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Galápagos Islands/Ecuador/Peru

The Best of the Galápagos and Peru: From Enchanted Islands to Machu Picchu

Program No. 18484RJ
The Galápagos and Machu Picchu are two of the world's most renowned treasures. Come see for yourself as you take in the unique wildlife and preserved ruins of these two sacred places.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
18 days
Program Begins
Quito
Program Concludes
Cusco
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
42 ( 16B, 14L, 12D )
Activity Level
Imagine yourself exploring the breathtaking wonder of the Galápagos Islands and the ancient mystique of Machu Picchu. We believe in immersive, expert-led explorations so join an intimate group and discover these incredible places, not just as a visitor, but as a lifelong learner, with ample time to connect deeply with their stories and natural marvels.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Swim and snorkel in search of sea turtles, sea lions and rays.
  • Learn about the biology of the Galápagos giant tortoise.
  • Discuss the spiritual significance of Machu Picchu and spend the evening in Aguas Calientes for a longer, more relaxed visit to the site.
General Notes
Cruise itinerary and islands visited are assigned by the Galapágos National Park and can be changed without prior notice. The park carefully monitors and controls the number of visitors to each site in order to minimize damage to local wildlife and habitats. Some dates of the program run in the reverse, starting in Lima and ending in Quito. Please refer to the date-specific detailed itinerary on the Road Scholar website to check on the vessel and visitor sites included in your program. The expedition-style Galápagos vessels hold 16 passengers in comfortable cabins. Due to the remote nature of the islands, listening devices are not available for the Galapagos Islands portion of the program.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
A native of Cusco, Gustavo "Tito" Leon found himself fascinated with the music of the Andean highlands. This affinity led him to devote his life to the research and preservation of Peru's Andean music. His research has focused on the origins of Andean music, its different forms, influences and instruments. Gustavo is a talented musician and an expert on native Andean woodwind, percussion, and string instruments. His interactive style will get your toes tapping as he performs the various song styles and instruments of the Andes.
An appreciation for wildlife led Enrique Castillo to work for a zoo in Peru for 12 years. Born in Lima, he earned degrees in both zoology and business administration prior to beginning his career. He enjoys sharing his expertise in Peru’s flora, fauna and culture with Road Scholar participants and other travelers. Enrique’s own travels have taken him to various regions of Peru, other South American countries, the U.S.A. and Europe. He is an avid birdwatcher and likes to collect field guides.
A lifelong resident of Cusco, Maywa Blanco is a university professor who teaches courses in genetics, the biodiversity of Andean crops and agricultural research. She attended the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Peru and studied English at the Peruvian-North American Cultural Institute. She received a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Michigan State University, earned a master’s degree, and then returned to Cusco to work helping impoverished communities. In her free time, Maywa enjoys cooking, soccer and spending time with her family.
Fernando Gil is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist. He enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures including their music, language, and food. Not content to be fluent in just English and Spanish, Fernando is also working on learning French, German, and Portuguese.
Ivan Tarapuez is a certified Ecuadorian expedition leader and a photography aficionado. He studied environmental conservation and tourism at Quito’s Universidad Tecnologica Equinoccial (2018-2012). After college, Ivan sought employment with local and international destination management companies and worked his way from operations to in-the-field as an expedition leader. Ivan enjoys using photography to capture elements that help to showcase his country’s history and culture as well as its unique landscapes, flora, and fauna.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Elevations of 11,000 feet. Ascending and descending many steps without handrails at archaeological ruins. Wet and dry landings by small Zodiac boat. Island activities require 3-5 hours of physical activity per day. Daily walks on sharp volcanic rocks and loose stones add another level of difficulty. Please view the Galápagos video "Galapagos Fitness Information - What to Expect" in preparation for your program activities: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U93d0TxTOQA&feature=youtu.be
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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