MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- On a private yacht, embark on a 4-night cruise of the Galápagos Islands with a naturalist guide.
- Explore the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu.
- Meet giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Master two of South America’s classics, ceviche and pisco sours, at an interactive cooking class.
- Indulge in a farm-to-table meal in a local community.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Discover centuries-old Andean textile methods in the Peruvian Andes.
- Stand tall in the “Middle of the World” at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum.
- Wind through the Andes in a train to Machu Picchu.
HOTELS
- Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima
- Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley, Yucay
- Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
- Casa Andina Premium, Cuzco
- Mercure Hotel Alameda, Quito
- M/Y Coral II, Galapagos Islands
INCLUDED
- 14 Days
- 13 Nights
- 13 Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 8 Dinners
Lima, Peru
Touch down in Lima, the “City of Kings.” Across ancient lands and earthly legends, experience the mysticism of the Peruvian Andes.
Lima
Become fascinated by Lima’s history on a tour through the historic center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where the elegant Cathedral at Plaza de Armas stands out among the colonial architecture. Visit the former home of a conquistador and feel the surge of colonial and republican life. Get to know new friends over a menu of artful Peruvian dishes at a welcome dinner.
Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley
Fly over the Andes on your way to Cuzco – the heart of the Inca civilization. Follow the trails of this Andean paradise with a local guide to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Learn about centuries-old methods of traditional textiles at Awana Kancha – known as the "palace of weaving." Stop in Pisac village and browse a handicraft market full of vibrant colors. Discover why Peru has consistently been named the world’s top food travel destination during a fun-filled interactive cooking class where you will learn how to master ceviche and pisco sours. Settle into your hotel nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley and relax in the calming surround of the Andes.
Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo - Sacred Valley
Visit the terraced ruins of Ollantaytambo, the only Incan settlement that has remained continually inhabited since its inception. At the ceramic studio of artist Pablo Seminario, see how he utilizes the intricate techniques inspired by ancient Peruvian cultures. Deep dive into the cultures of modern Andean people and experience an Impact Moment as you mingle with a nearby community. Thanks to their effort and teamwork, tourism has become additional income for agriculture which has positively impacted their quality of life. Learn traditional methods of growing, harvesting and weaving, listen to their music and learn their dances before enjoying a farm-to-table meal of local specialties.
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Hop aboard your train to Machu Picchu, where views of the Andes astound through panoramic windows as you climb toward the “Lost City of the Incas.” Uncover the mysteries of this “Lost City” at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin. Wrapped inside a semi-tropical jungle and hidden by mountains, Machu Picchu or La Ciudadela, (the Citadel), is one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites.
Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy some leisure time this morning. You may choose an optional excursion to Machu Picchu at sunrise, or maybe you’ll explore the local markets before boarding your train back to the Sacred Valley. Continue to Cuzco and feel the local culture at a special community dining experience.
Cuzco
Start your morning with a local guide on your tour of Cuzco, visiting the San Pedro Market, the Koricancha Temple, the central Plaza de Armas, and the Cuzco Cathedral. Later, it’s your choice! Travel above the city to discover the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuamán Fortress -OR- embark on a walking tour of San Blas, the traditional old quarter of Cuzco, lined with restaurants and artisan shops. The rest of the afternoon is yours. This evening, enjoy flexible dining at a popular local restaurant featuring the local flavors of Cuzco.
Cuzco - Quito, Ecuador
This morning, fly to Ecuador’s stunning capital city – Quito, your home for the next two nights. An intersection of mountains and colonial architecture, this city is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of lively culture and vibrant history.
Quito
Today, tour the Presidential Palace in Quito’s colonial center. After lunch, stand at the “Middle of the World,” situated between two hemispheres, at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Quito - San Cristóbal, Galápagos - Embark Ship
Fly to a hub of the spectacular Galápagos Archipelago, San Cristóbal! Launch your eco-adventure aboard the M/Y Coral II,* an exclusive yacht that serves as your home for the next four nights. Visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the history, volcanic origins, ocean currents and diverse species unique to this remote island chain. Later, a hike up Tijeretas Hill offers beautiful landscapes and a magnificent view at the foot of a Frigate Bird nesting colony.
San Cristóbal Island
Witness Cerro Brujo’s tuff cone created from volcanic eruptions, lava formations, and beautiful white sandy beach that is perfect for snorkeling and sunbathing after a wet landing this morning. At the picturesque lagoon, migratory bird species such as Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Whimbrels, and White-cheeked Pintails can be spotted. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristóbal and the adjacent coast. Later, a second wet landing leads you to a trail for an intense hike over rocky terrain to the top of a volcanic tuff with several magnificent viewpoints. This spot is particularly special as it is the only site where the three booby species of the Galápagos can be seen together, as well as two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. The long, olivine beach allows for excellent snorkeling and dinghy rides in search of sea birds.
Española Island
A dry landing on Española Island, one of the oldest and most isolated in the Galápagos, offers an unparalleled variety of wildlife. Explore volcanic formations and see large colonies of sea lions and seabirds including the Española mockingbird, Nazca boobies, and the spectacular red-billed tropicbirds. On Española, turquoise-colored marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the colorful Sally light-foot crabs abound. A hike brings you to nesting grounds where you may spot favorites such as the Galápagos dove, the Galápagos hawk, swallow-tailed gulls and the world’s largest colony of waved albatross - a true highlight! Admire the island’s dramatic backdrop and famous “Soplador,” a blowhole that shoots water 75 feet into the air. This afternoon a wet landing on a beautiful white coral sandy beach guarded by a colony of sea lions offers the opportunity to spot Galápagos hawks, American Oystercatchers, Galápagos Ground Doves, Hood mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and three species of Darwin’s finches. Swim and snorkel among the Galápagos’ marine wildlife such as king angelfish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrotfish, manta rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Floreana Island
Make a morning wet landing on an olivine green, sandy beach of Floreana Island and hike through mangrove beds to a brackish lagoon in search of one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galápagos. Continue along the trail to a beautiful white sandy beach that is an important nesting site for Green Pacific Sea Turtles. From the beach, one can spot sea turtles, blue-footed boobies plunging into the water, and small reef sharks floating along the shoreline in the search for food. Swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, and sea lions while keeping an eye out for the small colony of resident penguins. An afternoon wet landing in a Bay on the north side of Floreana brings you to “Post Office,” so named when Captain James Colnett installed a wooden barrel which served as an informal post office for sailors in 1793. Today, visitors continue the tradition by placing unstamped postcards inside the barrel, hoping that some other traveler, going to that destination, will take it back for free. You may encounter Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warbler and Lava Lizards here and snorkel among playful sea lions or Green Pacific Sea Turtles.
Santa Cruz Highlands - Disembark Ship - Quito - Tour Ends
After dry landing on Santa Cruz Island head from the coast to the dense humid forests and the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. In addition to famed Galápagos Giant Tortoises you may also spot many different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets - usually found standing on the tortoises’ shells! Bid the Galápagos goodbye and return to Quito, where a day room will be available close to the airport before your flight home.
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