Enchanting Ecuador & Peru

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

Notice: Effective February 2018, Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have approved a new law requiring all travelers entering Ecuador to present proof of medical and emergency travel insurance. Visitors who do not have a medical and emergency travel insurance coverage during their stay in Ecuador may be denied entry.

Day 1: Depart USA/Arrive Quito

2 nights NH Collection Quito Royal, Quito.

• Depart the USA on your flight bound for Quito, Ecuador (9,500 feet above sea level)
• Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel

Day 2: Quito

Breakfast & dinner.

• Panoramic city tour of Quito
• Visit the Equatorial Monument
• Welcome dinner at a local restaurant

Full Day Itinerary: Today, enjoy a panoramic tour of Quito, arguably one of the loveliest South American cities. Visit the Government Palace and the Monastery of San Francisco, Quito's oldest church and largest colonial building constructed in Latin America. Later, stop at the Equatorial Monument, the Mitad del Mundo ("Middle of the World"), commemorating the exact place where Charles Marie de la Condamine established the Equator, where you can stand with one foot in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Quito & Ecuadorian Amazon

2 nights Casa del Suizo, Punta Ahuano. Breakfast & dinner.

• Drive to the Ecuadorian Amazon
• Stop en route at Guango Lodge, a hummingbird paradise
• Continue to Punta Ahuano for a canoe ride on the Napo River to the lodge
• Welcome cocktail and dinner

Full Day Itinerary: The Amazonian segment of your tour begins after breakfast today as you set out along a scenic stretch of road overlooking lush green valleys. En route, you'll visit the Guango Lodge, a hummingbird paradise where it is not uncommon to see 10 different species within an hour. You’ll also make a stop at an indigenous market in Archidona.

Arrive this afternoon at Punta Ahuano, a tiny port town on the north bank of the Napo River, where piraguas (canoes) await you for a short ride downstream to your lodge. After check-in, sip a refreshing welcome cocktail.

Day 4: Ecuadorian Amazon

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

• Enjoy a full day of activities at the Amazon lodge

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy a full day exploring the wonders of the Napo River Amazon region. After a short walk through the jungle, your guide will present you with the itinerary for the day. Some of the activities available include a visit to a Quechua family, nature hikes and river rafting or tubing along the Napo River. The activities for the day will be determined at the discretion of the tour guide to best fit your group’s abilities and interests. Time permitting, other independent activities may be available at additional cost.

Day 5: Ecuadorian Amazon & Papallacta Hot Springs

1 night Termas de Papallacta. Breakfast & dinner.

• Return to Punta Ahuano by canoe and continue to Papallacta
• Enjoy a relaxing bath in the thermal hot springs

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, set out on canoes again to return to Punta Ahuano. Continue by coach along the scenic Andes Mountain range to Papallacta, a small town tucked away in a high Andean valley (11,000 feet above sea level). Enjoy a relaxing stay at a spa-resort, located around thermal hot springs.

Day 6: Tren de la Libertad (Liberty Train): Ibarra to Salinas

2 nights Hacienda Piman, Ibarra. Breakfast & dinner.

• Travel to Ibarra to board the Liberty Train
• Enjoy the train ride to Salinas
• In Salinas discover Afro-Ecuadorian culture
• Return to Ibarra for dinner and overnight

Full Day Itinerary: Set out early this morning toward Ibarra, the “White City” to board the Tren de la Libertad (Liberty Train), which will take you through seven tunnels dug with pick and shovel and over tall bridges across steep canyons, on a unique journey to Salinas, where you will be received to the tune of la “bomba”. In Salinas you’ll discover colorful murals commemorating the history and culture of Afro-Ecuadorian people. Visit its museums and shops and enjoy the local cuisine in a trip full of memorable experiences. Return to Ibarra for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Ibarra & El Angel Ecological Reserve

Breakfast & dinner.

• Panoramic tour of Ibarra, the “White City”
• Visit El Angel Ecological Reserve
• Return to Ibarra for dinner and overnight

Full Day Itinerary: At 7,000 ft above sea level, Ibarra is a clean, freshly painted colonial city, capital of the province, is also known as the “White City”. It has a population of approximately 110,000 and enjoys one of the best climates of the Sierra. Today visit El Angel Ecological Reserve. Located in the canton of Espejo, the reserve is home to a variety of plant and animal species. Forests of Frailejones, a type of thick stalk sunflower, make some areas appear as an alien landscape. Be on the lookout here for condors and hummingbirds. Return to Ibarra for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Otavalo & Quito

1 night Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel. Breakfast.

• Explore the famous market at Otavalo
• Return to Quito Airport for overnight

Full Day Itinerary: Today you'll experience Otavalo, whose beauty lies in its people, the Otavaleño Indians, and their market, undoubtedly one of the best in all of Latin America. The market takes place in Otavalo’s main plaza, but don't hesitate to wander into the side streets, where the goods on display diversify and the prices are lower. Enjoy the cacophony of sounds as Andean pipe music mixes with Spanish and native Quechua voices, complemented by an explosion of color from the many fabric, fruit and other stalls.

Time permitting, explore Lake Cuicocha and another nearby village, Peguche, known for its traditional weavings. Return to Quito for overnight.

Day 9: Quito, Ecuador/Lima, Peru

2 nights Marriott Courtyard Miraflores, Lima. Breakfast.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, Peru
• Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel

Full Day Itinerary: Today, bid adiós to Ecuador as you transfer to the airport for your flight bound for Lima, Peru's diverse capital city, "City of the Kings." Upon arrival, after customs formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 10: Lima

Breakfast.

• After breakfast visit the Larco Herrera Museum
• Enjoy some free time for lunch
• In the after Lunch embark on a panoramic tour of Lima

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, your exploration begins with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, boasting one of the greatest private collections of pre-Columbian artifacts. Its permanent exhibition includes a variety of colorful textiles, ceramics and jewelry, but perhaps its most interesting collection consists of ancient erotic artifacts. Next, enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on a panoramic tour of Lima, driving by the Monastery of San Francisco, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Lima, the ornate Archbishop’s Palace and other buildings. You will also visit the fashionable districts of San Isidro and Miraflores with their beautiful parks and elegant residences overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Note: For the Mar 23, 2016 departure, the Cathedral of Lima will be closed due to Easter.

Day 11: Sacred Valley

1 night Casa Andina Private Collection, Sacred Valley. Breakfast & dinner.

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco
• Explore Pisac Market and shop for unique crafts
• Continue to Ollantaytambo and tour the fortress and ruins

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire (11,000 feet above sea level). Upon arrival, travel to nearby Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a wonderful market. Here you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in their traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce.

Continue to Ollantaytambo (10,000 feet above sea level), located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. The temple area is at the top of a series of steep terraces which helped provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. Afterwards, check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Machu Picchu

1 night El Mapi Hotel, Machu Picchu. Breakfast.

• Transfer to Ollanta station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
• Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu

Full Day Itinerary: It's a short drive from your hotel to the Ollanta railroad station where you'll board the Vistadome train that will take you through the lush Urubamba Valley, passing through stunning scenery en route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, one of the most spectacular and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world. (8,000 feet above sea level).

Unknown to the outside world until archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu is now the most recognizable symbol of the Incan Empire. Believed to have served as a country retreat town for Inca nobility, the complex consists of giant walls, terraces, and ramps constructed from precisely cut rock formations. This impressive architectural feat, in combination with its breathtaking natural setting amid mist-covered green mountains above the rushing Urubamba River, makes for a visually stunning, and even mystical, experience. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Day 13: Machu Picchu & Cusco

2 nights Novotel Cusco. Breakfast.

• Morning at leisure or optional second visit to Machu Picchu
• Return to Ollanta station by Vistadome train then transfer to Cusco by bus

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore the quaint town of Aguas Calientes, revisit the citadel at Machu Picchu or trek to the top of Huayna Picchu on an optional excursion. This afternoon, journey back to Ollanta station by Vistadome train, then continue to Cusco by motor coach. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for overnight.

Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu, $85 or $95. Early this morning, there will be an opportunity to independently visit Machu Picchu for a second time, and for the more adventurous, to test their limits with a climb to Huayna Picchu, the sharp peak which towers above the citadel. Entrance to Machu Picchu: $85 per person. Entrance to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu: $95 per person. Price includes reserved ticket and roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Please contact us to reserve this option in advance as availability is limited.

Day 14: Cusco

Breakfast.

• Morning city tour of Cusco
• Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress & Puka Pukara
• Afternoon at leisure or join the Tipon & Oropesa optional excursion

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cusco. You'll see the Plaza de Armas, center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco. Here, you'll visit Cusco's beautiful 16th century cathedral. Then, just a few blocks away, you will discover the ruins of the Koricancha, an important temple built to honor Inti, the Incan sun god. When the conquistadors first arrived in Cusco, the temple was covered in sheets of solid-gold and adorned with golden statues, but within months of their arrival, the temple was stripped and the gold plundered as treasure for Spain.

Next, continue to the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an emblematic Inca construction built in the 15th century. The size of the fortress and its massive stones are remarkable, and the manner in which they were transported, cut, and laid is still a mystery. Next, travel to Puka Pukara, also known as the "red fortress", which is thought to have been a military stronghold. It has many rooms, courtyards, bathrooms, aqueducts, and towers to explore. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure or take advantage of an optional excursion to Tipon & Oropesa.

Optional Excursion: Tipon & Andahuaylillas, $69. This afternoon’s optional excursion begins with a scenic drive to Tipon, an impressive complex located 15 miles outside of Cusco. Tipon is an ancient marvel of engineering consisting of twelve agricultural terraces and an advanced irrigation system that is still used by the local population to this day. Next, continue to Andahuaylillas and visit the Church of San Pedro Apostol, considered the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” because of its ornate gold-leaf altar and beautiful artwork adorning its ceiling and walls.

Day 15: Cusco & Lima

Breakfast.

• Day at leisure or join the Chinchero & Maras or Moray excursion
• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy the day at leisure in this beautiful town in the high Andes Mountains. You may stroll through the main square, or wander through the many charming side streets. Alternatively, take advantage of an optional excursion to Chinchero and Maras or Moray. This evening, bid adiós to Peru as you transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight via Lima.

Optional Excursion: Chinchero & Maras or Moray, $89. This morning’s optional excursion begins with a visit to the ancient village of Chinchero and its beautiful colonial church built upon the original foundations of Tupac Yupanqui Palace. Explore Chinchero’s artisan weaver’s complex, and discover the traditional techniques of weaving, dyeing and spinning. Next, depending on your departure date, you will visit Maras or Moray. During the dry season (May through late-November) visit the salt works of Maras, consisting of about 3000 small pools, constructed on a mountain side. The ancient Inca would irrigated these pools with brackish spring water and allow them to evaporate to produce salt for the empire. During the rainy season (late-November through April), visit the archaeological site of Moray consisting of enormous terraces in concentric rings which allowed ancient farmers to create diverse microclimates and harvest a variety of crops.

Day 16: Depart Lima/Arrive USA

• Return flights depart Lima shortly after midnight
• Arrive in the USA later this morning

The high altitudes reached on this trip (up to 11,000 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, requires that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your ability to handle these conditions.

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Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Ecuador? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Peru? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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