Galapagos-Machu Picchu 2016
Galapagos-Machu Picchu 2016
This was my first trip to South America and I had no idea what to expect. Famous Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands were on my dad's bucket list and at eighty-three it was time to check them off. Joining us were my brother, his Aussie wife and their three teenage sons. My mother opted out and in fact, the "fashion show" of Peruvian sweaters on the train to Machu Picchu would have been her only favorite part. In hindsight, my dad should not have been given the task of arranging the trip. He did not realize how difficult it would be to get to those two destinations. Even though our trusty travel agent warned him to add more down time and extra days to enjoy the moments in between, he wanted to get there and get home. So began a family trip of nine plane rides in 10 days.
Spread out among the varied Galapagos Islands is a bizarre collection of wildlife. Galapagos is located 620 miles from Ecuador and only a certain type of creature can survive the journey from the Mainland. Seabirds fly, sea mammals swim, and reptiles float. The vast diversity of animal life living in this remote paradise is what attracts visitors. The Big 15 include; Albatross, Blue-Footed Booby, Nazca Booby, Red-Footed Booby, American Flamingo, Flightless Cormorant, Frigatebrds, Galapagos Hawk, Land Iguana, Marine Iguana, Santa Fe Land Iguana, Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Sea Lion, Galapagos Fur Seal, and Galapagos Giant Tortoise.
There are three ways to reach Machu Picchu; train from Cusco, hike the Inca Trail, and a "back door" route on a train from a hydroelectric plant on the Urumbamba River. We take the easy route and start in Lima, fly to Cusco, mini-bus to the Sacred Valley, morning train to Aquas Calientes, and a bus to Machu Picchu. Quick lunch at the Machu Picchu Cafe, get our passport stamped, hike the jungle path of switch backs to the famous site as it unfolds before our eyes. Sheer magic no matter how you arrive, Machu Picchu does not disappoint and lives up to its hype.
"We start in the Galapagos Islands to meet lumbering tortoises, splashing sea lions, sun-basking iguanas, and flirty birds called Boobies. Then, off to Machu Picchu to sip lethal coca tea, discover the secret lives of Inca Warriors, and take selfies with furry llamas. Don't forget your adventure gear. Best family trip ever!"
