Incas, Islands, Rio & Buenos Aires

Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Lima airport. 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. Accommodation.

Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Breakfast. Drive to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the worlds 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. Lunch. Accommodation.

Day 4: Machu Picchu - Ollantaitambo
Breakfast. Transfer to Ollantas 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. Lunch. Accommodation.

Day 5: 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. Accommodation.

Day 6: Cusco - Lima - Quito
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Cusco airport to board your flight to Lima, assistance on departure flight. Arrival in Quito and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation

Day 7: Quito - Galapagos (Coral cruise)
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Galapagos. Departure from Quito (via Guayaquil) to Baltra airport in Galapagos (aprox. 2 and a half hours flight). You are greeted by guides at the airport and transferred to the Itabaca canal, cross to the Island of Santa Cruz and travel to Puerto Ayora.

Santa Cruz Island (Dragon Hill)
During this excursion visitors head for Dragon Hill. After a wet landing, passengers walk to a hypersalinic lagoon behind the beach. Observers report a high number of Pink Flamingos. The trail then leads up to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay,. This area is a nesting site for a big number of reintroduced Land Iguanas, again thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is also a bizarre Scalesia tree forest.

Day 8: Galapagos - Rábida Island / Jervis
Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands . Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangrovesan be found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwins finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs with an excellent snorkeling opportunity.

Santiago Island (Egas Port)
Visit the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas during a wet landing. Most of the landscape are tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is prime for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron.

Day 9: Galapagos - Fernandina Island (Espinosa Point)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the largest colony of Marine Iguanas mingling with Sally-light Foot Crabs. They also will enjoy the Flightless Cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Sea lions. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note Brachycereus Cactus, "pa-hoe-hoe" lava, and other unusual lava formations. Travelers will see recent lava flows from a safe distance. Also numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.

Isabela Island (Point Vicente Roca)
Another possible excursion is at Point Vicente Roca, on Isabela Island . There are no landings for this excursion. Only open for dinghy sightseeing, snorkeling, and scuba. Travelers will enjoy high cliffs with tuff stone, ash, and other lava formations. Caves and plenty of nesting sites for Brown Noddies and Blue Footed Boobies. Up close encounters with the occasional Dolphin, followed by Sea Cocktail of the day at the Sun Deck. Briefing by guides on next days activities.

Day 10: Galapagos - Bartolomé Island
Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the ascent travelers will often see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti all add to the experience. Visitors also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galapagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.

Santa Cruz Island (Black Turtle Cove)
Arrive at Black Turtle Cove located near Las Bachas beach in the north of Santa Cruz Island . This excursion provides passengers with a "panga" ride though the mangrove, during which the outboard motor of the small boat is turned off. This allows the close observation of Sea Turtles, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Yellow Rays.

Day 11: Galapagos - Quito
Disembark at the docks (Isle of Baltra), passengers board a bus that drives them to Quito. Accommodation.

Day 12: Quito - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Breakfast. Transfer to Quito International in time to meet your flight to Rio. Upon arrival in Rio, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel. Accommodation.

Day 13: Rio (city tour, Sugar Loaf)
Breakfast. After breakfast, a half day tour of the city and Sugar Loaf. With Corcovado Mountai, Sugar Loaf is one of Rio’s most emblematic landmarks. Two cable cars rise 396m above Rio, the first to the top of Urca Hill with its great view of Guanabara Bay and the winding coastline. The second cable car goes up to the peak. Rio lies at our feet, and we are offered visual proof that the city deserves its nickname ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (Marvellous City). The afternoon is free. Accommodation.

Day 14: Rio (Corcovado mountain, Tijuca Forest)
Breakfast. After breakfast, a half day tour by jeep of Corcovado & Tijuca Forest. Corcovado, topped by the 32m statue of Christ the Redeemer, is the most famous image of Rio and the views are simply stunning. Corcovado is in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the world´s largest urban forest. The jeep takes you through this, stopping for a walk in a forest trail up to Cascatinha Fall. The afternoon is free. Accommodation.

Day 15: Rio (Petropolis)
Breakfast. A day trip to imperial Petrópolis. When Rio became too muggy in summer, the imperial family escaped to this charming mountain retreat, 53 kilometers (33 miles) to the north. Petrópolis is inextricably linked with Brazil’s great historic figure, Dom Pedro II. The son of Austrian empress Leopoldina and Brazil’s first emperor, Dom Pedro II reigned for 50 years from 1840, abolishing slavery and forging a nation. The neo-classical Imperial Palace is a perfectly-preserved summer palace. Not to be missed are the imperial scepter and the 1.7kg crown with 639 diamonds and 77 pearls. We then visit the Gothic-style Cathedral. The buildings, parks and squares of historic interest reveal the city’s undeniable European face. Lunch (not included) at a local restaurant before returning to Rio. Accommodation.

Day 16: Rio - Iguazu (Brazilian falls)
Breakfast. Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. After check in, a walking tour of the famous Brazilian falls and a safari boat trip along the Iguassu River to see the mighty waterfalls from below. The national park of Iguassu is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first encounter with the largest rain forest of Southern Brazil is at the Visitor Center. The Brazilian side offers a superb panoramic view of the immense waterfall and one of the best views of the most spectacular section of the falls. The impact of 13,000 cubic meters of water per second on basalt rock produces an impressive rainbow-spanned cloud of spray. A catwalk, reached by a winding foot trail and an elevator, provides more intimate views.

Next stop, the national parks Macuco Trail. A jeep is the best way to explore the rain forest with its 2,000 species of subtropical plants in different layers from the forest floor to high tree canopies. After 3km we start walking with eyes and ears open for animals and birds. A hiking trail leads to the Macuco Falls, one of the most picturesque places in the national park. At the banks of the Iguassu River, we take a specially-adapted boat and head towards the Iguassu Canyon for close-up hypnotizing views of the waterfalls crashing down from the cliffs high above. Accommodation.

Day 17: Iguazu (Argentine falls)
Breakfast. The Argentine falls are noted for close-up views of the individual falls and the forest. After breakfast we leave the hotel and cross the frontier at the Tancredo Neves Bridge. On the Argentine side a scenic highway leads up to the Argentine Iguazu Park. The park covers an area of 55,000 hectares; its fauna includes jaguars, tapirs, brown capuchin monkeys, along with a huge variety of birds and butterflies. We have ample time to visit the upper Argentine Falls and the San Martin Falls. Accommodation.

Day 18: Iguazu - Buenos Aires (city tour)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfered to your hotel. In the afternoon, city tour visiting the most interesting places in Buenos Aires city: Plaza de Mayo Square, the Government House, the Cabildo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mayo Avenue, the Congress Palace, the Colón Theatre, La Boca neighbourhood, Palermo, the Planetarium and La Recoleta with its famous cemetery. Accommodation.

Day 19: Buenos Aires (day at leisure)
Breakfast. Day at leisure for optional tours. We recommend the Fiesta Gaucha on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays. Enjoy a  full day excursion dedicated to the visit of an estancia, a typical Argentine ranch, ideal place to appreciate the Argentine gaucho skills in cattle breeding and horseback riding. We will also enjoy the typical Argentine barbecue, the “asado": beef ribs placed on an iron grid and grilled  on wood embers. In the evening consider a tango show. Accommodation.

Day 20: Fly out from Buenos Aires
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for departure. Or consider further travel in Argentina now that you are already in the country!