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 one of the finest examples 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. Afterwards, we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535), the oldest Ecuadorian church. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculpture and furniture dating back to the 16th century. Finally, we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, El Panecillo, where we will have a spectacular view of Quito and the opportunity to see the only statue of the Virgin Mary with wings in South America.
After visiting the colonial and modern areas of Quito, a 30-minute 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. Afternoon, transfer to your hotel.
Day 3
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 is possible to 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 United States 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 to Plazas in the morning. These two small islets are a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the islands create an landscape ideal for hosting the fauna and flora of Galapagos. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. You are sure to see land iguanas in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually swallow-tailed gulls and various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. Also we can 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, leaving approximately 11:30 a.m. When we arrive at this island, we have lunch on board the yacht. Santa Fe, a 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 trail is near the beach and 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. We start sailing at 3 a.m.
Day 5
Arrive in Espańola. In the morning, we visit Punta Suarez and in the afternoon Bahia Gardner. Return to the yacht; 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. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise 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 on the northeastern coast of Hood, provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and observing sea lions.
Day 6
Arrive in Floreana. Visit Bahia Post Office - Corona del Diablo
Start to sail early (about 3 p.m.) because on the way from Floreana to Santa Cruz, we will have the opportunity to see dolphins and waves. Arrive at Puerto Ayora at 7 p.m. Legend has it that Post Office Bay is where 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. Apart from being the Post Office, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists.
Devil’s Crown is an islet consisting of an eroded volcanic crater. The interior is excellent for snorkeling and the exterior is a prime area for scuba, especially when the current is strong. Note: only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Day 7
In the morning, 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
City tour of Lima
Lima has been one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. We will visit famous landmarks such as the San Francisco Monastery and its unique cloisters, the Plaza de Armas with the Government Palace and the Cathedral, and the Court of the Inquisition.
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 and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. After your visits, you will 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. After the tour, 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
Morning transfer to the train station. Train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungles of the Inca empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stoneworks of the Cuzco imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack, and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening we will partake of a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Aguas Calientes.
Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Day 11
Day at 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, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.
Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).
Day 12
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Santiago. Reception at the Santiago airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 13
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon city tour of Santiago. We will pick you up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our tour at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. We will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huerfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. We will then visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings such as the City Hall and the Post Office, both dating from colonial times. Next we head to Santa Lucia Hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. From here you can see the Parque Forestal (park) on one side and the Mapocho River on the other. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. Return to your hotel.
Day 14
Full day of touring around Santiago. On this day you may choose from one of the following excursions (see descriptions below): Vina del Mar and Valparaiso; Valle Nevado; Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum; Cousińo Macul and Concha y Toro wineries.
Day 15
Transfer to the airport and take flight to Puerto Montt. En route to Puerto Varas, we will have a tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. Puerto Montt is the capital of the region. We will visit the town, Pelluco beach area and Chinquihue on the Tenglo Canal before ending the visit in Angelmó with time to explore this pretty fishing port and craft center famous for its woolens and woodwork.
We will then visit the town of Puerto Varas, founded by German immigrants in 1854. Continue on to Philippi Hill, where there are many native trees and also a beautiful view over the town and the lake. Head down to the lakeshore and enjoy the view of the tranquil waters with Osorno Volcano in the background. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 16
Lake Crossing to Bariloche
The tour begins by bus from Puerto Varas, taking the road via Ensenada. On arrival at Petrohue, board the catamaran which takes you across All Saints Lake (also known as Esmeralda Lake) until you reach the tiny village of Peulla. Time to eat lunch (included). The journey continues by vehicle to Puerto Frías in Argentina where a boat takes you to Puerto Alegre. Travel by bus to Puerto Blest. Continue on Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Pańuelo and the last stage of the journey; from here to Bariloche is done by vehicle.
Day 17
Morning, free to enjoy Bariloche and its fabulous views of the Andes across the blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Surrounding Bariloche are evergreen forests, snow-capped peaks, deep blue or transparent green lakes, spring flowers and alpine architecture. Afternoon, flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 18
City tour of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with the features of a Latin American capital. On this tour, you will acquire an appreciation of its characteristics, its history, its architecture, its culture and its best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, and stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta. Tour is done on group basis and may involve wait times picking up other
passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done
privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $ 42 per person,
based on two people ($ 84 based on one person).
At night, you will attend an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This is the perfect way to leave Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Return to the hotel.
Day 19
Fiesta Gaucha
Full-day excursion to an estancia for a typical barbeque lunch and a folklore/gaucho show. Here we will learn about the customs of the Argentinean gaucho, and his abilities on horseback that will leave you breathless. The meat will be cooked a lo gaucho outdoors on the barbeque. Lunch and drinks included. Afternoon, return to Buenos Aires. Operates every day except Tuesday.
Day 20
Iguazu Falls
Early morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Iguazu Falls. Reception at Puerto Iguazu airport and tour the Argentina side of the falls. Transfer to visitor center inside Iguazu National Park. To get from the visitor center to the beginning of Upper Path, Lower Path and Devil’s Throat, you will aboard a little train, which runs from the visitor center to the paths and between them. You may also walk from the visitor center to upper and lower paths, but cannot walk to Devil’s Throat because it is located more than four kilometers from the visitor center.
Great Adventure: This tour combines a jungle trip with a boat trip to the falls. Trip starts in the jungle of the National Park in 4 by 4 trucks without roof for best visibility of the trees and to take good photos. Then we take a zodiac boat to the lower Iguazu River upstream to discover the falls little by little with a panoramic view of the Iguazu Falls. Be prepared to get wet under the falls! Afternoon return to your hotel.
Note: this boat tour involves some light trekking and climbing of steep stairs. You need to be in reasonably good shape since it can become somewhat strenuous. Please ask your travel consultant about this.
Day 21
Morning guided tour of the Brazil side of the waterfalls. These natural falls are the largest in the Americas, surrounded by an amazing wildlife preserve in the middle of the jungle. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 22
Full Day Sugar Loaf, Corcovado Mountain and Tijuca Rain Forest
Drive along Rio’s famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station, where you will be taken to Urca Mountain (midway station) with its gardens and lookout points. The second part of the ride will take you to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level. Continue to the Cosme Velho train station, where a cogwheel train will climb up through the Tijuca Rainforest and bring you to the steps of the Christ Statue. At 2,300 feet above sea level, it affords a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, nine-mile Rio-Niterói Bridge, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch included.
Note: This is a group tour and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $170 per person, based on two people ($425 based on one person).
Day 23
Day of leisure in Rio de Janeiro, then Rio by night! We will pick you up at your hotel for a wonderful samba show with dinner at one of Rio’s liveliest restaurants. The samba show includes “mulatas” and “batuqueiros,” showing you Brazilian rhythms, folklore and fancy Carnival costumes. Dinner and round-trip transfers included.
Note: Transfers are done via bus and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We can offer private transfers at an additional cost of $ 76 per person, based on two people ($154 based on one
person).
Day 24
Evening transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.
South America Combined Country
Iguana
Machu Picchu
Buenos Aires
