On this Smartour trip, we had a marvelous experience that combined the wonders of Machu Picchu with the diverse beauty of the Galapagos Islands. In Peru, we experienced the history and culture of Lima before crossing the Sacred Valley. We toured Cusco, the Sacrad Valley and the city’s main Inca and Colonial monuments. There we saw indigenous villages, Awanakancha, and a Shaman ceremony. We then passed the Urubamba river and stopped at the towns of Pisac and Ollaantaytambo were we explored the massive ancient Inca fortress. The next two days we spend exploring the majestic Machu Picchu in the High Andes.
From there we headed to Quito, Ecuador, for historic exploration at the Church of San Francisco, the Valley of Tumbaco, and the Equator. Finally, we spent four days island hopping around the Galapagos, which included expeditions in and around Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island and a boat excursion to North Seymour Island and South Plaza Island. On Santa Cruz, we stayed in Finch Bay Hotel, one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World.