Day 1, Sunday - En Route
Departure from the US to Lima, Peru, on American Airlines. Evening arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2, Monday -Lima
Founded in 1535 by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, this colonial city became the political and military capital of the New World until it was declared the capital of Peru in 1821. After breakfast, our tour includes the Plaza de Armas, the Colonial Cathedral, Government Palace, Inquisition Court and Torre Tagle Palace. Continue to the modern residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. We also visit the Gold and Arms Museum which houses a priceless collection of Pre-Columbian arti-facts as well as a private armory of Miguel Mujica Gallo. This afternoon, a Professional Visit is scheduled. Tonight, Welcome dinner in a local restaurant. BD

Day 3, Tuesday - Lima-Cuzco
Morning flight to Cuzco, fabled capital of the Incan Empire. Tour of the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Continue to see the stone carvings of Kenkco and the royal baths. A Professional Visit is scheduled this afternoon. B

Day 4, Wednesday - Cuzco-Pisac Indian Market-Ollantaytambo Fortress
Drive along the Urubamba, sacred valley of the Incas to the Pisac Indian Market, center for handicrafts and woven goods. Lunch, then, at Ollantaytambo, you will stand in awe at this elegant and intricate walled fortress built with huge boulders from areas miles away without any discernible means of transport. Dinner and overnight. BLD

Day 5, Thursday - Cuzco-Machu Picchu
Early morning departure by narrow-gauge railroad through the sacred Urubama Valley to the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu, situated in the midst of the remote mountains amid a semitropical jungle. We ascend to the ruins of the ancient citadel, amid lush terraced hillsides, to explore the complex of temples, altars and more than 200 ancient buildings. Lunch is included today. Overnight in Cuzco. BL

Day 6, Friday - Cuzco-Lima-Quito
Early morning flight to Quito via Lima and upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Surrounded by the snowcapped Andes, Quito was once the second capital of the Incan Empire and a base for the Spanish Conquistadors. A Professional Visit is scheduled this morning, followed by a city tour. The city’s treasures include the beautiful San Francisco Cathedral. Drive up to Panecillo Hill for a breathtaking view of Quito and the Andes. Tonight,Quito by Night tour- followed by dinner. BD

Day 7, Saturday - Quito-Otavalo
Drive to Otavalo through scenic fertile valleys and orchards. En route, stop at the woodcarving village of San Antonio de Ibarro, then visit the colorful Otavalo Indian Market, one of the best markets in Ecuador. The Otavalenos are superb craftsmen and weavers; you’ll find colorful ponchos, textiles, blankets and rugs. Dinner and overnight at a typical hacienda in Otavalo. BLD

Day 8, Sunday - Otavalo-Quito
Morning departure to Quito. En route, stop at the village of Calderon, home of the renowned bread-dough dolls painted in bright colors. Lunch, then continue back to Quito for overnight. BL

Day 9, Monday - Quito-Galapagos-Baltra Island
Today, we embark on a remarkable journey to the beginning of time – the Galapagos Islands –an archipelago of volcanic islands 600 miles off the Pacific coast, and 5 million years in the making. Fly from Quito to Baltra Island;,Arrive Baltra Island and immediate transfer by bus (5 minutes) to the dock to board the MV SANTA CRUZ. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome briefing. Later, lunch and ship’s boat drill. Tonight: Welcome cocktails and dinner.
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) – The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragon. A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the dramatic landscape and coastline, an area of amazing past volcanic activity. While exploring the nearby waters, various types of birds can be seen such as boobies, frigates and pelicans. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas. The navigation in shallow turquoise colored water gives the chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. Dry landing and a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon, frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore/lagoon birds. Further along the trail, we head to Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a nesting site of a big number of land iguanas re-introduced by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation can be a rewarding location for bird watching, where Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic flycatcher and yellow warblers are regular sightings. BLD

Day 10, Tuesday –Bartholome Island
Disembark at Bartolome Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit. Great way to start the day! This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkeling. Change to snorkel next to Galapagos Penguins, and also the possibility to ride on the glass bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Lunch on board.
Puerto Egas (James Island) Afternoon outing at Puerto Egas (wet landing). This is a great location to see shore birds, while land birds can be observed a little more inland.
The pitch black shores are great places for watching sea birds and their foraging duties. The trail brings us to a colony of the endemic fur-sea lions. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon emerald gren algae beds. Outstanding snorkeling and swimming from the beach before the walk. ECO Moment and briefing before dinner. Weather permitting, star-gazing on deck. BLD

Day 11, Wednesday - Darwin Bay (Tower Island)
Before breakfast, early morning entrance into Darwin Bay. Wet landing at a small white-coralline beach for an easy stroll observing hundreds of birds, mainly Great frigate birds, red footed and Nazca (masked) boobies, lava gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. The trail also includes an areaof sharp lava and uneven terrain, but you may return to the beach for swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. Those more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs and look for Hammerhead Sharks. Lunch on board. During navigation, spend some time on deck looking for dolphins or possibly whales.
North Seymour Island This is one of the few uplifted islands in Galapagos. In previous times, this was the ocean’s bed. Today’s afternoon walk includes a dry landing for a view of the coast and the interior of the island, while exploring colonies of blue footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds and swallow-tail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas. A shorter walk may also be offered. ECO moment, briefing and dinner. BLD

Day 12, Thursday - Santa Fe (Barrington Island)
Early morning disembarkation to visit Santa Fe (Barrington) Island. This island, according to the latest geological studies, shows the islands’ oldest rocks. The small bay on Santa Fe’s northern coast provides one of the most picturesque anchorages within the archipelago. Follow the trail among a very tall forest of opountia cacti where large land iguanas, that are endemic to Barrington can be seen. A variety of finches and the Galapagos mockingbird abound. Back to the ship and sail to Santa Cruz Island.
Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island): Mid morning disembarkation (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can also be seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Aroya will allow you to see how Galapaguenos live in this magical paradise. We believe that our presence should benefit local communities too. Lunch at the beautiful Finch Bay Hotel. This afternoon, drive up to the lush highlands including the Scalesia (an endemic giant daisy tree) forest and the twin pit craters Los Gemelos. The trip to the highlands includes the islands’ most famous reptile; the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment. The vermilion flycatcher will delight all partici-pants with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches of the highlands (most of them from the tree-finch group) particularly the famous Wood-pecker Finch. Return to the MV Santa Cruz for tonight’s ECO Moment, briefing and dinner. BLD

Day 13, Friday - Galapagos-San Cristobel Island-Quito
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island) Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. It was this very same island that Charles Darwin first visited, back in September 1835. Visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting where it allows visitors to obtain information that will help them understand more the natural history of the Galapagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where souvenir shops and Internet cafes welcome all world travelers. This option may give you a chance to catch up with the world, and to share with others the wonders you have witnessed, before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport for flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for our Farewell Dinner and overnight. BD

Day 14, Saturday - En Route
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US. B