| Itinerary
Day 1 Quito
Upon
arrival in Quito we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Quito, located at 2,850 meters above sea level and
surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes is the second highest
capital city in the world. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day
2 Otavalo
Today
we start our way out of Quito, raveling through lush fertile
farmland and Breath-taking mountain landscapes to reach the
Otavalo Market. Otavalo Indians are the most ambitious and
prosperous of the Indian groups in Ecuador; they have not
lost their tribal identity and traditions. At the market we
find Ponchos, wooden goods, and Indian jewelry. The tour includes
a visit to surrounding towns with their own specialties: Peguche
known for their weavers, leather goods at Cotacachi,
excellent wood carving at San Antonio de Ibarra, and
the charming and colorful bread dough figures at Calderon.
Lunch at a local hosteria. Return to Quito. Overnight at
selected hotel (B,L)
Day
3- 5 Galapagos Islands
Early
transfer to the airport for flight to Galapagos. On
arrival, transfer to selected Cruise Boat, for 4 days of incredible
wildlife experience. Each Cruise company has different set
itinerary through the Galapagos Islands, we will provide
a day by day cruise schedule after your boat selection is
made. Overnight on board (B,L,D)
Day
6 Galapagos/Guayaquil
Ending
our Cruise at the Galapagos Island, we are transferred to
the airport for flight to Guayaquil.
Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
(B)
Day
7 Guayaquil/Lima
This
morning we tour Guayaquil, the main port and Ecuador’s
economic capital. We will enjoy a trip trough the colorful
streets including the Simon Bolivar Park and the
Civic Center. Pass by the early century neighborhood of
Las Penas where many art galleries are located, and
also the residential areas. We will stroll along the riverfront
and the Mirador from where we see the joining of the
Daule and Babahoyo rivers, forming the magnificent Guayas
River. Early afternoon transfer to the airport for flight
to Lima. On arrival in Lima, transfer to hotel. Overnight
at selected hotel. (B)
Day
8 Lima
Morning
at leisure. Afternoon tour of the “City of the Kings”
visiting the old colonial district of Lima and most important
buildings, the Cathedral at the Main Plaza, San Francisco
Church and catacombs. Then we drive through the stylish
suburb of San Isidro and the modern district of Miraflores,
and watch the surf of the Pacific Ocean pound the dry cliffs
of the shoreline. Following, we visit the Gold Museum,
a fine private collection of gold pieces from the Pre and
Inca civilization. Overnight at selected hotel (B)
Day
9 Cusco/Sacred Vallery
Early
transfer to the airport for flight to Cusco. On arrival,
we are met and start our way out of the city of Cusco, into
the historic Urubamba Valley. Approximately after an hour's
drive, we stop at the attractive town of Pisac, an
important agricultural center during the Inca’s time.
At Pisac Market natives trade their goods and we have
the opportunity to shop handicrafts, from weaving to pottery.
As we continue on our journey, the evidence of an agricultural
history is everywhere. Terraces of fertile land are created
on even the most precipitous slopes. After lunch at a local
restaurant, we continue to visit the splendid Fortress of
Ollantaytambo where ancient temples were built to protect
the Sacred Valley; it is consider an Architecture wonder.
Overnight at selected hotel (B,L)
Day
10 Machu Picchu
Today
we will witness another encounter with a glorious past. We
are transferred to the Ollanta Railway Station for a journey
to Aguas Calientes. On arrival, a bus will take us
to the top of the mountain for a guided tour at Machu Picchu
"The Lost City of the Incas". Theses ruins are
probably the best known yet least understood of all Incan
sites. The surprising perfection and beauty of Machu Picchu’s
walls, built by joining stone to stone without using any cement
or adhesive, has led to many myths created around how the
city was constructed. Besides myths, the evidence of wisdom
and skills of its builders is immersed on this amazing citadel.
Mid-afternoon return to Cusco and transfer to hotel. Overnight
at selected hotel. (B,L)
Day
11 Cusco
Morning
at leisure. Afternoon city tour visiting the Cathedral
at the Plaza de Armas, Santo Domingo Convent (ancient Koricancha
or Temple of the Sun), and the archeological sites of Sacsayhuaman,
Kenko, and Tampu Machay. Overnight at selected hotel. (B)
Day
12 Puno
After
an early breakfast, transfer to the bus/train station for
a ride to Puno. This is a wonderful journey, small villages
and breathtaking landscape will follow us on our way through
the Andean Mountains. On arrival, we are met and transferred
to our hotel. Overnight at selected hotel. (B,L)
Day
13 Uros and Taquile Island at Lake Titicaca
Full
day tour to the Uros and Taquile Islands. The Uro
Indians build their homes on “floating islands”,
which are forty entirely artificial islands made with totora
reeds; Each week, a new layer of reeds is added. Following,
we visit Taquile Island. The Taquile natives keep the
strong community ties and cooperative life-style; they still
wear their traditional dresses. On the island of Taquile,
the women spin wool onto wooden spindles and the men knit,
and the pieces are sold by the co-operative. The landscape
from the summit of the island is astonishing. Afternoon return
to Puno and transfer to hotel. Overnight at selected hotel.
(B,L)
Day
14 Lake Titicaca
This
morning, we make our way by bus from Puno to Copacabana
(3hrs) visiting on the way the villages of July and Pomata.
While our guide takes care of the immigration paper work (Border
with Bolivia), we visit the highest dam of the world which
controls Lake Titicaca water overflow into Desaguadero River.
On our way to Huatajata, we visit the Tiwanaku Ruins,
the Pre-Inca culture known for its high level of development.
We will tour the temple of Kalasassaya, the Sun Gate
and the Monoliths, the underground Temple of Kon-Tiki,
and the local new Lithic Museum. In Huatajata, we visit
the “Altiplano Museum” and experience the
Mystic World of the Kallawayas, Natural Medicine doctors
& coca leaves fortune tellers. At night, we visit the
Alajpacha native observatory to understand the Andes
Cosmovision. Overnight at Inca Utama Hotel & Spa (B,L)
Day
15 Moon and Sun Islands/La Paz
We
will start our day with an Inter Cultural Integration program
in the “Andean Roots Eco- Village” following
with a Hydrofoil cruise to the Moon and Sun Islands,
where we will walk up Inca steps to drink from the Sacred
Spring believed to grant eternal life and happiness. Afternoon
return to Huatajata and bus transfer to La Paz. Overnight
at Presidente Hotel. (B,L)
Day
16 Departure
This
morning, laden with memories and new knowledge, we will be
transferred to the airport for our flight back home. (B)
Meals:
B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch,
D=Dinner
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