DAY 1: WELCOME TO LIMA
Upon arrival in Lima, one of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport and take you on a private transportation to the Westin Lima Hotel. You will have the entire day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lima and its surroundings.
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DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR & LARCO MUSEUM
The first stop on our Lima city tour is Huaca Pucllana, a huge archeological site in Miraflores, one of Lima's most popular districts. Huaca Pucllana was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture, which developed along this part of the Peruvian coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. This sacred place was built from 7 staggered platforms surrounded by a plaza and large walls. It's a very impressive site, and certainly not what you expect to find in lively Miraflores! After exploring Huaca Pucllana with your bilingual guide, we'll drive to the historic center, all of which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We'll go to the beautiful Plaza de Armas, Lima's main square, which is surrounded by impressive colonial and Republican-era buildings, many of which have wooden-ornate balconies. Next, we'll walk one block to the Convent of Santo Domingo. Founded in the 1530s and completed in 1766, it is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru. Its large bell tower is a landmark in the historic center. We'll then head to the private Larco Museum, which is one of the best museums in the country. Here, you can see a wide range go pre-Colombian art and artefacts, including ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and more. However, the museum is most famous for its incredible, and quite X-rated, gallery of pre-Colombian erotic pottery.
At the end of the tour, we will return to your hotel.
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DAY 3: INTO THE SACRED VALLEY IN CUSCO
A representative of Valencia Travel Cusco will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport so you can catch your flight to Cusco.
After your arrival in Cusco, your cultural excursion in the Sacred Valley will begin. We will drive through spectacular Andean landscapes, yellow wheat fields, picturesque traditional villages and snow-capped mountains for 1h15, we will arrive in Moray, the magnificent Inca agricultural laboratory. In Moray, your guide will show you around the amphitheater-like terraced structures. These terraces, carved in a circular series to create a bowl shape, are believed to have been used as a testing ground for various crops, in order to find the most optimal growing conditions. This incredible sight gives a real insight into the genius of the Inca Empire.
After exploring Moray, we will head to Maras, only 3 km (2 miles) away. Here, we'll see the amazing salt evaporation ponds that were used by the Incas and quite possibly by pre-Inca civilizations. More than 3,000 salt pools are carved into the mountainside in order to catch the highly salty water emerging from a spring in the mountain. The water, once in the ponds, evaporates and only leaves the salt behind. The salt is then collected via a communal process and is most famously used to make salt de Maras, the famous pink table salt. Looking down on those salt ponds, it seems like they are covered in snow or ice!
Finally, it is time to have lunch and to drop you off at your hotel, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel, where you will enjoy the comfort of a deluxe room.
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DAY 4: PISAC & OLLANTAYTAMBO
We'll pick you up at your hotel and drive to Pisac. There, we will visit the colourful traditional market where you can browse the array of local artisan work and other souvenirs. We'll spend about 30 minutes here and then head to the ruins of Pisac, which sit atop a hill at the entrance of the valley.
At Pisac Archeological site, we'll explore the extensive ruins through a guided tour and enjoy the beautiful views across the valley. You'll pass through various structures that once served as homes, storage rooms and temples. You'll also see Inca altars, carvings, tunnels, caves and the famous Intihuatana, the hitching post of the sun. We plan on spending about 90 minutes at the ruins but if you'd prefer having more time at the market, you can arrange it with your guide.
Afterwards, we'll drive to Urubamba, where we'll have a delicious lunch. We will then reach the wonderful Inca town and archeological site of Ollantaytambo. This city was the royal estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region and built the town and a ceremonial center. We'll spend about 1 hour exploring these magnificent ruins, visiting the amazing Temple of the Sun and admiring massive blocks of rock that were perfectly carved and polished by master Inca stonemasons. Ollantaytambo is also a fine example of Inca agricultural construction and hydro-engineering, as the complex series of stone water fountains, channels and agricultural terraces (arranged so to create different microclimates for crop experimentation) prove it.
We will finally return to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel.
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DAY 5: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU
Our tour begins in Ollantaytambo, where we'll pick you up and head to the train station to catch the 11:30 train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. The 2-hour journey is a memorable experience in itself as we pass through river canyons and rolling hills. Aguas Calientes is the getaway to Machu Picchu, sitting in a deep gorge at the foot of the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is located.
After the train ride, you will settle in your superior room at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. We recommend that you rest as you will have to wake up early the next morning.
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DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
To best appreciate Machu Picchu, we have to get there early. After breakfast, the guide will pick you up around 5:40 and we'll walk to the bus departure point. The short but zigzagging bus ride will take us up to the Machu Picchu. Once passed the gates of the archeological site, we'll begin our guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. This 2-hour tour will take us to all the most spectacular parts of the extensive complex: the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Plaza, among others. As we walk around, we'll have spectacular views across the agricultural terraces and the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges.
When the tour ends, we'll hop on the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will be able to relax and have lunch. Then, we'll take the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco and drive you to your hotel Casa Andina - a Luxury Collection Hotel (or similar). Once in your classic room, you'll have time to reflect on the extraordinary experience you just lived!
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DAY 7: OPEN DAY
Feel free to explore the magnificent city of Cusco and dip in the culture or relax! You will spend the night in a beautiful classic room in Palacio del Inca, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
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DAY 8: CUSCO AIRPORT
After breakfast, we will go from the hotel to Cusco Airport for your flight to Quito.
Upon arrival in Quito, one of our representatives will be waiting for you and take you to Hotel Colonial Mama Cuchara, in the old town.
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DAY 9: QUITO CITY TOUR
We begin our day with a visit of one of the most beautiful parts of Quito - the Historic Old Town, located in the centre of the capital city. The name itself resonates with wonder and romances. Designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, Quito is regarded as the most beautiful and stylish city in the Andes. The Panecillo (the Little Bread Loaf) rises over the southern edge of the old town. This hill is dominated by a magnificent 30-m (100-ft) high crowned statue of the Virgen of Quito. A long flight of stairs leads to the summit where you can see Quito spreading out like a blanket of pearl-white miniature houses enclosed by green hills.
In the afternoon, our guide will take you to the Equator Line! Take your picture at the Mitad del Mundo as you stand simultaneously in the Southern and the Northern hemispheres. Learn about the rich culture of Ecuador with a visit to the Equator Museum. During our stop at Museum Intiyan, you can see for yourself the uniqueness of this midpoint: watch the water swirl down the drain clockwise and counter-clockwise or defy gravity by balancing an egg on the tip of a nail! After this entertaining afternoon, we will take you back to Hotel Dann Carlton (or similar).
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DAY 10: OTAVALO INDIGENOUS TOWN
Today, you get to explore the largest indigenous handicrafts market in Latin America! Experience the colourful and lively indigenous handicrafts of Otavalo market, known internationally for its intricate weavings, beautiful jewellery and handmade crafts. The local indigenous people, also called Otavalos, still wear their traditional attire. Don't hesitate to approach these worldly people who are always eager to have a chat and are open to bargain!
Afterwards, we will head to Laguna Cuicocha, a volcanic crater lake at the foot of Volcano Cotacachi. Enjoy the panoramic views in the beautiful nature! Our final stop will be in the town of Cayambe, where you will taste the famous and delicious bizcochos - biscuits cooked over an open fire and eaten with cheese and dulce de leche. On our way, you can admire the amazing landscapes, especially the view of Lago San Pablo.
You can finally relax and enjoy the comfort of your room at Hotel Hacienda Pinsaqui.
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DAY 11: WELCOME TO THE MIGHTY COTOPAXI
Today is a big day as you'll be hiking he highest active volcano on Earth! Cotopaxi's symmetric cone emerges from a vast plain that is home to llamas, condors and herds of wild horses. This adventure includes hiking, mountain-biking and scenic drives through the national park's majestic landscape. We'll also share information about the diverse fauna, flora and history of the park.
If you decide to challenge yourself on the other-worldly climb to the refuge, here's what you should know: the altitude of the refuge is 4,600 m (15,092 ft) and the maximum altitude is 5,897 m (19,347 ft). the hike up to the refuge is about 45-minute long and you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate once you make it there!
Tonight, we'll sleep at Hotel Hacienda San Agustin del Callo.
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DAY 12: WELCOME TO THE GALAPAGOS
Today, we will fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport of baler, we'll meet with our English-speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela, which takes approximately 3 hours. We will check in at La Laguna Hotel (no wifi available). After a brief rest, we will head to the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and one of the main reproductive sites for the great majority of flamingos.
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DAY 13: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO - CONCHA PERLA
Early in the morning, after a delicious breakfast, we'll take an excursion to the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 21 km (13 miles) away from Port Villamil and has the second-largest volcanic crater in the world, measuring about 9.7 km (6 miles) in diameter and 90 m (295 ft) deep. to arrive at this incredible sight, we will take a bus for 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park, where we will register our visit. We will then be allowed to hike.
Afterwards, we will proceed to Chico Volcano, where you can feel the warmth of the ground as proof of the volcanic activity. Here, we'll stop for a box lunch before returning to the hotel.
After a brief rest, we'll have the chance to go snorkeling or swimming at Concha Perla, where we can observe colourful fish, sea urchins, starfish, sea lions, sea turtles, and more. We'll then go back to La Laguna Hotel.
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DAY 14: TORTOISES BREEDING CENTER - TINTORERAS
After breakfast, we will go to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where we'll see giant tortoises in different stages of life and learn about the process that the center is going through to raise those animals on the island. Additionally, we'll visit a small lava tunnel and another Flamingo Lagoon before returning to the hotel to have lunch.
In the afternoon, we'll sail to Isolate Tintoreras. This islet got its name due to a crevice with very clear water and calm water where white-tipped sharks (known as Tintoreras) come daily to rest at the bottom. We can also observe penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas while we enjoy the beaches of Isabela. We'll return to La Laguna Hotel for the night.
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DAY 15: PUERTO AYORA - CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
we will take the public speedboat to Puerto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting for us in order to check in at the hotel and eat breakfast. Afterwards, we will enjoy a wonderful visit of the giant turtles in their natural habitat. After lunch in the Highlands, we'll return to Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we'll have the opportunity to remember the story of the famous Lonesome George. We'll spend the night at Hotel Fiesta.
You may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment (optional).
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DAY 16: TWIN CRATERS - BALTRA
After breakfast, we'll head towards Baltra Airport. On the way, we'll stop by The Twins (Los Gemelos), which are similar to craters but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it. the tour will end upon arriving at the airport, where we'll depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
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*The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Trekking & outdoors adventures
