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This 17 day "on-the-go" program features the highlights of Ecuador & Peru in an active itinerary which includes several walking tours as well as some early starts and long days.
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, capital of Ecuador, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city; transfer to your hotel. The Quito airport is approximately an hour drive from the city. Balance of the day is at leisure to get acquainted with this lively city's priceless historical treasures of art and architecture. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Ecuadorian food at one of the city's world-class restaurants and cafes
Overnight: Quito▲
DAY 2, Saturday - Quito City Tour & Visit to the Middle of the World
This morning after an orientation meeting, visit the colonial section of Quito. Walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the charm of 16th-century Quito. See the Independence Plaza, the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting La Compañia de Jesus Church, with its beautiful gilded interior or the Church and Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World with its impressive facade and atrium. Afterward, visit the Middle of the World Monument, located at a latitude of 0º, and stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue to Otavalo, located in the highlands of the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 8,441 feet. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers
Overnight: Otavalo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Otavalo Market, Transfer to Papallacta
This morning visit Peguche, known for its beautiful waterfall. Then, take a tour of the market in Otavalo, one of the largest in South America run by the local Otavaleños. Here, enjoy the lively market atmosphere and browse the various stalls for traditional goods such as handwoven cloth and rugs, jewelry and more. This afternoon, transfer to Papallacta located in the Andes Mountains. The remainder of the day is at leisure or join the optional tour to Papallacta's spas and hot springs, for which it is famous
Optional: Termas de Papallacta Spa Package (PM)
Overnight: Papallacta
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4, Monday - Transfer to Amazon Resort
After breakfast, transfer by bus to La Punta Ahuano on the Napo River where you will board a canoe that will take you to your Amazon lodge*. Enjoy the serene tranquility that the lodge has to offer and prepare to be amazed by both the wildlife and the culture inherent to the Amazon. In the afternoon, visit Ahuano and a local Quechua community interpretation center to learn about their way of life first hand before returning to the hotel
*Upon arrival the lodge is approximately a 5-10 minute walk uphill from where passengers will exit the canoe. Passengers are required to transport their own carry on luggage
Overnight: Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Hike in a Private Nature Reserve
This morning, after a canoe ride you can hike in the Misicocha Private Nature Reserve for approximately two hours while viewing the beautiful flora and fauna up-close. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the innumerable species of tropical plants and insects. Enjoy the views as you cross suspended bridges and fly through the jungle on a short zip line basket ride. At the end of the hike, take a rafting trip on a traditional balsa log raft*. Balance of the day is at leisure or, choose to participate in one of the optional tours, including the Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Carving Demonstration, Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue Center or Canopy Adventure Park
*This is an active hike and sections of the path include steps. Also, those who participate in the rafting trip will need to step through the water to reach the raft and will get wet during the ride
Optional: Butterfly Farm & Balsa Wood Demonstration
Optional: Cacao Farm & AmaZOOnico Rescue
Optional: Canopy Adventure Park
Overnight: Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday - El Pailon del Diablo & Baños
This morning, board a canoe for the short trip to La Punta Ahuano, continuing by coach to Patate. Stop along the way to visit the powerful El Pailon del Diablo or "The Devil's Cauldron"*, one of Ecuador's most beautiful waterfalls. Drive to Baños, an idyllic little town known for its hot thermal baths and the sometimes steamy Tungurahua Volcano. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, watch a demonstration on vegetable ivory, a traditional craft that utilizes palm nuts to make jewelry and animal carvings. In the late afternoon, check into your resort hotel in Baños. Balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy all the amenities offered by your hotel or, explore the town of Banos, a short walk away
*This is an active hike to and from El Pailon del Diablo waterfall
Overnight: Baños
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Visit to a Rose Plantation
Today, enjoy a tour of a beautiful rose plantation. Although roses are not native to Ecuador, the country has a perfect environment for rose cultivation and is presently one of the world's major producers. On the plantation, you'll learn more about the farming process, from planting to exporting. After lunch, continue to the hotel in Quito for this evening's "Farewell to Ecuador" dinner with your group
Overnight: Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - Depart for Lima
Bid farewell to your Tour Manager and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Saturday - Lima City Tour
This morning's tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial center of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins tour. Visit the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of the largest religious centres in pre-Inca times on the Peruvian coast. This afternoon, join your Tour Manager for an orientation meeting about the wonderful journey that awaits you. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Evening Larco Herrera Museum with dinner. Experience one of Lima's most magnificent museums by night on this tour, that also includes a light supper. Admire the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels
Optional: Pachacamac Pre-Inca Ruins
Optional: Larco Herrera Museum with dinner
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Sunday - Fly to Cuzco, Chinchero Weaving Demonstration
Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. Upon arrival, drive through the rugged mountainous region with its magnificent panoramas, along roads with farms and small villages to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, stop in Chinchero. Here, enjoy an authentic Peruvian lunch followed by a demonstration of the ancient Andean tradition of making textiles from naturally dyed handwoven alpaca wool. Remarkably, the source for the vibrant colors are dyes that come from plants, minerals, and insects. Wander around the complex and shop for souvenirs among the fine textiles and other local treasures. This evening, dinner together with music at a lovely restaurant
Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley ▲
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Monday - Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo Ruins
Enjoy this morning at leisure in the Sacred Valley to explore some of the ancient ruins independently or, join the optional tour to Maras and Moray. The excursion begins in Moray, a remarkable agricultural center that demonstrates the ancient Incan's mastery of high-altitude crop growing. You'll be astounded by the large complex of perfectly circular depressions in the earth that historians believe were used to study climatic conditions. Next, travel to the colonial town of Maras, known for its nearby salt evaporation ponds in use since the time of the Incas. This afternoon, visit the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, an ancient complex of temples and terraces towering high over the valley, the last stand of the Incas in their defense against the Spanish conquistadors. Marvel at the architecture of the Incas in this well preserved settlement, considered a living museum of 15th century life. Tonight, join the optional traditional dinner with a Peruvian Family in their countryside home. Sample delectable home-cooked Peruvian specialties along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange
Optional: Maras and Moray Tour
Optional: Dinner with a Local Peruvian Family
Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Tuesday - Discover Machu Picchu
Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station to board the Vistadome Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu*, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's re-discovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight
*Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 3 hours
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Wednesday - Full Day in Cuzco
Spend today independently discovering the "Imperial City" of Cuzco, once capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lively city, rich in history, reveals remains of both the Incan and the Spanish presence. Take time to explore some of the city's stunning sights, or, shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Participate in the optional Cuzco "Behind the Scenes" tour, offering a glimpse into the other side of life in Cuzco. On this tour, visit a local market and taste fresh-baked Chuta bread. Stop at the Cuzco cemetery to learn more about Andean life and death and meet with a local "shaman" (holy man). After the cooking demonstration, enjoy a delicious meal. In the afternoon, join the optional Highlights of Cuzco excursion that takes you to the impressive Colonial Cathedral with its collection of over 400 paintings, the Temple of the Sun and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which took over seven decades to complete. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a buffet dinner featuring delectable Andean specialties
Optional: Half Day Cuzco Behind the Scenes (AM)
Optional: Half Day Highlights of Cuzco (PM)
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Thursday - Raqchi & Puno
Depart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, you arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snowcapped peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South America's largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route before arriving in Puno for overnight
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15, Friday - Excursion to Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca
This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for the remainder of the day at leisure. Or, take the optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs, the pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs here are built above the ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, vestiges of the Colla people before they were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Evening is at leisure in Puno
Optional Half Day Sillustani Tombs (PM)
Overnight: Puno
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16, Saturday - Fly to Lima
Transfer to Juliaca airport, for your flight to Lima; rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, you bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner with Peruvian specialties
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 17, Sunday - Depart Peru
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight*
*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 17 and will require a transfer on Day 16. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
Meals: Breakfast
▲ Due to the high elevation, travel in the Ecuadorian Andes and the Peruvian highlands may cause some passengers to experience the temporary effects of altitude sickness. If you have any concerns about traveling to higher than your accustomed elevation, please consult your healthcare provider.
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