Iguanas and Incas

This trip includes 7 nights cruising around the Galapagos islands on board the Sagitta, a 16 passenger first class sailing yacht. You can of course select any other yacht and even cruise length, and we will send you the revised itinerary and prices by email.

Day 1: Arrive Quito
Upon arrival in Quito transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2: Quito
Breakfast. Around 9am you will be picked up for a tour of Colonial Quito and the Middle of the World (5hrs approx.).

Day 3: Quito - Otavalo
Breakfast. Full day tour to Otavalo Market, drive 2 hours from Quito through attractive scenery to the biggest and most varied of all the Indian markets in the Ecuadorian Andes, followed by lunch at a hacienda.

Day 4: Quito - Galapagos - Baltra - North Seymour Islands.
Departure from Quito via Guayaquil. Arrival at Baltra airport and transfer by our guide to the yacht. Snack and orientation while traveling to nearby North Seymour Island. Approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours shore visit to observe sea lions, blue footed-boobies, magnificent frigate birds and, if time permits, snorkeling.

Day 5: Galapagos - Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora: Charles Darwin Research Station and walk through town (souvenir shopping if desired) 3 hours. Darwin Station/Highlands: After touring the Station, journey into the highlands. A point of interest is the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit.

Day 6: Galapagos - Española Island
Punta Suarez: Large colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatrosses, swallow-tailed gulls, 3-4 hours. Gardner Bay (Hood Island). Snorkeling at beach and panga ride 21/2 hours.

Day 7: Galapagos - Floreana Island
Punta Cormorant (Floreana) Visit of a lagoon, where we find flamingoes and other birds, beautiful white sand beach where sea turtles nest, snorkeling at Devils crown. 3 hours. Post Office Bay (Floreana). Short visit to the historic Post Office Barrel. Early departure to the island Isabela looking for whales and dolphins while we travel.

Day 8: Galapagos - Isabela Island
Punta Moreno, 3 hours walk, lava fields, flamingo lagoons, some cormorants and penguins. Bahia Elizabeth, Panga ride, penguins, cormorants, sea turtles, quiet mangrove lagoons. 3 hours.

Day 9: Galapagos - Fernandina Island
Urbina Bay: Relatively long walk to see land iguanas and marine iguanas, variety of native and endemic plants, remains of raised seabed exposing corral heads and other marine fossils. Nesting cormorants and sometimes a few Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat. 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Punta Espinosa, Large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants nesting, penguins, baby sea lions, snorkeling. 2 hours.

Day 10: Galapagos - Santiago - Bartolome Islands
Puerto Egas (Santiago). Coastal walk exploring the great variety of tidal marine life, Galápagos fur seals. Swimming and snorkeling - 3 hours.
Bartholomew: Walk to get panoramic view of Bartholomew and it´s famous Pinnacle Rock. Swimming and snorkeling. Possibility to see more penguins. 3 hours

Day 11: Galapagos - Guayaquil - Lima
Black Turtle Cove, we will take you into a tidal lagoon to see three kinds of mangrove plants, red, white and black. White-tipped sharks, spotted rays, mustard rays and Pacific marine turtles frequent the waters here. Return to Baltra in time for flight to mainland Ecuador. Arrival in Guayaquil and board the flight to Lima where there will be a transfer from the Lima airport to the hotel.

Day 12: Lima - Cusco
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to selected hotel. Explore the most magical city, capital of the Inca empire (15th century) on a tour including Plaza Regocijo, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Monastery - the legendary Korikancha Temple - and the old town with its very narrow streets. Drive out of the city to visit the archaeological Inca remains of Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking Cusco.

Day 13: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Drive to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the world´s most famous corn, combine with an exceptional climate to visit Ollantaytambo, the Inca fortress, which guarded the entry of this part of the valley and protected it from possible invasion from the lower jungles. The fortress consists of a series of superimposed terraces of carved stones accessed by long staircases. An opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the nearby town, the design and foundations of the majority of its buildings date from the Inca era, when it was a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center. Lunch at a nearby inn. Visit Pisac, a lively and colorful Indian market where locals sell or exchange their products, as the ancestors did hundreds years ago. Breakfast & lunch.

Day 14: Machu Picchu
Transfer to Ollanta´s train station to board the Orient Express rail coach for a three hours train ride to Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. Then make the 25-minute motor coach ascent to "The Lost City of the Incas." This citadel is considered one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. It straddles a mountain ridge surrounded by lush tropical forest. The guided tour of this fascinating place is an awe-inspiring experience. Visit the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. Breakfast & lunch.

Day 15: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Breakfast. Morning at leisure (no guide included this day). Early rise is recommended to admire Machu Picchu at sunrise, a truly mystical experience. For hiking enthusiasts, going up the Huayna Picchu peak overlooking the site is suggested. Afternoon rail coach transportation to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Day 16: Cusco - Fly out from Lima
Breakfast. Transfer to Cusco airport, assistance on departure flight.