Knock those two off your bucket list via some great fares to Ecuador and Peru
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick: That’s the motto of this provisional new column, a deal-finder to “must see” destinations, the one-of-a-kind places that formed the itinerary of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the movie Bucket List.
Our idea is to highlight a Business or First Class airfare promotion that costs less than $1,000 r/t for North American destinations and less than $2,000 for international ones. We will also explain mileage promotions, if they exist, that could make it possible to do the trip for miles. Some deals will have a short purchase-by deadline (those to Ecuador and Peru below expire on Oct. 31), but we will try to find ones that have a longer travel window so you’ll have time to plan.
As for the destinations, they’ll be chosen because they have something compelling to see or do—a wonder of the world, whether natural or man-made, a place of great historical interest or with a seasonal spectacle such as the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo (or Washington, DC) or the arrival of sea turtles on Mexico’s Pacific coast to lay their eggs. In this case, we’ve gone for a natural wonder, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and an archaeological treasure, Machu Picchu in Peru.
We’ll provide concise information on when and how to go, and offer a few suggestions on where to stay, but most of all, clue you in to a great Business or First Class fare promotion to get your adventure started out right.
Ready for takeoff? That’s not just a kicker. We want to know whether this column provides the sort of information you want from First Class Flyer. Once you’ve read and thought about this installment, send us an e-mail at The odd ball species here, from finches with very specialized bills to aquatic iguanas, plus scores of other bird and mammal species are the reason to visit. To see most of the wildlife requires booking a cruise, either a charter boat or a cabin on an expedition ship such as the M/V Eclipse. Itineraries are a minimum of seven days, and most cruises depart from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. Despite what some websites tell you, seasonality is critical in terms of wildlife, water temperature, and sea conditions (see table below). For a selection of top charter boats, visit Quasar Nautica at galapagosexpeditions.com. to register your opinion; and if you like this idea, tell us what else we could do to make it even more informative, or suggest a destination to cover.
The Destination
The Galapagos:
The odd ball species here, from finches with very specialized bills to aquatic iguanas, plus scores of other bird and mammal species are the reason to visit. To see most of the wildlife requires booking a cruise, either a charter boat or a cabin on an expedition ship such as the M/V Eclipse. Itineraries are a minimum of seven days, and most cruises depart from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. Despite what some websites tell you, seasonality is critical in terms of wildlife, water temperature, and sea conditions (see table below). For a selection of top charter boats, visit Quasar Nautica at galapagosexpeditions.com.
Machu Picchu: “I was left speechless,” wrote Hiram Bingham of his discovery of Machu Picchu on July 24, 1911, a reaction countless subsequent visitors have had. Built in 1450 at the height of the Inca Empire, it is one of the best preserved sites because it was never discovered by the Spanish conquistadores. Getting here from Lima requires an hour flight to Cusco, a three-hour train trip to Aguas Caliente, and then a short bus trip to Machu Picchu.
There is only one hotel near Machu Picchu, so most visitors must make the round-trip from Cusco, which has the best hotels anyway. Two worth considering are Hotel Monasterio (monasteriohotel.com), an Orient Express hotel, and La Casona (inkaterra.com), an 11-suite Relais and Chateaux property.
There are three ways to make the train trip: Backpacker ($96) VistaDome ($142), and the Hiram Bingham ($588, includes breakfast and dinner), a luxury train managed by Orient Express. The Bingham departs Cusco at 9am; the other two at 6am. The VistaDome departs Machu Picchu at 3:25 p.m., whereas the Backpacker and the Bingham depart after 5pm.
The seasons are simple: Good weather from June through October, which takes in a substantial chunk of the fare window, and lots of rain from December through April.
The Deals
To Ecuador: American, Delta, and LAN are offering a $669 Business Class fare (exclusive of fees and taxes) from JFK to Quito (the capital) and Guayaquil, the two jumping-off points for flights to the Galapagos. That’s $460 off the usual 30-day advance-purchase fare. Getting to the Galapagos requires a separate flight (fare is about $400).
You can’t hurry this itinerary (see Flight Planner at right). Flights to both cities arrive in the evening, making an overnight stay necessary. Guayaquil is the shorter route, as flights to the Galapagos depart from there. However, you may want to take in Quito on the way, seeing the clutch of good museums, among them the Fundacion Guayasamin and Capilla del Hombre Museum, devoted to Ecuador’s most famous contemporary artist, Oswaldo Guayasamin. Stay at the Hotel Plaza Grande, a 16th-century mansion.
To Peru: AA, Continental, Delta, LAN, and United have dramatically cut round-trip Business Class fares to Lima, Peru’s capital, from Miami ($679, down from $1,169), Los Angeles ($1,179, a 42% decrease), and JFK ($1,829, down from $3,229). Getting to Cusco requires another flight, then a train and short bus trip. Fine Print: Outbound now to Dec. 5 and Dec. 31 to June 12, and 30-day advance notice.
Galapagos Flight Planner
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