In South America, there is so much to see and do that it’s hard to resist combining one country without another. For Galapagos visitors, consider adding a few extra days before your cruise to the iconic Machu Picchu. It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine Inca culture and archaeology in Peru with some of the world’s rarest wildlife on a remote archipelago off the coast of Ecuador.

Another great option is to explore the Amazon rainforest, perhaps starting in Peru on a small luxury cruise and ending with a few days at an upscale eco-lodge in Ecuador. During your stay, you’ll catch glimpses of hundreds of species of colorful tropical birds from parrots and macaws to hummingbirds found in the region, as well as giant river otters, tapirs, small primates and if you are very, very lucky, the elusive jaguar. 

For visitors heading to Patagonia, you can combine Chile and Argentina as you cross borders from one famous national park to another. These massive protected reserves are famous for their jagged mountain peaks, endless deserts, pampas and grasslands. Boutique lodges and estancias offer a dizzying variety of activities from horseback riding, hiking, off-road jeep adventures, opportunities to participate in farm activities, even trekking on glaciers.

MACHU PICCHU AND THE GALAPAGOS – 14 DAYS

• DAY 1:
  Arrive Lima in late evening, private transfer to hotel
  Hotel: Wyndham Costa Del Sol
• DAY 2:
  Transfer to airport, fly to Cusco, private transfer to Sacred Valley with stop at Awanacancha weaving center and lunch en route
  Hotel: Sol y Luna – B, L, D.
• DAY 3:
  Private guided tour of Pisaq Market and ruins, Ollantaytambo and ruins with lunch at Huacatay.
  Hotel: Sol y Luna – B, L.
• DAY 4:
  Private guided tour of salt ponds of Maras and mysterious Moray archaeological sites.
  Hotel: Sol y Luna – B, Picnic L.
• DAY 5:
  Private transfer to train station, private guided tour of Machu Picchu with lunch at legendary Sanctuary Lodge.
  Hotel: Inkaterrra Pueblo – B, L, D.
• DAY 6:
  On your own (no guide) but entrance fee to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu hiking permit, shuttle to Aguas Caliente train station included. Self-transfer to train station, first-class train to Cusco, private transfer to hotel.
  Hotel: El Mercado – B.
• DAY 7:
  Private full day guided / walking tour of Cusco and nearby ruins.
  Hotel: El Mercado – B.
• DAY 8:
  Private transfer to airport, fly to Lima, connect with flight to Guayaquil, transfer to hotel.
  Hotel: El Mercado – B.
• DAY 9:
  Full day private city tour including colonial park and historical sites.
  Hotel: Wyndham Guayaquil – B, L, D.
• DAY 10:
  Private transfer to airport for 90-minute morning flight to Galapagos. Transfer to ship provided by ship crew. Begin 5-day cruise.
  B, L, D.
• DAYS 11 – 13:
  Exploring the Galapagos.
  B, L, D.
• DAY 14:
  Galapagos cruise ends. Ship staff provides transfer to airport for flight to Guayaquil. Arrival early afternoon. Private transfer to hotel for dayroom until late night departure to USA.
  Hotel: Wyndham Guayaquil – B.

LAND COST FROM:

• $4575 per person sharing plus Galapagos cruise costs (starting from $2215 per person for 5-day cruises)

DEPARTURES: Daily
* International and domestic airfare available upon request.

THE AMAZON FROM PERU TO ECUADOR – 12 DAYS

• DAY 1:
  Arrive Lima in late evening, private transfer to hotel.
  Hotel: Hotel B
• DAY 2:
  Private half-day Lima city tour with museum, evening private foodie tour with dinner.
  Hotel: B – B, D.
• DAY 3:
  Private transfer to airport for flight to Amazon. Transfer provided by eco-lodge from airport to lodge by boat (25 mins) to start 5-day stay.
  Hotel: Hacienda Concepcion Inkaterra – B, L, D.
• DAY 4:
  Exploring the Amazon.
  Hotel: Hacienda Concepcion Inkaterra – B, L, D.
• DAY 5:
  Return to airport for flight to Lima, connecting with flight to Quito, Ecuador.
  Hotel: Patio Andaluz – B, L.
• DAY 6:
  Full day private Quito city tour with visit to Equator; lunch at hacienda.
  Hotel: Patio Andaluz – B, L.
• DAY 7:
  Full day private tour of Otavalo / Andean highlands with lunch at hacienda. Overnight at airport hotel.
  Hotel: Wyndhan Gran Condor – B, L.
• DAY 8:
  Transfer to airport for flight to Coca. Fly to Amazon and transfer provided to eco lodge of choice (La Selva or Napo Wildlife Center) for 5-day stay.
  Hotel: Amazon Ecolodge of Choice – B, L, D.
• DAYS 9 – 11:
  Exploring the Amazon.
  Hotel: Amazon Ecolodge of Choice – B, L, D.
• DAY 12:
  Return to Coca, fly to Quito. Hotel dayroom provided until transfer for late night departure to USA.
  Hotel: Wyndham Gran Condor(dayroom) – B.

LAND AND LOCAL AIR COST FROM:

• $5215 per person sharing

DEPARTURES: Daily

Classic National Parks and Estancias of Patagonia – 10 Days

• DAY 1:
  Arrive Buenos Aires early in the day. Private afternoon city tour of South America’s most vibrant city.
• DAY 2:
  Transfer to airport for flight to El Calafate. Private transfer to El Chalten (4 hr drive) arriving late in the afternoon.
  B.
• DAY 3:
  On own to explore easy self-guided hikes and treks. * Private guide upon request.
  B.
• DAY 4:
  Morning on own to hike or trek. Return by shuttle bus to Calafate arriving late in the afternoon.
  B.
• DAY 5:
  Private exploration of El Perito Moreno Glacier by catamaran and on trails.
  B.
• DAY 6:
  Ferry across Lake Argentino to Estancia Cristina, an isolated working ranch and eco-lodge. 4×4 adventure overlooking Upsala Gracier and nearby lakes, the Patagonian ice field and the Andean range.
  B, L.
• DAY 7:
  Cross Chilean border in shared transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, arriving late afternoon. During the drive, you’ll take in stunning mountains and Andean lakes.
  B, Boxed L.
• DAY 8:
  Full day at Mercedes Farm to enjoy gaucho and Patagonian lifestyles. Horseback riding among fjords and mountains included.
  B, L.
• DAY 9:
  Transfer to Punta Arenas airport for flight to Santiago. Back to civilization! Arrival in afternoon. Private transfer to hotel.
  B.
• DAY 10:
  Morning at leisure. Private afternoon city tour with dinner. Return to airport for
  B, D.

LAND COST FROM:

• $4199 per person sharing

DEPARTURES: Daily
* International and domestic airfare available upon request.

Valid 01 Oct 2017 – 15 Dec 2018