-Day 1 Hola Quito
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 Quito
Details: Quito guided sightseeing tour
Explore Ecuador's beautiful capital on this guided tour of Quito's downtown. Visit sites dating back to Spanish colonization, and continue to Panecillo where you will find an impressive panoramic view of the city and the surrounding valleys. Jump from the southern to northern hemisphere in an instant at Mitad del Mundo - the Equator Monument that marks the equinoctial line.
Details: Independence Plaza
Explore the beautiful Plaza de la Independencia, the Old Town's main square. In the 16th century the Spanish were afraid that the Incas might poison their water supply, so they set up their own protected well here. This plaza subsequently became the social center of town. Here we will visit Guayasamin's mural of Orellana discovering the Amazon on the wall of Palacia de Gobierno; the City Hall; the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral.
Details: Palacio de Carondelet
The Palacio de Carondelet, or Presidential Palace, serves as the workplace of Ecuadorian presidents, and was opened to the public in 2007. Since then, the palace has suffered from looting, but no one has ever been charged for the thefts.
Details: San Francisco Church visit
Visit Iglesia San Francisco, the first church built in Quito, begun in 1535 on the site of an Inca Temple. Inside we will view the baroque altar which has three important sculptures: the Baptism of Jesus; a representation of Jesus de Gran Poder; and one of the most important sculptures in Ecuador, the original La Virgen de Quito.
Details: Mitad del Mundo visit
Stand at the place where the northern and southern hemispheres meet, see the Equatorial Monument marking the spot.
Day 3 Quito--Galápagos
Fly to San Cristóbal Island
Tijeretas Bay ExcursionCoastal hike to Tijeretas Bay, see Frigatebirds, rays, sea lions, Snorkeling Adventure
Playa Mann beach time
Details: Interpretation Center visit
Overview of the human and natural history of the Galápagos
Day 4 San Cristóbal Island
La Loberia Beach excursionSnorkeling at La Loberia Beach, see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies & lava lizards
Details: La Galapaguera visit
This tortoise breeding and conservation center is dedicated to increasing the population of the island’s vulnerable tortoises. Follow a meandering trail through a large park full of roaming giant tortoises, then visit the pens where smaller tortoises are grouped together by age before being released into the wild.
Details: Hike to El Junco Lake
El Junco Lake is located at the center of San Cristóbal Island and is one of the few fresh water lakes in the Galápagos. Walk among the lush green ferns and watch as White-cheeked Pintails and colorful Gallinules swoop and swim around you.
Day 5 San Cristobal Island--Santa Cruz Island
Transfer to Santa Cruz Island via boat
Tortuga Bay beach time
Details: Darwin Research Station guided visit
A must-see while in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island! The biological research station is a great way to take in some interesting facts about the environment of the Galápagos many take for granted while relaxing on the beach. On display, the centre has information on local conservation, habitats, and other interesting relevant statistics. The station's most impressive attraction is the tortoise breeding centre, where you can see tortoises of all shapes and sizes.
Day 6 Santa Cruz Island--Quito
Transfer to Baltra Island via Itabaca Canal
Fly to Quito
Details: Twin Craters visit
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. After a moderate hike, you'll be rewarded with a view that is breathtaking.
Day 7 Quito--Cusco
Fly to Cusco
Details: Cusco guided sightseeing tour
Colorful Cusco was an important Inca center, and sites surrounding the town testify to the power of the empire. Begin your tour at Tambo Machay, the ritual baths probably used by nobility. Underground water bubbles up over the intricately carved stone platforms, creating a shower as it tumbles over the edge. The impressive stone at Qenko had a slightly less cleansing purpose -- each year, priests would pour llama blood over the top and watch its progress through the complicated zigzag pattern to determine the luck for the coming planting season. Puca Pucara was likely a hunting lodge or vacation home for the emperor; from its high position, you can gaze out at the glaciers in the south.
Day 8 Cusco--Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley full-day sightseeing tour
Details: Train ride to Agua Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo)
The train passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Aguas Calientes.
Day 9 Machu Picchu--Cusco
Explore Machu Picchu
Transfer back to Cusco
Day 10 Flight home from Lima
Details: Lima guided sightseeing tour
Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking architecture of this capital city overlooking the Pacific Ocean. See the vast neo-colonial Governmental Palace, the towering Cathedral of Lima with its 14 side doors and main “door of forgiveness”, go past the upscale San Isidro district and visit the San Francisco Convent.
Details: Fly home
In most cases, your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 11.
Day 11 Return home
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- 8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Full-time services of a professional tour director
- Internal flights
- Guided sightseeing and city walks as per itinerary
- Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
- Changes in the regulations of the Galapagos National Park may result in changes to the itinerary
- Tour Diary™
- Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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