Legacy of the Incas with Galápagos Cruise

Legacy of the Incas with Galápagos Cruise

49 Views
19 Days From

$11885

$11443

Legacy of the Incas with Galápagos Cruise

19 Days Starting in Lima, Peru and ending in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Visiting: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Paracas, Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos Islands, San Cristóbal Island, Española Island, Floreana Island, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz, Guayaquil, South America

Tour operator:

Globus

Tour code:

SPE-2025

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Cruise, Small Group

Interests:

Cultural, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $11885 $11443 Barrhead discount: -$442

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Legacy of the Incas with Galápagos Cruise" tour, exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of Peru, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands. Begin in Lima, delving into its colonial past, then venture to the Sacred Valley and the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Discover Cusco's blend of Inca and Spanish influences before heading to the serene Lake Titicaca. Continue to Paracas for a cruise to the Ballestas Islands and a flight over the Nazca Lines. Fly to Quito, Ecuador, and embark on a 4-night Galápagos cruise, visiting iconic sites like the Darwin Interpretation Center, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, and the Charles Darwin Research Station. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes.

Highlights

  • Explore the colonial heritage of Lima with a walking tour of Plaza de Armas and San Francisco Monastery.

  • Experience a traditional Mother Earth Ceremony in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

  • Visit the legendary Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas."

  • Take a motorboat trip to the unique islands of Lake Titicaca, including Taquile Island and the Uros Islands.

  • Embark on a cruise to the Ballestas Islands, home to sea mammals and exotic birds.

  • Fly over the Nazca plains to view the ancient geoglyphs.

  • Tour the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center and learn about the archipelago's conservation efforts.

  • Snorkel and kayak at Gardner Bay on Española Island, home to unique sea bird colonies.

Places You'll See

Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel And Villas

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Ghl Lago Titicaca

The Legend Paracas Resort

Hilton Colon Quito (Sat)

Hilton Colon Guayaquil - Sat

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Lima,Peru

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores


Meet your Tour Director.

Day 2: Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, your Local Guide focuses on the city’s colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. For a special treat, [LF] stop at a local food market to get a real taste of life for the local people. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow traveling companions at one of Lima’s finest historic homes, Casa Garcia Alvarado.

Day 3: Lima,Cusco,Sacred Valley

Location: Sacred Valley

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you will enjoy a special lunch prepared exclusively for Globus guests at a private location. Here, experience an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra, or Mother Earth Ceremony, performed by a local shaman. Continue to Pisac, an old mountain village, where you will have free time to shop for local wares, such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or Hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases at its famous market. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Sacred Valley,Machu Picchu

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner


This morning, visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by [LF] a visit to a local home, meet some of the area’s families, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour at a Peruvian cooking demonstration before your included dinner.

Day 5: Machu Picchu,Cusco

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch


A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue to Cusco.

Day 6: Cusco

Location: Cusco

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Premium Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner


On your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing Cathedral, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later. During your city tour, you will be greeted by an Inca king, so have your cameras ready! Continue to Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Monastery, and see how the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold—until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple’s foundations. Also visit the semi-circular Kenko Temple with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages, and see the ancient site of Puca Pucara before the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Cusco,Sillustani,Juliaca,Puno (Lake Titicaca)

Location: Puno

Accommodation Name: GHL Lago Titicaca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Board a flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to the ruins of Sillustani en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas—above-ground, cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. While here, [LF] spend some time with the Locals at home and gain a better understanding of their lives. Continue to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet and is located in both Peru and Bolivia.

Day 8: Puno. Excursion To Lake Titicaca

Location: Lake Titicaca

Accommodation Name: GHL Lago Titicaca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Today, take a motorboat trip to some of the more unique islands of Lake Titicaca. Start with Taquile Island, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians, who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory.

Day 9: Puno,Juliaca,Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Select Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart for Juliaca this morning for a return flight to Lima.

Day 10: Lima,Paracas. Ballestas Islands Cruise & Nazca Lines

Location: Paracas

Accommodation Name: Doubletree Resort by Hilton Paracas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner


Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the Bay of Paracas. Embark on a cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Continue to the town of Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Dating back to 500 BC, these geoglyphs etched into the ground consist of over 10,000 lines depicting plants and animals Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel.

Day 11: Paracas,Lima

Location: Lima

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Select Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner


After some free time in Paracas, return to Lima today. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner with your travel companions at a local restaurant.

Day 12: Lima,Quito,Ecuador

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fly to Quito, capital of Ecuador, and have some free time this evening.

Day 13: Quito

Location: Quito

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast


On an included city tour, see Independence Square with its Cathedral and San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica.

Day 14: Quito,San Cristobal Island (Embarkation),Galápagos Cruising

Location: San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos Islands

Accommodation Name: Seaman Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Fly to San Cristobal and embark the Seaman Journey for a 4-night cruise. This afternoon, visit the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center with your expert Naturalist and learn about ongoing conservation of the archipelago, its history, ecosystems, flora, and fauna.

Day 15: Cruising: San Cristobal Island

Location: San Cristóbal Island

Accommodation Name: Seaman Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and learn about the island’s giant tortoise population and the measures taken to help preserve and breed these endangered species. The reserve includes a large corral, breeding facility, and interpretative trail, where it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds, such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finch, and the Galápagos flycatcher. This afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo, offering beautiful views of Kicker Rock and famous for being the first place Charles Darwin visited in the archipelago.

Day 16: Cruising: Española Island

Location: Española Island

Accommodation Name: Seaman Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Join your Naturalist guide for excursions to Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez on Española Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. At Gardner Bay, this is the one place you can see three species of Darwin finches. It’s also a great spot to snorkel or kayak. At Punta Suárez, you will see the famous blowhole, as well as unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches.

Day 17: Cruising: Floreana Island

Location: Floreana Island, Galapagos Islands

Accommodation Name: Seaman Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Visit Cormorant Point to see a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galápagos. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of Green Pacific sea turtles. Enjoy a chance to snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions, and even white-tipped reef sharks. This afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, named for the wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through. Here, you may also encounter Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards, and take advantage of another great place to snorkel.

Day 18: Cruising: Santa Cruz (Disembarkation),Baltra,Guayaquil

Location: Santa Cruz

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Guayaquil

Meals Included: Breakfast


After breakfast, disembark and transfer to visit the Galápagos giant tortoise breeding facility at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Fly to Guayaquil.

Day 19: Guayaquil

Location: Guayaquil

Accommodation Name: Hilton Colon Guayaquil

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at premium hotels including Casa Andina Premium Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in Sacred Valley, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Machu Picchu, Casa Andina Premium Cusco in Cusco, GHL Lago Titicaca in Puno, Casa Andina Select Miraflores in Lima, Doubletree Resort by Hilton Paracas in Paracas, Hilton Colon Quito in Quito, and Hilton Colon Guayaquil in Guayaquil.

  • Meals

    Enjoy breakfast daily, 8 lunches, and 12 dinners.

  • Guided Tours

    Guided sightseeing tours in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and Quito.

  • Special Experiences

    Experience unique activities such as a Mother Earth Ceremony by a local shaman, a visit to a local home in the Sacred Valley, and a Peruvian cooking demonstration.

  • Cruises

    Cruise to the Ballestas Islands and a 4-night Galápagos cruise on the Seaman Journey.

  • Flights

    Internal flights from Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Juliaca, Juliaca to Lima, Lima to Quito, Quito to San Cristobal, and Baltra to Guayaquil.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to all included sites such as Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center, and the Charles Darwin Research Station.

  • Small Group Discoveries

    Travel in a small group with an average of just 20 guests per departure.

What's Not Included

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and phone calls are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.

  • International Flights

    International flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.

  • Visa Fees

    Visa fees and any other travel documentation costs are not included.

Meals

Breakfast daily, 7 Lunches, 12 Dinners

Notes

Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is approx. 12,200 ft.

In the Galápagos, there will be “wet landings” meaning guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. Terrain is rocky and uneven. Itinerary in the Galápagos are subject to change.

Small Group

Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on all South America tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

UNESCO Sites

City of Cusco|City of Quito|Galapagos Islands|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu|Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana

Accommodation

Stay in luxurious accommodations including Casa Andina Premium Miraflores in Lima, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas in Sacred Valley, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Machu Picchu, Casa Andina Premium Cusco in Cusco, GHL Lago Titicaca in Puno, Casa Andina Select Miraflores in Lima, Doubletree Resort by Hilton Paracas in Paracas, Hilton Colon Quito in Quito, and Hilton Colon Guayaquil in Guayaquil.

Mode of Transport

Travel by flights between major destinations, scenic train journeys through the Sacred Valley, and a 4-night cruise on the Seaman Journey in the Galápagos Islands. Local transportation includes motorboats, zodiacs for wet landings, and comfortable coaches for overland travel.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of activities are included in the tour of Lima?

    In Lima, you will have a walking tour focusing on the city's colonial heritage, including visits to the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the cathedral, and the San Francisco Monastery. You will also stop at a local food market and enjoy a welcome dinner at Casa Garcia Alvarado.

  • What unique experiences are offered in the Sacred Valley?

    In the Sacred Valley, you will enjoy a special lunch prepared exclusively for Globus guests, experience an El Pago a la Tierra (Mother Earth Ceremony) performed by a local shaman, and visit a local home to meet area families and experience their way of life.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Machu Picchu?

    At Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of the intact fortress, including its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. You will also have a second entrance to the ruins to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

  • What will we see during the motorboat trip on Lake Titicaca?

    During the motorboat trip on Lake Titicaca, you will visit Taquile Island, known for its Spanish peasant dress, and the Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians who live on the lake.

  • What is included in the visit to the Ballestas Islands?

    The visit to the Ballestas Islands includes a cruise to see a variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, such as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. You will also see the Candelabro etching on the Paracas cliffside.

  • What will we do in the Galápagos Islands?

    In the Galápagos Islands, you will visit the Galápagos Darwin Interpretation Center, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, Cerro Brujo, Gardner Bay, Punta Suárez, Cormorant Point, and Post Office Bay. Activities include learning about conservation, seeing giant tortoises, snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring unique wildlife and landscapes.

  • What are the special considerations for the Machu Picchu visit?

    For the overnight stay in Machu Picchu, you are only allowed to bring an overnight bag weighing no more than 11 pounds due to luggage restrictions on the train. Your main luggage will be stored at the Cusco hotel.

  • What should I know about the 'wet landings' in the Galápagos?

    In the Galápagos, there will be 'wet landings,' meaning guests will need to jump in the water out of the boats/zodiacs and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. The terrain is rocky and uneven.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For over 90 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.

Reviews of this operator

Lisset  

Great Value for your Money

19-Dec-2022

This is my second time travelling with Globus, would have been my third if not for COVID. The way they plan everything is super organized, the tour managers are very caring and knowledgeable. We always enjoy all the site visits planned for each trip. They start by picking you up from the airport and from then on everything is taken care of up until the last day of your trip, even dropping you off at the airport not matter the time of day or night. The hotels at every city are always great and centrally located so you can walk around during your free time or plan your own visits to different sites.

Joan Cupp (Google Reviewer)  

My go-to escorted travel Co My...

01-Mar-2024

My go-to escorted travel Co My 4th trip with Globus and the did not disappoint. The sales deals they offer make it affordable for me to travel. All of the guides are well versed in the history of the area you travel in.

David R  

What a wonderful trip, thanks Globus

10-Jan-2023

Globus is my favorite travel agency. I tried others, but always come back to Globus. It is a 100% stress free one-stop shop. Easy booking with flight, hotel, transportation and travel insurance all in one place. Great customer service at reasonable prices. Lots of information prepared for the trip to handle travel logistics. I planned and booked my trip within 24 hours. Highly recommended to everyon

Alexander Wright  

Great guide, accommodations, and tours.

28-Dec-2022

We had a fantastic guide, with a great mix of free time and guided tours.

CTRTeach 11  

Globus exceeded my expectations!

20-Dec-2022

This is my first Globus tour. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality. The hotels were top notch, and the cruise on the Nile exceeded my expectations. The cabins were roomy and comfortable, and the food was very good.

Nancy Arias  

The experience was amazing!!

30-Dec-2022

The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was so kind and very knowledgeable. I needed to attend a very important meeting via zoom. She was very understanding and accommodating to my needs and made it happen. I was very grateful! Our driver was by far the best driver I’ve ever encountered! I was beyond impressed with our guide, driver and trip!! I will definitely be back for another adventure!!

Irish Beth Maddock (Google Reviewer)  

Did the Globus Highlands and...

30-Sep-2023

Did the Globus Highlands and Islands Scottish Tour with Ian and Allister. What a trip!! With his sharp wit, immense knowledge and fun humour, Ian absolutely brought Scotland to vivid life with his many tales, informative quips and total, utter passion for history. Was spellbound. Am so VERY thankful I had the opportunity to be on Ian's last bus tour before retiring with Globus. In addition, to being so hard working and helpful, with Allister our driver, I cannot tell you how safe and secure I felt in his capable driving hands. He had some very awkward traffic and interesting roads to navigate with our large bus, (especially on the islands and up north) but he handled it all expertly and without a hitch. So much so, I was able to relax and enjoy the journey. All in all, with our tour, you could tell both these kind men cared very much for those of us who needed the extra help and advice. Made my bucket list trip to Scotland so memorable and wonderful. Thank you Ian and Allister! Globus is truly fortunate to have you both.

Patty Walker (Google Reviewer)  

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland...

11-Aug-2024

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland and Scotland. August 2024. Let me begin with the positive , the Tour guide was knowledgable, personable and educated! He also was extremely professional and took a genuine interest in providing the highest quality of service to the client. The bus was clean and comfortable and well maintained. The driver was highly experienced and provided excellent transportation. The excursions were acceptable and enjoyable. The Variety of age groups on the trip made for wonderful traveling companions. But unfortunately, that is where the positive ends. The Leonardo hotels that are part of the chain and experience for this specific tour are below quality. We spent a night in a room with a leak in the ceiling. That was known before we checked in and continued to leak while we were there. Another Leonardo hotel, we could not get out of our room. Due to the carpet being ripped up and blocking the door. Most of these hotels I would have walked away from, had I been on my own individual trip. The customer service is missing, customer safety is also missing in these hotels. There is lack of concern to assist customers to their rooms even when it is there responsibility to change the room, there isn't assistance offered. Never have I experienced where you had to absolutely be your own advocate. Because there is no customer concern or care. Quality of food provided is also below standards. It is frowned upon if you request something and often denied. We even had a situation where another individual was placed in the same room we were in and it was considered a "oh well too bad for you." Again, we had to transport our own luggage and bags to a new room. Only after we were our own advocates. We said this stranger and ourselves are not going to stay in the same room. Finally, we received a good room, a room that would be found acceptable in every day normal travel, and we had to change again. Because there was a missing part in a Radiator and this was known to the hotel but yet they still booked us into a room. The radiator would not turn off and the room was steaming hot. So once again, we had to transfer all of our luggage and personal items and trudged down stairwell and elevators to once again change rooms. This is so sad for a bucket list, once in a lifetime, save your money and go on your anniversary trip. The rooms are old and out, dated with stains and tears in carpets and materials. Some of the missing items are a safety concern. Buyer beware! The communication for traveling in other countries is not to the level of customer service and satisfaction that we are used to, we did not expect this level of unacceptable accommodations, much like staying in a hostile. It is the Globus/Cosmos Travel companies responsibility to make sure their accommodations for housing is up to the level of expectations of their customers. The accommodations provided are a reflection of Globus/Cosmos business model and integrity in the global travel industry. This is not everything we experienced, but just a few examples. At this time, their brand appears to be old, outdated, without concern or care for the safety of their clients or their health and welfare as applied to accomodations.Customer service, is their lost art. Choose carefully for travel service. And I would not recommend Globus or Cosmos.

Suneetha Raja (Google Reviewer)  

I have done Newfoundland &...

06-Jul-2024

I have done Newfoundland & Labrador with Iceberg Festival tour with Globus in June 2024. It was absolute rubbish for the price I paid towards the tour. Terrible hotels, horrible meals, barely any sightseeing that is worth while the visit, most importantly, the Iceberg festival never happened. Globus sold this specific tour departure date as the only way to attend this supposed Iceberg Festival. I felt cheated after paying 3527£ for a 13 day tour considering the only reason I picked this departure date was because I wanted to attend this Iceberg festival. I could have used my time and money in a better way doing a different tour with another company. A Canadian company who did the exact same tour is doing it for £2400. I have been travelling with Globus and Cosmos tours since 2008. However, this company tours have been terrible after the covid shutdowns. They are charging more than the premium companies and not providing the equivalent service on par with the prices. Safe to say that I won't be recommending Globus and Cosmos tours to anyone. Try other tour companies that are on the market.

Lynda Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

I really enjoyed my Cosmos...

11-Jun-2024

I really enjoyed my Cosmos tour to Italy last September. However I was totally disappointed by two major things which completely changed the atmosphere of the holiday for me. One was the 'last minute' rearrangement of one of our hotels which then put us well outside of Florence on a trading estate for two nights instead of walking distance from the city walls. That completely blocked any plans or ideas of enjoying Florence in the evening. My biggest disappointment was the terrible travel arrangements and associated advice about travelling through Heathrow Cosmos put in place for me and for which they refused to be accountable despite the fact that they had made the ticket booking on my behalf and I had asked them for appropriate check in advice at all key points before I travelled. As a result I was put on standby when I should never have been (even the BA departure staff were shocked at this) and separated from my luggage which travelled on a later flight. I spent over 6 hrs of my first day in Rome in the airport waiting for my luggage and subsequent transfer to my hotel, without any assistance from Cosmos or BA airside staff. When I complained after my holiday, Cosmos would not take any responsibility at all for the fact that I lost the first day of my holiday and approx. 50% of the time I was due to spend in Rome, preferring to blame BA who in turn were uncontactable about my complaint. Very poor customer service indeed.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Why book with Barrhead?

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Fully Protected

All our holidays are fully financially protected.


Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.

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Range

Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.


We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.


Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.

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Expert Knowledge

We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.


Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.

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Trusted Agent

Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.


Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.


We look after you every step of the way.


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