Destinations

Peru and the Galápagos Islands

Introduction
Information

Go Touring are delighted to offer you the chance to combine the ancient wonders of Peru and the natural wonders of the Galápagos Islands on our fabulous new 14 day tour.

Peru is a magical and enchanting country and, in Machu Picchu, has one of the most breathtaking archeological sites in the world. South America's third largest country was once at the heart of the ancient Inca empire and its rich legacy is still evident in the striking architecture and fantastically constructed temples of the Inca capital of Cuzco and the spectacular 'lost city' of Machu Picchu. The unique and wonderful wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, situated off the coast of Ecuador, led Charles Darwin to write the Origin of Species and develop his Theory of Evolution. During our cruise on board the M/V Santa Cruz, we will follow in his footsteps and come face to face with many of the same ancient and remarkably tame inhabitants of this unspoilt natural archipelago.

Information Peru and the Galápagos Islands

Country guide
Capital city	Peru - Lima, Ecuador - Quito
Population	Peru - 25,700,000 Ecuador - 12.1 million
Area	Peru - 496,225 sq miles Ecuador - 159,308 sq miles
Local time	Peru - UTC/GMT -5 hours Ecuador - GMT -5 hours Galápagos - GMT -6 hours
Language	Peru - Spanish/Quechua Ecuador - Spanish
Currency	Peru - Nuevo Sol (Sl) although US Dollar is also accepted Ecuador - US Dollar
Religion	Peru - 89% Roman Catholic, Evangelical 7%, other religions 4% Ecuador - 89% Roman Catholic, Evangelical 7%, other religions 4%

Travel information
Passports and Visas	Peru - Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to Peru and must be valid for a full 6 months beyond the date you intend leaving Peru. No Visa is required for British Passport holders for up to 90 days stay. Ecuador - Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to Galápagos and must be valid for a full 6 months beyond the date your intended date of departure. No Visa is required for British Passport holders for up to 90 days stay
Payment options	Peru Only a few bureaux de change in Lima will exchange currencies other than US Dollars. Outside Lima, it is virtually impossible. US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected). It is not recommended to exchange money from street vendors. All major credit cards are accepted, but usage may be limited outside of Lima. ATMs are now generally regarded as one of the best ways to obtain money in Peru. Banks will exchange traveller's cheques although it can be a slow process outside Lima. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. The ability to use traveller's cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel. Ecuador US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected). It is not recommended to exchange money from street vendors. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US Dollar denominations Banks will exchange traveller's cheques and to avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. The ability to use traveller's cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel.

Travel information

Passports and Visas

Peru - Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to Peru and must be valid for a full 6 months beyond the date you intend leaving Peru. No Visa is required for British Passport holders for up to 90 days stay.

Ecuador - Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to Galápagos and must be valid for a full 6 months beyond the date your intended date of departure. No Visa is required for British Passport holders for up to 90 days stay

Payment options

Peru
Only a few bureaux de change in Lima will exchange currencies other than US Dollars. Outside Lima, it is virtually impossible. US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected). It is not recommended to exchange money from street vendors.

All major credit cards are accepted, but usage may be limited outside of Lima. ATMs are now generally regarded as one of the best ways to obtain money in Peru.

Banks will exchange traveller's cheques although it can be a slow process outside Lima. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. The ability to use traveller's cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel.

Ecuador
US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected). It is not recommended to exchange money from street vendors.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US Dollar denominations

Banks will exchange traveller's cheques and to avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. The ability to use traveller's cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel.

Climate
Climate / season	Peru - Peru’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere Spring (Sept – Dec); Summer (Dec – Mar); Autumn (Mar – Jun); Winter (Jun – Sep) Galápagos - The climate for Galápagos is dry and mild with temperatures from 22’-32’.

Climate

Climate / season

Peru - Peru’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere Spring (Sept – Dec); Summer (Dec – Mar); Autumn (Mar – Jun); Winter (Jun – Sep)

Galápagos - The climate for Galápagos is dry and mild with temperatures from 22’-32’.

Technical Details
Telephone dialling codes	Peru - The international dialling code for Peru is +51. Ecuador - The international dialling code for Ecuador is +593.
Electricity	Peru - 220 volts two-pin (flat) plug type. Ecuador - 110/120V AC 60Hz.

Technical Details

Telephone dialling codes

Peru - The international dialling code for Peru is +51.
Ecuador - The international dialling code for Ecuador is +593.

Electricity

Peru - 220 volts two-pin (flat) plug type.

Ecuador - 110/120V AC 60Hz.

Culture
Politics	Peru - President Alan Garcia Perez Ecuador - President Rafael Correa
Clothing	Peru - Lightweights from Jan-Apr and medium-weights from Jun-Nov. Warmer clothing and raincoat necessary in the Andean regions.

Peru and the Galápagos Islands

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