DAY 1 … – QUITO |
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Arrival in Quito and transfer to the hotel.
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DAY 2 QUITO (B) |
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The sightseeing tour takes you to visit the historic old town, declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, because of its wealth of Spanish, Flemish, Moorish and Pre-Columbian architecture. Visit the Congress building with its intricate stonework facade, the monastery of San Agustin, the church of San Francisco as well as the Independence Square, which is surrounded by the Government Palace and the cathedral. Continue on to Panecillo Hill topped with a statue of Quito’s ‘Winged Virgin’ visible from almost anywhere in the city. You are welcomed by spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the city below before culminating your tour with a visit to the Equatorial monument – (La Mitad del Mundo) an irresistible opportunity to straddle both hemispheres.
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DAY 3 QUITO - OTAVALO – QUITO (B,L) |
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Depart for a 2-hour drive north to the verdant slopes and lakes of the volcanic highlands, to the famous Otavalo. This is one of the most famous Indian Markets in the Americas. The market is held every day but acquires special relevance on Saturdays when hundreds of artisans from the surrounding communities congregate in the Plaza de los Ponchos to display their textile works, produced using techniques that date back to colonial times. Here you will have the chance to purchase all sorts of beautifully handmade items fashioned and sold by the local inhabitants. After lunch in a typical hacienda we return to Quito where you will overnight in preparation for tomorrow’s adventure: The Galapagos Islands.
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DAY 4 QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B,L,D) |
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Flight to Galapagos. Arrival at Galapagos, itinerary according to the selected cruise.
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DAY 5 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B,L,D) |
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Itinerary according the selected cruise (see details below).
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DAY 6 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (B,L,D) |
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Itinerary according the selected cruise (see details below).
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DAY 7 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – GUAYAQUIL (B,L,D) |
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Flight to Guayaquil. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
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DAY 8 GUAYAQUIL – LIMA (B) |
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Flight to Lima. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
At proper time transfer to the airport to board your flight.
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DAY 9 LIMA – CUSCO (B) |
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Flight to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Our comprehensive afternoon tour includes the major sites of interest in Cusco. The tour starts with Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop fortress that overlooks the city of Cusco. The largest stones used in its construction are nearly 8.5 m (28 ft) high and weigh 360 tons, fitting so perfectly together that a single piece of paper would not fit between two stones. Then we are driven to Kenko, the temple dedicated to Mother Earth. Before we head back to Cusco we stop at Puka Pukara (the red fortress) and Tambomachay (the resting place of the Inca). Once in the city we visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, a fine example of the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Just within walking distance we will enter the cathedral with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century 'Cusco Painting School'.
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DAY 10 CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (B,L) |
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This morning we drive to the Pisaq market in the Sacred Valley. Originally a place where people from remote communities used to barter their products, Pisaq has evolved to one of South America’s most famous souvenir markets. Make sure to sample some ‘empanadas’ baked in traditional clay ovens. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Ollantaytambo Fortress where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
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DAY 11 SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU (B,D) |
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Transfer to Ollanta train station (approx. 20 min drive from your hotel in the Sacred Valley). Our 1½ hour train journey takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the legendary ancient citadel in Machu Picchu. On arrival a small coach take us up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel.
Machu Picchu remained for centuries undiscovered by the Spaniards, only to be found in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location and the genius that went into its construction make this Inca archaeological site truly one of the great wonders of the world. Afterwards you will return to Aguas Calientes town to spend the night.
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DAY 12 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B) |
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Morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will head back by train to Ollanta station to be transferred by coach to Cusco.
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DAY 13 CUSCO – LIMA – ... (B) |
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Flight to Lima. Arrival and pick up from the airport. Your afternoon sightseeing tour explores the modern districts of Lima and its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. As you wander the main plaza and Plaza San Martin it is hard not to wonder about its diverse architecture. Your guide will introduce you to the city’s architectural heritage. We then proceed to Santo Domingo Monastery boasting fine carved choir stalls, the oldest of Lima. It was here that San Marcos University, the first in South America, was founded in 1551. Your tour ends in the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
At proper time you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight.
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