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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Cruising The Galapagos W/ Peru W/ Arasha & Arequipa
Buffet breakfast daily (B), 11 lunches (L), 9 dinners (D); Local Host service in each city; a welcome wallet and city map; sightseeing and transportation as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary.
Highlights:
Itinerary:
| Day #1 |
Arrive Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, where you will be met by your Local Host. |
| Day #2 |
Quito–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, theater, mini golf, and a luxurious spa. (B,L,D) |
| Day #3 |
Arasha 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,” to learn about their ancient traditions and religion. (B,L,D) |
| Day #4 |
Arasha 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,” to learn about their ancient traditions and religion. (B,L,D) |
| Day #5 |
Arasha–Quito. Return to Quito today. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. (B) |
| Day #6 |
Quito. 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 #7 |
Quito–Baltra (Embarkation)–Santa Cruz. Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, transfer to Santa Cruz Island, where you will embark the Santa Cruz for your 4-night cruise. Your first stop takes you to Cerro Dragón, a bird-lover’s paradise, where stilts, pintail ducks, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, and the endemic Galápagos flycatcher are regular sightings. This evening, a lecture led by your onboard Naturalist will prepare you for tomorrow’s adventure. (B,L,D) |
| Day #8 |
Cruising: Bartolomé & Puerto Egas Islands. At Bartolomé Island, hike to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones. You will also have the chance to snorkel and possibly see Galápagos penguins in tropical waters. Cruise to Puerto Egas, known for its numerous shore birds, Galápagos fur seals, and marine iguanas. (B,L,D) |
| Day #9 |
Cruising: Rabida & North Seymour Islands. On Rabida, stroll along the red-sand beach (due to high iron content from the volcanic material), observing sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, and even greater flamingos! This afternoon, travel to North Seymour to explore for colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. The island’s shore teems with sea lions and marine iguanas as well. (B,L,D) |
| Day #10 |
Cruising: Santa Cruz & Charles Darwin Research Center. Take a ride on Santa Cruz to the highlands, where the endangered giant tortoises can be seen (seasonally) grazing on the pastures of local farms. The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest, which provides an outstanding area for bird watching. It is up here where amazing encounters with woodpecker finches have occurred. This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the efforts and results to protect the Galápagos’ giant tortoises. Spend some time in the town of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship. (B,L,D) |
| Day #11 |
Cruising: San Cristobal Island (Disembarkation)–Guayaquil–Lima, Peru. This morning, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where you will have free time before flying to Lima to begin the Peru portion of your vacation. (B) |
| Day #12 |
Lima. 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 remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin and with its eerie burial crypts. (B) |
| Day #13 |
Lima–Cusco. Fly to Cusco high in the Andes. Your guided tour visits the Santo Domingo Monastery, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. In the Plaza de Armas, see the Cathedral before taking a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman with its intricate stone walls, amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. (B) |
| Day #14 |
Cusco. 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 area cuisine at one of the many Cusco restaurants recommended by your Local Host. (B,L) |
| Day #15 |
Cusco–Machu Picchu. Board a train bound for Machu Picchu and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided tour, 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, or hike to the peak of Huayna Picchu. (B,L,D) |
| Day #16 |
Machu Picchu–Cusco. A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco, where your Local Host will recommend options for your free time. Perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B) |
| Day #17 |
Cusco–Lima. Fly to Lima, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day #18 |
Lima–Arequipa. Fly to Arequipa, located in the Chili River Valley and flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “white city,” Arequipa definitely does justice to its nickname, as its buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the area. The stone embellishes the facades of the city’s homes and churches. Upon arrival, a city tour of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the Jesuit Church, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style. Continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you enjoy a magnificent view of Arequipa’s countryside and the Mount Misti volcano. (B) |
| Day #19 |
Colca Canyon. Depart for Colca Valley. Drive across Pampa Cañahuas within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the habitat of vicuñas and a variety of birds. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas. Stop for lunch in the town of Chivay. This afternoon, relax at La Calera hot springs. (B,L,D) |
| Day #20 |
Colca Canyon. Today is free for independent exploration. Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved out by the river as it descended between the mountains (made of largely volcanic materials) over millions of years. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. Observe the spectacular terracing, considered among the most extensive in southern Peru. These terraces, which allow cultivation and meticulously controlled irrigation of the steep slopes of the canyon, were built by Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups between the 9th and 14th centuries. (B) |
| Day #21 |
Colca Canyon–Arequipa. Proceed to Condors’ Cross, an observation point where you have the possibility of observing the flight of the condor in its native habitat. From here, also enjoy the impressive Colca Canyon panorama. Next, visit the towns of Yanque, Maca, Achoma, and Pinchollo. In the afternoon, return to Arequipa. (B,L) |
| Day #22 |
Arequipa–Lima. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. (B) |
| Day #23 |
Lima. Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B) |
Pricing Options:
| Depart US | Land-Only |
|---|
| 01/18/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 01/25/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 02/08/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 02/22/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 03/08/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 03/22/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 03/29/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 04/05/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 05/03/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 05/17/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 06/07/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 07/12/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 08/09/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 09/27/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 10/11/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 10/18/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 10/25/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 11/01/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 11/29/2011 | $5,509.00 | | 01/17/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 01/24/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 02/07/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 02/14/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 02/21/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 02/28/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 03/06/2012 | $5,929.00 | | 03/13/2012 | $5,929.00 |
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©2005 Flamingo Travel Group
All Rights Reserved
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