national park’s conservation and breeding programs to protect the endangered tortoise species.
• Also, visit the port village for a last chance at souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted Galápagos Islands.
• Transfer to San Cristobal Airport and fly to Quito. Later, fly to Lima, Peru.

(B)

Day 7: Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA
• Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias.

(B)

Today’s I-Time Tips
This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.


Day 8: Lima,Cusco

Location: Cusco

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA–CUSCO
• Fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide.
• Your guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature.
• Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. Followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara.

(B)

Day 9: Cusco,Sacred Valley

Location: Sacred Valley

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
• Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will learn about the importance of the alpaca for Inca cultures, as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today.
• Continue to the market town of Pisaq, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices.
• At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry.

(B,L)

Day 10: Sacred Valley,Machu Picchu

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
• Embark on a train trip bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.
• On a guided tour of Machu Picchu, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas.

(B,L,D)

Day 11: Machu Picchu,Sacred Valley,Cusco

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO
• A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins.
• Return to Cusco by train.

(B)

Day 12: Cusco,Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pullman Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

CUSCO–LIMA
• Fly to Lima today.

(B)

Day 13: Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.

(B)

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at Hilton Colon Quito, Hotel Pullman Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Cusco, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in Sacred Valley, and Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

  • Meals

    Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners.

  • Private City Tour in Quito

    Included private city tour showcasing the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards.

  • Galápagos Legend Cruise

    3-night cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with expert Naturalist guide.

  • Guided Tours

    Guided tours in Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to various sites including Machu Picchu and the Giant Tortoise Reserve.

  • Internal Flights

    Internal flights from Quito to Baltra, San Cristobal to Quito, Quito to Lima, Lima to Cusco, and Cusco to Lima.

What's Not Included

  • Main Luggage Storage

    Main luggage will be stored at the Cusco hotel during overnight stays in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu due to luggage restrictions on the train.

  • Physical Requirements

    Walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, climbing stairs, and wet landings in the Galápagos Islands.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • International Flights

    International flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.

Meals

Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners

Notes

Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and include private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon are included. Local guide service is provied in Quito, Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu. A Naturalist in the Galápagos is also provided.

In the Galápagos, there will be “wet landings” meaning guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. Terrain is rocky and uneven. Itinerary in the Galápagos are subject to change. Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is 12,200 ft.

UNESCO Sites

City of Cusco|City of Quito|Galapagos Islands|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Accommodation

Stay at the Hilton Colon Quito, Hotel Pullman Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Cusco, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in Sacred Valley, and Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel for a comfortable and luxurious experience throughout your journey.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes internal flights from Quito to Baltra, San Cristobal to Quito, Quito to Lima, Lima to Cusco, and Cusco to Lima. Private airport transfers are provided, and a 3-night cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend is included.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Galápagos Islands during the cruise?

    During the Galápagos cruise, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galápagos penguins, and possibly the endemic Galápagos snake. The waters are home to sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and a range of seabirds.

  • What activities are included during the visit to Machu Picchu?

    At Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the site, exploring its temple remains, holy houses, and aqueducts. There is also an option for a brisk one-hour hike to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas.

  • Are there any physical requirements or challenges on this tour?

    Yes, the tour involves walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, climbing stairs, and wet landings in the Galápagos Islands. The terrain can be rocky and uneven, and elevations can exceed 10,000 feet, which may make exertion challenging.

  • What is the accommodation like during the tour?

    Accommodation includes stays at Hilton Colon Quito, Hotel Pullman Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Cusco, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in the Sacred Valley, and Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

  • What meals are provided during the tour?

    The tour includes a buffet breakfast daily, 5 lunches, and 4 three-course dinners.

  • What is the maximum elevation reached during the tour?

    The maximum elevation reached during the tour is 12,200 feet.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For over 90 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.

Reviews of this operator

Lisset  

Great Value for your Money

19-Dec-2022

This is my second time travelling with Globus, would have been my third if not for COVID. The way they plan everything is super organized, the tour managers are very caring and knowledgeable. We always enjoy all the site visits planned for each trip. They start by picking you up from the airport and from then on everything is taken care of up until the last day of your trip, even dropping you off at the airport not matter the time of day or night. The hotels at every city are always great and centrally located so you can walk around during your free time or plan your own visits to different sites.

Joan Cupp (Google Reviewer)  

My go-to escorted travel Co My...

01-Mar-2024

My go-to escorted travel Co My 4th trip with Globus and the did not disappoint. The sales deals they offer make it affordable for me to travel. All of the guides are well versed in the history of the area you travel in.

David R  

What a wonderful trip, thanks Globus

10-Jan-2023

Globus is my favorite travel agency. I tried others, but always come back to Globus. It is a 100% stress free one-stop shop. Easy booking with flight, hotel, transportation and travel insurance all in one place. Great customer service at reasonable prices. Lots of information prepared for the trip to handle travel logistics. I planned and booked my trip within 24 hours. Highly recommended to everyon

Alexander Wright  

Great guide, accommodations, and tours.

28-Dec-2022

We had a fantastic guide, with a great mix of free time and guided tours.

CTRTeach 11  

Globus exceeded my expectations!

20-Dec-2022

This is my first Globus tour. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality. The hotels were top notch, and the cruise on the Nile exceeded my expectations. The cabins were roomy and comfortable, and the food was very good.

Nancy Arias  

The experience was amazing!!

30-Dec-2022

The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was so kind and very knowledgeable. I needed to attend a very important meeting via zoom. She was very understanding and accommodating to my needs and made it happen. I was very grateful! Our driver was by far the best driver I’ve ever encountered! I was beyond impressed with our guide, driver and trip!! I will definitely be back for another adventure!!

Irish Beth Maddock (Google Reviewer)  

Did the Globus Highlands and...

30-Sep-2023

Did the Globus Highlands and Islands Scottish Tour with Ian and Allister. What a trip!! With his sharp wit, immense knowledge and fun humour, Ian absolutely brought Scotland to vivid life with his many tales, informative quips and total, utter passion for history. Was spellbound. Am so VERY thankful I had the opportunity to be on Ian's last bus tour before retiring with Globus. In addition, to being so hard working and helpful, with Allister our driver, I cannot tell you how safe and secure I felt in his capable driving hands. He had some very awkward traffic and interesting roads to navigate with our large bus, (especially on the islands and up north) but he handled it all expertly and without a hitch. So much so, I was able to relax and enjoy the journey. All in all, with our tour, you could tell both these kind men cared very much for those of us who needed the extra help and advice. Made my bucket list trip to Scotland so memorable and wonderful. Thank you Ian and Allister! Globus is truly fortunate to have you both.

Patty Walker (Google Reviewer)  

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland...

11-Aug-2024

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland and Scotland. August 2024. Let me begin with the positive , the Tour guide was knowledgable, personable and educated! He also was extremely professional and took a genuine interest in providing the highest quality of service to the client. The bus was clean and comfortable and well maintained. The driver was highly experienced and provided excellent transportation. The excursions were acceptable and enjoyable. The Variety of age groups on the trip made for wonderful traveling companions. But unfortunately, that is where the positive ends. The Leonardo hotels that are part of the chain and experience for this specific tour are below quality. We spent a night in a room with a leak in the ceiling. That was known before we checked in and continued to leak while we were there. Another Leonardo hotel, we could not get out of our room. Due to the carpet being ripped up and blocking the door. Most of these hotels I would have walked away from, had I been on my own individual trip. The customer service is missing, customer safety is also missing in these hotels. There is lack of concern to assist customers to their rooms even when it is there responsibility to change the room, there isn't assistance offered. Never have I experienced where you had to absolutely be your own advocate. Because there is no customer concern or care. Quality of food provided is also below standards. It is frowned upon if you request something and often denied. We even had a situation where another individual was placed in the same room we were in and it was considered a "oh well too bad for you." Again, we had to transport our own luggage and bags to a new room. Only after we were our own advocates. We said this stranger and ourselves are not going to stay in the same room. Finally, we received a good room, a room that would be found acceptable in every day normal travel, and we had to change again. Because there was a missing part in a Radiator and this was known to the hotel but yet they still booked us into a room. The radiator would not turn off and the room was steaming hot. So once again, we had to transfer all of our luggage and personal items and trudged down stairwell and elevators to once again change rooms. This is so sad for a bucket list, once in a lifetime, save your money and go on your anniversary trip. The rooms are old and out, dated with stains and tears in carpets and materials. Some of the missing items are a safety concern. Buyer beware! The communication for traveling in other countries is not to the level of customer service and satisfaction that we are used to, we did not expect this level of unacceptable accommodations, much like staying in a hostile. It is the Globus/Cosmos Travel companies responsibility to make sure their accommodations for housing is up to the level of expectations of their customers. The accommodations provided are a reflection of Globus/Cosmos business model and integrity in the global travel industry. This is not everything we experienced, but just a few examples. At this time, their brand appears to be old, outdated, without concern or care for the safety of their clients or their health and welfare as applied to accomodations.Customer service, is their lost art. Choose carefully for travel service. And I would not recommend Globus or Cosmos.

Suneetha Raja (Google Reviewer)  

I have done Newfoundland &...

06-Jul-2024

I have done Newfoundland & Labrador with Iceberg Festival tour with Globus in June 2024. It was absolute rubbish for the price I paid towards the tour. Terrible hotels, horrible meals, barely any sightseeing that is worth while the visit, most importantly, the Iceberg festival never happened. Globus sold this specific tour departure date as the only way to attend this supposed Iceberg Festival. I felt cheated after paying 3527£ for a 13 day tour considering the only reason I picked this departure date was because I wanted to attend this Iceberg festival. I could have used my time and money in a better way doing a different tour with another company. A Canadian company who did the exact same tour is doing it for £2400. I have been travelling with Globus and Cosmos tours since 2008. However, this company tours have been terrible after the covid shutdowns. They are charging more than the premium companies and not providing the equivalent service on par with the prices. Safe to say that I won't be recommending Globus and Cosmos tours to anyone. Try other tour companies that are on the market.

Lynda Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

I really enjoyed my Cosmos...

11-Jun-2024

I really enjoyed my Cosmos tour to Italy last September. However I was totally disappointed by two major things which completely changed the atmosphere of the holiday for me. One was the 'last minute' rearrangement of one of our hotels which then put us well outside of Florence on a trading estate for two nights instead of walking distance from the city walls. That completely blocked any plans or ideas of enjoying Florence in the evening. My biggest disappointment was the terrible travel arrangements and associated advice about travelling through Heathrow Cosmos put in place for me and for which they refused to be accountable despite the fact that they had made the ticket booking on my behalf and I had asked them for appropriate check in advice at all key points before I travelled. As a result I was put on standby when I should never have been (even the BA departure staff were shocked at this) and separated from my luggage which travelled on a later flight. I spent over 6 hrs of my first day in Rome in the airport waiting for my luggage and subsequent transfer to my hotel, without any assistance from Cosmos or BA airside staff. When I complained after my holiday, Cosmos would not take any responsibility at all for the fact that I lost the first day of my holiday and approx. 50% of the time I was due to spend in Rome, preferring to blame BA who in turn were uncontactable about my complaint. Very poor customer service indeed.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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