Compare Quito to La Paz: Amazon & Ancient Cultures by G Adventures vs Machu Picchu & the Galápagos by Overseas Adventure Travel

Day 1 Quito

Arrive at any time. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks at a downtown bar. Say cheers with a local craft beer and get excited for the adventure of a lifetime.

Spend the first day of your trip wandering Ecuador’s capital city. Meet the group in the evening at the hotel.

Day 2 Quito/Tena

Travel overland to the jungle city of Tena, located on the edge of the Amazon. Hop into the back of a pickup truck and head to the local community of Pimpilala where you will stay in rustic wooden huts. Enjoy the hospitality of a Quichua family and experience life in the jungle first-hand.

Day 3 Tena

Venture out on nature walks and become immersed in the jungle around you. Learn about uses of traditional plants, and the cultural beliefs and local traditions in the Amazon jungle. You can also choose to take a tour of an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre.

Day 4 Tena

Wake up and cycle to the nearby community of Shandia and discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the community as your guide. Learn about traditional uses of cacao by watching a chocolate-making demonstration, eat meals made of fresh local ingredients, and stay at the G Adventures-supported community lodge.

Day 5 Tena/Baños

Travel to Baños and get your adrenaline pumping. Try out horseback riding, canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, or rafting in the surrounding mountains.

Day 6 Baños

The day is yours to explore what Baños has to offer. Check out the swing at the end of the world or relax in nearby hot springs.

Opt to pre-book the "Baños Canyoning Adventure" or "Baños Ziplining Adventure Bundle" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.

Day 7 Baños/Cuenca

Soak up the scenic views en route to the town of Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest town. Explore art galleries, museums, and admire its colonial architecture. Visit national parks, take walks in the breathtaking countryside, or check out the country's only Inca ruin site.

Day 8 Cuenca

Choose your own adventure today. Wander through charming cobbled streets to discover the sights and sounds of Cuenca. From colourful homes with red-tiled roofs, to flower markets and picturesque plazas, the photo ops are endless in this town. (Prepare to have your camera roll filled with Cuenca!) Later, catch some z's on an overnight bus to Mancora.

Day 9 Máncora

Wake up in the seaside town of Mancora, a village populated by fishermen and surfers. Chill out and breathe in the salty air.

Day 10 Máncora

A lazy beach day is just what the doctor ordered. Unless you want to or take a surf lesson or join a yoga class. Totally up to you as you enjoy a free day in Mancora.

Day 11 Máncora/Trujillo

Didn't get to do everything you wanted yesterday? No worries – more time in Mancora today. Later, relax and get some sleep on an overnight bus to Trujillo.

Day 12 Trujillo

Bienvenidos a Trujillo! You can visit the impressive Chan Chan sandstone archaeological site today, snap a photo at the yellow colonial church, or head to Huanchaco for some more beach time.

Day 13 Trujillo/Lima

Enjoy another full day in Trujillo before boarding a night bus to Lima.

Day 14 Lima

Discover the lively city of Lima today. Visit the trendy Barranco neighbourhood with your CEO to get a taste of bohemian-cool, try some ceviche, or sip pisco sours after exploring the colourful mansions and palm-studded streets.

Day 15 Lima

Enjoy the day exploring the city. Opt to pre-book the Lima Cooking Class and learn how to cook some classic Peruvian dishes using ingredients from the local market.

If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00.

Day 16 Lima/Huacachina

Travel along Peru's breathtaking coast to the oasis of Huacachina where you can sandboard on the desert dunes while watching the sun go down.

Day 17 Huacachina/Nazca

Wake up and make the most of your time in Huacachina before your adventure continues on to Nazca. There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, home to a lively colony of sea lions, pelicans, and other varieties of birds. Later, catch a bus to Nazca. Stop along the way at a Pisco winery and try the country's national drink!

Day 18 Nazca/Arequipa

Choose to soar over the iconic Nazca Lines today with a pre-bookable flight, or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio. Tonight, catch some z's on an overnight bus to Arequipa.

Day 19 Arequipa

Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the 'white city.' If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.

Day 20 Arequipa/Colca Canyon

Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot some unusual Andean animals such as vicuñas, and alpacas. Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking an optional dip in the the hot springs.

Day 21 Colca Canyon/Arequipa

Get an early start to be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Later, head out for a drink in the Calle Zela area – restaurant, bar, or club, there's something for everyone!

Day 22 Arequipa/Cusco

Explore Arequipa – take a city tour if you want or check out a monastery or museum. Later, sit back and relax on an overnight bus to Cusco.

Day 23 Cusco

Explore the city on your own today or choose from a variety of activities that will help you discover the magic of Cusco. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and plazas or choose to take a half-day tour of the city. Or, pre-book the Cusco cooking class if you want to learn to prepare delicious local specialties!

Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

Day 24 Cusco

Today is another free day to explore all that Cusco has to offer. Feeling active? Take on the Rainbow Mountain trek or go mountain biking. Prefer to stay local? Take it easy with a visit to the Inka Museum and hit up some of the many great cafes, restaurants and bars.

To arrange the hike to the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

Day 25 Cusco/Ollantaytambo

Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Stop and sample some craft beer at a brewery on your way to Ollantaytambo.

Day 26 Inca Trail

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You'll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.

A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.

Day 27 Inca Trail

Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.

Day 28 Inca Trail

Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (""forever young"") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

Day 29 Machu Picchu/Cusco

The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.

Day 30 Cusco

Today is another free day to get the most out of Cusco and to do anything you may not have done yet. Continue to explore and be active or relax and watch the world go by from one of they many bars and restaurants on the main plaza.

Day 31 Cusco/Puno

Sit back, relax, and soak in the impressive views as you travel by bus through the Altiplano on your way to Puno on Lake Titicaca.

Day 32 Puno/Lake Titicaca

This morning, you will board a boat on Lake Titicaca and head to Taquile Island. Opt to have lunch in a local restaurant and shop in the afternoon at the local weaving cooperatives. Later, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay to live like a local on the shores of the lake. Learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and create unforgettable memories with the family and fellow travellers.

Day 33 Lake Titicaca/Puno

Say goodbye to your homestay family and stop at the Uros Islands on your way back to Puno. If you want, you can check out the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site. Or kayak on Lake Titicaca.

Day 34 Puno/La Paz

Today, enjoy a full-day drive around the picturesque lake and through the Altiplano to La Paz. Cross over into Bolivia and catch your breath before a night out in the highest city of the trip. Check out the area of Sopocachi for cool bohemian vibes.

Day 35 La Paz

Depart at any time.

DAY 1
Depart U.S. • Lima, Peru
Accommodations: Antigua Miraflores or similar
Depart the U.S. today on an international flight to Lima, Peru. An OAT representative will greet you at the airport this evening and escort you to your hotel.

DAY 2
Explore Lima
Meals included: B D Accommodations: Antigua Miraflores or similar

After breakfast, you'll get acquainted with our Trip Leader and fellow travelers, including those who took the optional pre-trip extensions to The Amazon Rain Forest of Peru or Bolivia: La Paz & Lake Titicaca.

After some time to rest up in the morning and get lunch on your own, we set out to explore Lima's most interesting colonial sites. A local guide will join us as we explore the city's streets and architecture—evidence of the city's Spanish heritage—from its main square, Jiron de la Union, to the Lima Cathedral.

We'll visit Lima's National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and history of Peru at Bolivar Square, which contains unmatched collections of Inca artifacts along with other antiquities from Peru's many intriguing ancient cultures. The museum contains an impressive collection of ceramics, gold and silver items, and textiles from the ancient cultures of Chavin, Mochica, Chimu, Tiahuanaco, Pucara, Paracas, Nazca, and Ica. Our tour continues to the city's Miraflores and San Isidro districts.

This evening, get acquainted with your traveling companions during a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 3
Lima • Fly to Cuzco • Explore Chinchero & the Sacred Valley
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar

The Knitters
See how entrepreneurial Peruvian women are turning their traditional craft into a business venture.
This morning, we fly to Cuzco, the center of the Incan world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a box lunch along the way. We'll visit the mountain weaving village of Chinchero, which—at an elevation of 12,500 feet—is a literal high point of our exploration of the Sacred Valley, and provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Chinchero was the site of a 16th-century Inca emperor's estate, as well as a resting place on the Inca Royal Road. We'll explore the town and observe a demonstration of making traditional textiles, seeing how Peruvian weavers create complex patterns in colorful cloth as their ancestors have for centuries. Afterwards, we check in to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, which is at a lower elevation than Cuzco; staying here helps us acclimatize to the altitude. We enjoy dinner this evening at our hotel.

DAY 4
Sacred Valley • Explore Ollantaytambo Ruins • A Day in the Life of the Urubamba community FOUNDATION VISIT
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar
This morning, we visit the massive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. This is one of the few places where the Spanish lost a battle during the conquest of Peru.

In 1536, the army of Manco Inca held off a Spanish invasion company led by Hernando Pizarro. We can climb up the huge terraces guarding the ancient hilltop temple area.

Then we’ll share A Day in the Life of the Urubamba community in the Sacred Valley. We’ll meet students at a local school (when in session) and spend time with their teachers. Donations from Grand Circle Foundation—part of the World Classroom initiative—have helped pay for classroom construction at the school. Then we’ll visit Urubamba’s market and pick up ingredients for the Home-Hosted Lunch we’ll share as guests of a Sacred Valley family. We’ll also sample locally brewed corn beer before returning to our hotel. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.

DAY 5
Train ride through Urubamba Gorge • Explore Machu Picchu
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: El Mapi Hotel or similar

After breakfast this morning, we visit a pottery workshop. Then we continue to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll board the train to travel to Machu Picchu. The train ride takes a bit less than two hours and offers spectacular views into the gorge of the Urubamba River. We'll have a boxed lunch while we're riding the train.

Most travelers visit Machu Picchu on a day trip, which makes for a hectic pace and only limited time at this unique archaeological wonder. We can take a closer look, and have a more relaxed pace, during our overnight visit to Machu Picchu. The train brings us to the town of Aguas Calientes, from which we then drive to the ruins. This drive takes about a half an hour, as we must follow a zigzag route up a steep hill. (The return trip by bus takes the same amount of time; or if you prefer, you can walk downhill and along the valley floor for about two hours.) When the day-trippers leave the ruins to catch the last train of the day, we remain longer and enjoy an uncrowded experience.

Our expert OAT Trip Leader gives us a complete and compelling look at the fabled “Lost City of the Incas,” which was discovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist (and later, U.S. Senator) Hiram Bingham. Subsequent discoveries (such as Bingham’s later unearthing of the Inca Trail and the 1941 discovery of nearby Huayna Picchu) suggest that Machu Picchu was not simply a “lost city” but part of a whole “lost region.” More than 172 tombs have been excavated, and in 2002 Peruvian archaeologists uncovered the first complete burial site, with a woman’s skeleton, bronze pins, and a clay pot. Here we can explore sites like the Ritual Baths, the Palace of the Princess, the Main Fountain, and the Temple of the Sun, quietly contemplating the achievements of this most fascinating and mysterious civilization. We then return to the town of Aguas Calientes. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 6
Explore Machu Picchu • Travel to Cuzco
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

We rise early to travel to Machu Picchu again after breakfast, arriving before the crowds. You can remain at the hotel if you wish, but most travelers appreciate this chance to see the ruins in a different light.
You can wander the sprawling ruins on your own, or, depending on which trails are open, choose between two hikes. One brings you to the Inca Bridge, where a trail built with impressive Inca engineering crosses a cliff face. In one spot, the Incas left a deep gap, which they bridged with logs that could be removed to render the trail impassable to enemies. The second option is an ambitious hike to the Sun Gate at the Machu Picchu end of the Inca Trail, which offers a fine view over the ruins.
We descend to the valley below to have lunch. Then, in the afternoon, we return by train through the spectacular Urubamba Gorge. Back at Ollantaytambo, we get off the train and take a bus to Cuzco, making stops at points of interest along the way. When we arrive in Cuzco, we check into our hotel. We have dinner at our hotel this evening.

DAY 7
Optional Inca Marvels of Tipon tour • Explore Cuzco OPTIONAL TOUR
Meals included: B Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

After breakfast, join our optional tour to Tipon, a location south of Cuzco with well-preserved ancient agricultural terraces and an Incan irrigation system whose canals still carry water. These provide impressive evidence of Incan ingenuity and engineering skills. This optional tour includes lunch at local restaurant. Or, remain in Cuzco to make your own discoveries, with lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, we explore Cuzco, starting with a walk to the Plaza de Armas. We’ll also discover the Qoricancha Sun Temple, the city’s most important ceremonial structure during the Incan era. Historical records of the time note that its walls were once covered with 700 sheets of gold studded with emeralds and turquoise; when the sunlight streamed through the windows, the reflection off the precious metals was blinding. In the late afternoon, we return to our hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

DAY 8
Explore Sacsayhuaman & Kenko • Curandero ceremony
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

We begin this morning’s explorations at the massive Sacsayhuaman fortress set on a hilltop overlooking Cuzco. Its double-zigzag wall is said to symbolize a puma’s teeth, and at one time, there were three immense towers and a labyrinth of rooms large enough to garrison 5,000 Inca soldiers.
Today, the interior buildings are gone, having been dismantled by the Spaniards for their stone, but the imposing outer walls remain. Recent excavations have revealed this ancient stone complex to be much larger than previously thought. As we walk through, consider first that Inca workers built its walls entirely by hand, securely fitting boulders weighing as much as 125 tons without a drop of mortar. Next we visit the sacred ceremonial center of Kenko. At each site, we have plenty of time to walk around and take photographs.

Then, we’ll witness a traditional healing ceremony conducted by a curandero, an Andean medicine man. This ancient healing tradition has deep roots in Incan culture and is not simply a cure for illnesses, but also a prayer for good health and well-being with an offering to Pachamama, a deity associated with fertility and Mother Earth. A curandero will often employ herbs and healing plants, and for some conditions, he may conduct a religious ritual with sacred objects and shamanic chanting (called icaros). Thought to possess a gift from God to heal the sick, the curandero also sees himself as a front-line soldier in the battle between good and evil on Earth—particularly when patients believe their physical ailments have supernatural causes.

Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the rest of your afternoon is free. We'll gather for our last dinner in Peru at a local restaurant this evening.

DAY 9
Fly to Quito via Lima
Meals included: B D Accommodations: Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda or similar

After an early breakfast at our Cuzco hotel, we bid farewell to our Peruvian Trip Leader and depart for our flight to Lima. From Lima we fly to Quito, Ecuador, arriving in the afternoon.

In Quito, we will be met by our Ecuadoran Trip Leader. Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is a city whose colonial splendor has earned it designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the older part of town, hundreds of colonial-era structures remain to this day, the largest being the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco.

This evening, we’ll enjoy our first dinner in Ecuador at a local restaurant.

DAY 10
Sinamune Concert • Discover Quito FOUNDATION VISIT
Meals included: B L Accommodations: Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda or similar

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a moving musical performance by the Sinamune Disabled Children's Orchestra, whose members are physically or mentally disabled. Grand Circle Foundation is proud to provide Sinamune with financial assistance, helping to give these talented and dedicated musicians the support and encouragement they deserve.

After the concert, we'll depart for downtown Quito. In Quito's historic section, we'll see La Basilica, with its impressive 377-foot Condor Tower—notice how the gargoyles represent indigenous animals. We also enjoy a walking tour of Quito's colonial nucleus: Independence Plaza (Plaza de La Independenzia), featuring a winged statue representing freedom. We'll see the Presidential Palace, with its stalwart guards in traditional uniforms keeping watch. Then we finish at San Francisco Square to see its church and mingle with local people in its plaza.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, we continue exploring Quito with a stroll on La Ronda, a historic narrow lane where you can sample traditional candies, see work by local artists, and hear musicians. Then we return to our hotel and you have the rest of the afternoon free for making your own discoveries in Quito. Dinner is on your own this evening.

DAY 11
Fly to the Galápagos • Embark on Galápagos cruise
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Galápagos Small Ship

After breakfast, we fly from Quito via Guayaquil to the Galápagos—an enchanted Pacific archipelago that straddles the equator some 600 miles west of Ecuador's coast, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Upon landing in mid-morning, we make a short bus transfer to the dock, where we board our boat. You can stow your gear in your cabin and orient yourself on deck. We’ll stay onboard in comfortable cabins for the next four nights, roaming the archipelago with the services of our boat crew and our expert Trip Leader, who is a certified Galápagos naturalist.

Please note:The following description is meant only as a general guide to the cruise itinerary that you are likely to follow. The selection and order of islands visited cannot be guaranteed due to the Galápagos' frequently variable weather, marine, and environmental conditions, and changes in airline schedules between the mainland and the Galápagos. This is a carefully managed park with fragile ecosystems. To safeguard them (and to ensure your own comfort), ship and park authorities have the prerogative to revise our course at a moment's notice.

During the summer and fall, the Humboldt Current moves through the Galápagos Islands, cooling sea and land temperatures, and creating a mist that covers the islands—locally known as garua (soft rain)—during the day. The Humboldt Current is strongest from July to October, delivering the choppy water that surrounds the islands.

DAY 12
Cruise the Galápagos Islands
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Galápagos Small Ship

Today we continue our exploration of the Galápagos. Our Trip Leader will give us an orientation briefing, including conservation techniques suggested by the Galápagos National Park.

He or she is a graduate of the elite certification program conducted at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Isla Santa Cruz by the Galápagos National Park Service. We file our Galápagos cruising itinerary with the conservation authorities of the Galápagos National Park. Park biologists periodically review it, and they have the authority to make changes to our plan to minimize our impact on the ecosystems of the islands. Our Trip Leader also provides the park with information on species behavior, and we are proud to work in cooperation with Park officials in preserving the priceless natural wonders of the Galápagos.

During our cruise, we'll see unique wildlife and striking geological formations. We'll make numerous landings by small motor dinghies that involve wading ashore. Once on land, we'll walk with our Trip Leader along trails that bring us close to the many indigenous species. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable, but you may see species including land and marine iguanas, and exotic birds such as blue-footed and masked boobies. When we are not viewing wildlife on shore, we can swim, sunbathe, and perhaps go snorkeling among sea lions and vividly colorful tropical fish. We'll see remote white-sand beaches, sparkling clear water, and volcanic landscapes of black and red rock.

DAY 13
Cruise the Galápagos Islands
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Galápagos Small Ship

Here is a preview of the islands you may call on during your Galápagos cruise.

Santiago (James) Tidal pools reveal a profusion of octopi, starfishes, and other undersea life. Rare fur sea lions that were once on the verge of extinction cavort nearby, and we often spot oyster-catchers, blue herons, and yellow-crowned night herons.

Bartolome One of the youngest islands, Bartolome displays a fantastic landscape of lava formations—including its famous signature, Pinnacle Rock. Penguins are often spotted on the shore.

Mosquera Beach Mosquera Beach is a very small, white-sand islet, located between Baltra and Seymour. It is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, and sea lions often visit.

Rabida (Jervis) A reddish beach and steep volcanic slopes give this island a distinctive look.

Santa Cruz (Indifatigable) At the Charles Darwin Research Station, learn about pioneering ecological studies and the giant Galápagos tortoise-breeding program.

Floreana (Charles) Like the other islands, Floreana has its coterie of remarkable creatures. But it’s the human stories that will engage you here as your guide tells of the first inhabitant, a shipwrecked Irishman, and the quirky “post office” in a barrel, where sailors since 1793 have been leaving letters for delivery. This “post office” still operates today.

Santa Fe (Barrington) Hike through a forest of opuntia cactus where land iguana doze, and then snorkel in clear water with coral reefs, manta rays, sea turtles, and colorful schools of fish.

North Seymour Here you’ll find the largest colony of frigatebirds in the Galápagos and a major nesting site for the blue-footed booby, depending on the season. On the beach, sea lions ride the waves.

San Cristobal (Chatham) The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on this island is the sleepy capital of the Galápagos province. Nearby is Lobos Island, home to pelicans, frigatebirds, and a sea lion colony.

Española (Hood Island)Sea lions, marine iguanas, and many kinds of birds are found here, including Darwin’s finches, Hood mockingbirds, and blue-footed and masked boobies. Along the southern shore, spectacular cliffs rise up from the sea. From April to November, the remarkable waved albatross, which can spend years at sea without touching land, can be seen performing their unique, perfectly choreographed mating ritual.

DAY 14
Cruise the Galápagos Islands
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Galápagos Small Ship

We continue our exploration of the Galápagos. As we take in their striking seascapes, we can consider how they have impressed great American writers in two different centuries. Herman Melville blended knowledge of the islands, gained from his days as a sailor, with fiction in his 1854 novella The Encantadas or Enchanted Isles. More than 100 years later, Kurt Vonnegut's 1985 novel Galápagos drew inspiration from the author's own visit to the archipelago. Unique and remote, the Galápagos Islands will no doubt continue to influence creative artists for centuries to come.

DAY 15
Disembark ship • Fly to Quito
Meals included: B D Accommodations: Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda

This morning, we disembark our ship and fly from the Galápagos via Guayaquil back to Quito, where we'll arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. We have a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

DAY 16
Quito • Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension
Meals included: B

Trip Extension: The Amazon Rain Forest of Peru
Learn about the rituals and daily life of the Yagua tribe from their chief in this trip extension to Peru's Amazon Rain Forest.
Today, we'll visit the colorful Inaquito produce market and then head to the Middle of the World Monument and the Inti Nan Museum, located on the equator. Inti Nan is the Quechua phrase for “Path of the Sun,” and the museum contains replicas of indigenous sun temples and other interesting artifacts. If your flight home is this afternoon, you'll make these visits in the morning. If your flight is in the evening, you'll have a free morning and then visit these Quito sites, with lunch and dinner on your own.

If you are taking the post-trip extension to Ecuador: The Andes & the Devil's Nose Train, you will travel overland to Riobamba after breakfast today; the Quito activities mentioned will take place on the last day of your extension.