- Dates: Jan 14 - 30, 2028
- Duration: 17 days, 16 nights
- Trip Level (1-4):3
- Arrive: Lima, Peru
- Depart:Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Priced From: $14,445
This tour departs in
DAYS
Highlights
- Explore the Galápagos Islands aboard your expedition ship, the National Geographic Endeavour II
- Adventure by kayak, paddleboard, glass-bottom boat, and zodiac
- Snorkel with sea lions, turtles, and abundant fish in the protected waters of the Galápagos Marine Reserve
- Walk among wildlife unfazed by your presence: lounge on beaches with sea lions, marvel at huge colonies of marine iguanas, and observe nesting seabirds
- Spend a full day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Explore the ancient and historical ruins of one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Machu Picchu
- Gaze at the southern skies on two special nights of stargazing
- Enjoy the best viewing prospects for the annular eclipse on January 26, 2028
Imagine standing at the edge of the ancient terraces of Machu Picchu, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, with the mist rising from the valleys below. The intricate stone structures and impressive layout reveal the genius of Inca engineering. As you explore the site and take in the sweeping Andean vistas, you’ll feel the profound significance of this sacred place, and as night falls, the vast southern skies will unfold above you, a glittering canopy inviting contemplation and wonder.
From Peru, we journey to the Galápagos Islands, where you will spend seven nights aboard an expedition ship exploring volcanic islands renowned for their biodiversity. Here, wildlife thrives – giant tortoises lumber across the highlands, sea lions playfully dive through the waves, exotic birds flit among the trees, and colorful marine life surrounds you at every turn. In this place where nature reigns supreme, you will witness the harmony between humans and the wild and see Charles Darwin’s legacy come vividly to life.
Then comes the celestial highlight – the skies above the southern hemisphere provide the backdrop for the annular solar eclipse on January 26, 2028. Whether you are an avid astronomer or simply someone who marvels at the cosmos, this 5+ minute morning “ring of fire” spectacle will be unforgettable, deepening your appreciation for the grandeur and beauty of our universe.
TravelQuest invites you to join this remarkable Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu: Annular Eclipse & Stargazing expedition, a journey that blends culture, history, volcanoes, wildlife, stargazing, and seas into a truly one-of-a-kind adventure.
by TravelQuest eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson
The annular eclipse of 2028 presents a weather challenge along the whole of the track, and although the Galápagos Islands offer some of the best prospects for a sunny view, the islands’ changeable weather is still a challenge. Local land-based measurements of sunshine show that January skies are sunny about 1/3rd of the daytime hours. Because cloud is strongly tied to the islands with their volcanic slopes, a ship-borne observing site can find a much more favorable position, substantially increasing eclipse-viewing prospects. Satellite measurements of January cloud cover show an average of 70-85 percent on the island of Santa Cruz, while nearby ocean sites, in the lee of an island, measure a more promising 50 to 55 percent, among the best anywhere along the shadow’s path.
The Southern Night Sky by Paul Deans
As twilight fades in late January, the seven stars of Orion, the Hunter, emerge overhead. Casting your gaze southward beneath Orion, past brilliant Sirius and bright Canopus, brings you to a pair of faint fuzzy patches near the southern horizon. These are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, the Milky Way’s two satellite galaxies.
By 10:00 pm, many southern sky splendors are rising in the southeast. Even though it’s low, the well-known Southern Cross quickly becomes obvious. It’s surprisingly small and looks more like a celestial diamond than a cross. Nearby is the Jewel Box, a gem of an open star cluster. Above the Cross is the Eta Carina Nebula, a celestial cloud bigger than the Orion Nebula. Several beautiful star clusters pepper this region of the southern Milky Way.
Around midnight, two bright stars rise – Alpha and Beta Centauri. Save for a dim red dwarf, Alpha is the closest star to us in the night sky. Nearby is Omega Centauri, a magnificent globular cluster.
Make sure you bring binoculars on this trip – for the Galápagos birds and the stars.