What regions are covered in the Peru and Galapagos tour?

This 10-day itinerary covers major landmarks in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and extensive exploration of the Galapagos Islands, including North Seymour Island, Bartolome, and Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. The tour blends urban sightseeing with an immersive nature cruise.

How is the kashrut managed during the cruise and land excursions?

The Gourmet Kosher Safaris (GKS) culinary team and certified mashgichim accompany the group throughout the journey. They coordinate with luxury hotels and cruise vessels to create a gourmet fine-dining experience on-site, ensuring high standards of kashrut are maintained even in remote locations.

What are the specific kashrut standards for the meals?

Guests receive three freshly prepared kosher meals daily. All meat is glatt and baked goods are Pas Yisroel. Meals are prepared fresh on-site under the supervision of a full-time mashgiach. While red meat imports are restricted in the Galapagos, the menus are expertly adapted to maintain a high-end culinary experience.

Is Cholov Yisroel available on this trip?

While the tour uses regular milk based on the rulings of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt'l where permitted, Cholov Yisroel is often available upon special request for most venues, depending on local logistics and availability.

Are drinks and snacks included between the main scheduled meals?

Yes, the tour is fully inclusive. Beyond the three main meals, the package includes soft drinks, quality local kosher wines served at dinner, bottled water, and twice-daily snacks during excursions. provide a seamless experience for religious travelers.

What kind of wildlife and nature highlights can I expect to see?

Travelers can see diverse wildlife including sea lions, marine and land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and red Frigate birds. The itinerary visits various islands known for their unique volcanic landscapes, grottos, and scenic coastlines.

PERU AND THE GALAPAGOS

10 days of South Americas most breathtaking wonders!

✡ strict Hashgacha

Location: Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador

Organizer: Gourmet kosher safaris

About

.DAY 1- ARRIVAL IN GUAYAQUIL

Depending on our arrival time, you'll embark on a sightseeing tour of Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest and most populous city. Highlights include the colorful Las Peà±as neighborhood, the scenic Malecà³n 2000, Cerro Santa Ana, and Parque Histà³rico. We'll aim to explore as many of these attractions as time and conditions allow.

At the end of the tour, we'll return to our elegant riverfront hotel to enjoy a relaxing dinner. Be sure to get a good night's sleep and recharge†”extraordinary adventures await in the coming days!

DAY 2-GALAPAGOS- NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND

Today, we depart Guayaquil and fly to Baltra Port, where our incredible Galapagos cruise begins with an orientation talk and a lovely kosher lunch.

North Seymour Island is one of the most visited islands on the chain, and with good reason: this small piece of land is encircled by an absolutely stunning coastline, with some of the world's most magnificent waves, and hosts large colonies of sea-lions, marine iguanas, land-iguanas, as well as the famous blue-footed boobies and red greater Frigate birds. The wildlife is everywhere you look, and this island makes a great pick for the first excursion of our cruise!

DAY 3- GALAPAGOS-BARTOLOME & SULLIVAN BAY

Santiago Island is one of the most scenic islands in the Galapagos chain, and the black-sand beach at Egas Port, sandstone formations, and magnificent grottos, make for great back-drops for viewing its wildlife, including marina iguanas, sea-lions, and giant red crabs.

The nearby Bartholomew Island has a surreal, almost Martian, desert landscape, and the view of the surrounding from "The Pinnacle" is a great reward for the steep climb. It's also a great place to see the northern-most penguins in the world, the Galapagos penguins

DAY 4- GALAPAGOS-SAN CRISTOBAL

Overnight, we have covered quite some distance, and reached the east side of San Cristobal, one of the largest islands of the Galapagos. With some luck, sea lions will greet us as we land on the beach and prepare for our climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone known as Punta Pitt.

This is the only spot in the Galapagos where we can witness all three booby species together. Red-footed boobies perch on Cordia lutea and small trees, Nazca boobies nest near the cliff edge, while blue-footed boobies are found a bit further inland. Frigatebirds soar above, and the views are simply breathtaking.

In the afternoon, we visit Cerro Brujo, the Sorcerors Hill.

As we approach the shore on our dinghy ride, we're awestruck by the towering cliffs. Once ashore, you can relax alongside sea lions on the beach, snorkel from the shore, or take a short walk to a hidden lagoon, where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.

DAY 5-GALAPAGOS-SAN CRISTOBAL

This morning, we journey to the lush highlands of San Cristobal to visit the giant tortoise breeding center, La Galapaguera, where we'll observe these iconic creatures at various stages of life. The reserve plays a vital role in restoring populations of the endangered San Cristobal tortoise to the wild.

Back in town, you'll have time to browse shops for local handicrafts and souvenirs. Later, we'll head to the airport, board our flight back to Guayaquil, where we overnight again before we continue on to Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru.

DAY 6- LIMA

This morning, we fly South to Lima, the massive Peruvian capital and the third-largest city in South America. As one of the world's largest desert cities, Lima enjoys a mild, almost rain-free climate despite its location on the humid Pacific coast.

The city's dramatic setting†”surrounded by desert, mountains, and ocean†”is matched by its impressive blend of colonial architecture, pre-Inca ruins, and ultra-modern shopping centers. After a day immersed in the contrasts of this vibrant metropolis, we prepare for a memorable Shabbat with the Jewish community.

DAY 7-LIMA

Today, we enjoy a beautiful Shabbat in the upscale suburb of San Isidro, home to Peru's small yet vibrant Jewish community.

We begin with a warm morning at the community center, where we attend shul and enjoy a great Kiddush. After a delightful Shabbos lunch, we can either take a leisurely walk through the charming neighborhood or relax with a well-deserved rest.

After Shabbat, we head out to experience one of Lima's night highlights: the world's largest fountain display.

DAY 8-CUSCO TO URUBABA

Today, we fly from Lima, on the coast, to the Andean city of Cusco, situated at 3,500 meters (about 11,000 feet) above sea level. From there, we travel by road to Urubamba, nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley, a slightly gentler elevation for acclimatization, where we check into our hotel.

We spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel, allowing ourselves to acclimate in preparation for our exciting day at Machu Picchu.
Alternatively, those with some energy can book an additional tour of some of the ruins and heritage sights of the Sacred Valley Region.

DAY 9- MACHU PICHU

Today, we board the train through the breathtaking Urubamba Canyon to the village of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu†”the lost city of the Incas.

This remote village can only be reached by this unique railway. Once we arrive, a scenic drive takes us further up the canyon, where we begin our exploration of this extraordinary site and its ancient wonders on foot, for the next few hours.

After some incredibe group photos opportunities, we begin the journey back to Urubamba in reverse, where a well-deserved dinner awaits us.

DAY 10-CUSCO-LIMA

Today, we drive back through the Andes to Cusco, where we enjoy a brief tour of this historic city, once the capital of the Inca Empire†”the largest empire in the Americas before Columbus. We also visit the local Chabad, which serves as more than just a regular Chabad House;

Its a "home away from home" for the thousands of Israeli backpackers who fall in love with this region during their post-army travels. After a delicious lunch at the Israeli fast-food restaurant in the courtyard of this historic building, we head to the airport for our flight back to Lima, carrying with us unforgettable memories of the region's stunning scenery and wildlife.

About the provider

Gourmet Kosher Safaris is a name synonymous worldwide with continual innovation, absolute reliability and unwavering dedication to the highest standards of kashrut, cuisine, accommodation and overall travel experience - no matter where you go.

Our founder
"‹In 2001, Rav Yoni Isaacson decided to share his passion for travel, wildlife and gourmet cuisine...

...and boy are we glad he did! Armed with nothing more than his extensive knowledge of geography and halacha, a heightened sense of appreciation for fine cuisine and lots of confidence, he started a little business that has grown into one of the most respected luxury kosher travel companies in the world.

"‹GKS was born when Rabbi Yoni Isaacson pioneered the first Gourmet Kosher Africa Safari in 2001. That unforgettable experience soon became highly sought-out by kosher travelers across the globe and it didn't take long for GKS to became the leading name in luxury kosher eco-tourism.

Rooms & accommodation

Ecuador

Kashrut & dining

3 freshly prepared kosher meals daily by GKS team, under strict Hashgacha. Packed lunches when out for the day
Twice daily snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; soft drinks and water during meals
Quality local kosher wines served at dinner

AT GKS, WE PARTNER WITH LUXURY HOTELS

together with whom our own cheffing team and certified mashgichim are able to reach an unparalleled level of kosher gourmet experience.

Our highly trained team of guides, chefs and mashgichim accompany each group to some of the finest hotels in every region, creating meals of fine-dining experiences that would be the envy of any top-notch restaurant."‹

You will be accompanied and attended to through every stage of the journey with our personalized concierge services. Our fully inclusive 5-star trips include not only three lavish meals per day, but also soft-drinks, fine wines, snacks on excursions, and many other special touches.

In addition to our regular packaged group tours, which are an incredibly fun opportunity to make new friends in the most fantastic places, we also offer personalized trips for small groups of friends and family. So, take the plunge, and contact us now, to embark on a life-changing journey which you will never want to end….

Religious life & Shabbat

Our meals are prepared fresh on site in the presence of a full-time mashgiach. At GKS there is no pre-cooked food brought in from the cities, and certainly no doubling up of the guide or host as mashgiach.

All meat is glatt by default, fresh baked products are pas Yisroel. Regular milk is only used when our kosher certifier permits it on the basis of the ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt'l. Chalav Yisroel lechumra is available in most venues on special request.

Although we are subject to local import regulations and availability in all the regions we visit, nonetheless, we spare no effort or reasonable expense to source the wide variety of kosher products required for a high-end culinary experience, including importing kosher meats, wines, and dairy products from the nearest or most suitable country with a viable Jewish community life.

Of course, despite our uncompromising efforts, when unavoidable limitations exist, such as the beef ban in India and ban on importing raw red-meats into the Galapagos, then our menus are adapted accordingly with every effort made to minimize the impact on the variety of quality dishes we serve.

When local quality kosher baked goods are unavailable, our own pastry chef bakes fresh breads and pastries daily.

Activities & entertainment

Lima

Location

Address: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Contact

Organizer: Gourmet kosher safaris
Location: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Phone: +972-52-392-1883
WhatsApp: +972523921883
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.gourmetkoshersafaris.com