Sunday, August 3, 2014

Explore The Best Of South America With A Galapagos And Machu Picchu Tour

By Annabelle Holman


The world is filled with fascinating sites and the best of these are included on the World Heritage list compiled by UNESCO. You'll find many great heritage sites in South America but may find that getting from one to the other can be a challenge, especially if you only have a couple of weeks. Therefore you may want to consider an all-inclusive Galapagos and Machu Picchu tour. These tours not only include the two most famous heritage sites on the continent but several others in between.

Off Ecuador's coast is the archipelago known as the Galapagos Islands. It's the way that the wildlife here evolved into unique species adapted to their environment that made Charles Darwin come up with the theory of evolution. A cruise around Galapagos will let you appreciate the wildlife but you can also explore by hiking. Snorkeling and diving as well as kayaking are some of the ways to explore the marine life here.

Ecuador's capital Quito is on the itinerary too. The first time that UNESCO declared two entire cities as heritage sites, Quito was one of these. Most of the magic happens in the Old Town with its colonial architecture. There are museums, markets, plazas and parks to explore and the Teleferico is one of the world's highest cable cars.

Next up is another city with a historic center that is a heritage site. Lima is the capital of Peru and boasts a wide range of museums, as well as stunning beaches and surf culture. It's a good place to try Peruvian cuisine too, such as the national dish, ceviche.

Another heritage city you'll visit is the former Inca capital of Cuzco. This city in the Andes Mountains is the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There are several heritage sites in the area and for living heritage, you can tour some of the indigenous villages near here. Another option is to go for adventure sports, especially whitewater rafting.

The highlight of any trip into the Sacred Valley is undoubtedly the magnificent Machu Picchu. This mysterious sacred city is a marvel of engineering and the views are breathtaking. While many people arrive here by walking the Inca Trail, most organized tours include a scenic train journey instead.

When you pack, make room in your luggage for good hiking shoes and warm clothes for the Andean locations, even if you visit in summer. You'll also need a good sunscreen and while a Spanish phrase book or even a pocket dictionary isn't essential, it will help you to communicate without having to rely on your guide. For water sports either in the Galapagos Islands or in Lima, you might want to pack your own wetsuit too since the water is very cold.

A quick online search will provide you with plenty of tours to choose from. Many tour operators have designed packages that revolve around Galapagos and a trip to Machu Picchu. You can even choose whether you want to start in Ecuador or would rather begin your journey in Peru.




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