THURSDAY
APRIL 16

ARRIVAL IN QUITO

Upon arrival today at Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport (9200 feet elevation) you'll be met and transferred to our hotel.

Overnight at the beautiful Casa Aliso.

FRIDAY
APRIL 17

QUITO - OTAVALO (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, join us for a short orientation by the tour leader and then a city tour of colonial Quito (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) including the San Francisco Plaza area.

Lunch will be on your own in the old town.

In mid-afternoon we will drive north, crossing the equator, to the famous village of Otavalo where we check in to a lovely hacienda.

Dinner and overnight at the Hacienda Pinsaqui.

SATURDAY
APRIL 18

OTAVALO (B,D)

Breakfast at the hacienda.

Today is the big market day in Otavalo. First we will head to the animal market since this only operates in the morning. Afterwards we'll spend time in and around the many streets which surround Poncho Square, all of which are full of venders selling goods for both tourists and locals.

After lunch we visit the Laguna de Cuicocha, an eroded volcanic lake with a scenic walk around the rim. This is near the leather village of Cotocachi, so we can do a bit more  shopping (or just looking) if we wish. We’ll arrive back at our comfortable hacienda in time to relax before happy hour and dinner.

Overnight Hacienda Pinsaqui.

SUNDAY
APRIL 19

OTAVALO AREA (B,D)

Breakfast at the hacienda.

There are numerous villages in the area within a short drive of the hacienda, each specializing in a different kind of local handicraft. Today we will visit Peguche, famous for its wool weaving and tapestries and possibly a local wood carving village as well. If there is time we can visit the home of a Andean flute maker.
Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui.

MONDAY

APRIL 20

OTAVALO - QUITO (B,L)

Breakfast at the hacienda.

Return to Quito via the equator visiting one of the monuments or museums en route. Lunch at El Crator – a wonderful restaurant sitting on the edge of an extinct volcano crater.
Dinner will be on your own at one of the local restaurants in Quito.

Overnight at Casa Aliso

TUESDAY
APRIL 21

QUITO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we visit the Teleferico, a cable car which takes you from Quito's altitude of 2950 meters up to a level of 4050 meters, high above the city. Once we catch our breath, the view is wonderful and for adventurous guests there are walks at the top or optional horse trekking to explore even further up.

This afternoon is free for exploring on your own, visiting local museums or repacking for the Galapagos tomorrow.

Overnight at Casa Aliso.

WEDNESDAY
APRIL 22

QUITO TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport to check-in for our flight to the Galapagos, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival we transfer to our private yacht, the M/V Daphne and begin our eight-day, seven-night stay on board. All meals and activities are included during the week.

A stay in the Galapagos Islands is truly a unique and precious experience. You'll have ample opportunity to experience the islands' diverse plant and animal life close-up, both on land and underwater, if you wish. Galapagos offers some of the best snorkeling on earth. At night, the skies of the Southern Hemisphere will amaze you!  

We'll see blue and red-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, finches, warblers, frigate birds, flamingo, albatross, Nazca boobies, fur seals and sea lions, marine iguana, Sally Lightfoot crabs, giant tortoises and hundreds of other species. No need for a telephoto lens since the animals will come to you and have absolutely no fear of man. Our own naturalist guide is available at all times to enhance our experience.  

Our planned itinerary will include visits to San Cristobal, Playa Bachas, Plaza, Santa Fe, Espanola (Hood), Floreana, Devil's Crown, Post Office Bay, Santa Cruz including the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Highlands, Rabida, Bartholome, Tower and Seymour North.

Each morning we'll awaken at a different island and will have several opportunities for wildlife visits throughout the day.  

Get ready for a spectacular week! 

After lunch we will make a short stop to visit Playa Bachas 

(Please note that all itineraries in the Galapagos may be subject to changes en-route due to possible circumstances beyond our control such as government direction, weather, harbour congestion and so on.)

THURSDAY
APRIL 23

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visits to Plaza and Santa Fe Islands

FRIDAY
APRIL 24

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visits to Espanola (Hood) Island, including Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay

SATURDAY
APRIL 25

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visits to Floreana, including Post Office Bay and Punta Cormorant as well as snorkeling at the Devil’s Crown.

SUNDAY
APRIL 26

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visit the main island of Santa Cruz and travel to the Highlands as well as the Charles Darwin Research Station.

MONDAY
APRIL 27

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visit to Genovesa (Tower) Island.

TUESDAY
APRIL 28

ON BOARD IN THE GALAPAGOS (B,L,D)

Visits to Rabida and Bartolome.

WEDNESDAY
APRIL 29

GALAPAGOS TO QUITO (B,D)

We will have a short visit to North Seymour before reluctantly disembarking our yacht and transferring to Baltra Island airport for our return flight to Quito.  You will have the afternoon to catch up on e-mail and perhaps laundry.

Dinner at one of our favourite restaurants.

Overnight at Casa Aliso.

For those choosing the "Peru only" option, you will be met at the Lima airport this evening and transferred to your hotel near the airport. (Dinner will be served on the aircraft).

THURSDAY
APRIL 30

QUITO TO LIMA TO CUZCO  (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Those doing the "Ecuador only" trip will transfer to the airport in time for their flight home.
(if you would like to discuss possible activities to extend your stay in Ecuador, please call us).

For those continuing on to Peru, we have an early morning flight to Lima, then an ongoing flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire (and UNESCO site) at 10,857 feet above sea level.  We will arrive mid-afternoon and we highly recommend that you rest for the remainder of the afternoon and help your body adjust to the altitude. The hotel has coca tea available at any time to help with the adjustment.

For those choosing the "Peru only" option, you will meet the group in the Lima airport this morning for the flight to Cuzco.

Happy hour and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at the Novotel Hotel

FRIDAY
MAY 1

CUZCO (B)

After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour of the city including, Qorikancha and the Plaza de Armas.  The afternoon is free to enjoy the Cathedral or one of the museums if you wish.

Overnight at the Novotel Hotel

SATURDAY
MAY 2

CUZCO (B)

Morning tour of some of the Inca shrines in the hills above the city, such as Tambo Machay, Kenko and Sacsayhuaman.

Afternoon free to explore more of the city such as the artisans’ district of San Blas.

Overnight at the Novotel Hotel

SUNDAY
MAY 3

CUZCO TO OLLANTAYTAMBO (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we’ll visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First stop will be in the village of Chinchero where we’ll view a weaving demonstration by a women’s co-operative.  We will have a chance to visit the village and the church before having a typical Peruvian lunch in a local home. We carry on to the town of Ollantaytambo and visit the local Inca ruins.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Pakaritampu.

MONDAY
MAY 4

OLLANTAYTAMBO TO MACHU PICCHU (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will catch the Vistadome train and arrive in the busy tourist town of Machu Picchu (formerly Aguas Calientes) in mid-morning.  We will proceed directly to the buses for the final 30 minute ride to the ridge high above the Vilcanota River and our first view of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu (and a UNESCO site).

Following our guided tour we will enjoy a buffet lunch in the Sanctuary Lodge. There will be time to explore the site on your own if you wish or return to the hotel and relax.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu.

TUESDAY
MAY 5

MACHU PICCHU (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Our hotel sits on twelve acres of beautiful cloud forest.  Today will be free to take one of the nature tours on the property offered by the hotel, such as the orchid trail, nature trail or bird watching excursions. 

You may also wish to return to the Machu Picchu site to explore some of the paths leading to the Inca bridge, to climb Huayna Picchu, to walk along the Inca trail to the Gate of the Sun or just to find a quiet spot to sit and contemplate the beauty of the site.

Dinner and overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu.

WEDNESDAY
MAY 6

MACHU PICCHU TO CUZCO (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We catch the morning train back to Ollantaytambo. From here we proceed to Pisac to visit the ruins and explore the market. Free for lunch.

We’ll then return to Cuzco by bus.

Dinner at a local restaurant - Tunupa.

Overnight at the Novotel Hotel

THURSDAY
MAY 7

CUZCO TO LIMA TO HOME (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Following our morning flight back to Lima, we’ll take time for a tour of some notable points of interest in the city then enjoy dinner at La Rosa Nautica, a beautiful restaurant at the end of the pier with the floodlit ocean below us.

In the evening we return to the airport for our flight home.