Affordable luxury Kenya - Upcoming Tour | Gourmet Kosher Safaris

PERU AND THE GALAPAGOS

- 10 DAYS
Sunday 27 April 2025 - Tuesday 6 May 2025

Sunday 31 August 2025 - Tuesday 9 September 2025

This tour unites two of South America's most breathtaking wonders: the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and Machu Picchu in Peru. Our journey begins on Sunday with our arrival in the vibrant, tropical city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, where we’ll spend the night eagerly anticipating our Monday morning flight to the Galapagos.

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ITINERARY

We explore some of the most stunning islands in this renowned archipelago, encountering the extraordinary wildlife that has made the Galapagos a world treasure.

BIRTHPLACE OF SAFARI TRAVEL

In Lima, South America’s third-largest metropolis, we celebrate Shabbat with the Jewish community, embracing the vibrant contrasts of this ocean-desert city—from modern shopping centers to beautiful colonial architecture.

DATES & PRICES

Our journey continues through the breathtaking Andean highlands, from the historic city of Cusco to the Sacred Valley, where we board a scenic train through the picturesque Urubamba Canyon to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the legendary Machu Picchu. With great anticipation, we explore this ancient Incan marvel, all while enjoying the signature luxury accommodations and gourmet kosher cuisine that Kosher Safaris is known for!

Itinerary

Depending on our arrival time, you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest and most populous city. Highlights include the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood, the scenic Malecón 2000, Cerro Santa Ana, and Parque Histórico. We’ll aim to explore as many of these attractions as time and conditions allow.

At the end of the tour, we’ll return to our elegant riverfront hotel to enjoy a relaxing dinner. Be sure to get a good night's sleep and recharge—extraordinary adventures await in the coming days!
Today, we depart Guayaquil and fly to Baltra Port, where our incredible Galapagos cruise begins with an orientation talk and a lovely kosher lunch.

North Seymour Island is one of the most visited islands on the chain, and with good reason: this small piece of land is encircled by an absolutely stunning coastline, with some of the world's most magnificent waves, and hosts large colonies of sea-lions, marine iguanas, land-iguanas, as well as the famous blue-footed boobies and red greater Frigate birds. The wildlife is everywhere you look, and this island makes a great pick for the first excursion of our cruise!
Santiago Island is one of the most scenic islands in the Galapagos chain, and the black-sand beach at Egas Port, sandstone formations, and magnificent grottos, make for great back-drops for viewing its wildlife, including marina iguanas, sea-lions, and giant red crabs.
The nearby Bartholomew Island has a surreal, almost Martian, desert landscape, and the view of the surrounding from "The Pinnacle" is a great reward for the steep climb. It's also a great place to see the northern-most penguins in the world, the Galapagos penguins.
Overnight, we have covered quite some distance, and reached the east side of San Cristobal, one of the largest islands of the Galapagos. With some luck, sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone known as Punta Pitt.
This is the only spot in the Galapagos where we can witness all three booby species together. Red-footed boobies perch on Cordia lutea and small trees, Nazca boobies nest near the cliff edge, while blue-footed boobies are found a bit further inland. Frigatebirds soar above, and the views are simply breathtaking.
In the afternoon, we visit Cerro Brujo, the Sorcerors Hill.

As we approach the shore on our dinghy ride, we’re awestruck by the towering cliffs. Once ashore, you can relax alongside sea lions on the beach, snorkel from the shore, or take a short walk to a hidden lagoon, where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.
This morning, we journey to the lush highlands of San Cristobal to visit the giant tortoise breeding center, La Galapaguera, where we’ll observe these iconic creatures at various stages of life. The reserve plays a vital role in restoring populations of the endangered San Cristobal tortoise to the wild.

Back in town, you’ll have time to browse shops for local handicrafts and souvenirs. Later, we’ll head to the airport, board our flight back to Guayaquil, where we overnight again before we continue on to Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru.
This morning, we fly South to Lima, the massive Peruvian capital and the third-largest city in South America. As one of the world’s largest desert cities, Lima enjoys a mild, almost rain-free climate despite its location on the humid Pacific coast.

The city’s dramatic setting—surrounded by desert, mountains, and ocean—is matched by its impressive blend of colonial architecture, pre-Inca ruins, and ultra-modern shopping centers. After a day immersed in the contrasts of this vibrant metropolis, we prepare for a memorable Shabbat with the Jewish community.
Today, we enjoy a beautiful Shabbat in the upscale suburb of San Isidro, home to Peru's small yet vibrant Jewish community.

We begin with a warm morning at the community center, where we attend shul and enjoy a great Kiddush. After a delightful Shabbos lunch, we can either take a leisurely walk through the charming neighborhood or relax with a well-deserved rest.

After Shabbat, we head out to experience one of Lima's night highlights: the world's largest fountain display.
Today, we fly from Lima, on the coast, to the Andean city of Cusco, situated at 3,500 meters (about 11,000 feet) above sea level. From there, we travel by road to Urubamba, nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley, a slightly gentler elevation for acclimatization, where we check into our hotel.
We spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel, allowing ourselves to acclimate in preparation for our exciting day at Machu Picchu.
Alternatively, those with some energy can book an additional tour of some of the ruins and heritage sights of the Sacred Valley Region.
Today, we board the train through the breathtaking Urubamba Canyon to the village of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu—the lost city of the Incas.

This remote village can only be reached by this unique railway. Once we arrive, a scenic drive takes us further up the canyon, where we begin our exploration of this extraordinary site and its ancient wonders on foot, for the next few hours.
After some incredibe group photos opportunities, we begin the journey back to Urubamba in reverse, where a well-deserved dinner awaits us.
Today, we drive back through the Andes to Cusco, where we enjoy a brief tour of this historic city, once the capital of the Inca Empire—the largest empire in the Americas before Columbus. We also visit the local Chabad, which serves as more than just a regular Chabad House;
Its a "home away from home" for the thousands of Israeli backpackers who fall in love with this region during their post-army travels. After a delicious lunch at the Israeli fast-food restaurant in the courtyard of this historic building, we head to the airport for our flight back to Lima, carrying with us unforgettable memories of the region's stunning scenery and wildlife.

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Sunday 27 April – Tuesday 6 May 2025 (10 days)
Sunday 31 August - Tuesday 9 September 2025 (10 days)

$10, 000 per person sharing; Single Supplement: $3000
Luxury Accommodation as follows:

Galapagos Legend Cruise (3 nights)

https://www.gogalapagos.com/galapagos-legend/

Wyndham Guayaquil (2 nights) https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/es-la/hotels/guayaquil-guayas-ecuador?brand_id=WY&brand_tier=HR

Lima Country Club (2 nights) https://countryclublimahotel.com/home

Taypikalla Deluxe Sacred Valley Urubamba https://www.taypikala.com/en/hotel-taypikalavalle-in-urubamba/

3 freshly prepared kosher meals daily by GKS team, under strict Hashgacha. Packed lunches when out for the day

Twice daily snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; soft drinks and water during meals

Quality local kosher wines served at dinner

All excursions, transfers, entrance fees and guiding on the itinerary except when explicitly excluded

Sales tax when relevant
Tips/service delivery – 6%

International airfares

Domestic flights from Guayaquil to Baltra Island/San Cristobal to Guayaquil /Guayaquil to Lima/ and from Lima to Cusco

Visas and airport taxes

Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Hotel upgrades and extra bills

Bar, laundry, and other hotel extras

Elective activities

Personal expenses
50% non-refundable deposit and online signed contract to secure booking

50% final payment 3 months prior to tour

All amounts non-refundable once due. Please purchase suitable travel insurance in case of emergency

All payments to be wired to our USA account

Schedule, hotels and other items are subject to change based on availability, group size and other factors, however, in the event of any change, the overall standard of the trip will be maintained as best as reasonably possible
Trip is subject to minimum of 6 guests signing up. Deposit will be refunded if trip does not go ahead, so please don’t pay for flights until we have given the go ahead!

Schedule, hotels and other items are subject to change based on availability, group size and other factors, but in the event this occurs, the overall standard of the trip will be maintained as best as reasonably possible.

Peru & Galapagos

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Frequently Asked Questions

US citizens do not require a visa to enter Ecuador, as majority of countries re welcome visa free.
As GKS cannot take responsibility for accuracy of visa information, it MUST be verified by the consulates of these countries well in advance of travel.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Guayaquil - Weather in April/May is fairly hot at 80-87°F. Afternoons can be very hot with average high temperatures reaching 87°F while September around 84°F Rain is predictable throughout this time, make sure you pack your raincoat!
Galapagos - April/May in the Galapagos will not necessarily warrant a raincoat as the rainy season is around march. With temperatures between 73-85°F. September falls more in the cooler and dry season with temperatures between 65-75°F.
Lima - Average Weather in April/May and same around the month of September in Lima is characterized by constant daily temperatures around mid 70°F. Temperature drops can still be expected, and you'll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast.
Cusco - April/May usually is clear and dry most days. Day temperatures averaging at 66°F during our stay. September daily temperatures in upper 60s with cool nights around 40°F

All visitors to Galapagos are advised to bring medication for sea sickness. No required immunizations but one can consider having the Hepatitis A & Tetanus vaccines for safety precautions. (Please speak to your local travel agent or GP for recommendations as we cannot take responsibility for this). Neither Yellow Fever Malaria are present in the Galapagos. Rabies is also eradicated from the islands. However, if you have been in a yellow fever area, you MUST please bring your yellow fever certificate or exemption certificate with you. It is essential to bring any medication you require and to ensure that your medical insurance covers you comprehensively whilst away. See Medical Kit suggestions after packing list. Altitude sickness is possible in Cusco region- ask your doctor about recommended precautions.

The currency used in the Galapagos Islands (and all of Ecuador) is the U.S. Dollar.
The currency used in Peru is the Sol.
Large denomination bills are usually not accepted in most places so try to bring low denomination bills, preferably up to $20. Credit Cards are accepted in most establishments, especially Visa and MasterCard. Before you depart make sure you notify your bank about your travel plans. For your safety, some banks only allow the use of credit cards after they are notified that you are travelling abroad.
Bring some extra cash with you from the mainland, just in case your credit card isn’t accepted, or the ATMs are out of bills. (It happens!) into the country.
Currency exchange is available at the hotels we make use of, from US Dollars to local Sol.
*For your convenience, click here for updated currency conversion rates.

When bringing your electronic devises, you must be aware of the voltage, frequency and type of power sockets used in your destination.
In Ecuador the voltage used is of 110v to 120v, frequency is of 60 Hz, so if your appliances work with a different voltage or frequency please make sure to bring an adequate converter. Power sockets in Ecuador are type A/B, so be aware of this too so you bring the correct type of adapter for your electronic appliances.
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz (cycles per second). If you want to use a 110-volt appliance in Peru, you’ll need to buy a power adapter. But always check before spending money on an adapter, as many modern laptops and digital cameras can safely take both 110 and 220 volts (they are dual voltage).
There are two types of electrical outlets in Peru. One accepts two-pronged plugs with flat, parallel blades, while the other takes plugs with two round prongs. Many Peruvian electrical outlets are designed to accept both types.