Day 1 - arrive Quito
Depart from your home city arrive into Quito where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Quito
for your overnight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Quito - Otavalo Market - Quito
Our local staff will meet and by tour bus north on the Pan-American Highway through some of the
most scenic areas of the Ecuadorean Andes. Passing by flower and fruit plantations, the mountains
and the wonderfully placed lake of San Pablo before arriving into Otovalo. The first stop will be
in the Otavalo Market for the annual show where many of the local indians sell & barter their hand
made textiles, home grown fruits & a variety of vegetables. After a hour & half of mingling with
the locals you will proceed to visit several small Indian towns like Peguche which are known for
their weavers. Here a variety of tapestries, sweaters and other products made of alpaca & wool can
be purchased. Later you will proceed to Cotacachi, known for its fine genuine leather work.
These locally made pieces are shipped all over the world. Everything from leather coats, purses
to even belts are available at great prices. To conclude your shopping day the trip would
not be complete with out a visit to San Antonio de Ibarra. Here they are known for the excellent
wood carvings. You as well may be able to view one of the local craftsman whittling away at one of
the many projects that fill the day of the Andean lifestyle. Before departing back to the city life
you will stop at a local hacienda restaurant to enjoy a typical lunch Ecuadorian style.
Early evening return to Quito and the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (CB/L)
Day 3 - Colonial Quito - Equator Tour
Mid morning tour of the Colonial City of Quito, including Metropolitan Cathedral, Carondelet
(Government Palace) located in Independence square, and the churches of La Merced, San Francisco
or San Agustin. Which have paintings and dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Afternoon
we will visit the Equator Monument and the Anthropological Museum. Here you can stand on the center
of the earth where the equator meets all visitors. Return to the hotel afterwards.
Overnight at the hotel.(CB)
Day 4 - Quito - San Cristobal - Estrella del Mar Yacht - Lobos Island
You will be met and transferred to the Quito airport to the flight departing to San Cristobal Island.
You will be met & transferred Upon arrival at San Cristobal airport travellers pass through an airport
inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands and to pay the
park entrance fee of $100 (unless prepaid). Guides will meet you, collect your luggage and escort you on
the short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized rafts, called �Pangas� will transport you to the M/Y Estrella
del Mar and our crew will welcome you onboard. After a briefing and a light lunch the first site is visit.
Monday Afternoon: Lobos Island
About 1 hour travel across a small channel, will take you to Isla Lobos. The name means Sea Lion Island,
which is certainly appropriate since many sea lions frolic, leap and make their homes here. This island
is also a great place for snorkeling opportunities as well as to view blue-footed boobies.
(CB/L/D)
Day 5 - Espanola: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay
This morning we will take an excursion to one of the oldest of the islands, Hood is small and flat
with no visible volcanic crater or vent. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas
of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches.
In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds,
Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine
iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running,
Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards
into the air.
Tuesday Afternoon: Hood (Espa�ola) Island � Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a
transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small
islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading
to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross,
huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December and represent
the majority of the world�s population of this species. (B/L/D)
Day 6 - Floreana: CormorantPoint - Devils Crown - Post Office Bay
Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and
is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate
beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons; it is a nesting site for
green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails,
stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular
roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see
red-billed tropicbirds in rocky crevices. The center of the crown is an outstanding snorkeling
spot full of sea lions and colorful fish.
Wednesday Afternoon: Floreana�Post Office Bay / Devil's Crown
An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds such as
boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see red-billed tropicbirds in rocky
crevices. The center of Devil's Crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and
colorful fish. (B/L/D)
Day 7 - Isabela Island - Puerto Villamil - Tintoreras
Located on the southeastern coast of Isabela in the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Villamil is the main
settlement areas on Isabela Island. A small peaceful town with a laid back atmosphere offers quite
a different experience than the tourist shops on Puerto Ayora. Villamil is often considered the
most beautiful site in the Galapagos with its long white sand, palm lined beaches. Behind Villamil
are several brackish water lagoons where Pink Flamingoes, Common Stilts, Whimbrels, White-Cheeked
Pintails, Gallinules are usually seen. The lagoons are nesting areas between November - April. The
beaches and lagoons near Villamil are home to the best migratory bird viewing in the Galapagos
Islands.We will also visit Las Tintoreras lagoon. Located 5 minutes from Port of Villamil, this
site allows the visitor to observe the White tipped shark. In this site there is a trail from
where there is the possibility to observe other plants and animals. (B/L/D)
Day 8 - Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station - Highlands
Charles Darwin Research Station is located in the town of Puerto Ayora reached by a 8 minute walk
from the dock. and it is particularlly interesting to naturalists and conservationists. Puerto Ayora
is the place where boats get their supplies and visitors have the opportunity to visit souvenir shops,
small markets and other places of amenities. The highlands are located in the northern part of the
island and can reach elevations up to 1500 meters. The vegetation here is abundant, lush and the
weather moist. The points of interest that are often visited are the lava tubes and the twin craters
called Los Gemelos. Some of the birds that can be spotted are the vermillion flycatcher, short eared
owls and woodpeckers. (B/L/D)
Day 9 - Saturday Morning: Bartolome
Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a
colony of penguins. Activities will include swimming and snorkeling and a climb to the summit of
the island for one of the most breathtaking views in all the Galapagos. From the summit you will
have the best view of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock.
Saturday Afternoon: North Seymour
North Seymour was like a few other islands, uplifted by underground seismic activity. This tiny
island is packed with countless sea lions and it's one of the most popular breeding grounds for
sea birds. A very large colony of frigate birds nest here, and it's almost guaranteed to see a few
males proudly displaying their red pouches to impress a mate. It is also one of the best places to
see blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse
of their courtship dance, which is quite peculiar and amusing. Also, while visiting this island,
you might very well witness a great show of acrobatic flight, namely a frigate bird robbing a booby,
a gull or even another frigate bird of their food. (B/L/D)
Day 10 - Sunday Morning: South Plaza
This small steep-cliffed island was formed by uplifted lava and is covered by opuntia cactuses -
a tree like cactus endemic to Galapagos. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies.
Be careful not to get too close! Each colony is lead by a bull and consists of 15-20 females.
After about 3 months of playing king, these bulls retire to the "Bachelors" colony and rest.
These colonies consist also of very young bulls that are still too young to hold a territory or
be a threat to the reining bull. Also, on South Plaza, you will find the lazy but colorful yellow
and red land iguana. This animal likes this island because of its richness in the opuntia cactus,
which is an iguana delicacy. There are about 700 iguanas on the island and this species seems to
be one of the smallest iguana species.
Sunday Afternoon: Santa Fe Island
Unlike most of the islands in the Galapagos that were formed by volcanic eruptions, Santa Fe was
formed by an uplift caused by tectonic activity. This means that the island does not have the
typical cone shape. Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all the visitor sites in the
region - a turquoise lagoon protected by a peninsula of rocks and small islands that extends from
the shore. Hike along the coastline and discover colorful flora and fauna. The well-known land
iguanas here can grow over five feet long. The Sanfa Fe species of iguana are more bright yellow
and have uncommonly large spikes on their spine. In true Galapagos style the opuntia cactus,
a favorite food of the land iguana, has responded by growing tall and woody - up to 33 feet high
and are the largest of their kind in Galapagos. Manta rays and sea turtles flit by as dark shadows
against the sandy bottom of Santa Fe's beautiful anchorage. After a long hike, relax with a swim in
the calm waters of the beautiful bay, or snorkel along in the company of sea lions at the base of
the rocks. (B/L/D)
Day 11 - San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Guayaquil - Lima
San Crist�bal is the easternmost island in Galapagos; on its southwestern side is the own town of
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the providence of Galapagos. On Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is
the Interpretation Center newly opened by the Galapagos National park in 1998, which is truly an
extraordinary contribution to the information and education of the islands communities and the
travelers; its 80% is focus in the anthropology of the Galapagos, the 20% is scientific. Free time
will be offered at leisure in the town. After our visit to the interpretation center you will be
transferred to San Cristobal Airport to the flight to Guayaquil at 4:45 p.m. transfer on your own
to the to the departing flight to Lima. You will be met and transferred to the hotel located in
Miraflores. Overnight at the hotel. (B/L)
Day 12 - Lima - Museum Tours
Morning on your own. Mid day guided tours of Colonial Lima visiting the Main Square, the site of
Spanish foundation by Francisco Pizarro. Continue to the Cathedral, built in 1625. Next, you will
go to the Government Palace, with its traditional & colorful changing of the presidential guard,
then to San Francisco Church and Monastery: Lima�s biggest religious complex with a convent,
museum of colonial art, cloisters and catacombs. Later choice of any Museum where priceless
pre-Columbian ceramic, weaving�s, gold, silver & copper artifacts from previous civilizations
like Nazca, Paracas, Wari, Chavin, Moche, Lambayeque, Chimu & Inca can be viewed. Early evening
return to the Hotel Colon where you can relax for the remainder of the evening. Overnight at the
hotel. (B/L)
Day 13 - Lima - Cuzco - Colonial City Tour & Sacsayhauman Park
You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport for your short flight ( 1 hour )to Cuzco where you will be met
and escorted to your hotel. Relax the remainder of the morning with a cup of the local tea to help
acclimate to the 11,200 ft. altitude of Cuzco. In the afternoon our guide will meet you at your
hotel and take you to the historical and archaeological sites inside the City of Cuzco and to the
most important archaeological ruins of Kenko, Tambo Machay, Pucapucara and Sacsayhauman. Return to
your hotel in the early evening. Overnight at the hotel. (B)
Day 14 - Cuzco - Pisac Market - Ollantaytambo Fortress
Today our guide will take you into the Sacred Valley of the Inca where its breath taking scenery through the Andean
mountains lead to the Indian market town of Pisac. Here you will have time to mingle and shop just as the
locals have for hundreds of years. After lunch at a small hacienda our guides will take you to the Inca
fort of Ollantaytambo where the Inca fought their final battles against the Spanish tyrants.
Afterwards, remain in the Sacred Valley. (3:45 p.m) Overnight at the hotel. (BB/L)
Day 15 - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
You will be assisted to the Ollantaytambo train station for the 8:00 a.m. Vista dome First Class
train. As it winds through the Andean Mountains, you will pass through several small villages where
the local Indian farmers manage their farms and reside just as they have for hundreds of years.
After the scenic ride you arrive at the final stop Aguas Calientes about ( 9:45 a.m. )Here, you
will notice that the weather has changed to a tropical climate. You can now appreciate the
abundance of plants typical for this region and the Amazon basin. Here you will board the tourist
bus and proceed up a incredible winding road that leads to the fabled site of Machu Picchu.
Thousands of people from around the world frequent this magnificent ancient site to pay homage and
grasp the spectacular views of Machu Picchu�s 7,800 ft. plateau. Upon your arrival ( 10:15 a.m. )
your guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder. After
your tour, you will be transferred by bus to the base of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas
Calientes. Lunch will be served at the local hotel.( 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.) Remainder of the day on
your own. Ovenight at the hotel.(BB/L)( Note: Overnight at Sanctuary Lodge incl. BB/L/D,
the Pueblo Hotel incl. BB & D )
Day 16 - Machu Picchu ( freeday ) - Cuzco
Today you will have the full day to explore Machu Picchu and its surroundings on your own.
(We suggest to take a picnic basket on a short hike to Wayna Picchu or to the Inti Puku Pass
( Gate of the Sun ) where you can get a birds eye view of this massive site. In the late afternoon
you will depart Machu Picchu with many memories that a picture will never tell.
After your return to Cuzco you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. ( BB )
Note: 2nd day re-entry into Machu Picchu not incl.
Day 17 - Cuzco - Lima
Our staff will transfer you to the Cuzco airport for your short flight to to Lima. You will be met
and transferred to the hotel located in Miraflores. ( optional Museum tours available )
Overnight at the hotel. (BB)
Day 18 - depart Peru
You will be met and transferred to the Lima airport for the departing flight out of Peru.(BB)
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NOTE : All hotels include either Continental or Buffet breakfast.
Not included : International air, visas, departure taxes, additional meals / incidentals.
Note room type: BV = Best View; CR = Colonial; DR = Deluxe; JS = Junior Suite.
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