South America Highlights

Daily Itinerary

Day 1, Tuesday – Miami/Quito
Flight from Miami to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2, Wednesday – Quito City Tour and The Equator
The tour begins with a great view of Orellana’s way and Guapulo Sanctuary (XVII Century). We will continue towards the downtown, where we will take a walk visiting the Independence Square, surrounded by historically important buildings, such us the Cathedral (XVI Century), the Presidential Palace, El Sagrario Church (XVII Century), and one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, La Compañia de Jesus (XVII Century). The tour finishes with a visit to the Panecillo Hill where the Virgin of Quito, (the only winged virgin) is located. From this perspective you will be delighted by the spectacular view of Colonial Quito mainly. Afterwards we visit the middle of the world. This monument was built to commemorate the Geodesic Scientific Mission, which came to Ecuador, during the 19th century, in order to study and measure the Earth Meridian. Or, visit the Inti Ñan Museum, a scientific and cultural Museum, located in the exact place where the Equator Line crosses and where you will be shown with different scientific experiments that you are truly stand on the 0° Meridian.

Day 3, Thursday – Quito/Galapagos
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos (Baltra airport). You will be received at the airport by our guides and then taken to the pier to join the M/V Galapagos Legend.

Bartolomé
Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors available to enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see large colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, bushes, and various cacti. Visitors will also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here it is possible to see the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance.

Day 4, Friday - Urbina Bay (Isabela)
After a wet landing, passengers will go towards the fossil beach and then to the coral area. On the way and depending of the season it will be possible to observe many endemic organisms such as: giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants.

Fernandina (Espinosa Point)
After a dry landing at Espinosa Point, passengers will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs. They will also enjoy the flightless cormorants nesting sites, the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and sea lions.

Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note brachycereus cactus, and two kinds of lava formations "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA". Numerous mangrove beds extend into the sea, depicting a healthy and thriving eco-system.

Day 5, Saturday - Santiago (Egas Port)
Visit the dark sand beach at Egas Port during a wet landing. Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, the surrounding area is good for spotting and observing hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, oyster catchers, and the yellow crowned night heron. Passengers enjoy the sight of marine iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with red sally light-foot crabs. There is a colony of fur-seal swimming in deep pools of cool water called "grottos". In this beach you can swim and snorkel in search of octopuses, sea horses, star fish and other sea life.

Rábida (Jervis)
Wet landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin which is frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands. A short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where you will occasionally find flamingos. July thru September is a good time of the year to observe how brown pelicans nest in the salty bushes found at the far side of the salty lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin's finches. Dingy ride by the reefs and an excellent opportunity for snorkeling.

Day 6, Sunday - Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Station)
Travelers will have the chance to investigate the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here you can also admire giant tortoises that are part of the breeding program. Travelers can also admire the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. The visit to the station takes around 40 minutes. After this visit, passengers will have some free time to walk around town and shop for souvenirs.

Santa Cruz (Highlands)
One of the options is to cross the highlands of Santa Cruz. Passengers will visit Cerro Chato. In this visit, you'll be able to observe the famous giant tortoises that gave the name to these islands. Additionally, travelers can literally get into the Galapagos by walking in the dormant lava tubes.

Day 7, Monday - Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)/Lima
Wet landing at Bachas beach, located on the northern coastline of Santa Cruz Island. Here you will be encountered by different sea birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and passengers would have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in this white sand beach. Return to the Galapagos Legend, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, connecting with your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be met after clearing customs and transferred to your hotel.

Day 8, Tuesday - Lima City Tour
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, a trip to the essential Lima, “The City of Kings” including the most important architectural icons of the city, such as the Main Square, where you can find the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, we continue with a visit to the San Francisco Convent, an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. On our way to the modern area of the city, we will cross the exclusive district of San Isidro, the new financial heart of the city, to take a look at pre-inca Huaca Huallamarca. Finally, we conclude our circuit in Miraflores, where we will visit the “Parque del Amor” (Love Park) an excellent spot to enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight in Lima.

Day 9, Wednesday - Lima/Cuzco
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the morning is free to rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. In the afternoon, we will visit the Imperial City, living example of the mixture of the Andean and Spanish cultures. We start our trip visiting the Santo Domingo Convent, built over the Koricancha, and ancient Inca palace and main worship center of the Sun God. Later, we will stop at the Main Square, where you can find the Cathedral. Going on with the tour, we will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, imposing sample of military Inca architecture which domains the city. Finally, we will take a look at Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 10, Thursday - Machu Picchu “The Lost City of the Incas”
You will visit one of the most important energetic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. The excursion will be by train and during the trip we will have an amazing view of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, our representatives will assist you to board the bus which will take you to the citadel. It will be an unforgettable experience, where a professional tour guide will transmit us the history around this mysterious and charming place. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the zone on your own, relax and meditate. Buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. At the scheduled time, we will go down. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 11, Friday
Morning at leisure. You can make a second visit to Machu Picchu and have the chance to know hidden places, such as the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). Those with a sense of adventure can enjoy a hike full of adrenaline to the top of Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) to visit the Temple of the Moon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, you will board the train that will take you back to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 12, Saturday – Cuzco/Lima/Buenos Aires
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival connection with your international departure flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you will be met after clearing customs and transferred to your hotel.

Day 13, Sunday – Buenos Aires
In the afternoon, we join a city tour of Buenos Aires, an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with the features of a Latin American capital. In this tour, you will come to appreciate its characteristics, its history, its architecture, its culture and its best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, and stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta.

Day 14, Monday – Buenos Aires
Full-day excursion to an estancia for a typical barbeque lunch and a folklore/gaucho show. Here we will learn about the customs of the Argentinean gauchos, and their abilities on horseback that will leave you breathless. The meat will be cooked a lo gaucho outdoors on the barbeque. Afternoon, return to Buenos Aires.

Day 15, Tuesday
Enjoy the day at leisure exploring Buenos Aires.

At night we celebrate the city of tango. You will be treated to an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. Return to the hotel.

Day 16, Wednesday – Buenos Aires/Iguazu Falls
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 17, Thursday
Morning guided tour to the Argentinean side of the waterfalls. Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to visitor center inside Iguazu National Park. To get from the visitor center to the beginning of Upper Path, Lower Path and Devil’s Throat you will board a little train that runs from the visitor center to the paths and between them. You may also walk from the visitor center to the upper and lower paths but not to Devil’s Throat because it is located more than 4 kilometers from the visitor center. In the afternoon, we board a motor boat and cruise the Iguazu River, right up to the falls. Be prepared to get wet!

Day 18, Friday – Iguazu Falls/Rio de Janeiro
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your beautiful hotel on famous Copacabana Beach.

Day 19, Saturday - Full-day Sugar Loaf, Corcovado Mountain, and Tijuca rainforest
Drive along Rio’s famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station, where you will be taken to the Urca Mountain (mid-way station) with its gardens and lookout points. Then, the second part of the ride will take you to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level. Continue to the Cosme Velho train station. The cogwheel train will climb up through the Tijuca rainforest and will bring you to the steps of the Christ statue. At 2,300 feet above sea level, it is a breathtaking view of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the nine-mile Rio-Niterói Bridge, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch included.

Day 20, Sunday
Enjoy the day at leisure exploring the beautiful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema; or shop along Copacabana Avenue.

In the evening, pick up from your hotel to experience a Brazilian Barbeque dinner followed by the excitement of costumed Samba show at Plataforma Theater.

Day 21, Monday
Enjoy a full day at leisure in this vibrant city, or enquire with your destination specialist about optional tours.

Day 22, Tuesday – Rio de Janeiro/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your international flight back home.

Price Includes:
- Round-trip air transportation from Miami to Quito, Quito to Galapagos, Galapagos to Lima, Lima to Cuzco, Cuzco to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Iguazu, Iguazu to Rio, Rio to Miami, coach class - You do not need to fly via Miami; we will fly you the most direct way to your destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city of origin
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- Hotel accommodation including breakfast daily and taxes
- 4 nights cruise on the Galapagos Legend, superior outside cabin, Galapagos Park Entrance fee and visitor’s card are included; all meals and shore excursions
- Guided tours in English including all entrance fees
- Meals as per itinerary