Flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

This tour begins today with a visit to Independence Square where the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. One will also visit the Church of La Compania (1605), and enjoy a brief visit to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535), the oldest Ecuadorian church. The collection of artwork here includes paintings, sculpture and furniture dating back to the 16th century. Leaving the churches, travelers will visit the recently restored 24 De Mayo Boulevard, named after the battle which sealed Ecuador´s independence. Also visit La Ronda Street in Old Quito. Lined with colonial houses and inspired by painters, poets, musicians and historians, this visit will give one a taste of traditional Quito. This tour will then continue 30-minutes outside of Quito, towards the Middle of the World to visit the main Monument honoring the correct location of the equator. While here, visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the Equator Monument. One can also visit the Inti Nan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses. ...read less

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the Galapagos cruise.

This afternoon, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island.
Play de las Bachas is located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz. Here, one will be able to see the brightly colored flamingo lagoon, encounter marine iguanas, various sea birds, and sea turtles. This is a good location to swim and snorkel.

This morning, visit Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island . Genovesa is a collapsed volcano that ships are able to sail into through with its large breached caldera and anchor at the foot of the steep crater walls. Genovesa is commonly referred to as ‘bird island’ because it is home to thousands of great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels, and Darwin’s finches.


This afternoon, visit Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa Island.
El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip’s Steps, has a trail through a Palo Santo forest to an open area full of nesting birds that include masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumbed storm petrels nesting in the crevices at the cliff’s edge. Travelers will also be able to see the short-eared owls as they hunt the storm petrels during the daylight hours.
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This morning, visit Plazas Island.
Plaza Sur was originally formed by uplifted lava and the terrain includes an impressive cactus forest. On land, one will see land iguanas, sea lions and several species of tropical birds.

This afternoon, visit Santa Fe Island.
Santa Fe is home to a cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas that are native to the island. Here, one can also see the Galapagos mockingbird, magnificent frigate, brown pelican, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

This morning, visit Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island.
This unusual volcanic formation is located in the northeast of San Cristobal Island. Here, it is likely to see tiny lava lizards scurrying around the rocks as well as all three species of the Galapagos booby; Nazca, masked, and blue or red-footed boobies.

This afternoon, visit Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos
Isla Lobos is a tiny rock island to see a colony of sea lions and a colony of blue-footed boobies.
Kicker Rock is a magnificent rock that jets out 500 feet high from the middle of the ocean and is shaped similar to a sleeping lion. The rock is split with towering vertical walls on either side that forms a narrow channel through which small vessels can investigate. There is no landing site here but the view from the boat will make a lasting impression.
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This morning you will visit El Junco Lagoon, San Cristobal
This site is reached by road and is about a half hour drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The road goes through the small farming settlement of El Progreso. The lake itself is the caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is about 300 meters wide. The name El Junco is Spanish for sedge, which is present along the banks of the lake.

This afternoon, be transferred to the San Cristobal airport for the flight back to Quito and connect with the flight to Lima. Upon arrival, be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
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This morning is at one’s own leisure.

In the afternoon enjoy a private city tour of Lima, 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 Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, a religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. This tour also includes a drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Please note the Cathedral is open daily except on Sundays.

During this tour, travelers will also visit the Museo Larco. Founded in 1926 the Museo Larco chronologically showcases the past 3,000 years of Peruvian history and culture including its pre-Colombian history. The museum is located in a beautiful 18th century vice-royal mansion built atop a 7th century pre-Colombian tomb. After exploring the Museo Larco enjoy a complimentary cocktail and appetizer at the onsite Larco Cafe overlooking the beautiful, surrounding gardens. ...read less

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, be greeted for assistance.

This morning, enjoy a private walking tour of Cusco to visit the Korikancha Temple, or Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. During this private tour today, travelers will have the option to visit the Casa Concha museum or the San Pedro Market.
The Casa Concha museum was recently renovated and houses over 360 archaeological pieces from Machu Picchu, recently returned by Yale University.
San Pedro Market is a lively, local market where visitors will receive a briefing about the local Andean ingredients and have an opportunity to purchase them. This market visit is a great opportunity to interact with the locals either selling or purchasing items from the market.

This afternoon there will be time for lunch before continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress.

This afternoon, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Note: For more adventurous travelers, Yampu suggests an optional sunset horseback riding tour through the Sacsahuaman Ruins. Please ask a Yampu Travel Consultant for more information.
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Early morning transfer to the train station. The train will steam through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, board a bus to Machu Picchu and 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 marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco 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. Enjoy lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, at the entrance of the ruins, before returning to the hotel at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in the town of 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 Yampu may confirm entrance to the ruins. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. ...read less

Today is at leisure. One 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, board the train to return to Cusco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to the hotel.

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact a Yampu travel consultant to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and connect with another flight to San Jose in Costa Rica. Upon arrival in San Jose, be greeted for airport assistance and transferred to the hotel.

Begin discovering Costa Rica's wonders by visiting the Poas Volcano, the biggest geyser crater in the world. Take this scenic drive past coffee and sugar plantations, up to the top of the Poas Volcano National Park. Observe the enormous crater with its deep green lake, and hike into one of its many trails at this national Park. Then visit Sarchi, the artesian town known for its woodwork and oxcart factories. Snack and lunch included. Afternoon return to San Jose.

Today's exciting journey takes travelers up to the majestic Arenal Volcano, the country's most active with its continuous eruptions. This includes a visit to the rejuvenating Tabacon Hot Springs, then another chance to gaze at the volcano by night. Overnight in Arenal. Dinner included.

Discover one of Costa Rica's most important conservation area at Cańo Negro Wildlife Reserve. Cruise down a jungle river, and observe numerous species of birds and wildlife. Overnight in Arenal. Lunch included.

Today, return to the San Jose airport for an international flight home.