Day 1
Flight to Quito. Upon arrival, 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 may be the best example of baroque art in South 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 point of the city, “El Panecillo,” for a spectacular view of Quito and a chance 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.
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 we may be able 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 at Plazas in the morning. These two small islets, a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz, have unusual vegetation. This and the location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of the Galapagos are enhanced. Despite its small size, some of the most unusual species of the archipelago occur here. We may be able to observe land iguanas in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs are usually swallow-tailed gulls, 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 is the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow-tailed gulls.
After our visit to Plazas, we will continue on to Santa Fé Island, approximately 11:30 a.m. When we arrive at this island, we have lunch on board the yacht. The small bay on Barrington’s northeast coast is extremely picturesque and has two different trails at this site. One leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where we may find the land iguanas endemic to the island. The other trail also avails us of land iguanas, but it is near the beach. A particular attraction is the unusually tall forest of prickly cactus. End of the visit, return to the yacht. 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. 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 depending on the intensity of the surf. Bahia Gardner, on the northeastern coast of Espańola, 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 have the opportunity to see dolphins and waves. Arrive at Puerto Ayora at 7 p.m.
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 as a post office ever since by mariners and tourists. This site was also 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 ideal for scuba, especially when the current is strong. Note: only competent divers should dive in these conditions.
Day 7
In the morning, we visit to 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
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 9
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 jungle marches 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 enjoy 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 10
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 11
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Upon arrival, 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 12
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to San Pedro Sula in Honduras. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 13
Transfer to the artistic city of Copán. Visit the Copán Ruins Archaeological Park, with its monumental Hieroglyphic Stairway; the Ball Court (the social center of the Mayan city); the Great Plaza, famous for its estelae and altars; and the tunnels. After the visit to the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, lunch will be served at Nia Lola’s Restaurant (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 14
In the morning, visit the Copán Museum in the town. In the afternoon, we will visit the Hacienda San Lucas, with a magnificent view of the valley. We will then enjoy a delightful and unique dinner with typical Copán flavor (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 15
Transfer to Antigua Guatemala, known commonly as La Antigua or just Antigua. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, private tour of the old city. Antigua was the capital city of the Spanish Kingdom in the New World. You will be met at your hotel by your private guide to begin your half-day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of its ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrance fees are included to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park, and La Merced Church. This tour is flexible, and if you have specific sites that you wish to see, please let us know.
Day 16
Half-day tour to Santiago Atitlán
You will be picked up from your hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlán and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, you will walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different “brotherhood” has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon you may see local shamans performing rituals for local people. If you wish, you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman to perform a personal ceremony for you. After visiting Maximon, you will visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the area is famous. Take a ride in a local “flete” (a pickup truck in which the passengers stand in the bed) to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch. After lunch, private transfer to Antigua for overnight.
Day 17
Transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Full-day visit to the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its peak, one can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.
Day 18
Morning of leisure. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 19
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or choose from optional extensions in Guatemala or other Central American countries.
Mexico, Central, South America Combined
Tikal
Machu Picchu
Galapagos
