On the first day of your journey, you’ll be greeted at the airport by a Celebrity Cruises® representative and transferred to the JW Marriott hotel, or similar. Enjoy free time to relax and settle in.
Breakfast is served at the hotel. During your guided tour of the capital of Ecuador, situated at an altitude of 9,350 feet, you’ll stand on the equatorial line at the middle of the Itinan Solar Museum, and marvel at the monastery of San Francisco and la Compañia Church. Your Tour Director will escort you throughout your Quito stay, and serve as your personal concierge. Lunch is served with a spectacular view of the city, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local gourmet restaurant.
Quito/Baltra Island
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra Galapagos. During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region’s main airport and where you will meet the ship. From the airport, it is just a short bus and Zodiac ride to the ship for embarkation.
Gardner Bay, Española Island
A long white sand beach and clear blue waters make this an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach. In the water, sea turtles, rays, colorful tropical fish, and maybe even a white-tip reef shark may be seen. It is also home to a colony of sea lions. Excursion options: beach walking, swimming, or a deep-water snorkel for experienced snorkelers.
Suarez Point, Española Island
Española is the oldest island in the Galapagos and home to an abundance of wildlife. At this site, visitors can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos Hawks, marine iguanas, and both blue-footed and Nazca boobies. Between late March and the following January, the Waved Albatrosses come here to mate and raise their young. Excursion options: a long, rocky walk to look for albatrosses and observe an impressive blowhole that spews water like a towering geyser.
Cormorant Point, Floreana Island
Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos, and where Charles Darwin met the islands’ Governor. Its small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a highly used nesting site for sea turtles. Check out the green-hued sand where you land! Excursion options include a relatively short walk to the lagoon and sea turtle nesting beach, and optional snorkeling and swimming at the landing beach. In addition, nearby Champion Island lies east of Floreana and provides a wonderful opportunity for snorkeling and a zodiac ride. When snorkeling, tropical fish abound with frequent sightings of sea turtles, rays, sharks, sea stars, and more. If we’re lucky, the sea lions will be in a playful mood. During a zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline keep an eye out for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigate birds. Red-billed Tropicbirds nest in the crevices below the large prickly pear cacti and you may spy the very rare Charles Mockingbird.
Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793, where pirates, buccaneers, whalers and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. The tradition continues today, as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home.
Baroness Outlook, Floreana - The Baroness’ Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana, and to learn about the history of the island’s early settlers. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. During the Zodiac ride around “La Loberia,” you can observe several marine species such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, mullets and occasionally Galapagos penguins.
Moreno Point, Isabela Island
Along this beautiful rocky shore, a field of hardened black lava flows is pockmarked by shallow pools, which are home to shorebirds and flamingos. The mangrove-lined shore also provides a chance to see marine iguanas, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, penguins, and the flightless cormorant. Excursion options: a long walk and Zodiac ride, or an extended Zodiac ride.
Urvina Bay, Isabela Island
Composed of five coalesced volcanoes, this is the largest island in the Galapagos and the most recently active, the latest eruption having occurred in 2009. Here we will see large land iguanas, finches, and if lucky, a giant tortoise or two. In 1954, the intrusion of magma below one of the islands volcanoes caused part of the bay to be uplifted some 6 meters, and today we can walk through the remains of what was once a thriving underwater reef. Excursion options: a long, faster-paced hike with some rock climbing required, followed by an optional snorkel (if conditions allow), or a short walk and optional snorkel.
Espinoza Point, Fernandina Island
Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos and, as Darwin wrote, it is “covered with immense deluges of black naked lava.” Along with its extraordinary black lava rocks, this point of land hosts the largest colony of
marine iguanas in the Archipelago, along with sea lions and a nesting site for flightless cormorants. Excursion options: a long walk or short walk, as well as a deep-water snorkel for experienced snorkelers.
Vicente Roca Point, Isabela Island
The half-collapsed remains of an ancient volcano make for a spectacular setting
at this site. Awe-inspiring cliffs, blue waters, and wildlife create a Zodiac ride to remember as we search for sea turtles, penguins, fur seals, the flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, marine mammals, and the oddly shaped form of the elusive sunfish.
South Plaza, Santa Cruz Island
One of two islands off Santa Cruz, South Plaza was born of upheaval, uplifted during a geologic event. The rocky island is strewn with prickly pear cactus and home to land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions. Excursion options: short walk to view wildlife, flora, and geology.
Daphne Island
Daphne is a satellite volcanic cone located north of Santa Cruz Island. The crater floor is an important breeding site for blue-footed boobies. This Island is famous for the scientific investigation led by Peter and Rosemary Grant on the finches’ population, one of the most important studies on the field that supports Charles Darwin’s Theory. The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and tropical birds which can be observed during the circumnavigation of the island.
Dragon Hill, or “Cerro Dragon,” is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we’ll cross a beautiful “white forest” of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options: Walk.
This is the main population center of the islands, and home to the National Park Service tortoise-breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will be able to visit the tortoise-breeding center and walk through the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will also have the opportunity to take a bus ride to the highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. In addition, you will have an exclusive opportunity to participate in the Scalesia reforestation project in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarking and heading to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito and on to Lima. Upon arrival at the Quito airport a Celebrity representative will be on hand to assist you with your Lima flight check in. For your convenience, they will provide an entry voucher to the airport VIP lounge in Quito. Upon your arrival in Lima, and
clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be greeted by a Celebrity Cruises representative at the airport. A detailed schedule of events will be provided. Dinner and overnight at the Westin, Lima, or similar.
Westin : Grande Deluxe Room
This morning you will have the opportunity to sleep in, perhaps enjoy a massage* in the hotel’s renowned spa or go for a swim in the indoor pool, the choice is yours. Around noon 11am, your guide will pick you up to start the afternoon tour. You’ll visit Surquillo, the local food market, and enjoy lunch at one of Lima’s gourmet restaurants. Afterwards, you’ll continue to the historical downtown and enjoy Peru’s Capital and its 2000 years of history and colonial wealth. Experience the artistic and contemporary traditions of its residents, making a stop at Saint Francis’ Convent, a masterpiece of colonial architecture to visit its beautiful courtyards and catacombs. You will be back at the hotel in the late afternoon with ample time to get ready for the next day’s early departure to Cuzco. Dinner and overnight at the Westin, Lima, or similar.
Westin : Grande Deluxe Room
Note:
*Massage services available at an additional cost. Site visits and order of events are subject to change.
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your Lima/Cuzco flight. Lunch is served at Casa Hacienda Orihuela in The Sacred Valley, where the Orihuelas, a family of great art collectors, will be
your hosts. Dinner and overnight at the Tambo del Inca Luxury Collection hotel in The Sacred Valley, or similar.
Tambo del Inca Luxury Collection Hotel: Deluxe Terrace
The Sacred Valley
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Urubamba Valley, The Sacred Valley of the Incas. Tour the impressive ruins, featuring terraces carved into the hillside and a temple designed for worship and astronomical observation. Tour the fortress of Ollantaytambo. Followed by lunch at Wayra Ranch, as you delight in stunning equestrian Peruvian Paso horse entertainment. After lunch, visit the Pablo Seminario workshop, showcasing utilitarian and artistic objects. Dinner and overnight at Tambo del Inca Luxury Collection, or similar.
Tambo del Inca Luxury Collection Hotel: Deluxe Terrace
Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu**
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Ollantaytambo rail
station for your departure on the Vistadome train. Tour the almost perfectly preserved buildings and the mysterious passageways underlying the city. Lunch will be served at the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu. Prior to departure, Cocktails in the Mountains is offered at the Sanctuary Lodge. You will board the world famous Belmond Hiram Bingham train in the late afternoon for your journey back to Cuzco. Onboard enjoy welcoming aperitifs, dinner, and a selection of wines as well as live local music, dancing, and Pisco sours.
Overnight at Belmond Monasterio, or similar. Monasterio: Deluxe Room
Note:
**During the rainy season (January 1st – April 30th) the train service between Machu Picchu and Cuzco adopt a bimodal route due to weather. During this time all trains conclude their journey in the Ollantaytambo station upon return from Machu Picchu. Guests traveling during this period will disembark in the Ollantaytambo station, and will spend an additional night at El Tambo del Inca hotel in the Sacred Valley. After breakfast, guests will continue their journey to Cuzco as scheduled. All site visits and services remain the same. Please note this change does not add additional nights to the program and is offered for the safety and comfort of our guests.
Cuzco, Peru**
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a scenic tour of the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun,” before touring the Sacsayhuamán fortress and the Cathedral, one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America, housing about 400 colonial paintings from the Cuzco art school, impressive goldsmith, silversmith, and precious stone works. Lunch is served at a local gourmet restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Belmond Monasterio, or similar.
Monasterio: Deluxe Room
Cuzco/Lima, Peru
After breakfast at your hotel, you will head to the airport for your morning flight back to Lima. Once in Lima, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of Lima’s gourmet restaurants. After lunch, you’ll continue to the Bohemian district of El Barranco, where you will learn how to make traditional cocktails at a mixology class in a trendy Lima spot. Dinner and overnight or day room at Westin Lima Hotel, or similar.
Lima Departures
Your departure and accommodations (day room or hotel night) will be scheduled based on your return flight schedule.
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