PERU

DAY ONE IN PERU-

LIMA

We came to Peru a day before we met with our tour group. We landed, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed West to Miraflores. We spent the day wandering the area and doing our own food tour of several Peruvian classics. We ended the day at Parque del Amor. May 2019

DAY TWO- JOINED OUR GROUP 

& HEADED TO CUSCO

Met our National Geographic guide, Aqui, and the group at 6:30 AM for breakfast then a flight to Cusco. Upon landing, we began a tour of the city in the Plaza de Armas. Lunch at Incanto. 45 drive to Chinchero for a weaving demonstration and shopping. Chinchero is located on the highway between Cusco and Urubamba in the Sacred Valley.

DAY THREE-

MACHU PICCHU

First stop at elevation of 9,160 feet, Ollantaytambo Ruins. Lots of stairs to climb and lots of time to stop and catch our breath at this high elevation. Next, we boarded the Inca Rail for our ride to Machu Picchu. We arrived in Agua Calientes then took a short bus ride to the base of Machu Picchu. Was such a great day with our guide, Katherina. Our train ride home turned into a dance party!

DAY FOUR-

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, GALAPAGOS

Not an easy place to get to…flight, bus, ferry then another bus to the port…then zodiac to the ship! But so worth it! Stopped for short hike then onto the Ranch for lunch and to enjoy the Giant Galapagos Tortoises. Finally got onto the zodiacs to board the ship and check into our rooms. After boat drill, we went ashore to visit the Darwin Research Station and quick walk through town before arriving back for dinner. First day aboard the National Geographic Islander.

DAY FIVE-

SOUTH PLAZA AND SANTA FE ISALNDS, GALAPAGOS

Zodiac ride ashore to South Plaza Island for hike…lots of land iguanas, boobies, and seal lions. We returned back to swim from the ship! Rest for few hours- naps and watching frigate birds sail above the ship from the sundeck. Return ashore,,this time to Santa Fé Island for hike on very rocky trail. This island shoreline is covered with sea lions.

DAY SIX-

SULLIVAN BAY, GALAPAGOS

Woke at 6 to leave ashore for yoga on the beach. We arrived and it was high tide so very little “beach.” We ended up stretching and watching sea lions and penguins. Did not disappoint! Back to ship for breakfast. Out to kayak along the volcanic shores of Santiago Island. Back on ship to get snorkel gear then head back to same area to swim with the penguins. So much activity and we returned back to the shop for lunch and it was only 1:00 PM. Time for a nap because we have a lecture later and then a walk.

A magical walk over the uneroded, black lava flow covered with lava bubbles. So many different flows that resemble waves, ropes, and even flowing hair.

DAY SEVEN-

GENOVESA ISLAND

Nesting Green and Red-footed boobies and many new chicks! Also magnificent mating frigate birds.

Manta Ray, lots of fish, and a White-tipped Galapagos shark…I’d say this hour was a success! Prince Philip’s Steps is an extraordinary steep path that leads through a seabird colony full of life, up to cliffs that are 25 metres (82 feet) high. 

SKYLODGE- 

SACRED VALLEY OF CUSCO

Located 1,200 feet up on the mountain in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, Peru. We climbed up the via Ferrata for close to two hours- turning on our headlamps near the end because there was no light. We arrived at the dining capsule for dinner then hooked back onto lines to climb short distance to our own capsule. We slept under the stars and woke to breakfast, a short photo shoot and to enjoy daylight up on the mountain and, finally we zip lined down the mountain.

This was the most terrifying yet, exciting experience in my life!

CUSCO ON OUR OWN 

BEFORE AND AFTER 

SKYLODGE- 

It was so fun to wander the city on our own. Said goodbye to our tour group and flew back to Cusco. Baby alpacas, beautiful balconies and lots of chocolate!