Incas, Galapagos, Rio & Buenos Aires (21 days / 20 nts)

Day 1:  Arrive in Lima
Upon your arrival in Lima, we will provide assistance at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2:  Lima - Cusco (city tour)
We will transfer you from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight. Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. City tour of Cusco, including the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former Colonial monastery was previously the Korikancha temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun.

According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold Leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Visit also the Cathedral, the most important temple of the city which houses the headquarters of the Diocese.

After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven to the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. Finally the tour will take you to visit Tambomachy, It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. The function of the site is uncertain: it may have served as a military outpost guarding the approaches to Cusco, as a spa resort for the Incan political elite, or both.At the end of the tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 3:  Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Incas
Take a trip to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will begin your tour visiting Awanakancha, where South American camelidae are bred. Learn about the llamas, alpacas; and vicuñas superb fibres, as well as the ancient weaving techniques which are still in use. Proceed to Pisac where you will have the opportunity to bargain with vendors at its local handicrafts market. Enjoy lunch at a pleasant hostelry in the countryside and continue to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was is still visible. Overnight in Urubamba.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch)

Day 4:  Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Transfer to Ollanta station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will take a 25-minute motorcoach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas", which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river lies the wonderful old city of Machu Picchu, which in quechua means "Old Mountain". According to research, Machu Picchu would have been one of the vacation residences of Pachacutec, the first Inca emperor between 1438 and 1470.

However, some of its finest buildings and the evident ceremonial purpose of the main access road to the village, prove that it was used as a religious shrine. Machu Picchu is considered both a masterpiece of architecture and engineering because of its unique architectural and landscaping features. Prominent constructions among its buildings are the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds, among others of singular architecture and importance.Your guide will narrate and explain all about this splendid citadel, which is a truly amazing experience.

After the guided tour you will have free time to stroll around the archaeological site. Lunch at café Inkaterra. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch)

Day 5:  Machu Picchu - Cusco
We strongly recommend that you wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. Optional: For hiking enthusiasts, we suggest a walk up to the peak of Huayna Picchu.In the afternoon return by train and then transfer to the Hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 6:  Cuzco - Lima (city tour)
Assistance and transfer to Cuzco airport for your mid morning flight back to Lima. Then later this afternoon, your tour will begin heading to the center of the city of Lima. Arrive atthe Plaza de Armas, where Lima was founded first as "The City of Kings" in 1535 and then as capital of the Republic of Peru, in 1821, the year of independence. You will get to know the Presidential Palace and the Cathedralof Lima, in addition to the Casa Aliaga, an old colonial house delivered by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 to his Captain Jeronimo de Aliaga, after the foundation of the city.

Then head to  San Francisco Church where an enviable collection of ancient books is kept and you can visit a real network of catacombs. At the end visit the city, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the modern districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, to conclude the tour in the Parque del Amor, beachfront park that boasts a spectacular view of the bay of Lima. At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 7:  Lima - Quito
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for international flight connection. Arrival in Quito and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 8:  Quito - Galapagos (must be a Wednesday)
Transfer from the hotel to the airport to board the flight to Galapagos. Departure from Quito (via Guayaquil) to Galapagos (aprox. 2 and a half hours flight). You are greeted by guides at the airport and transferred to the boat, M/Y Coral.

Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (San Cristobal)
Built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises, it is one of the few places where you can see Calandrinia galapagosa, a plant endemic to San Cristbal in danger of extinction.

(Included meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 9:  Galapagos (San Cristobal)
am. Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal)
Eroding tuff cone which forms cliffs where seabirds are often seen nesting. It looks over a beautiful white sand beach where you can spot sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas.

pm. Pitt Point & Islet (San Cristobal)
Probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together: Nazca, Blue-footed, and Red-footed; also two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 10:  Galapagos (Mosquetera - Bartolome)
Mosquera Islet
Wet Landing, Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands, this flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site for observing shorebirds such as herons and Lava Gulls. There is no trail on Mosquera Island, so any visitor can enjoy an open are. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium portulacastrum grows on the sand.

Bartolome
Dry landing. We discover a fascinating moonscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones -lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones -as we hike to the summit for impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas and lava lizards. Beach time is a great opportunity to snorkel and see (perhaps swim with) Galapagos Penguin, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Shark, among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best of snorkeling experiences; the water here is generally clear, without too much surf and full of marine life. Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable. Pioneer plants are observed, so called because they are the first to establish roots on new ground. They include Tiquilia nesiotica (which is endemic to the island) and Chamaesyce(known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes. Behind the beach we have dunes covered by mangroves.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 11:  Galapagos (Rabida - Santiago)
am.Rabida
Wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches with incredible landscape; Rábida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin’s finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.

Egas Port (Santiago)
Wet landing on a beach of black volcanic sand, visited by Darwin in 1835. The first part of the trail is comprised of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half of the trail is partially uneven terrain, comprised of volcanic basaltic rock that lounges the shoreline. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago’s shores is home to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre Yellow-crowned Night Heron and astounding array of marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Snorkeling here offers rarities such as octopus or squid..

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 12:  Galapagos - Quito
In the morning you will go straight to the airport for return flight to  Quito. Arrive in Quito and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Quito.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 13:  Quito - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Transfer from hotel to Quito airiport on time for your scheduled flight to Rio. Upon arrival in Rio, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel.Overnight in RIo.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 14:  Rio(Corcovado and Sugar Loaf)
Corcovado and Sugar Loaf are the two largest tourist attractions in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Corcovado, that holds the Statue of Christ Redeemer, is the face of faith and sympathy of the Carioca people. Sugar Loaf, in turn, is a tourist complex in a privileged location because of its panoramic view. Our tour includes the ride out the hotel in the morning and the visit to the Sugar Loaf where we have a panoramic view of Guanabara Bay, Copacabana, Urca, Botafogo, Flamengo and its surroundings. The visit continues in a vehicle with air-conditioning through the Flamengo Park, Downtown and Maracana Stadium. In the afternoon we stop for lunch at a buffet restaurant (drinks not included) and then climb the Corcovado in the historical train (“Electric Car"), stopping a few feet away from the access stairs of the statue of Christ the Redeemer where we have a wide view of Rio de Janeiro, with its beaches and mountains. Finally, at the end of the tour, we pass by the beaches of Sao Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. Tour in group basis. Overnight in Rio.

(Included meals: breakfast, lunch)

Day 15:  Rio (free day)
Free day to relax or explore the area on your own. Overnight in Rio.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 16:  Rio - Iguazu (Brazil falls)  
Transfer to the airport in Rio on time for your flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Then our trip begins at the Iguaçu National Park where we will drive through the lush, subtropical vegetation of the park en route to the falls. We will take a stroll on the trail that descends down the canyon, to offer panoramic views of more than 240 falls. We will then take the glass elevator up the cliff face for an exquisite view from the upper deck. The Iguassu National Park along with its “sister” park in Argentina form the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which along with the waterfalls, have been declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. For passengers staying at Hotel Das Cataratas, the tour departs from the hotel. We will end the tour with a visit to the artisans fair. Overnight in Iguazu.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 17:  Iguazu (Argentine falls with great adventure)
From the entrance a small train takes visitors on a tour through the park, making 2 stops. Following the pathways to the top of the waterfalls, visitors will experience spectacular views of the ‘Cataratas’, amidst the abundant nature filled with orchids, colorful birds and other wildlife. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the suspended platform at the very brink of the ‘Garganta do Diabo’ Waterfall (Devil’s Throat) - the largest fall in the park. This tour highlights the Argentinean side of Foz do Iguaçu. The Great Adventure Boat Tour is unique, and combines the whole essence of the 240 waterfalls and surrounding Jungle of the Iguassu National Park in one tour. The tour is offered daily, every hour, and departs from the Head Office or the Visitors Center. The tour starts by entering the jungle from the “Sendero Yacaratía” trail with special transportation that allows for a panoramic view of the surrounding nature and is led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. After an 8 km truck ride guests arrive at the, floating platform at the Puerto Macuco Base where the second part of the tour begins. Seated in motor-boats, visitors head out on a 6 km ride through the Canyon of the Iguassu River, through the rapids, up to the falls. After enjoying the view from the calm side of the San Martin Island, visitors head towards the Tres Mosqueteros (Three Musketeers) waterfall, where the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat) waterfall can be clearly appreciated. Afterwards, visitors will cruise along the shore of the island until they get to the most exciting part of the tour where they will face the wonderful and unforgettable San Martin waterfall! It’s the largest waterfall any motor-boat can approach safely. When the tour is complete, passengers disembark at the base of the lower circuit where they can follow the trail back to the park. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Iguazu.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 18:  Iguazu - Buenos Aires
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 19:  Buenos Aires (city tour)
Today you will visit the most interesting places in the city of Buenos Aires: the Casa Rosada, the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Colón Theatre. Then you will continue towards San Telmo, a charming old quarter of cobbled streets, with its traditional Dorrego Square and the picturesque neighborhood of La Boca. Finally visit Palermo, the Planetarium and La Recoleta. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 20:  Buenos Aires (day at leisure)
Day at leisure for optional tours. We recommend the Fiesta Gaucha. A full day excursion dedicated to the visit of an estancia, a typical Argentine ranch, ideal place to appreciate the Argentine gaucho skills in cattle breeding and horseback riding. We will also enjoy the typical Argentine barbecue, the asado": beef ribs placed on an iron grid and grilled on wood embers. In the evening consider a tango show. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 21:  Fly out from Buenos Aires
Transfer from the hotel to the Ezeiza Internationalairport.

(Included meals: breakfast)