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Escorted Tours

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands including

Highlights of Peru


Route:
  • London
  • Quito
  • Cruise of the Galapagos Islands
  • Guayaquil
  • Lima
  • Cusco
  • Machu Picchu
  • London

4 NIGHTS from £pp

Tour Highlights
  • Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu.
  • 1/2 day tour of Cusco.
  • Fascinating city tours of Quito and the picturesque port city of Guayaquil
  • Embark on a cruise through the spectacular Galapagos Islands
  • Enjoy snorkelling trips to swim with unique sea life
  • On-land excursions to observe the Islands' flora and fauna
  • Explore the Highlands Tortoise Reserve

Extension from £pp

Tour + Extension from £0pp

To book call us on 0330 818 8907

Highlights of Peru

Tour Itinerary

1
UK to Quito

Depart London on your scheduled flight to Quito, via Bogota.

2
Quito

On arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Take in the breath-taking mountain backdrop of the highest capital city in the world as you enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

3
Quito

In the morning enjoy a half day walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the historic old town awaits. Visiting Independence Square, stop at the Cathedral and Presidential Palace before passing the church of La Compania and San Francisco. Finishing at El Panecillo Hill, here you will have panoramic views over the capital city whilst enjoying a well-deserved lunch. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take an optional trip to the equator monument.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
4
Quito to Galapagos Islands - San Cristobal Island

Fly to the Galapagos Islands for 4 nights of yachting around this archipelago, known for its unrivalled number of endemic animal species. An afternoon excursion takes you to the Galapagos Interpretation Centre, where you will learn more about the islands' history. A walk up nearby Tijeretas Hill offers magnificent views. Return to the yacht for the night.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Galapagos Islands - Espanola Island

Visit the white coral beaches of Espanola Island and watch the sea lions, marine iguanas and birds on the shore. Swim or snorkel in these warm waters for the chance to spot manta rays, reef sharks and other marine life. In the afternoon, spot endemic wildlife on a hike to Suarez Point and 'Soplador', a seaward blowhole. Return to the yacht for the night.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Galapagos Islands - Floreana Island

Visit Floreana Island, where a wooden barrel installed in the 1700s serves as an informal post office. Drop off a postcard in the hopes that some other traveller will deliver it to its destination, then enjoy a morning of swimming and snorkelling on the beach. This afternoon, hike to a flamingo-filled lagoon and a large sea turtle nesting site. Return to the beach for some swimming and snorkelling before boarding the yacht again.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
Galapagos Islands - Santa Cruz Island

Arriving at a lava dock, we first encounter marine iguanas camouflaged perfectly against the dark rock. Walking past prickly pear cacti, we reach a long, sickle-shaped beach with Dragon Hill in the distance. A circular walk takes you past a shallow lake where flamingoes feed. Moving inland, reach a dry, forested area where land iguanas nest and burrow. This afternoon, head to Punta Bowdith on Santa Cruz Island for an unparalleled sense of solitude. Relax on a powdery beach, snorkel around turquoise water islets, and hike beside salt pools and dried white corals.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8
Galapagos Islands to Guayaquil

This morning, explore the Highlands Tortoise Reserve, where you can spot various bird species including yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (often seen perched on tortoises' shells). Along the way, you'll witness the island's diverse ecosystems as you travel from the coast, through agricultural zones, and into dense, humid forests. Look out for Galapagos giant tortoises wandering through pastures in the paddocks. Later, fly to Guayaquil.

  • Breakfast
9
Guayaquil

Tour the picturesque port city of Guayaquil, strolling along the Malecon 2000, an impressive boardwalk overlooking the Guayas River. You will then visit the colourful hillside neighbourhood of Las Penas. Continue on to Parque Bolivar, known locally as Iguana Park for the many iguanas that bask on its lawns. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take an optional excursion to Parque Historico, a thematic open-air park.

  • Breakfast
10
Guayaquil to the UK

Enjoy a free morning before you are transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

  • Breakfast
11
Guayaquil to Lima

After a day at leisure in Guayaquil, take an evening flight to Lima. Your guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you to your hotel.

12
Lima and Cusco

This morning you will fly to Cusco. In the afternoon your guide will commence your half day tour, taking you around all the most important sites.

  • Breakfast
13
Cusco & Machu Picchu

Today is the highpoint of this extension - a visit to the world renowned Machu Picchu. Board the Inca Rail train to climb up through the Andes, then a bus to the summit of the archaeological site. Constructed on a saddle between the two Andean peaks, Machu Picchu was one of the greates achievements of South American civilisation.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
14
Cusco to Lima

Today is at leisure for you to explore Cusco. Take a late afternoon flight back to Lima for your overnight stay.

  • Breakfast
15
Lima to UK

Spend the morning at leisure in Lima, before your return flight back to the UK, via Bogota.

  • Breakfast

Important Information

Visas

A visa is not required for entry into Peru for UK passport holders. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity.

Insurance

You must obtain suitable travel insurance prior to departure. Mercury Direct is partnered with Holiday Extras which offer insurance at the following prices:

Age in YearsUp to 6465 - 7475 - 85
Up to 17 days cover£39£75£129
For all persons 86 years and over, please contact us for insurance prices. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Direct will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

All flights are operated by LAN TAM airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 23kgs of hold luggage and hand luggage not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 20cm in size. Flight times are for guidance only and subject to change.

Health and Vaccinations

We recommend that you consult your local GP for advice on vaccinations and travel health before departure.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility.

Group Size

There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

Tour Guide

This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival and will have a guide with you throughout the duration of your trip, ensuring you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Currency Information

The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, the symbol is S/. We recommend you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. US Dollars are widely accepted in Peru should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 should be sufficient.

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UKArrive UKExtension PriceTour PriceTotal Price

Included in the Price

  • Fully Escorted Tour with local English Speaking Guides throughout
  • Scheduled Flights from the UK.
  • All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
  • Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
  • All airport taxes and security charges.

Additional Expenses

  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Any meals not specified in your itinerary
Tour note:

Please note that Breakfast and Lunch is not included on the last day of the main tour as your flight departs Guayaquil in the early hours of the morning on Day 10.

What to expect

Fact File
Min/Max temperature

17 °C / 31 °C

When to go

Please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.

Quito

Galapagos Islands

Guayaquil

Cusco

What to pack
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and hat in summer
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Camera and charger/spare batteries
  • An electric plug converter
  • Loo paper for public WCs
  • Binoculars
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Anti-bacterial hand gel
  • Swimwear
  • Mosquito Repellent
Customer Rating:
10/10
Keith Stannard
26th Jun 2019

good standard of hotels throughout tour

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
David Lowe
9th Oct 2018

Thank you for a lovely holiday and a great experience.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Tour Dossiers
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Other Extensions

Santa Elena Beach Stay
Tour Route
  • London
  • Quito
  • Cruise of the Galapagos Islands
  • Guayaquil
  • Santa Elena
  • London

To end your journey in Ecuador why not extend your stay by relaxing on the beautiful beaches in the province of Santa Elena.

4 nights
from £649pp
View Extension
View Extension