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.
The next city you'll visit is Peru's capital, Lima. The historic center here is on the world heritage list as well and Lima has an excellent selection of museums. You may also opt for a day at the beach and a bit of surfing. One thing not to miss is ceviche, the seafood dish that is regarded as the national dish of Peru.
From Lima you travel to Cuzco, another city on the heritage list. It used to be the Inca Empire's capital. From this Andean city you get to explore more heritage sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas but you'll also visit indigenous villages and can try out a range of adventure sports.
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.
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.
The next city you'll visit is Peru's capital, Lima. The historic center here is on the world heritage list as well and Lima has an excellent selection of museums. You may also opt for a day at the beach and a bit of surfing. One thing not to miss is ceviche, the seafood dish that is regarded as the national dish of Peru.
From Lima you travel to Cuzco, another city on the heritage list. It used to be the Inca Empire's capital. From this Andean city you get to explore more heritage sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas but you'll also visit indigenous villages and can try out a range of adventure sports.
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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