It is now possible to enjoy two of the most fascinating and exciting locales in the Southern Hemisphere in a single tour. Travelers eager to visit these historically significant locations will visit both natural and archaeological sites over a period of two weeks or more. Machu Picchu and Galapagos combined tours reveal the mysteries surrounding the native Inca people who built this city in the sky, and observe the same creatures Charles Darwin saw.
Both locations are historically significant, but in entirely different ways. Machu Picchu is found in the high country of Peru, perched precariously at nearly 8,000 feet on the eastern slope of the Andes mountains. During the destruction of the Inca empire by early European explorers, most fabled cities they had built were permanently destroyed, leaving the one that escaped hidden for centuries.
The site lay hidden beneath a thick layer of greenery until a century ago, when it was uncovered by a Yale University faculty member looking the legendary lost Inca city called Vilcabamba, a regional capital before Spanish incursion. The enormity of this discovery rocked the world of archaeology. When the vegetation was cleared away, the incredibly beautiful setting revealed a remarkable 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 impossible to ignore the contrast between this high-Andes spiritual center, and the remote chain of islands that are administered by Ecuador. While the city in the clouds is thought to have been a center of spirituality, the Galapagos Islands provided inspiration for ideas igniting a firestorm in some Western religious groups, continuing to this day. Once discovered by Europeans, the archipelago became a favored provisioning stop for whaling ships.
The unusual creatures inhabiting the volcanic island chain are remarkable. Trusting giant Galapagos tortoises were easily slaughtered by whaling ship crews for their meat, which was ideal for provisioning. Other island fauna exists nowhere else on Earth, a fact which alerted Charles Darwin, who was there in an official capacity as an appointed naturalist. His explanation of evolution has shaped modern science.
Many creatures here show no fear of human beings, allowing visitors to see them close up. Although this is an incredibly rich and important ecosystem, it has enjoyed protection for many years, and has escaped common exploitation. Visitors to the thirteen islands can witness sea-going iguanas, birds with special adaptations not found elsewhere, and even tropical penguins swimming next to cinder-cone volcanoes.
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 locations are historically significant, but in entirely different ways. Machu Picchu is found in the high country of Peru, perched precariously at nearly 8,000 feet on the eastern slope of the Andes mountains. During the destruction of the Inca empire by early European explorers, most fabled cities they had built were permanently destroyed, leaving the one that escaped hidden for centuries.
The site lay hidden beneath a thick layer of greenery until a century ago, when it was uncovered by a Yale University faculty member looking the legendary lost Inca city called Vilcabamba, a regional capital before Spanish incursion. The enormity of this discovery rocked the world of archaeology. When the vegetation was cleared away, the incredibly beautiful setting revealed a remarkable 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 impossible to ignore the contrast between this high-Andes spiritual center, and the remote chain of islands that are administered by Ecuador. While the city in the clouds is thought to have been a center of spirituality, the Galapagos Islands provided inspiration for ideas igniting a firestorm in some Western religious groups, continuing to this day. Once discovered by Europeans, the archipelago became a favored provisioning stop for whaling ships.
The unusual creatures inhabiting the volcanic island chain are remarkable. Trusting giant Galapagos tortoises were easily slaughtered by whaling ship crews for their meat, which was ideal for provisioning. Other island fauna exists nowhere else on Earth, a fact which alerted Charles Darwin, who was there in an official capacity as an appointed naturalist. His explanation of evolution has shaped modern science.
Many creatures here show no fear of human beings, allowing visitors to see them close up. Although this is an incredibly rich and important ecosystem, it has enjoyed protection for many years, and has escaped common exploitation. Visitors to the thirteen islands can witness sea-going iguanas, birds with special adaptations not found elsewhere, and even tropical penguins swimming next to cinder-cone volcanoes.
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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