TEST Romantic Ecuador & Peru

Upon arrival at the airport, there is a private transfer to your luxurious hotel. Your romantic adventure begins in Lima, Peru's historic capital. Founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima served as the heart of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru for centuries. Renowned for its fame in the world of gastronomy, Lima features a celebrated culinary scene known for its creative fusion dishes. Fresh, local ingredients are blended with worldwide influences, particularly Asian and European. After settling in, explore the city's extensive network of restaurants and bars at your own pace. With several restaurants consistently placing high on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, including world-renowned establishments like Astrid y Gaston or Central, Lima offers an unparalleled culinary adventure for discerning gourmands. Without doubt, a food-lovers paradise!

Peru flag

Lima

Peru coffee

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Manto Hotel Lima - MGallery

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Based on the theory that food is the way to someone's heart, today is a chance to dive further into Lima's traditional cuisine. Start the day with a visit to Surquillo Market for its selection of fish, fruit and vegetables. Visit "La Gran Fruta" (The great fruit), who specialize in healthy homemade juices, taste-test a few and guess which fruits they include, making use of what you have learned in the market. Then to Barranco, the bohemian district of Lima. One of the icons of this neighborhood is El Puente de los Suspiros (The bridge of sighs), it was the inspiration to Chabuca Granda, the singer who composed 'La Flor de la Canela' (the cinnamon flower). Your guide will explain about local traditions and typical dishes, such as Ceviche and Picarones. There will be a stop for a Peruvian coffee extraction demonstration and informative talk, lasting about 30 minutes, including a hot or cold coffee drink. You will also visit the very traditional cevicheria 'Canta Rana', to taste the national dish, Ceviche. Many different dishes of fish and seafood are offered here. After this you continue on to Isolina for a great casual dining experience with traditional Peruvian criollo dishes in a laid-back restaurant. Here, you will taste Chilcano, a drink made with Pisco the Peruvian alcoholic beverage. A culinary tour can't end without a sweet finale, so try some of our local desserts at one of the typical restaurants in Barranco.

Lima market

Fruit stall

Ceviche

Pisco cocktail

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Manto Hotel Lima - MGallery

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In the morning, you will be collected from the hotel for transport to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, where you will be met and taken to Sacred Valley for an idyllic visit to the Incan sites of Moray and Maras. In Moray, you can see pre-Inca and Inca ruins, mostly consisting of several enormous circular depressions, potentially used as agricultural terraces, with a complex system of irrigation. The site with the Quechua name "muyus" is the deepest pit, with a depth of 30m (100ft). These ruins are remnants of the Inca age; they were apparently an agricultural experimentation center in which the Incas re-created microclimates on every terrace. From Moray, you will head towards Maras to see the 'Salineras', a feat of hydraulic engineering and a must for photographers. The saltponds are set on overhanging cliffs and command spectacular views of the Andean mountains and the Urubamba River below. Hidden behind several layers of lush green mountains, these snow-white salt ponds will stun you with their beauty, as they reflect the sun like white gold. Leaving Maras you stop for lunch before being taken to your hotel. Located at a lower altitude than Cusco, staying in the Sacred Valley will help you acclimatize to the high altitudes. The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure and soak up the peace and serenity of the Sacred Valley.

Day at leisure

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Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

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Today there is a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, alongside the Vilcanota River, where you will find native communities, impressive terraces and many important archaeological sites. In this tour you will visit Pisac Indian Market, one of the most popular and picturesque of the indigenous markets in the Cusco region. Travelers from all over the world come to purchase all manner of textiles, ceramics, jewelry, ponchos, rugs, hats, gloves, Andean instruments, ceramics, alpaca and llama woven clothing, and a host of lovely souvenirs. Your tour will continue to Pisac ruins, perched magnificently at the entrance to a great gorge, the citadel looks the Urubamba Valley and town of Pisac from above. Pisac was situated strategically along a road that connected the Inca Empire with the jungles of the east, and the site is an impressive reminder of just how advanced the civilization was in terms of building and agriculture. In the afternoon you visit the Incan town of Ollantaytambo, which has original Inca houses, streets and the fortress towering above the village. On your way back to your hotel we will make a stop to drink chicha in the barrio. Chicha is a fermented drink made out of maize that is very popular with the locals.

Pisac ruins

Ollantaytambo

Tapestry market

Chicha morada

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Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

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You will be collected from the hotel for a romantic journey on the Hiram Bingham train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. The train has a glass viewing dome, with large windows allowing you to see from the peaks of the Andes as they drop into flowing rivers on the valley floor, all from the 1st Class comfort of your seat. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), we suggest having an early dinner tonight as tomorrow you'll have an early start heading out to Machu Picchu at sunrise.

train to machu picchu- day 12

Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu

Llamas at Machu Picchu

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Casa del Sol Machupicchu

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To reach Machu Picchu you'll leave early from your hotel to arrive when the National Park opens and witness the morning clouds lift off the ruins, the best time to experience the site's mystique. Your private guide will show you to the Guard Shack at Machu Picchu where you'll get the best view as the sun rises above the surrounding mountains and lighting up this world wonder, as well as an extended guided tour of the history, surrounding areas, and the sacred legend of Machu Picchu. Hike up Machu Picchu mountain to admire more stunning views of the ancient Inca citadel from above. The hike will take approximately two hours up and about one hour to get back down to begin your journey to the Inca Capital of Cusco.

Machu Picchu peak

Machu Picchu peaks

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu steps

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Home Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

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WWalk around the Imperial City of the Incas, starting at the local market of Cusco, where you will experience Peruvian culture and daily cusqueño life. In the market you can find the best variety of vegetables, breads and fruits in the country. For example, you will be able to purchase the typical Oropeza bread. You can also find several herbs that locals have been using for medicial purposes for centuries and cocoa grains from which chocolate is made. Then on to visit the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco, which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School and several beautiful altars. Afterwards you'll visit Koricancha, considered the religious center of Cusco. The Temple of Koricancha, was where the Inca paid homage to the Sun god called Inti. Qori means goldwork and Kancha means an enclosed space bounded by walls. Then you'll walk up to the artisan quarter of San Blas, where you'll be able to appreciate religious paintings by artisans at local workshops. Following this you will go to the nearby archaeological sites to visit Sacsayhuaman, the Royal House of the Sun and one of the greatest stone monuments in Incan architecture; Qenqo Amphitheater, a well-known Incan temple that dominates the whole area; and Tambomachay, located 8 km from Cusco, which was an Inca sanctuary dedicated to water and a place reserved for Inca Royalty. Its name comes from two Quechua words: Tampu, meaning collective housing, and Machay, which means a resting place. You will also pass by Puka Pukara, (Reddish Fortress) which takes its name from the color of the soil found in the area.

Cusco Town

Cusco center

Cusco street food

Cusco traditional clothes

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Home Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

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It's time to hit the road again as you make your way to your next destination. Your private transfer will take you to Cusco airport for your flight to Guayaquil via Lima. Once you arrive in Guayaquil you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to Hacienda La Danesa where you will stay for the next 2 nights. The host will greet you and give you a warm welcome to the farm and tell you about La Danesa's rich history. You will have time at leisure to explore the gardens and property, enjoy refreshing cold-infused drinks and a traditional snack courtesy of the hacienda. The day is at leisure to relax and unwind from your journey. Take advantage of the hotel's spa facilities or stroll around the grounds.

Day at leisure

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Hacienda La Danesa

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Full day at the Hacienda. First, the Cacao & Chocolate Experience: You will walk through a picturesque teak avenue for about 10 minutes before arriving at the cacao plantation where you will learn the history and process of the cacao in Ecuador and walk through the cacao trail. Guests will then proceed to the workshop with our local chocolatier to make chocolate bars and taste Ecuadorean chocolate at its purest form. Hacienda La Danesa's Product Tasting: The farm produces jams, raw honey, chocolate, dulce de leche(sweetened milk) and many delicious products handmade by the local community. You will have the opportunity to take them and to shop in the hotel's La Tienda where they sell artisan products from all over Ecuador. Milking in the Gardens: La Danesa produces around 1,200 liters of milk every day, and has won the prize for best dairy cattle in coastal Ecuador 20 years in a row. You will be shown how to milk a friendly cow and have the chance to milk her yourself.

The remainder of the day is at leisure, bicycles are available to explore the area or you can just sit back and relax with a glass of ecuadorean wine or gin at the Teak terrace or laze in the gardens listening to jazz music.

Hacienda La Danesa

Hacienda La Danesa

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Hacienda La Danesa

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Early in the morning today you will have a transfer to Quito airport, in order to take the flight to Galapagos Islands. Once at the airport of Baltra Island, one of the Galapagos Islands, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the island Santa Cruz. You first cross the Itabaca channel by a ferry boat and then continue by car. The first stop will be at the highlands of Santa Cruz. The Parte Alta, as the highlands are called in Spanish, is very lush and green and is the natural habitat of the giant Galapagos tortoises. Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the archipelago, but it is the real economical heart of the tourism industry. Puerto Ayora is where you will find many restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops. It is also the departure point for many day tours, such as the highlands and its wild Galapagos giant tortoises, and a transit hub for daily boat services to Isabela and San Cristobal Island. In the Charles Darwin Research Center, you can also admire sea turtles and tropical fishes in the water or marine iguanas and different types of birds. You will visit a private ranch where you will have lunch. Here you walk between the trees and search for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay close to the small lagoons. You also will visit the lava tubes, natural underground passages or channels formed during volcanic eruptions. After this tour you continue by private transport to your hotel. Here you will have a meet & greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of your itinerary to you. You have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Santa Cruz on your own.

Bird Colony

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Baby Giant Turtle

Frigate bird

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Villa Escalesia

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Today, you'll have a day tour to one of the Galapagos Islands: North Seymour, Bartolome, Santa Fe, or Plazas. Each island offers unique wildlife and natural wonders. On Plazas, you'll snorkel among colorful fish and sea turtles, and encounter land iguanas and sea lions. North Seymour is known for its bird colonies, including frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Santa Fe boasts land iguanas, sea lions, and marine life like rays and sharks. Bartolomé offers stunning volcanic landscapes, snorkeling opportunities, and breathtaking views of the Pinnacle Rock. All tours include lunch and snorkeling equipment, ensuring a memorable experience in the Galapagos.

Day at leisure

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Villa Escalesia

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You will have the morning free to explore Santa Cruz. In the afternoon you will be transferred from your hotel to the dock of Santa Cruz, from where you will take a lancha (motorized small boat) to the island of San Cristóbal. The boat ride will take about 2 hours, once you dock in San Cristobal you will be transferred to your hotel. Charles Darwin famously visited this island in 1835. Although the island is not the largest (it's the fifth largest in the archipelago), it has the second largest population. The island is named after the patron of seafarers, Saint Christopher or in Spanish San Cristóbal. The island's main city, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of Galapagos, is located on the southwest point. The pier is small and situated on the cozy main boulevard. There is a grand variety of wildlife found all over San Cristóbal Island like blue-footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles, frigate birds, marine iguanas or the Chatham mockingbird that can only be found on San Cristóbal Island.

Day at leisure

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Galapagos Sunset Hotel

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This day trip offers either a visit to Isla Lobos or Kicker Rock (León Dormido) in the Galapagos Islands. You'll be notified which location is confirmed for your tour. Both tours include lunch and snorkeling equipment. Isla Lobos: Take a boat to Isla Lobos, spotting wildlife on the way. Disembark for a guided walk to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Enjoy snorkeling in the canal between the islands, swimming with sea lions, and observing rays and turtles. Relax on the white-sand beach of Playa Ochoa or a similar beach before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Lunch may be a lunch onboard the boat or at a local restaurant. Kicker Rock (León Dormido): Sail by boat to the Kicker Rock lava formation. Circle the rock to see the birdlife using it for nesting or resting. Snorkel in the canal between the rock formations, encountering sharks (sometimes hammerheads!), turtles, rays, and other marine life. Currents can be strong, and you'll be snorkeling in open water. Wetsuits are provided if jellyfish are present. After snorkeling, relax on the white-sand beach of Manglecito or a similar beach before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno with a lunch onboard.

Hammerhead sharks & fish

Blue Footed Booby

Marine Iguanas

Galapagos sea turtle

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Galapagos Sunset Hotel

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Early in the morning you will be transferred to the airport in San Cristobal island for your flight back to the mainland. Guayaquil City is the biggest city of Ecuador and is known as ´The Pearl of the Pacific´. It is a city with a long history of commerce and is becoming popular as a tourist destination. In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the city, with stops to try some local snacks.

Guayaquil overview

Guayaquil

Guayaquil

Guayaquil ferris wheel

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Wyndham Guayaquil

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