Adventurers can now visit two fabled Southern Hemisphere locales during one journey. Those who can spend at least two weeks experiencing the sights and sounds of these South American locales will witness unique island historical sites, as well as archaeological wonders. Machu Picchu and Galapagos combined tours touch the islands where Charles Darwin was inspired, and reveal the mountain mysteries of the Incas.
Both of these locales are meaningful to historians, but in very different ways. Located in the remote mountains of Peru, the ancient city balances precariously between verdant mountain ridges at an altitude approaching 8,000 feet, on the eastern face of the Andes. Early European conquistadors were intent on the destruction of the Inca empire, and few cities escaped oblivion, with one notable exception.
The city remained unknown to the outside world until the early 20th century, when a professor from Yale University inadvertently rediscovered it while searching for another legendary Inca city called Vilcabamba, the last capital prior to the Spanish defeat. What he found astounded the archaeological world. The stunningly beautiful location was covered by vegetation, but underneath was a city.
Because it was also unknown to the conquistadors, the terraces and most structures survived mostly intact. Walls were constructed of quarried granite, and built without mortar. There are buildings considered temples, as well as steep hillside terraces used to grow crops. After nearly five hundred years, the legendary site is visited by thousands of people each year, and the views are unparalleled and breathtaking.
It is hard to ignore the vivid contrast between this Peruvian lost city and the Ecuadorian-administrated Galapagos Islands. The Andean city was thought to be a spiritual compound, but the Galapagos Island ecosystem inspired Darwin to write a book that is still antithetic to many Western religious concepts. Europeans accidentally discovered this archipelago in 1535, which later became a favored layover for whalers.
The flora and fauna living here have characteristics that exist nowhere else on the planet. Giant Galapagos tortoises were once bountiful, but after being indiscriminately slaughtered for their meat, they are nearly gone. When Charles Darwin visited in an official capacity as naturalist, he was astounded by the physical adaptations that most creatures had undergone, and his conclusions shaped modern biological science.
Current visitors still are amazed by the animals who occupy the islands, most of which have not learned to fear human beings. The ecosystem is like no other, and enjoys governmental protection that has prevented commercial exploitation. There are swimming iguanas who live on seaweed, tropical penguins, carnivorous finches, and many other amazing creatures still living on the thirteen islands.
These two different but equally fascinating worlds can be combined into one visit. Most tours take a minimum of two weeks, which allows enough time to travel the distances between countries. Because two nations are involved, it makes sense to plan the journey with help from a travel adviser or agent. Available travel packages fit a variety of budgets, making it easy to take the vacation of a lifetime.
Both of these locales are meaningful to historians, but in very different ways. Located in the remote mountains of Peru, the ancient city balances precariously between verdant mountain ridges at an altitude approaching 8,000 feet, on the eastern face of the Andes. Early European conquistadors were intent on the destruction of the Inca empire, and few cities escaped oblivion, with one notable exception.
The city remained unknown to the outside world until the early 20th century, when a professor from Yale University inadvertently rediscovered it while searching for another legendary Inca city called Vilcabamba, the last capital prior to the Spanish defeat. What he found astounded the archaeological world. The stunningly beautiful location was covered by vegetation, but underneath was a city.
Because it was also unknown to the conquistadors, the terraces and most structures survived mostly intact. Walls were constructed of quarried granite, and built without mortar. There are buildings considered temples, as well as steep hillside terraces used to grow crops. After nearly five hundred years, the legendary site is visited by thousands of people each year, and the views are unparalleled and breathtaking.
It is hard to ignore the vivid contrast between this Peruvian lost city and the Ecuadorian-administrated Galapagos Islands. The Andean city was thought to be a spiritual compound, but the Galapagos Island ecosystem inspired Darwin to write a book that is still antithetic to many Western religious concepts. Europeans accidentally discovered this archipelago in 1535, which later became a favored layover for whalers.
The flora and fauna living here have characteristics that exist nowhere else on the planet. Giant Galapagos tortoises were once bountiful, but after being indiscriminately slaughtered for their meat, they are nearly gone. When Charles Darwin visited in an official capacity as naturalist, he was astounded by the physical adaptations that most creatures had undergone, and his conclusions shaped modern biological science.
Current visitors still are amazed by the animals who occupy the islands, most of which have not learned to fear human beings. The ecosystem is like no other, and enjoys governmental protection that has prevented commercial exploitation. There are swimming iguanas who live on seaweed, tropical penguins, carnivorous finches, and many other amazing creatures still living on the thirteen islands.
These two different but equally fascinating worlds can be combined into one visit. Most tours take a minimum of two weeks, which allows enough time to travel the distances between countries. Because two nations are involved, it makes sense to plan the journey with help from a travel adviser or agent. Available travel packages fit a variety of budgets, making it easy to take the vacation of a lifetime.
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Explore the beauty of South America by booking your Machu Picchu and Galapagos combined tours with us. To visit our online travel page, go to http://www.idealsouthamerica.com today!
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