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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 Latin America’s most renowned icons. Come see for yourself as you discover 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
Few other places inspire such wonder and awe as the Galápagos Islands and the Incan Lost City of Machu Picchu. Experience both of these destinations, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Quito in an intimate group setting that allows for optimal time to learn from Road Scholar's acclaimed experts.
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.
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Eduardo Borja
Although he is a native of Quito, Eduardo Borja lived in the U.S.A. for a time as a child, then perfected his English at the American School of Quito after returning to Ecuador. Following high school, he rediscovered his passion for Ecuador’s wonders and his enjoyment of sharing them. He returned to the U.S.A. to earn a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Today, Eduardo lives in Quito and enjoys both the city’s cultural offerings and the natural beauty of Ecuador’s countryside.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
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Veronica De La Rosa
After graduating from Quito’s Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Veronica De la Rosa spent time in Ottawa, Canada, perfecting her English. As a student, she also traveled throughout North, Central and South America. She has been interested in history, art and culture since she was a child, and now as an experienced Group Leader she enjoys sharing her knowledge of all these aspects of Ecuador with Road Scholar participants. Veronica likes to spend her free time with her husband and daughter.
Profile Image of Holger "Paco" Mayorca
Holger "Paco" Mayorca
As a child growing up in Cusco, Holger Mayorca became aware of Peru’s rich history and the beauty of the Andean landscape early in life. He earned a degree from the National University of San Antonio Abad and went to work as an assistant to the director of the Machu Picchu National Park. Studying further with the park’s archaeologist and biologist deepened Holger’s knowledge, and he has led many visitors of all ages around the Peruvian highlands and his beloved hometown of Cusco.
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Daniel Rojas
Daniel Rojas is a native of Venezuela who has over two decades of experience in sharing the cultural wonders of Peru. He says he enjoys sharing his passion for Peru with visitors as much as he relishes the opportunity to learn from them. His interests are Peruvian birds and flora, photography, the history and geography of Peru, and watching documentaries on Discovery and Nat Geo channels.
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Eliacin Palomino
A native of Peru, Eliacin Palomino decided to become a travel professional in Cusco in order to achieve his goal of being a cultural ambassador for his country. Leading programs in the Amazonian Jungle, he developed a deep knowledge and appreciation for the ecology of the Amazon and interconnectivity of humans and their natural surrounding. Eliacin possesses a wealth of information regarding the history and culture of Cusco and Peru in general. He likes to share his country's customs, beliefs, and food with groups.
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Jorge Carrera
Jorge "George" Carrera is an accomplished Ecuadorian group leader and a veteran with decades of field experience. He recalls as a child, being drawn to studies focused on history, geography and politics. Later, while studying for a degree in the travel industry, he also developed a passion for art, archaeology, ethnic studies and cultural anthropology. Jorge has traveled extensively throughout Ecuador and spent time in some stunningly beautiful locations, ranging from Andean landscapes to lowland forests and coastal beaches.
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Fernando Gil
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.
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Sandie Salazar
Sandie Salazar’s lifelong love of the sea inspired her to study marine biology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. In 2003, she earned a scholarship from the Organization of American States and traveled to Baja California to pursue her master's degree. She wrote her thesis on Galápagos sea lions in collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). Sandie served as a CDF research associate and led their marine mammal research 2006-2008, becoming a park guide in 2009 to be more involved in Galápagos conservation.
Profile Image of Diego Barahona
Diego Barahona
Diego Barahona is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist and a chemist. He is a native Galápageño with a passion for science and travel. Diego studied abroad on scholarships and completed his B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in fundamental and applied chemistry at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. After working for Petroamazonas and Ecuador’s food and drug administration, he gave in to the pull of his beloved islands and became a naturalist in 2017. Diego enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, and playing soccer.
Profile Image of Marcial Cruz
Marcial Cruz
Marcial “Marshal” Cruz is a certified Peruvian expedition leader. Although he was born and educated in Cusco, he was able to do some traveling within Peru on account of his father’s work as a military officer. Marcial credits those childhood experiences with opening his eyes to the fascinating study of his country’s history and cultures. This seed was nurtured through education and training and blossomed into a rewarding career in educational travel. Marcial’s favorite pastimes include hiking, birding, photography, and anything related to archaeology.
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 Reading List
View Full List (21 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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