Latin Excursions Blog

We all know the significance of the Galapagos Islands - these enchanted isles provided Charles Darwin with the inspiration for his theory of evolution. The Galapagos Islands are a wonderland of nature - you’ll have the opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat in astonishingly close proximity.

What better way to experience this natural wonder than by combining it with another famed South American wonder? The neighboring countries of Peru and Ecuador are close enough that a flight between the two countries makes perfect sense for combining a visit to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Latin Excursions can provide you with a unique chance to visit the two historically important and marvelous wonders of the world in one trip!

Latin Excursions prides itself on creating personalized travel programs throughout South America and Central America. We arrange honeymoon tours, adventure holidays, anniversary trips, family reunions and fascinating outings to countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. We also specialize in customized holidays for our clients, according to the wishes of our clients.

Designated a World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu has also been recognized as a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and was named one of the New Open World Corporation’s New Seven Wonders of the World in July 2007. Machu Picchu (Old Peak) is located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 km northwest of Cusco. Also known as the “Lost City of Incas,” Machu Picchu is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Inca Empire. Built in 1450, the impressive citadel was abandoned after 100 years, at the time of Spanish conquest. The architectural prowess of the Inca is clear in the buildings at Machu Picchu - the classic polished dry-stone walls were constructed using the Ashlar technique, in which blocks of stone are cut so precisely that they fit together without mortar. The beauty of the buildings is particularly evident in the famed Temple of the Sun (Intihuana) and the Room of the Three Windows.

In order to protect the city, the location was a well-guarded military secret; the surrounding mountains and precarious cliffside bridges and steep precipices provided natural defenses.

Another Peruvian attraction is the Urubamba Valley, or Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is home to important archaeological ruins and villages, many of which combine their Inca heritage with Spanish colonial touches. The Sacred Valley was considered the Inca Empire’s wealthiest region – rivers feed into the valley and complicated terracing systems use every inch of fertile land, making this region the best place for maize production in the country. The relevance of the Sacred Valley has not diminished since it still provides Cuzco with the bulk of its produce, like maize, fruits and vegetables.

More traditional tours to Machu Picchu combine visits to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero in the Sacred Valley, with a guided two-day tour of the ruins and a walking tour of Cuzco. More adventurous travelers, or those with more time to spend in the region, might be interested in including an overnight hike to Huchuy Qosqo, a day-long hike to the site of Tipon, or doing a portion or all of the Inca Trail. Don’t hesitate to ask us about horseback riding in the Sacred Valley, white-water rafting or mountain biking at the sites of Maras & Moray.

And you trip would not end with these adventures throughout the former center of the Inca Empire – continue on to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, for forays into natural history. Keep reading our blogs for more information on the Galapagos.

Visit our website, www.LatinExcursions.com for more details on planning a trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands with Latin Excursions.