Peru & the Galapagos - 20 September 2016(!)
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Yes, OK, we tend to plan our major trips well in advance. But I was shocked into action after noting that one 2016 trip is already sold out and 2 are limited space. Seems to be a very popular trip as all 2015 departures are sold out.
So, I'll start this thread for all who sign up for this trip...we have plenty of time to connect and share information!
So, I'll start this thread for all who sign up for this trip...we have plenty of time to connect and share information!
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Peru and the Galápagos Islands has been on my tentative list for awhile. Our son-in-law works for the State Dept and is up for transfer next year. He is a Latin American specialist and I was hoping for Peru so we could easily tack this trip on to a visit with them, but it looks like they are headed to Panama. We could still do the Galápagos but I've also been looking at the Costa Rica Adventure trip.
I've noticed a number of Tauck trips fill quickly. I usually start lobbying my wife as soon as tours for the next year show "call" and try to convince her to at least put down a refundable deposit before we must make a hard commitment. The only problem- the sooner you book, the longer you have to wait until departure!
You might want to check out the post titled "Pre-trip local tours in Lima." There is some really good information/suggestions there. Some of it is from AlanS.
Enjoy the excitement of the planning process!
HML
Thanks! I'll keep an eye on that thread since there may be additional useful ideas posted over the next 2 years before our trip.
Based on a fellow traveler's recommendation during our recent trip to SE Asia with Tauck, we are considering a day trip/flight to Nazca. We'll likely go in at least a day early (Gift of Time)...maybe 2 days.
However, after seeing a Nat Geo article about them and looking at them on Google Earth on my computer, I came to the conclusion, that while they are still interesting, they don't reach the level of a bucket list item at least at the cost of a private flight from Lima. In my opinion they aren't certainly not worth visiting via ground transportation.
Just wondering.
Scott
After a few more of these trips we'll be opening an Eagle Creek Duffle Bag store!
I often wonder that myself.
Speaking of P&GI, we are on for 21 March 2017. I also noticed how quickly this tour fills, so we got on the "unpublished" wait list last summer before the 2017 dates and prices were posted. Then when Tauck posted in October we put down our deposit- almost 18 months out!! A little extreme??
What flight arrangements did you make? We usually fly Delta and have miles with them. Routing to Lima is fine, but neither Delta nor any Skyteam carrier serves Guayaquil. It looks like we'll need to hop a local Avianca flight from Guayaquil to Quito to catch a Delta flight home. The other issue is that the Delta flight out of Quito doesn't have lay-flat seats on its only flight to the US, an overnight, redeye.
Don't forget to post feedback after you get back!
Not really. As you can see from my first post, we booked 22 months out.
Used United miles on COPA. Connects both ways in Panama. Not fancy in their business class...essentially domestic first class with reclining, not flat, seats. However, daytime flights in both directions. 10AM to 7:15PM IAD to LIM, and 6AM to 3:15PM going home.
Will do.
Our outbound Delta flights (RDU - ATL - LIM) leave RDU at 2:45PM and arrive LIM at 11:25PM. The ATL - LIM leg, is on a 767-400 with lay-flat seats. Unfortunately, we have to fly to Quito for the return Delta flight. It departs UIO at 11:30PM and arrives ATL at 5:46AM, UGH!!. I really wish it was on a plane with lay-flat seats instead of on a 737 with recliner seats like your flight. We will be really dragging by the time we get to Raleigh.
What did you decide about the Nazca lines?
We have tentatively decided to do a Lima-Buenos Aires cruise in a couple of years. The line we cruise with has a pretty set itinerary with a port call closer to the lines and therefore a shorter and less expensive flight option. For our full day in Lima before the tour starts we've booked a 6 hour private walking tour through Viator. $74 for the 2 of us and, from the description, no overlap with the Tauck touring of Lima.
We are looking forward to a trip which doesn't start with jet lag (minimal time change and daytime flights).
I hear ya! : )
Since it appears nothing, not even the welcome dinner, actually happens on Day 1*, and we arrive the evening before, we'll have a day to investigate Lima as well. (* I think Day 1 is for insurance purposes)