Day 1
Flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Full-day colonial Quito tour and the Equator
The tour begins with a visit to Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compańia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars. This is considered the finest example of baroque art in America, and the Moorish influence can also be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red–and-gold columns and ceilings. Afterward, we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). This is the oldest Ecuadorian church, and the main altar inside is also a fine example of baroque carving. Its collection of artwork, including paintings, sculpture and furniture, dates back to the 16th century. Finally, we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, “El Panecillo,” for a spectacular view of Quito and the opportunity to see the Winged Virgin, the only such statue of the Virgin Mary in South America.
After we visit the colonial and modern areas of the city of Quito, a short drive will take us to “La Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World), with its 30-meter-high monument marking the equatorial line and excellent ethnographical museum.
Day 3
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to the Galapagos.
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, transfer to the Canal of Itabaca to board the yacht and go to the Bachas Beaches. These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches, there is a small brackish lagoon, where occasionally you may observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal. (The metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place for swimming.) Return to the yacht before 6 p.m. Start sailing at 3 a.m.
Day 4
Arrive at Plazas in the morning. These two small islets a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz have unusual vegetation. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago can be found here. You can observe land iguanas lounging in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually swallow-tailed gulls, which seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas are the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow-tailed gulls. We can also see yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
After the visit to Plazas, we will continue our trip to Santa Fé Island, departing at approximately 11:30 a.m. When we arrive at this island, we will have lunch on board the yacht. Santa Fe, the small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast, is an extremely picturesque anchorage. There are two different trails at this site. One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find the land iguanas so endemic to the island. The other, near the beach, is a short circular trail where it is possible to see land iguanas early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. A particular attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus. After the visit, return to the yacht and start sailing at 3 a.m.
Day 5
Arrive in Espańola. In the morning, visit Punta Suarez and in the afternoon Bahia Gardner. Return to the yacht and start sailing at 3 a.m.
Punta Suarez is a rocky point of land sustaining one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. A long southern shore with high cliffs rises up from the sea, affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 75 feet into the air. Bahia Gardner, an “outpost” island, is located on the northeastern coast of Hood. It provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions.
Day 6
Arrive in Floreana. Visit Bahia Post Office - Corona del Diablo.
Start to sail early (about 3 p.m.). On the way from Floreana to Santa Cruz, we will get to see dolphins and waves. Arrive at Puerto Ayora around 7 p.m. Post Office Bay is where, legend has it, a wooden barrel was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic crater, is excellent for snorkeling and the exterior is considered one of the prime areas for scuba, especially when the current is strong. Note: only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Day 7
In the morning, we visit the Charles Darwin Station. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Guayaquil, and connect with the flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon of leisure to acclimatize.
Day 9
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco, visit the Korikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun. Visits to the Cathedral and its Art Museum and the artisans’ quarter of San Blas. After your visits, you’ll continue to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. Return to your hotel.
Note: Because of the altitude in Cuzco, we recommend that this tour be done privately at your own pace, at an additional cost of $28 per person, based on two people.
Day 10
Cusco - Wayllabamba
Between 4 and 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel in our own private bus. We will then drive to Piskacuchu (2,700 meters altitude), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cuszo-Machu Picchu railroad. Starting at this point, we will cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River as it flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we will arrive in Miskay (2,800 meters), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta (2,750 meters). We will continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach our first campsite in the Wayllabamba village (3,000 meters). All along the way, we will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5,832 meters. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. Total distance: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours. Maximum altitude point: 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). Campsite altitude: 3,000 meters (9,840 ft).
Day 11
Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo
We will wake up around 6 am, and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for nine kilometers. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuańusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude. We will also cross an area of the so-called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear. We advise that on this day specially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves to keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass, we will descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3,600 meters), where we will camp after approximately six hours of hiking. Total distance: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles). Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours. Maximum altitude point: 4,200 meters (13,776 feet) Campsite altitude: 3,500 meters (11,480 feet).
Day 12
Pacaymayo - Wińaywayna
This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due to the number of archeological sites that we will visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo, we will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3,970 meters). Halfway up, we will visit the archeological complex of the same name. This site consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we will descend toward Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3,624 meters). This is a beautiful complex of semicircular construction, with enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,700 meters). Along this climb, we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas’ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means “town over the clouds.” From above, you can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the descending stone steps along which we will continue to Wińaywayna (2,700 meters). At this campsite, we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge. Wińaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Total distance: 16 kilometers (10 miles). Estimated walking time: 8 hours. Maximum altitude point: 3,900 meters (12,792 feet). Campsite altitude: 2,650 meters (8,692 feet).
Day 13
Wińaywayna - Machu Picchu
On this fourth and last day, we will get up at 4 a.m. to leave Wińaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku (the Sun Gate). We will hike along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will see the sun rise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, we will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later we will enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians.” We will then descend to the control point where we will register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We will immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain, where you can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths. Overnight at a hotel in Machu Picchu. Total distance: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). Estimated walking time: 2 hours. Maximum altitude point: 2,700 meters (8,829 feet). Campsite altitude: 2,400 meters (7,872 feet).
Day 14
Day of leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Tickets are available for purchase only in the town of Aguas Calientes. Please ask your travel consultant if you would like these to be included for you.
Day 15
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Lima—always one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martín and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Day 16
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.
The Galapagos Islands
Sacsayhuaman
Iguana
