Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Multisport

Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Multisport Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Our adventure begins with a tour of beautiful Cusco including the ruins of the Inca temple Koricancha, and Sacsayhuaman fortress.

  Our trip begins today in Cusco, Peru. Located high in the Andes at an elevation of 11,150', this beautiful red-tile-roofed city was founded in the 12th century by Manco Capac, the original Inca thought to be a child of the sun god himself. For almost 400 years, Cusco served as the flourishing capital of the Inca Empire and still retains its centuries-old appeal with numerous sections of original Inca stonework visible in the streets and buildings. Upon arrival in Cusco, we're greeted by our local guide and transferred to our centrally located hotel where a brief orientation meeting will be held. This is followed by a walking tour of the city's most intriguing sites including the bustling Plaza de Armas, the Santo Domingo Church (built atop the Inca temple Koricancha), and the imposing hilltop ruins of the monolithic Sacsayhuaman fortress. Considered by many to be one of the greatest examples of stonemasonry in human history, the 60-ton limestone boulders used in the construction of the fortress walls fit together so perfectly without mortar that not even a blade of grass can be inserted between them. Overnight in Cusco tonight. Lunch on your own. Dinner included.

  Walking: 2 miles.

• Day 2 Set out for the Sacred Valley of the Incas and shop for local crafts at bustling Pisac market. Hike to well-preserved Pisac ruins.

  We set out this morning for the Urubamba Valley and the famous market village of Pisac (approximately one hour's drive from Cusco) where authentic shopping and photographic opportunities abound. This region is well-known for high quality local crafts including hand-knit wools, ceramics, leather goods and jewelry; all available in Pisac market. This afternoon, we hit the trail for a hike up to the nearby Pisac ruins, one of the most important and well-preserved in the Sacred Valley. Our guide helps us identify the various structures at the site including the fascinating Temple of the Sun, used by the Incas as an astronomical observatory. We climb to the top of the ruins to take in the panoramic views of the terraced countryside before heading back down the trail to Pisac town. We spend the next two nights at the lovely Posada del Inca Hotel, a converted 18th-century monastery located in the Urubamba Valley village of Yucay. All meals included.

  Hiking: 3 miles.

• Day 3 Raft the rapids of the Urubamba River this morning. Visit the traditional Andean town of Ollantaytambo and hike to ancient salt mines.

  We enjoy our first waterborne activity this morning as we drive to Pachar where our rafts and rafting guides await. After an instructional briefing, we'll begin our paddle on the Urubamba River where the gentle waters gradually begin to flow faster, leading us through a series of white-capped rapids. We roll through the waves, watching the Andean landscape slip by as we make our way towards our take-out at Wayracpunku. Back on land, we visit the small town of Ollantaytambo, whose street plan still maintains its original Incan layout. After Cusco was overtaken by the conquistadors, Manco Inca and his army of approximately 30,000 retreated to Ollantaytambo and were victorious here against the forces of Spanish commander Hernando Pizaro in the Battle of Ollantaytambo. After a short walking tour of the town, we stop for a quick lunch before driving to the nearby village of Maras where we begin a two-hour downhill hike to the multi-tiered Pichincoto mines, local salt mines used by the Inca as a mineral source and still visited by local residents today. Late this afternoon, we return to Yucay for dinner and another relaxing evening at the Posada del Inca. All meals included.

  Rafting: 2 hours with Class I-III rapids. Hiking: 3 miles.

• Day 4 Amazing Machu Picchu awaits! Enjoy a guided tour of the Sacred City of the Incas. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

  We return to Ollantaytambo this morning by private van (approx. 25 minutes) and connect with the scheduled daily Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. We arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes at the base of the Sacred City in mid-morning and take a shuttle up to this spectacularly perched archeological treasure. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through the center of the site, recapping Machu Picchu's rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and explaining the current theories regarding the original purpose and significance of the city. Later this afternoon, we'll return to Aguas Calientes and the always welcoming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. All meals included.

  Hiking: 2-3 miles.

• Day 5 Back to Machu Picchu for additional exploration. Free time to hike to the Temple of the Moon or Huayna Picchu. Return to Cusco.

  Perhaps the best time of day to appreciate the full majesty of this remarkable site is during the early hours, taking advantage of the soft morning light for dramatic photography or just some quiet meditation. Our goal is to ride one of the first shuttles of the day up to the complex and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before the first tourist train from Cusco arrives. As the sun continues to climb, we can choose from a variety of different active explorations including a challenging hike to the top of Huayna Picchu – the iconic peak that soars above the Sacred City – or a hike to the Temple of the Moon, located inside a cavern part-way down the north face of Huayna Picchu. In the early afternoon, we'll head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding our train for the ride back to Cusco. Dinner in Cusco is on our own allowing us to choose from the variety of local restaurants serving Peruvian and international cuisine. Overnight in Cusco tonight. Breakfast and lunch included.

  Hiking: 2-3 miles.

• Day 6 Depart the land of Incas and fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Meet our guide for an orientation to our week in the magical Galapagos Islands.

  We transfer to the Cusco airport for our connecting flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador (the flight Cusco-Lima-Guayaquil is not included in the trip price). Upon arrival in Guayaquil, we are met by our guides and transferred to our hotel. An orientation will be followed by dinner. Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 7 Hike to Frigate Hill on San Cristobal Island for fantastic vistas over white sand beaches.

  It's off to the Galapagos Islands this morning! A transfer is provided to the airport where we board our flight to the islands, located roughly 600 miles offshore. We land on San Cristobal Island where we spend the next two days hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. After lunch overlooking the ocean, we head out for an afternoon of exploration. Our first stop is the impressive San Cristobal Interpretation Center where we learn about the volcanic formation of the Galapagos archipelago and the unique evolution of life on the islands. Our walk takes us along trails of lava rock into dry forest of cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galapagos cotton, and other endemic vegetation and features splendid views of the rugged coastline. As we approach Frigate Hill, be on the lookout for blue footed boobies, frigate birds, Darwin finches and much more. On our way back to our lodging, we may stop for a refreshing dip at Carola or Mann Beaches. In the evening you have the option of exploring the small town of Port Baquerizo Moreno. All meals included.

  Hiking: 3 miles, about 2 hours. Optional snorkeling and swimming.

• Day 8 Kayak Darwin Bay and snorkel with curious and playful sea lions.

  Today is all about being on the water! We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, past Carola Beach and onto Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. The route is home to colonies of sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa, we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions. This is a fantastic snorkeling site where we are nearly guaranteed to enjoy one of the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. Following lunch aboard a motor cruiser, we head to Kicker Rocker (also known as Leon Dormido, the Sleeping Lion). These jagged remains of an old tuff cone are home to thousands of sea birds. At Leon Dormido we take to the water with our snorkels in search of Galapagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish. With a little luck we may also swim with hammerhead and white-tipped sharks. We return to our hotel for dinner and our last evening on San Cristobal. All meals included.

  Kayaking: 2-3 hours; Snorkeling: 2-3 hours.

• Day 9 Snorkel at Las Tintoreras within Isabela Bay and mountain bike to the historic Wall of Tears.

  A morning flight from San Cristobal brings us to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago. Isabela was formed by six volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. This is a remarkably beautiful island and one of the youngest in the archipelago. Isabela is also known for its expansive white sand beaches. We begin our explorations with a boat ride to Las Tintoreras, a small island within Isabela Bay, to walk the otherworldly landscape of lava rocks and snorkel the waters surrounding this wildlife-rich environment. Marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, whitetip reef sharks, marine turtles and penguins are typically seen here. In the mid-afternoon your guide will lead you on an optional mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas - the Wall of Tears. This historic site dates between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. The wall was built by prisoners using huge blocks of lava for no other reason than to keep the prisoners busy from the madness of isolation. Guests that opt out of the cycling will have the afternoon free until dinner; swimming, snorkeling, or renting a surfboard are just a few of your options. All meals included.

  Walking: 1-2 hours. Snorkeling: 1 hour. Optional cycling: 8 miles; Terrain: sand and gravel with a few short hills. Optional water activities, some may incur an additional fee.

• Day 10 In Isabela's highlands, hike to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano for views of an otherworldly landscape and beyond to the sea.

  Today we explore the fascinating Galapagos highlands! We get an early start to begin our hike over rugged terrain to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the second largest intact caldera in the world after Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. The trail can be quite muddy or dusty depending on the season, but the walk is well worth it as the vantage point from the rim offers fantastic views of the six by five mile wide lava-filled caldera as well as the other volcanoes beyond and the surrounding coastline. After catching our breath, we can choose to continue along the trail to Chico Volcano. With its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, it offers good examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest or optional water activities.

  Hiking: 3-9 miles, up to 5 hours. Terrain: Uneven trails that may include slippery, muddy or rocky sections. Optional water activities, some may incur an additional fee.

• Day 11 On Santa Cruz Island, hike in the El Chato reserve to view giant tortoises in the wild.

  We transfer by boat (~3 hours) from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. Upon reaching Santa Cruz we check into our hotel and change into hiking clothes before heading to a charming hacienda in the highlands for lunch. Our afternoon is spent at El Chato Reserve in the upper part of Santa Cruz – the natural habitat of the Santa Cruz tortoise, the largest in the Galapagos. The most recognized symbol of the Galapagos, the tortoise weighs over 500 pounds and may have a shell measuring almost five feet! While seeking out these lumbering giants, we'll keep our eyes open for pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. Returning to Puerto Ayora, there is free time to shop and explore this lively waterfront town before dinner at our lodging. All meals included.

  Hiking: 1-3 miles, up to 3 hours. Terrain: Flat, possibly muddy trails through tall grass.

• Day 12 Kayak around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada's calm, turquoise waters. Swim and explore Tortuga Bay, a spectacular white sand beach.

  For our second day on Santa Cruz, we kayak around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, traveling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white tipped sharks and rays often patrol beneath the waves while blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the afternoon we'll walk to Tortuga Bay, a spectacular white sand beach that gets its name from the black sea turtles that lay their eggs here. Behind the mangroves that frame the beach is a saltwater lagoon that is often frequented by flamingos. An afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, bird watching and relaxing is followed by a memorable farewell dinner. All meals included.

  Kayaking: 3 hours. Walking: 3 miles. Swimming and snorkeling: 2-3 hours.

• Day 13 Visit Charles Darwin Research Station before heading to Baltra Island for the return flight to Guayaquil.

  Early this morning we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. The research station was the home to "Lonesome George", the very last tortoise of his particular species from Pinta Island. We then transfer to Baltra Island where we board our flight to Guayaquil. We say goodbye to our guide this afternoon and then have free time to explore Guayaquil or shop for souvenirs. Breakfast included, light lunch on flight, dinner on your own.

• Day 14 Depart Guayaquil any time today or explore more of this magical country.

  You can depart anytime today. Transfer on your own to airport for flights home. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions. This includes changes to activity locations in the Galapagos due to changes in regulations and permitting by the Galapagos National Park Service as well as transportation between islands based on oceanic conditions.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Hotel accommodations with private bath; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; skilled bilingual guides; all ground transportation as noted; airport-hotel transfers in Cusco; all sightseeing excursions as noted (including daily admission to Machu Picchu); inter-island transfers; rafting gear; sea kayaks and necessary paddling gear; bikes and helmets; snorkel, mask and fins.

International air transportation to Cusco, Peru and from Guayaquil, Ecuador to your next destination. The international flight from Cusco, Peru to Guayaquil, Ecuador on Day 6 and roundtrip flight to/from Galapagos Islands, and the Ecuador transit card are a mandatory add-on cost and the price is subject to change. The Galapagos National Park fee ($100 cash payable upon arrival on San Cristobal). Airport transfer on Day 14; two lunches and two dinners; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

In addition to the required deposit to reserve your space on this trip, the airline ticket fee for flights to/from the Galapagos Islands and Galapagos Transit Fee are due at the time of registration. The flight fees and transit fee are subject to change. Both the required trip deposit and the flight fees/transit fee are non-refundable 90 days prior to departure. If you need to cancel your space on this trip inside of 90 days of departure for a reason covered by your optional travel insurance plan, the deposit and flight cost would be reimbursable by that plan.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It contains a variety of activities including hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and sea kayaking. Although not particularly strenuous, the hiking in the Peruvian Andes takes place at moderately high altitude (7,800' -11,500') where most trip members will feel the effects of the thinner air and tire more easily than usual. Daily hikes/walks will be on-trail and may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes. The two-hour rafting trip will include class I-III whitewater but is suitable for novices. In general, the Galapagos hiking is moderate in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the wildlife. The biking on Isabela Island is on unpaved, sand and gravel roads with some rolling hills. You can choose not to bike this portion. Sea kayaking is broken up with stops to take advantage of the numerous snorkeling opportunities. We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair-climbing or cycling beginning at least 3 months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer!

Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range from 55° - 75° F with Andean evenings cooling down into the 40s and 50s. The Peruvian portion of the itinerary takes place in the mountains where weather can change very quickly. During the months of May-October, days are typically clear and pleasant, with afternoon clouds occasionally building and leading to small amounts of precipitation. While rainfall is more common during the months of November-April, all-day rain is unlikely.

The Galapagos have two seasons. The warm and rainy season lasts from January to June, and the average air temperature ranges from the low 80s to the low 90s with the average water temperature around 75°. During this time, there are many warm, often hot, sunny periods interspersed by rain showers. From July to December, the cooler and dryer months, the average air temperature is in the 70s with an average water temperature hovering between 64-68°. There may be occasional mist and overcast skies due to the garúa (fog) that sometimes pervades the islands at this time of year. A sweater or jacket is often needed at night. Note that at any time of year, the higher elevations on the islands are often enveloped in mist and fog keeping them cooler and greener than areas near the shores.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, medications, hiking shoes and one set of spare clothes in your carry-on baggage in case your luggage is delayed.
• Pack lightly. Quick-drying, synthetic items are advisable; laundry facilities are available in some hotels in Machu Picchu and the Galapagos allowing for a 24-hour turn around.
• In the Galapagos, the inter-islands flight(s) have a strict checked luggage limit of 25 pounds per person. If luggage exceeds this limit, it may be transferred by sea transportation with possible delay.
• Cotton is wonderful in hot weather or in the evenings. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool, or polyester fabrics such as Capilene® or MTS®, which will insulate even if they get wet.
• Make sure you hiking boots/shoes are broken-in, and bring moleskin, Second Skin® or Blister Block® for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters (the liner sock should be silk or synthetic).
• A shorty 2mm or 3mm wetsuit is highly recommended for the Galapagos portion. While it is possible to snorkel without one, you will be much more comfortable and be able to snorkel & enjoy the marine life longer while wearing one. Note: It is possible to rent a wetsuit once in the Galapagos (~$5-10/day) but it is recommended to bring your own for best fit.
• A mask, snorkel and fins are provided, but it is recommended to bring your own if you have them for best fit and comfort.
• Sarongs make excellent lightweight, quick-drying and compact travel and beach towels. Another good option is the REI MultiTowel Lite (available in various sizes) or similar. See www.rei.com for details.
• The sun is particularly strong at high altitude and on the equator, so a good sun hat and a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt are important. Bring plenty of water-resistant sunscreen.
• Bring a spare duffel bag & luggage lock, as extra luggage can be stored at the hotels in Cusco and Guayaquil.