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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Cruising The Galapagos W/ Peru, Ec Amazon & 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–Coca–Amazon Lodge. Fly to Coca and travel by motorized canoe to your selected Amazon lodge, your home base for the next three nights. (L,D) |
| Day #3 |
Sacha Lodge. During your stay, enjoy excursions with a Naturalist who introduces you to the Amazon. On the suspended rainforest canopy walk your Naturalist points out many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Jungle walks show off the immense biodiversity and medicinal plants that have been used by the native cultures for hundreds of years. Visit the lodge’s butterfly house, one of Ecuador’s largest, and take a night walk or canoe ride with a Local Guide to discover creatures that can rarely be seen during the day! You will also cruise through the flooded forest in search of troops of squirrels, capuchin, and howler monkeys—and maybe even the incredibly well camouflaged 3-toed sloth. After fishing for piranhas, arrive at the Kapok Tree tower, perched 135-feet high. Get close-up views of birds as the sun sets on volcanic Mount Sumaco and the Andes. (B,L,D)Napo Wildlife Center. Your time in the Amazon accompanied by a Local Guide includes early morning excursions to parrot clay licks; dugout canoe rides in search of river otters, potoos, kingfishers, hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys; and walks along the canopy platform to view Spider Monkeys, aracaris, toucans, Blue and Gold Macaws, numerous species of tanagers, and the Red-Rumped Cacique. In your free time, consider a walk through the jungle in search of interesting plants and colorful or well-camouflaged insects. You are also invited to join families of the Anangu indigenous community on their daily activities, such as harvesting bananas, coco, manioc, or preparing chichi. (B,L,D) |
| Day #4 |
Sacha Lodge. During your stay, enjoy excursions with a Naturalist who introduces you to the Amazon. On the suspended rainforest canopy walk your Naturalist points out many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Jungle walks show off the immense biodiversity and medicinal plants that have been used by the native cultures for hundreds of years. Visit the lodge’s butterfly house, one of Ecuador’s largest, and take a night walk or canoe ride with a Local Guide to discover creatures that can rarely be seen during the day! You will also cruise through the flooded forest in search of troops of squirrels, capuchin, and howler monkeys—and maybe even the incredibly well camouflaged 3-toed sloth. After fishing for piranhas, arrive at the Kapok Tree tower, perched 135-feet high. Get close-up views of birds as the sun sets on volcanic Mount Sumaco and the Andes. (B,L,D)Napo Wildlife Center. Your time in the Amazon accompanied by a Local Guide includes early morning excursions to parrot clay licks; dugout canoe rides in search of river otters, potoos, kingfishers, hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys; and walks along the canopy platform to view Spider Monkeys, aracaris, toucans, Blue and Gold Macaws, numerous species of tanagers, and the Red-Rumped Cacique. In your free time, consider a walk through the jungle in search of interesting plants and colorful or well-camouflaged insects. You are also invited to join families of the Anangu indigenous community on their daily activities, such as harvesting bananas, coco, manioc, or preparing chichi. (B,L,D) |
| Day #5 |
Coca–Quito. Depart your Amazon lodge and fly from Coca 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–Santa Cruz (Embarkation)–Cruising. Fly to Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz Island to board the Galápagos Explorer II for your 4-night Galápagos Islands cruise. Cruise to Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) to visit a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by many species of birds. Also watch for the numerous iguanas that nest here. (B,L,D) |
| Day #8 |
Bartolomé & Santiago Islands. Wake up at Bartolomé Island, a volcanic island with black lava fields, a gray-brown cinder cone, and white sand beaches. Walk to the island’s summit to enjoy an impressive view, including Pinnacle Rock. You may also see the Galápagos penguin, the only existing species of penguin in the equator area. Cruise to Santiago Island and Puerto Egas, once a buccaneer supply base. Watch for Galápagos hawks, Darwin’s finches, land and marine iguanas, fur seals, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Swim and snorkel in search of sea life. (B,L,D) |
| Day #9 |
Fernandina & Isabela Islands. On Fernandina, the youngest of the islands, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, and sea lions are abundant. Continue to Isabela, the biggest island, with unique animals including the world’s only surviving population of mangrove finch and giant tortoises that have been isolated long enough to evolve into distinct subspecies. During a boat ride, observe nesting blue-footed boobies as well as pelicans, sea turtles, basalts, sea lions, and land iguanas. Snorkeling offers a great view of marine life. (B,L,D) |
| Day #10 |
North Seymour & Santa Cruz Islands. Today begins on North Seymour, where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out next to the rocks. The interior has a Palo Santo and small Opuntia forest with blue-footed boobies and frigatebird colonies. Next up: Santa Cruz, where vegetation ranges from cactus to rainforest. Visit a reserve with giant tortoises in their natural surroundings, and walk through a naturally formed lava tunnel. (B,L,D) |
| Day #11 |
San Cristobal (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 |
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| 01/02/2011 | $5,419.00 | | 01/16/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 01/30/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 02/13/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 02/27/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 03/06/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 03/27/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 04/03/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 05/08/2011 | $5,419.00 | | 05/29/2011 | $5,419.00 | | 07/03/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 07/31/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 08/07/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 10/02/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 10/16/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 10/23/2011 | $5,439.00 | | 12/04/2011 | $5,419.00 | | 01/01/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 01/15/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 01/29/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 02/05/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 02/12/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 02/26/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 03/11/2012 | $5,859.00 | | 03/25/2012 | $5,859.00 |
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©2005 Flamingo Travel Group
All Rights Reserved
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