Galapagos, Amazon & Inca Adventure

This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall and transferred by boat and bus to the M.Y. San Jose in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Once our luggage has been stored on board we commence our exploration of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. If you didn't take your lunch on the flight you can eat in one of the many excellent restaurants in town. In the afternoon we visit the Darwin station to observe the tortoise research and breeding program. It is here in the station that we have the opportunity to get up close to some Galapagos giant tortoises. In the late afternoon we board the Endeavour and set sail for San Cristobal.

The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. There is a good interpretation centre here that is well worth a visit. The centre focuses primarily on the history and geography of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present-day ecosystem. We pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies.

Today we cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population.

Our destination is the island of Floreana, where we go ashore at Punta Cormorant. Here, the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach its olive-green colour and it is the best place to we see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also our best opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th Century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos!

Today we take an early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. In the smaller corners of the cove we paddle a dinghy for a wonderfully peaceful journey through this beautiful and unique area. This is often an excellent place to see green turtle, golden ray and Galapagos shark. There is also abundant birdlife, such as yellow warbler and lava heron. It is not uncommon to see turtles mating. This morning some of your fellow cruise passengers will be leaving whilst others will fly in to join the cruise. Once the new passengers are onboard, our cruise will depart for Las Bachas. The white sandy beaches on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island are nesting sites for the Pacific green turtle, whilst marine iguanas are also common. The rocks provide a great snorkelling experience and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island.

The volcanic rocks of Rabida are covered with Palo Santo trees, Opuntia cacti and low, scrubby bushes. Sea lions abound on the red sand beach and nearby is a flamingo lagoon. There are also several species of Darwin finches to be seen. The shoreline of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island is an ancient lava flow and the beach is a breeding ground for large numbers of marine iguanas. The rocky beach provides a home to many shore birds including the American oystercatcher and ruddy turnstone. Sugarloaf Mountain serves as a magical backdrop to the area and a natural bridge leads to the inlets, where endemic fur seals are found on the rough lava shores.

Bartolome is a relatively new island in the chain and traces of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere, as evident by the amazing lunar-like landscape. The Pinnacle Rock is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos. Here we can hike to the top of a once-active volcano and enjoy superb views across to Sullivan Bay, on nearby Santiago Island. Later in the day we go to the bay, which will be of great interest to those keen on geology. We see much evidence of a violent volcanic past with pahoehoe lava, ropy lava and gigantic lava tubes seen everywhere.

Today we visit Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast we have the opportunity to visit the station but not before checking out of our cabins, as we are leaving the boat today. As this is our last morning on the boat, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip will be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$15 per day for the crew and US$7-10 per day for your guide. Envelopes will be placed in your cabin on your last day on the boat for this purpose. After exploring the Darwin station and observing the tortoise research and breeding programs, you are transferred from Puerto Ayora across Santa Cruz and back to Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito. Lunch is normally provided on the flight. Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel.

You have today free in Quito and it is always fascinating to wander around the cobbled streets of the Old City, which is full of impressive colonial architecture and character. The Monastery of San Francisco is a fine example of Spanish Baroque architecture and its initial construction dates to 1534, which was the year the city was founded. You can also arrange an excursion to visit the Equator line at Mitad del Mundo or visit the colourful market town of Otavalo, famous for its beautiful Andean handicrafts.

Today you are transferred to the airport where you catch your flight from Quito to Lima, capital of Peru. Be aware the booking of this flight is your own responsibility. On arrival at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport you are transferred to our hotel in the well-known coastal suburb of Miraflores.

Today you have a free day in Lima. Lima has some of the most superb cuisine in South America and is especially renowned for its exceptional seafood. During your time here, you may wish to try ceviche, Peru’s national dish, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice and often served with hot peppers. This culinary delight is a must for all seafood lovers!

We make a very early start and fly to Iquitos in the heart of the Amazon. Our flight usually departs before dawn and takes about two hours. Upon arrival we enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the colonial parts of Iquitos. The economic heyday of of this city was from the late 1800s until the early 1900s, when its surrounding region was the world's foremost source of raw rubber. Vast fortunes were amassed during the rubber boom and evidence of this can still be seen in the assortment of charming historic buildings. Many of the mansions are adorned with elaborate Portuguese and Italian ceramic tiles. Iquitos is situated on the banks of the Amazon River and can only be reached by aircraft or riverboat. In the afternoon we board a motorised boat to our jungle lodge. On the way we visit Belén floating village, a major provisions centre for those living in this area of the Amazon Basin. Situated in the richly diverse Amazon Rainforest, our jungle lodge is a great base for exploring the area. During our stay we visit the Yagua native community, one of the oldest tribes in the region, as well as the natural reserve along the Yanayacu River. Our local guide leads us on a walk through this reserve, where we may come across some of the vast range of flora and fauna. If we are lucky we may see, on the river, some pink Amazonian dolphins and of course the infamous piranhas.

This morning we have the opportunity to take another jungle hike or we can decide to just relax in the lodge, before travelling on the river back to Iquitos. We have some free time to explore the town on our own, before taking the flight back to Lima airport. Upon arrival in Lima, you will will be transferred back to the hotel where, in the evening, you will join up with your new group.

Today we continue our exploration of the Peruvian capital with a half-day city tour. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, it was from Lima that all Spanish territories in South America were governed. Few cities at that time could rival Lima’s power, wealth and opulence. However its glory days ended in 1746 when the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake. Many of the colonial buildings were rebuilt and we get a first-hand look at several of them on our tour. The striking Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), flanked by some of the most important buildings in town such as the cathedral, the huge Government Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace, constitutes the heart of the city. We visit the cathedral and the nearby San Francisco Monastery, with its catacombs containing some 70,000 human remains. We also visit the impressive National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and History of Peru, which is home to a wonderful collection of cultural exhibits tracing the history, arts and accomplishments of the people of Peru, ranging from the original inhabitants of the land through to the Inca Empire and the Spanish conquerors. The afternoon is free to do your own exploration of Lima. You may wish to wander around Miraflores or perhaps catch a taxi to visit the Gold Museum or the Larco Museum, which is renowned for its ancient pottery collection. Please remember that you must agree on a fare with the driver before catching a taxi, as the taxis here do not have meters. (Miraflores-Downtown approximately 10-15 soles)

Today we fly to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, where we take an afternoon walking tour to explore this fascinating city. Please remember to walk slowly and take it reasonably easy upon arrival, as you will no doubt feel the effects of altitude as we have travelled from sea level up to 3350 metres. Cusco is a favourite destination of many visitors to Peru. Its main sites radiate outwards from the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the 17th century Baroque cathedral. It was in this very plaza that the Spanish conquistadors put to death the last Inca king, Tupac Amaru I. As we wander the streets and side alleys of the city we witness the perfect tapering Inca stonework that provided the foundations for many of Cusco’s colonial and modern buildings. Our comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city’s main sights includes the cathedral and Koricancha Temple. We then take to the surrounding hills and visit the impressive ceremonial ruins of Sacsayhuaman, where massive stone blocks that form the walls of this site give us an awesome picture of how highly developed Inca engineering was. In our free time, it is also possible to visit the Inca Museum, Religious Art Museum, Church of San Blas and Santa Catalina Museum. The Sacred Valley, located between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, was greatly treasured because of its climate, fertile land and the presence of the Urubamba (Sacred) River. On our full day tour of the Sacred Valley, we will see evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River, imposing sets of terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth). At the Sacred Valley we visit the Awana Kancha tourist centre where we see llama, alpaca, vicuna and guanaco all in the one place, the ruins at Qenko, the colourful market town of Pisac and the towering Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo. Built on a steep mountainside this grand citadel served as both a temple and fortress. A walk up to the top is rewarded by fine views over the village and out further into the valley.

This morning we enjoy a visit to the Peru's Challenge Community Project at Pumamarca, located in a beautiful valley just 10 kilometres from the centre of Cusco. The Peru's Challenge Program works to create opportunities for children living in the Andes region. The program was started by Australian, Jane Gavel and Selvy Ugaz from Peru. Since October 2003, Peru’s Challenge has helped nearly 1000 families and started to educate over 500 children in numerous communities. We are a sponsor of the Peru’s Challenge program at Pumamarca, providing support through the 'Small Loans for Community Development’ scheme and through the Peregrine Community Trust. The visit offers a rare look at the challenges faced by many small farming communities around Peru. It is both educational and inspirational. During our visit we wander through the fields and watch the locals tend their crops, whilst in the village we visit the local school and also see the women working in the handicraft centre. If you wish to make a donation to the Peru’s Challenge program, the Peregrine Community Trust is the easiest and most convenient way to do so. Details on our Trust can be found at http://www.peregrineadventures.com/community-trust. Afterwards, a short stroll through the fields takes us to the rarely-visited Pumamarca ruins. More than 500 years ago King Pachacutec ruled the Incas from the centre of his massive empire in Cusco. Here, surrounded by beautiful Inca terraces and fields where the locals grow their produce, we find the Pumamarca Hacienda, which at that time, was a palace built for his royal wife. Wandering through the ruins we can find great examples of classic Inca architecture best exemplified by careful stonework of exact proportions, providing evidence that the Incas were expert engineers. The gardens contain water channels and fountains with aqueducts and communication tunnels, which connect the palace to the town of Cusco. Peruvian archaeologists believe that this is the oldest Inca palace in existence, hence one of the reasons why the Institute of National Culture has plans to slowly reconstruct the structure as well as restore the gardens to their original glory. We return to Cusco in the early afternoon.

We board an early morning train to the town of Aguas Calientes and take a bus up the steep, zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Built around 1450 the city was deserted less than a century later following the Spanish invasion and ‘lost’ for hundreds of years before it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The architecture of Machu Picchu is quite extraordinary, with the mortar-free design particularly earthquake resistant and the stones so precisely cut that to this day not even a knife fits between them. We tour the site with our guide and then have some free time to explore by ourselves, before taking the bus down to the small town of Aguas Calientes where we spend the evening. There are some small shops and restaurants in the town where we can while the time away. Alternatively you may choose to relax in the hot thermal baths located on the edge of town. In the late afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

We travel by bus today to the town of Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3810 metres. This scheduled tourist service takes us on good roads initially through some spectacular mountain scenery and we stop at several sites along the way, including Inca adobe ruins. Lunch is included on a stop in the small town of Sicuani. Along the way we also make a short roadside stop at La Raya, which at 4335 metres is the highest point on our journey. We also drive through the large sprawling town of Juliaca on our way to Puno, which is a colourful and lively place renowned for its traditional street dancing, often performed in celebration of Catholic festive days in February each year. An important agricultural centre, Puno is reasonably compact and centred around the pedestrian part of Calle Lima, which is full of restaurants and bars. The town is a launching pad for excursions out on Lake Titicaca whilst on the surrounding plateaus, grazing alpacas and llamas are familiar sights.

This morning we leave our hotel by local trishaw and head for the lake and board our boat. One of our first stops is on one of the floating reed islands of the Uros people, who still live as they have done so for centuries. The islanders use totora reeds for many things, from building their homes and boats to producing hand-woven mats. We then make our way across the lake back to Puno and continue by road to Sillustani, where located on a small peninsula are well-preserved burial towers called ‘chullpas’. Constructed by the Colla people in pre-Incan times, these ‘chullpas’ often have lizards carved into their stone exterior; lizards are considered a symbol of life because of their ability to regrow their tails. The complex engineering feat involved in the construction of these conical towers, which stand up to a height of 12 metres, continues to amaze archaeologists even today. We return to our hotel in Puno in the late afternoon.

Peru and Bolivia both share the waters of Lake Titicaca, and today we follow the shores of the lake to the Bolivian border at Desaguadero. Here we complete our immigration and customs formalities. The journey by road to the Bolivian capital, La Paz, takes us via the ancient ruins of Tiahuanaco. This was the base of a great civilisation that began around 500 BC before mysteriously 'disappearing' around 1200 AD. It is believed that the ceremonial complex dates back to the 8th century AD and was once at the centre of a powerful and self-sustaining empire based in the southern Central Andes. The sprawling ruins comprise of temples, courtyards, terraced pyramids, monolithic stone statues and gateways. The most famous structure is the Puerta del Sol (Gateway of the Sun). From the ruins it is less than a two-hour drive to La Paz, where we spend the night. We enjoy spectacular views of the city on our approach, due to its unique location in the middle of a vast volcanic crater that resembles a bowl.

We spend a full day visiting the sights of La Paz - the highest capital in the world. Towering over the city is Mount Illimani, which reaches a height of 6439 metres with its snow-covered peaks. Much of La Paz is modern, however, there are still some examples of late 19th century architecture such as the Presidential Palace, La Paz Cathedral and National Congress. We view these and visit a few of the city's small, but fascinating museums as well as wander around the Witches Market, where they sell some unusual medicinal potions. A short distance from the town centre is the Valley of the Moon - an eroded maze of canyons and pinnacles that form a bizarre landscape. Our adventure comes to an end after breakfast the following morning. If you wish to extend your stay in La Paz, additional accommodation can be arranged for you. Please ask your travel agent at the time of booking your holiday.