Your Itinerary
Day 1Fly to Quito
Arrive late this evening.
Day 2Quito–Arasha Resort
Travel to the Pacific Rainforest for three nights at the all-inclusive Arasha Rainforest Resort & Spa. Surrounded by lush vegetation, tropical fruits, flora, birds, and local fauna, the award-winning Arasha offers beautiful thatch-roofed bungalows. Facilities include a large swimming pool with bar and cascading water, a Jacuzzi inside a grotto, two restaurants, theatre, mini golf, and a luxurious spa. (B,L,D)
Days 3-4Arasha Resort
During your stay, enjoy guided tours of the primary and secondary forests, birding and orchid tours, a chocolate-making demonstration, fishing, native jewelry-making classes, and much more. You may even visit one of the most colorful indigenous groups in Ecuador, the “Colorados,” and learn of their ancient traditions and religion. (B,L,D)
Day 5Arasha Resort–Quito
Return to Quito. (B)
Day 6Quito, Ecuador
Your included city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and later the Spaniards. See Independence Square dominated by its formidable Cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)
Day 7Quito–Baltra–Santa Cruz
Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, transfer to the highlands of Santa Cruz and visit the Giant Tortoises Reserve and the Twin Pit Craters. These great depressions of volcanic material were formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses, and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. (B,L,D)
Day 8Santa Fé
Cruise to Santa Fé, where you will see the endemic Santa Fé land iguana and the large opuntia cactus forest. The beach area is covered with California sea lions, and the coastline is an excellent location for snorkeling with sea turtles. (B,L,D)
Day 9South Plazas
Board a yacht bound for South Plazas Island. Wildlife includes sea lions, land iguanas, and hybrid iguanas, which are the result of a cross between male marine iguanas and female land iguanas. This is also a bird-watcher’s paradise where you will see nesting swallow-tailed gulls, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, and audubon’s shearwaters. (B,L,D)
Day 10Bartolomé Island
Today’s adventure takes you on a walk on Bartolomé to the summit for spectacular views of the Galápagos. Interesting lava formations and tuff cones can be observed as well as sea lions and penguins swimming in the vicinity of Pinnacle Rock. Enjoy snorkeling or swimming from the beach. (B,L,D)
Day 11Baltra–Guayaquil–Lima
Leave the hotel early this morning and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to famous “Lonesome George” and many other giant tortoises. Then, fly to Lima to begin the Peru portion of your vacation. (B)
Day 12Lima
Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the Cathedral, where the skeleton of Francisco Pizarro is sealed in a wooden coffin and with its eerie burial crypts. (B)
Day 13Lima–Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco high in the Andes. Your city tour visits the Santo Domingo Monastery, built on the foundations of Inca Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral, and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, with intricate stone walls. (B)
Day 14Cuzco
Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley leads to the market town of Pisac. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. At the other end of the valley is Ollantaytambo. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Try out the area cuisine at one of Cuzco’s numerous restaurants recommended by your Local Host. (B,L)
Day 15Cuzco–Machu Picchu
Board a train bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. Hike around Huayna Picchu or simply relax in the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 16Machu Picchu–Cuzco
After a morning at leisure in Machu Picchu, return to Cuzco. Perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B)
Day 17Cuzco–Lima
Fly to Lima. Late this evening, depart for the airport for your overnight flight to the U.S. (B)
Day 18Miami
Arrive home.