Flavors of Ecuador & Peru

Once you arrive in Quito you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to Otavalo city for the next two nights. En route, as well as spectacular scenery there is a stop in Guayllabamba to taste chirimoyas, the typical heart-shaped fruit from this town and in Cayambe to visit a local bizcocho factory and taste these typical cookies. On arrival in Otavalo, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and unwind, or explore the surrounding area. Otavalo is the capital of the Otavalo Canton, a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura province of Ecuador. There are around 90,000 inhabitants, the town is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura (4,630 meters), Cotacachi (4,995 meters) and Mojanda volcanoes. The Otavaleños have a lot of pride in their indigenous culture and retain their traditional dress. You will see that men wear white trousers, a blue poncho, and a black hat. The women wear a white blouse with beautiful embroidered flowers on it, a long black skirt, sometimes with a white stripe on it and often braid colorful materials in their hair.

Peru Ecuador map

Chirimoya (Custard Apple)

Bizcochos Cayambe

Otavalo market

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Hotel Otavalo

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After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel for a day of nature, culture and of course food! You will go to join the La Calera community to begin the Pachamanka ceremony *(Pachamanka consists of preparing organic food and products in a kind of pot, with the particularity in using and preparing the products within the land surrounded of volcanic stones heated at high temperatures, which help to cook of the foods which are meats, vegetables and fruits.)* The cooking process will last about 2 hours, meanwhile you can visit the community sacred site, after a ten minute walk through bushy plants and forests, you reach the natural ceremonial site, known as Tun Dun. You can participate in the ritual of purification on this sacred ground. Then return to the slowly cooking pachamanka, which will soon be served up in the traditional manner. Once cleansed and sated, you return to your hotel.

Andes mountains Otavalo

Ecuadorian native

Volcanic rock

Pachamanka

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Hotel Otavalo

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This morning, your guide will take you to the Equator. Here, you can enjoy experiments at the Intiñan Museum, like balancing an egg on a nail or observing water flow differently in each hemisphere. While some exhibits may be staged, the underlying physics concepts are interesting. The museum also offers insights into Ecuadorian culture, showcasing the Galapagos Islands' biodiversity and Amazonian tribes. Before continue to your hotel, there is a visit to the House of Ecuadorian Tequila, where you can learn more about the plant and process of used to create this special beverage, known locally as Miske. This will be followed by transfer to your hotel in Quito, followed by a delicious dinner in once of the best restaurants in Quito at Neuma Restaurant, where you will see an innovative Ecuadorian cuisine with traditional dishes with modern style. (This restaurant recently win a award The World's 50 best Restaurants in Latin America)

Equatorial monument

Intiñan Museum

Tequila

Nuema Fine Dining

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Plaza Grande

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The day begins with a transfer to Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival at Baltra Island's airport, you'll be met and transferred to Santa Cruz Island. The journey involves a ferry crossing the Itabaca Channel followed by a car ride. Your first stop is the lush and green highlands, home to giant tortoises. You'll visit a private ranch for lunch and a walk among the trees to search for these magnificent creatures. The tour continues with a visit to see lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies, but the inside stays liquid and flows out like a river. Afterward, you head to your hotel for a meet-and-greet with staff who will explain your remaining itinerary. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Puerto Ayora, the capital of Santa Cruz Island and the economic heart of Galapagos tourism. Puerto Ayora offers restaurants, shops, cafes, and serves as a departure point for day tours, including visits to the highlands and the Charles Darwin Research Center where you can see marine life and wildlife.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Baby Giant Turtle

Lava tube

Frigate bird

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Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

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Today on Santa Cruz Island, the pace slows down and the choice is yours. Relax and explore Puerto Ayora, the island's capital and the bustling hub of Galapagos tourism. Wander through the local markets, picking up unique souvenirs or savoring fresh, local cuisine at one of the many restaurants. Cozy cafes offer a chance to people-watch and soak in the island atmosphere. There are optional boat excursions to neighboring islands, each with its own distinct charm. North Seymour, with its arid landscape, is a haven for birdlife and land iguanas. Bartolome boasts stunning volcanic scenery, a pinnacle rock with panoramic views, and playful sea lions lounging on the black sand beaches. Santa Fe Island offers the chance to see unique species like the Santa Fe land iguana and the waved albatross. Plazas Island is home to playful sea lion pups and comical waved albatross colonies. No matter how you choose to spend your day, Santa Cruz offers something for everyone.

Bird Colony

Pelican

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Yellow Iguana

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Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

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Today you will have a half day tour starting from the harbour of Puerto Ayora, across the canal to Academy Bay, also called La Loberia, on a small boat. Upon arrival, you can observe bluefooted boobies and other birds resting on the cliffs. From the landing point, you will start a guided walk, past a viewing point where you can often spot white tipped reef sharks resting. Continuing along the path to Playa de los Perros where you will find many marine iguanas resting on a sunny day. The huge cacti, the red colour of the rocks and the turquoise ocean will set a perfect scenery for beautiful pictures. Afterwards the tour continues with a snorkeling excursion along the bay and a walk to Las Grietas. In the afternoon there is a traditional Ecuadorian cooking class, not only will you learn to cook local food, but also have the chance to enjoy it once you have finished.

Blue Footed Booby

Galapagos sea turtle

Galapagos Iguana

Galapagos Cactus

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Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

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Early in the morning you will be transferred to the airport in Baltra island for your flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, you'll be met by the warmth of this bustling metropolis, often nicknamed "The Pearl of the Pacific." Guayaquil's history as a major commercial center is evident throughout the city, and its transformation into a thriving tourist destination is clear from its modern infrastructure and welcoming atmosphere. In the afternoon there is a guided walking tour led by a local expert. Your guide will weave a narrative, sharing the city's background, fascinating history, and architectural highlights. As you stroll through the charming Las Peñas neighborhood, with its colorful houses and cobblestone streets, keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems and architectural details. This experience wouldn't be complete without a taste of local culture. Your guide will take you to a spot where you can taste some delicious typical Guayaquil snacks, offering a chance to savor the city's unique flavors. By the end of the day, you'll have gained a deeper appreciation for Guayaquil's background, history, and its emergence as a major player on the South American tourism scene.

Guayaquil overview

Guayaquil ferris wheel

Guayaquil

Encocado

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Wyndham Guayaquil

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Today you travel from Ecuador to Peru by plane. Upon arrival to Cusco, your private transfer will pick you up and take you down into the beautiful Sacred Valley. Located at a lower altitude than Cusco, staying in the Sacred Valley will help you acclimatize to the high altitudes. Your boutique hotel is located in the beautiful Sacred Valley which will form an essential part of your time in this magnificent region and will add to your overall understanding of the Inca history and way of life. The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure and soak up the peace and serenity of the Sacred Valley. As you will be arriving from a lower altitude, we would recommend spending your first day in the Sacred Valley relaxing, and getting used to the altitude before doing anything overly physical.

Peruvian flag

Sacred Valley town

Sacred Valley Peru

Sacred Valley llama

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Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

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This is a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, by 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, with 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. Afterwards you will make a stop to enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the stunning nature. In the afternoon you will visit the Inca 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 locals drink, so we will find a local spot for you to try it.

Pisac landscape

Pisac ruins

Ollantaytambo

Chicha morada

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Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

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After breakfast, your private transfer will pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley and take you to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo to board the Hiram Bingham train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, this trip shaves 2 hours off what normally is a 4-hour journey from Cusco, beginning at the most beautiful part of the stretch, leaving from Ollantaytambo. The Hiram Bingham train has a glass viewing dome, with large windows allowing you to see from the peaks of the Andes as they fall down into the flowing rivers on the valley floor, all from the 1st Class comfort of your seat. Arriving in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), we recommend having an early night as tomorrow you'll have an early start setting off for Machu Picchu before sunrise.

Train to Machu Picchu

Road to Machu Picchu

Qenko

Llama Peru

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Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Machu Picchu

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There is an early morning departure in order to arrive at Machu Picchu national park before sunrise and witness the sunrise unveil Machu Picchu's mystique. Your private guide will lead you to the Guard Shack for the best sunrise views over the surrounding mountains illuminating this wonder of the world. Following an extended tour explaining the history, surrounding areas, and Machu Picchu's legend, you'll return to Aguas Calientes. The scenic Hiram Bingham train will then take you through the Sacred Valley on your way to Cusco. By now, you'll be acclimatized to the altitude (11,150ft) allowing you to explore Cusco this evening or relax at your boutique hotel.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu peak

Machu Picchu

Cusco

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Inkaterra La Casona

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The Cusco city tour offers a deep dive into Peruvian culture. It begins at the bustling local market, overflowing with vegetables, breads, and fruits, including the famous Oropeza bread. Here, medicinal herbs used for centuries and cocoa beans, the base for delicious chocolate, hint at the region's rich history. The tour then progresses to the impressive Cusco Cathedral, boasting over 400 paintings and beautiful altars. Next stop is Koricancha, a religious and political center meaning "golden enclosure" in Quechua and dedicated to the Inca Sun god Inti. A short climb leads to San Blas, the artisan quarter, where visitors can admire religious paintings and, if time allows, watch artisans at work in their workshops. The adventure extends beyond the city limits to explore nearby archaeological sites. Sacsayhuaman, the Royal House of the Sun, stands as one of the greatest stone structures in Inca architecture. The tour also includes Qenqo Amphitheater, a prominent Inca temple, and Tambomachay, an Inca sanctuary dedicated to water and reserved for royalty. The route also passes Puka Pukara (Reddish Fortress), named after the local soil color and believed to be a former residential area due to its strategic location.

Cusco street vendor

Cusco street food

Sacsayhuaman

Qenko

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Inkaterra La Casona

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Your guide will advise you of collection time from your hotel for transport to the airport for your flight home or onward journey. We wish you safe travels and a happy journey!

Rocoto Relleno

Traditional Peruvian food

Peru coffee

Happy Travels!

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Inkaterra La Casona

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