Treasures and Diversity of Ecuador and Peru

Day 1 : Lima

Reception at the arrival of your international flight at Jorge Chavez airport in Lima and transfer to the hotel. An English representative will greet you at the airport and hand you over your travel documents. Night at the hotel Habitat.

Day 2 : Lima

Half-day dedicated to a walking tour of the Peruvian capital’s historic downtown. Discover the colonial area including the Plaza San Martin and the Plaza de Armas.

Then we visit the Larco Herrera Museum, one of the largest private collections of pre-Columbian art in Peru. The exhibition rooms showcase pottery, textiles, mummies and other objects that will give you a greater understanding of Peruvian history.

*Note: Duration of visits: 5h approx* Visit to the private collection at Larco Museum; one of the largest of pre columbian art in Peru. Modern and nice display of beautifull and well preserved artifacts: potteries, textiles, gold pieces and even mummies exposed will illustrate you more about the peruvian past. Visit to the convent and catacoombs of San Francisco. Transfer from your hotel to Lima airport. Flight to Cusco. Reception at Cusco airport and transfer to the hotel. English speaking assistance from airport to hotel. Night at the Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel.

Day 3 : Cusco

Departure for a half-day dedicated to the discovery of the historic center of Cusco with your English-speaking guide. You will walk through the streets and small squares of the San Blas district. Cusco is a thousand-year-old city full of charm. You will be fascinated by the precision and perfection of the stone constructions, an interesting mix between Inca and colonial architectures. You will meet men and women in their traditional clothes, colorful outfits, who have come for the day from the Sacred Valley to sell their products in the various markets of the city. Visit the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and the Cathedral which has many paintings and other treasures of goldsmithery, silver and precious stones. Free afternoon in Cusco, navel of the Inca world.

Suggestions:

Free time in Cusco is generally appreciated for its walking possibilities in the many small cobbled streets of the city.

You can also take advantage of this moment to make your last purchases of souvenirs: clothes, jewelry and decoration, the choices are endless in Cusco! Night at the Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel.

Day 4 : Cusco

Early departure in a private vehicle for an encounter with the Umasbamba community.

*Note:* *approximately 1 hour journey from Cusco*

Demonstration of wool dying and weaving techniques.

Then you prepare and share lunch with the community: a Pachamanca, a pre-Hispanic speciality made from marinated meat, quinoa, corn, potatoes and regional herbs, where the food is placed in the ground and covered with hot stones to stew it. It is the traditional dish par excellence for family or friends gatherings in the Andes. This will be the opportunity for the family to share a great moment of conviviality enjoying a meal with the inhabitants of the community.

In the early afternoon, continue to the village of Chinchero on foot along the beautiful little Lake Piuray (2h to 2h30 walk). Visit of Chinchero, famous for its ruins which bear the legacy of Inca and pre-Inca civilizations, as well as its Sunday market whre barter is still in order and where you can find some of the most beautiful textiles in the region. It is said that Chinchero was at the time of the Inca Empire a seaside resort for the nobility. Nowadays, it is a place where many Andean communities coexist and still wear beautiful and colorful traditional clothes of the Andes of the Cusco region.

Then, head to the salt pans at Maras: saltworks in the heart of the Andes! The site is made up of hundreds of suspended terraced basins, which date from pre-Inca cultures still exploited today. While up there you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sacred Valley.

Transfert to your hotel in the sacred valley. *Note:* *lunch included in the community* Night at the hotel Las Qolqas Eco – Resort

Day 5 : Ollantaytambo

Train to Aguas Calientes, the stopover village for Machu Picchu. Along the Urubamba river, you will observe that the vegetation intensifies as the kilometers pass.

*Note 1:* *train journey of approximately 1h30 to reach Aguas Calientes*

*Note 2:* *The train company allows passengers to carry a cabin bag of up to 8 kg per person. It will be necessary to leave your checked luggage at the deposit of the hotel in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. Possibility of transferring luggage from one hotel to another).*

Morning train. On your arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will join the shuttles that will take you to the gates of Machu Picchu. Departures, for both ascent and descent, are every 5 minutes and the journey lasts approximately 30 minutes.

*Note: 1st shuttle to the citadel: 05:30am / Duration: 30 minutes*

*Last Shuttle to the citadel: 3:30pm / Last Shuttle to Aguas Calientes: 4:45pm* Your guide accompanies you on the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Arrival at the site of Machu Picchu, wonder of the world. The beauty and immensity of the place impresses.

Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city of the fifteenth century in Peru. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca empire, the sacred city of the Incas, was forgotten for centuries. It is considered as a masterpiece of the architecture of this civilization. It was unveiled by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.

In1983, Machu Picchu was declared UNESCO World Heritage. On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by the NewOpenWorld Foundation, an unofficial and commercial organization. Finally the site is part of a whole cultural and natural complex known as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu .

*Note 1:* *1st access to the site 6h, last access: 14h.*

*Note 2: Entrance to Machu Picchu is divided into 4 tickets and the duration of permanence on the site is limited.*

*The Ticket Llacta Machu Picchu is included in this proposal. This ticket gives access to the classic and the most complete visit of Machu Picchu, including the upper part (section of the terraces and platforms) and the lower part (urban section) of the ruins. The duration of the tour is from 2h30 to 4h00.*

*Note 3* *: Possibility of modifying the entrance, with extra charge, including the ascent of one of the mountains Huayna Picchu, Montaña or Huchuy Picchu (subject to availability at the time of the reservation). These tickets only give access to the lower part (urban section) of the ruins in order to go directly to the checkpoint for the ascent. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours, in addition to the ascent, which lasts between 3 and 4 hours. These tickets give access to a limited section of the ruins.*

*We will inform you of the time of entry to the site that we recommend according to your program.* *After this confirmation, the entry time to the site cannot be changed.* In the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo.

*Note:* *the train company allows passengers to carry a cabin bag of up to* *8kg max. per person. It will be necessary to leave your checked luggage at the deposit of the hotel in the Sacred Valley and Cusco* Your guide will accompany you on the train. Night at the hotel Las Qolqas Eco – Resort

Day 6 : Sacred Valley

Departure in the morning by private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley.

First stage, Ollantaytambo! Visit of the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. It bears the name of an Inca warrior, Ollanta, and was the seat of fierce battles between Incas and Spaniards.

The village of Ollantaytambo is called the last living Inca village , because its inhabitants maintain very ancient customs and traditions. Weather permitting, after the visit you can stroll through its cobbled streets.

Then head towards the cultural site of Moray, a former Inca agricultural laboratory.

To end the day, head to Maras to discover its salt works, the formation of basins which, since the Inca period, receive water from a nearby salt spring and which under the effect of the sun and evaporation is transformed into salt.

Drive back to Cusco and transfer to the hotel. Entrance fee for Maras included. Night at the Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel.

Day 7 : Cusco

Time-off in the morning to relax. Transfer from your hotel to Cusco’s airport. You will have an English speaking assistance from your hotel to the airport. Flight with destination to Lima. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Night at the hotel Barranco’s Bed & Breakfast

Day 8 : Quito Airport

Welcome to Ecuador !

A proverb says *Traveling leaves you speechless at first, before turning you into a storyteller*

… Let the adventure start in the country of the middle of the world ! Chulla vida ! Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide. Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel. Night at the Hotel Adamas in Standard room.

Day 9 : Quito Airport

Transfer with your Spanish-speaking driver from your hotel to Quito airport. You will take a flight of about 2 hours from Quito to Baltra. You will arrive at the Baltra airport, located on a small island next to Santa Cruz.

Your guide will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport.

You will then pay the entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park before picking up your luggage.

You will reach the Itabaca Canal by public bus (5 minutes) and cross it by public barge (10 minutes). From there, you will continue to the main island by private pick-up to reach Puerto Ayora (45 minutes).

Santa Cruz is the second largest and most populated island in the Galapagos archipelago.

You will make a stop in the Highlands of the island.

Starting from Crocker Hill, the highest point of Santa Cruz.

You will be able to observe several extinct volcanoes, covered with endemic vegetation, habitat of many birds such as the wizard bird, finches, the Galapagos petrel.

You will see the Puntudo, a cone of volcanic slag, formed by the liquid lava expelled powerfully.

You will then go to the Manzanillo farm to observe the giant turtles in their natural habitat. Walking among these impressive animals is an indelible memory.

Upon your arrival in Puerto Ayora, you will go to the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn about the islands’ biodiversity conservation initiatives and see up close the famous giant tortoises, the iguanas of the different islands and magnificent examples of the local flora. Night at the Ikala Galapagos hotel in Suite room.

Day 10 : Puerto Ayora

You will take a fast boat to visit North Seymour Island.

You will be picked up at your hotel and a private bus will take you directly to the boat pier.

The island was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions and explosions at the bottom of the ocean. This brought with them layers of sediments raised by tectonic activity. It is not occupied by man, so it is a wild area, with endemic vegetation and an air of arid savannah. It is inhabited mainly by birds, including blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and pelicans. Note also the brightly colored crabs that populate the rocks. Penguins and dolphins are sometimes seen here.

*NOTE:* *2 hours boat ride way and back. Capacity of the boat: 16 persons.* Night at the Ikala Galapagos hotel in Suite room.

Day 11 : Puerto Ayora

This boat trip will take you to Bartolomé Island, one of the most famous uninhabited islands of the archipelago.

You will be picked up at your hotel and a private bus will take you directly to the boat’s landing stage.

During this excursion, you will learn more about the geology of Galapagos.

After climbing the 400 steps to reach the Pinnacle Rock, you will have a view that corresponds to the most emblematic photo of the archipelago. The landscape is made up of many volcanic colors: orange, red, brown and black, which makes it special.

You will be able to walk, snorkel and swim.

*NOTE: 5 hours round trip by boat. Boat capacity: 16 people.* Night at the Ikala Galapagos hotel in Suite room.

Day 12 : Puerto Ayora

A Spanish-speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Ayora. You will travel from Santa Cruz to Isabela aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes between 2 and 3 hours.

*NOTE:* *at your arrival in Isabela, you will take a taxi-boat (incluido) and have to pay the local tax (10$ per person, not included) at Isabela harbour.* A Spanish speaking driver will welcome you at the port of Puerto Villamil and take you to your hotel. The *Tintoreras* are small islands of volcanic rock that are located in front of Puerto Villamil. You will reach them in 10 minutes by boat and stay there for 3 hours.

They are so named because the population of sharks called Tintoreras is abundant in these turquoise waters.

These sharks come to take refuge in crevices on the edge of the islet and that you can observe from the rocks.

During this outing you will see colonies of sea wolves, sea turtles, iguanas, and penguins.

If you do snorkeling, it will be the occasion to swim among the turtles that often abound in these places. Night at Isamar hotel in Vista al Mar room.

Day 13 : Puerto Villamil

Departure by fast boat for a trip of about 1 hour to reach Rosa Cape and the place known as the Lava Tunnels.

It is one of our favorite places to practice snorkeling. Quiet waters because protected by a rocky barrier, transparent and shallow. We can often observe giant rays, seahorses, lobsters, penguins, harmless sharks and of course giant turtles. The simple experience of swimming above and very close to these animals, at their pace, is worth all the gold in the world!

But this unique place conceals a complex of eroded lava tunnels, forming small bridges and pools where many animals come to feed. Including the famous blue-legged boobies! That you will approach at less than one meter like nowhere else in the world, trying of course not to disturb them. Night at Isamar hotel in Vista al Mar room.

Day 14 : Isabela

Free time in Isabela. Suggestions of visits: Isabela is the wilder island and although some parts are forbidden to visit, it presents many options:

– Relax on the long sandy beach of Puerto Villamil.
– If you prefer to continue your discovery of the island, you can rent bikes or take a taxi to walk to the Wall of Tears, built by the convicts of that time, in a magnificent setting with the dry vegetation typical of this island.
– You can also visit the turtle breeding centre, the pink flamingo lagoon or other small beaches with enchanting names such as the Amor beach.
– A boat trip to Cabo Rosa and the Lave Tunnels.

This site is located 40 minutes by boat southwest of Puerto Villamil. By practicing snorkelling you can get very close, with a little luck, to multicoloured fishes, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and even penguins. Swimming over a sea turtle that makes your size is a sublime experience that will make you gain in serenity.

– A hike (5-6 hours walking at your own pace) through a world of recent geological history to the edge of the Sierra Negra volcano, which is still active and whose last eruption dates from June 2018.

*NOTE: remember to book your boat day trip as soon as you arrive on the island as the exit is early in the morning and places can be limited.*

A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Villamil. You will travel from Isabela to Santa Cruz aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes around 3 hours. A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at the port of Santa Cruz and take you to your hotel. Night at the Ikala Galapagos hotel in Suite room.

Day 15 : Puerto Ayora

You will be taken by private transportation by a Spanish speaking driver from your hotel to Baltra airport. You will take a flight from Baltra to Guayaquil. Free connection with your international flight.