2008 Itinerary

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Welcome to Peru's capital city, Lima
Your Peru tour and Galápagos cruise begins at the Miraflores Park Hotel. A transfer is included from Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport to the five-star Miraflores Park Hotel, located in an oceanfront section of Lima.
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru

Day 2: Discover colonial Lima
In Lima, sightseeing highlights include a visit to a ranch for an impressive performance by Peruvian prancing horses, followed by lunch – definitely a highlight on Tauck's Peru tour. Enjoy welcome cocktails and dinner at Casa Aliaga, a 66-room home built in 1535 that has remained in the same family for generations.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru

Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Fly to Cusco, and enjoy lunch at a traditional farm on your way to El Valle Sagrado, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the great fortress of Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved Inca settlement and a National Archaeological Park. Dating to the 15th century, it features an intricate walled complex.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sol & Luna Lodge & Spa, Yucay Valley, Peru

Day 4: Machu Picchu, Peru tour inspiration
Journey by rail to the spectacular, mystical ruins of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Join a local guide for in-depth exploration, climbing up to the well-preserved remains. Explore the extensive terracing and intricate stonework found on nearly vertical terrain, surrounded by soaring jungle peaks and the Andes Mountains. Your hotel enjoys stunning views of the Andes Mountains and is located at the entrance to the ruins – which means you can visit the Inca citadel when you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Aguas Calientes, Peru

Day 5: Sunrise over Machu Picchu
Take the opportunity to experience the spiritual complex of Machu Picchu at sunrise – a highlight of any Peru tour – before the day-trippers arrive. The morning mist adds to the mystery of the site’s origins and why it was abandoned. Depart for Aguas Calientes, and then journey by train to Cusco, where your lodgings are in a lavishly restored monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru

Day 6: Curious Cusco, a Peru tour gem
Continue your Peru tour with sightseeing in Cusco, once the powerful capital of the ancient, sophisticated Inca empire. See Plaza de Armas, a large square that was the center of the ancient city; the Cathedral; and colonial buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. A guided walking tour of Sacsayhuaman scales steep steps to explore the ruins of this Inca military fortress, providing great views of the city below.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru

Day 7: Journey to Ecuador
Your Peru tour ends and your Ecuador/Galápagos cruise adventure begins! Fly to Lima and take a connecting flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. It’s renowned as a major port and enjoys a pleasant tropical climate.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Ecuador

• Day 8: Greetings Galápagos
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast and home to wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy a seven-night cruise aboard Tauck’s exclusive expeditionary-style yacht, topped by an observation deck. The cruise itinerary is flexible, allowing the ship to access many remote islands, choosing beaches that are full of wildlife. Landings are made in a panga, a Zodiac-style raft, and may require wading ashore in shallow water.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 9: Explore Hood Island on landings wet and dry
Both wet and dry landings by panga take you to Hood Island to visit with its friendly sea lions and observe finches, mockingbirds and other birdlife. Ride a glass-bottom boat in Gardner Bay, walk across volcanic landscapes to check out unique seabird colonies at Punta Suárez, or spend some time snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 10: Flamingos and more on Floreana Island
On Floreana Island, join your expert naturalist guide on an easy nature hike to a lovely lagoon, where you'll see flamingos in their pristine habitat. Explore Post Office Bay, where a primitive island "post office" has been in use for hundreds of years, and land by panga to visit turtles, rays and other wildlife up close.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 11: In Darwin's footsteps on Santa Cruz Island
Head for the inland highlands on Santa Cruz Island, as well as the craters of Los Gemelos and a Scalesia forest. Meet giant tortoises and observe a wide variety of flora – such as the giant prickly-pear cactus – and fauna at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll also learn about the history of the islands.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 12: Birds galore on Tower Island
Land by panga in a lovely natural habor on Tower Island to view thousands of incredible birds – including large colonies of frigate birds, storm petrels, Nazca boobies and many more. In most cases, the birds and animals of the Galápagos are unafraid of humans, so you can get right up close to them.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 13: Cross the Equator to Isabela and Fernandina
Get up early and take a good look at the Ecuador Volcano as you cross the Equator aboard Isabela II today en route to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápgos Islands (they're only about 5 to 10 million years old). Arrive at Isabela's Tagus Cove to see Darwin Crater; you'll also have an opportunity to do some snorkeling, as well as view Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas and sea lions on Fernandina.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

• Day 14: More wonders on James and Bartolomé Islands
Stroll across the ancient lava flows of James Island and spot marine iguanas, fur seals and myriad birds. There are even more wonders in store – on a climb to the top of Bartolomé Island, and a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock for memorable views of Galápagos penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands

Day 15: Explore Guayaquil
Disembark Isabela II, and fly to Guayaquil. A tour of the city precedes some free time, perhaps to stroll the waterfront promenade, El Malecon. Share favorite experiences from your Galápagos and Peru tour at the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Ecuador

Day 16: Goodbye Galápagos
Tour ends in Guayaquil. A transfer is included from Hilton Colon Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport; allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast

Note: This is an active journey that includes a fair amount of walking, often on uneven terrain; Zodiac-style rafts are used for shore excursions. We may not visit each of the islands in the order here, but typically visit two different sites per day. Cruise Itineraries are approved by the Galápagos National Park Service 30 to 60 days before departure and are subject to change. Inquire upon booking.

Book this Galápagos and Peru tour to see

Machu Picchu and some of the world’s most unique wildlife!

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and ship accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land and cruise transportation, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, and the services of Tauck Director and local guides are included. Tauck will provide transfers for all arriving guests regardless of the flight, provided we have updated flight arrival information at least two weeks before the tour departure date; all departure transfers are included.

Hotel and Ship Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Complimentary wine is served with dinner on board Isabela II.

Tauck Director – Each “Peru & the Galápagos Islands” tour is conducted by one Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, doormen, housekeepers, dining room servers, drivers, ship staff, local guides and drivers are included.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

On-Tour Flights

Airfare While on Tour – Five on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, departure taxes, visa fees and arrival transfers (if applicable) and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.

Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning – Due to the altitude of the sites visited, you may actually need heaters to stay comfortable at night. The following list details what temperature controls are provided at each of the hotels used on this journey as well as what is provided on board Isabela II. Please note that in South America air conditioning means air cooling, with temperatures not as cool as found in a typical home in the U.S. during summer.

Hotel	Air Conditioning
Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru	Yes
Hotel Sol y Luna, Yucay Valley, Peru	No
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel, Machu Pichu, Peru	No (heaters)
Manasterio del Cusco, Cusco, Peru	No (heaters)
Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Peru	Yes
Isabela II	Yes
Alternate hotels on specific tour dates
Country Club Lima Hotel, Lima Peru	Yes
Casa Andina P.C., Urubamba, Peru	No (heaters)

Clothing and Packing – Your adventure in Peru and the Galápagos Islands is informal and casual. Essentials include bathing suit(s), tee-shirts, shorts, long and short-sleeved lightweight shirts, long pants and a windbreaker, sweater or light jacket for evenings at sea and higher elevations in the Andes.

On day 2, guests are invited for welcome cocktails and dinner at Casa Aliaga, a 66-room home built in 1535 that has remained in the same family for generations. For this special occasion, we recommend casually elegant evening attire.

All of the hotels on his tour provide valet laundry services with the exception of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel. There are also no laundry facilities on board Isabela II; however, a clothes dryer is located on the sun deck to dry wet clothing.

Most importantly, bring comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support. You will also need reef shoes or aqua shoes for beach landings and walks over rocky, uneven terrain. Your feet will get wet when you transfer from ship to shore on many landings.

Snorkel gear is available aboard the ship; however, if you have prescription lenses you should bring them. Wetsuits are now available on board. In September and October, a wet suit is recommended for snorkeling excursions as the water tends to be very cold. You may also wish to bring an underwater camera. Scuba diving is NOT available.

We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) together with your doctor’s prescription, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed. If you have allergies to certain foods or insects that may require an injection, please bring a kit with you that is packaged for use at higher elevations.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to the Galápagos Islands:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks and short-sleeve shirts
• A casually elegant evening outfit for dinner at Casa Aliaga
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Bathing suit(s)
• A light sweater or jacket for the evenings
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Collapsible umbrella
• Lightweight waterproof slicker
• Small backpack for long walks
• Adequate personal toiletries and sundries
• Zippered plastic bags for protecting valuables
  

Elevation – This adventurous itinerary takes our guests from coastal city of Lima to the majestic heights of Machu Picchu to the tropical Galápagos Islands. Guests will experience great changes in land elevations throughout the tour. The principal sites visited - in the order visited - and their associated elevations are:

• Lima 512 ft (156 meters)
• Cusco 11,200 feet (3,414 m)
• Yucay Valley 8,500 ft (2,591 m)
• Aguas Calientes 7,800 ft (2,377 m)
• Guayaquil Sea Level
• Galápagos Islands Sea Level
  

Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, participants must be in good health. This is a rigorous tour and you need to be in good physical condition with good balance as the terrain varies from sandy beaches to uneven lava and rocks. Proper walking shoes with ankle support are essential. You may want to bring a walking stick – there are a few available on board Isabela II for the Galápagos section of your journey. Walks range from 1 to 2 mi (.3 to .6 km) in length and last from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

You will spend several days touring at high altitudes in Peru (especially Cusco at 11,200 ft (3,414 m). At these altitudes some visitors may suffer varying degrees of altitude sickness, including nausea. We have found that some guests may be more affected by the altitude than others. Medications are available to prevent altitude sickness, and we urge you to speak with your physician prior to your departure from home to discuss prophylaxis for safe travel.

All ship-to-shore transfers use Zodiacs (capacity 9 to 12 persons) or Pangas (capacity 2 to 3 persons). These are safe transports but occasionally you will get wet with spray. Some wet landings require guests to wade through knee-high deep coastal water.

There are three decks on Isabela II; however, there is no elevator.

Tauck is not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We also regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

Isabela II does not have mechanical stabilizers because the water around the Galápagos Islands is very calm. However, the ship has a rounded hull that helps minimize rocking. We travel between the various islands so the areas in which we cruise are sheltered. If you are prone to seasickness, bring a non–drowsy, over-the-counter, anti-nausea medication. Anti-nausea wristbands are also a good idea. The anti-nausea patch is NOT recommended for use in the islands as it tends to impair vision in direct sunlight.

Bottled water is available throughout the trip, both in Peru and Ecuador, on board Isabela II and during onshore excursions.

Guests bringing a quantity of medication with them are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs officials.

Smoking is not permitted in any interior space on board Isabela II. Smoke and open fire will activate the smoke detectors. Smoking is allowed on outside decks only, and there are ashtrays placed in specific exterior deck areas. Please do not throw your cigarettes overboard, as it is a violation of international maritime pollution laws and they can easily be blown back onto the ship. Please refrain from smoking on shore and in shore excursion vehicles and ship tenders. Smoking is also not permitted on the motor coaches.

The only islands with bathroom facilities are Baltra and Santa Cruz, where there are visitor centers. We will be returning back to the ship for lunch and dinner, and Zodiacs or Pangas will travel back and forth to the ship during shore excursions.

The infirmary on Isabela II is staffed by a licensed Ecuadorian doctor. If you avail yourself of his services, a charge will be posted to your personal shipboard account. Isabela II is registered in Ecuador. Please check with your insurer to determine if coverage applies while you are traveling, and purchase appropriate travel insurance if necessary.

If you are traveling as the guardian of a child or children, we strongly suggest you bring along a letter from both parents of the child authorizing any emergency treatment, as medical facilities may require permission from the child’s parent or parents

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

No vaccinations are currently required for entry into Ecuador or Peru. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:
Due to space limitations aboard the motor coaches and local aircraft, we urge that only one piece of checked luggage be brought on this trip. Additionally, space constraints and weight limitations aboard the train to Machu Picchu and local aircraft to the Galápagos Islands require guests to carry limited personal belongings. Each passenger is restricted to no more than 44 lbs (20 kg) of luggage. Therefore, Tauck will provide you with a duffel bag (roughly 1 ft by 1 ft by 2 ft in overall dimensions, or 30.5 cm by 30.5 cm by 60 cm) to carry your clothing and personal items for your one-night stay in Machu Picchu and your four-night stay on Isabela II. Meanwhile, checked luggage will be stored, respectively, at the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco during the Machu Picchu excursion and the Hilton Colon in Guayaquil during the cruise. Small carry-on bags are permitted, but Ecuador Airlines will check large wheeled carry-on’s with the larger luggage.

If you reside in the United States the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Peru. Guests residing outside of the U.S will receive their duffels upon arrival in Lima because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of their duffels in advance.

Each guest is also restricted to one carry-on bag weighing no more than 22 lbs (10 kg).

Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – A valid passport or similar acceptable travel document is required of all people wishing to enter Peru and Ecuador.

U.S citizens do not need a visa for this tour provided they do not stay in Peru or Ecuador longer than 90 days.

Tauck strongly recommends that guests’ passports be valid for six months beyond the completion of their tour. It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport, as well as to leave photocopies of your travel documents and identification papers with someone at home.

Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of Peru and of Ecuador to determine what travel documentation is required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, Tauck does offer a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

The cruise line requires that children less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult over 21 years of age. They are also unable to accommodate children less than two years of age.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar (USD); the currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (PEN). The Nuevo Sol exchange rate floats in relation to the U.S. dollar. Cash and traveler's checks may be exchanged at any bank, the airport, at most hotels or at exchange houses, or casas de cambio. The airport will give you the official rate of exchange, the same as banks, and a small fee is usually charged for changing travelers’ checks. Many restaurants, hotels and shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment, so it is a good idea to bring U.S. dollars in small denominations for local shopping. Travelers’ checks are accepted in the larger cities, however, there is often a fee charged to cash them. ATMs are available in the cities, and major credit cards are accepted in tourist areas and at large hotels although a commission of 6 to 8% is often charged. Hotels are unable to exchange large amounts of currency.

Shipboard accounts aboard Isabela II may be paid by U.S. dollars, travelers’ checks, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov.

Ecuador levies a 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) on consumer purchases; Peru levies a 19% VAT. Travelers to Peru and Ecuador may be entitled to refunds of the VAT and should inquire about the refund policy where they shop.

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own countries’ rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – The Miraflores and Monasterio hotels in Ecuador have equipped their guest rooms with both 110 V and 220 V, 60 Hz, AC, electrical outlets. The Sol y Luna and Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge provide 220 V, 60 Hz, AC, electrical current, but also provide converters and adapters upon request. Isabela II and the Hilton Colon Guayaquil provide 110 V, 60 Hz, AC. Travelers who bring electric devices that are not compatible with these systems should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Time Zones – Lima and Cusco, Peru, and Guayaquil, Ecuador, are 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); the Galápagos Islands are 6 hours behind. In June, Lima, Cusco and Guayaquil are 1 hour behind New York City; the Galápagos Islands are 2 hours behind. Peru and Ecuador do not have Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – The Peruvian coast is generally sunny and hardly ever receives any rain, but from April to November there is a heavy sea mist. The highlands have a wet season (October to April) and a dry season (May to September), when the days are clear and sunny but cold at night especially at higher altitudes.

The Galápagos Islands lie almost on the equator about 650 miles (1,046 kilometers) west of the coast of Ecuador. The islands have an unusual climate in view of their proximity to the equator; rainfall is low and temperatures are lower than would be expected. There are no extremes of heat or cold, and temperatures range from 75° to 86°F (24° to 30°C) year round. The weather is hot and sunny in the islands and sea temperatures average 67° to 72°F (19° to 22°C). For guests planning on swimming, most swimming takes place at midday hours. Although there is more rain on the larger islands which are hilly (such as Seymour Island), rainfall is low at sea level and comes during the months of January to April. Light drizzle and even fog, however, are not uncommon at other times of the year.

	Average Temperature
	Lima, Peru		Cusco, Peru
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	79 / 68	26 / 20	64 / 43	18 / 6
February	80 / 69	27 / 21	65 / 43	18 / 6
March	80 / 69	27 / 21	66 / 43	19 / 6
April	76 / 66	24 / 19	67 / 41	19 / 5
May	72 / 63	22 / 17	67 / 36	19 / 2
June	69 / 61	21 / 16	66 / 32	19 / 0
July	67 / 60	19 / 16	66 / 32	19 / 0
August	66 / 60	19 / 16	67 / 35	19 / 2
September	67 / 59	19 / 15	68 / 39	20 / 4
October	69 / 61	21 / 16	69 / 41	21 / 5
November	72 / 63	22 / 17	69 / 42	21 / 6
December	76 / 66	24 / 19	69 / 43	21 / 6
	Guayaquil, Ecuador		Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	88 / 70	31 / 21	82 / 73	28 / 23
February	88 / 72	31 / 22	85 / 73	30 / 23
March	88 / 72	31 / 22	87 / 74	31 / 24
April	90 / 72	32 / 22	84 / 74	29 / 24
May	88 / 68	31 / 20	82 / 72	28 / 22
June	88 / 68	31 / 20	79 / 71	26 / 22
July	84 / 66	29 / 19	77 / 69	25 / 21
August	86 / 64	30 / 18	75 / 66	24 / 19
September	88 / 66	31 / 19	75 / 67	24 / 20
October	86 / 68	30 / 20	76 / 66	25 / 19
November	88 / 68	31 / 20	78 / 68	26 / 20
December	88 / 70	31 / 21	80 / 70	27 / 21

	Average Rainfall
	Lima, Peru		Cusco, Peru
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	0.0	0	6.3	160
February	0.0	0	5.2	132
March	0.0	0	4.3	109
April	0.0	0	1.8	46
May	0.0	0	0.3	8
June	0.1	3	0.1	3
July	0.2	5	0.2	5
August	0.1	3	0.3	8
September	0.1	3	0.9	23
October	0.1	3	1.9	48
November	0.0	0	3.1	79
December	0.0	0	4.7	119
	Guayaquil, Ecuador		Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	9.1	231	2.7	69
February	9.5	241	3.6	91
March	9.9	251	3.7	94
April	6.0	152	2.8	71
May	2.4	61	1.3	33
June	1.3	33	0.9	23
July	0.4	10	0.6	15
August	0.0	0	0.2	5
September	0.1	3	0.2	5
October	0.1	3	0.2	5
November	0.2	5	0.3	8
December	1.3	33	1.2	30

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

You might also be interested in…..