DAYS 1 – 3

Your journey begins in Quito on Day 1. Set in a valley ringed by snowcapped volcanoes, explore the many colonial churches, monasteries and museums, and visit the Equatorial Monument. Tour a rose plantation and visit the owner’s family home and private chapel. Visit the famous Otavalo market to admire the handcrafted textiles of the local, indigenous people. In the small town of Peguche — Ecuador’s center for weaving — enjoy strolling through the town’s narrow streets where quaint shops abound.

Plaza Grande, Quito

DAYS 4 – 7

The M/V Galápagos Explorer II awaits you for a 5-day cruise of the islands Charles Darwin made his living laboratory. His observations on the islands’ diverse species would later become the basis for the Theory of Evolution. You’ll explore the islands by Zodiacs and find opportunities to hike along scenic pathways and swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

M/V Galápagos Explorer II

DAYS 8 & 9

Start your exploration of Lima at the Larco-Herrera Museum, located in a majestic 18th-century colonial mansion, to view the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art. Continue on your tour of this “City of the Kings,” and visit the San Francisco Monastery and the Plaza de Armas. Enjoy lunch at America’s best-preserved colonial mansion, Casa Aliaga. Later, see more examples of exquisite pre-Columbian and colonial art when you visit the private collection of Enrico Poli, one of the best private collections of its kind in the world.

Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima

DAYS 10 & 11

Fly to the mountains to Cuzco, and then drive down to the urubamba Valley, the “Sacred Valley of the Incas.” Your time here will help you acclimate to the high altitude as you ascend gradually. Arrive at the colorful village of Chinchero and visit the Traditional Textile Center. On Day 11 drive to the Huilloc community, to meet the children at a local school and learn about their culture. Then enjoy lunch at the Wayra Ranch, where you will watch a performance of the Peruvian Paso horses. Visit Pisac, best known for its market and friendly people.

Hotel Rio Sagrado, Urubamba Valley

DAY 12

Board the scenic Vistadome train in Ollantaytambo for your journey to Machu Picchu. The photos of this spectacular citadel perched high in the mountains hardly convey the awe-inspiring feeling of being here. Witness a sunrise over the ruins — an unforgettable experience.

Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu

DAYS 13 & 14

High in the Andes, more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Cuzco was founded in the 15th century by the Incas and was later conquered by the Spanish. You’ll explore the Convent of Santo Domingo, known as Korikancha to the Incas, and see the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán.

Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco

DAYS 15 & 16

Those with limited time may leave this journey on Day 15. You will be taken to the Cuzco airport where you will fly to Lima. In Lima enjoy the use of a day room at the Miraflores Park Hotel until you are transferred to the airport for your flight home (arriving the following day) or on to your next destination.

NOTE:

High Altitude. This journey spends three nights in Cuzco at over 10,000 feet, three nights in Quito at over 9,200 feet and three nights in Bolivia at over 12,000 feet. These high altitudes will affect your blood pressure and breathing. Caution must be observed.

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Plaza Grande
Quito, Ecuador

The Hotel Plaza Grande rises above the central square, known as the Plaza de la Independencia. It was one of the first hotels ever constructed in the capital, located in what was originally the home of Juan Díaz de Hidalgo, one of the Spanish conquerors who founded the city of Quito at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The hotel has been extensively renovated and remodeled and is now the finest boutique hotel in the city.

Offering only 15 suites, this accommodation is luxurious in the personal care and attention guest receive. Hotel features and services include a gym, sauna and massage room, 24-hour room service. There are three restaurants offering both national and international cuisine.

Each suite is furnished with pieces in noble woods and following standards of the Spanish colonial era, and includes every detail that a modern five‐star hotel could require, including air conditioning, cable TV, wireless internet, mini bar and a hair dryer.

M/V Galápagos Explorer II
The Galápagos Islands

The M/V Galápagos Explorer II is the most elegant vessel cruising the Galápagos’ waters. It is designed to provide both comfort and scientific information to 100 passengers visiting the Galápagos National Park. The itineraries emphasize the best of this pristine paradise and expert naturalist guides offer an environmentally friendly and educational cruise focused in the Natural History of the Galápagos. The M/V Galápagos Explorer II was built in 1990 as part of the Renaissance Cruise Line and has operated in the Galápagos Islands since February 1998. It has an overall length of 293 feet and reaches 17 knots. The vessel is adapted to eco-tourism operations.

Facilities on board include a boutique, library, conference room, restaurant, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar and karaoke bar, coffee/tea/snack station and 24-hour doctor.

All of the spacious suites offer outside views and are fully air-conditioned. They are equipped with marble bathroom, hair dryer, closed-circuit TV, mini bar and satellite telephone. Travcoa features Classic or Premium Suites aboard the ship. Upgrades are available for suites on higher decks or with a balcony. Prices and availability vary per departure. Please ask your Travcoa Journey Consultant for the specific availability and prices on your desired departure date.

Classic Category – Columbus Deck, 240 sq.ft.
Premium Category – Marco Polo Deck, 235 sq.ft.
Deluxe Category – Erickson Deck, 215 sq.ft. with a balcony
Renaissance Category – Erickson or Explorer Deck, 284 sq.ft. with a panoramic view or balcony.

Miraflores Park Hotel
Lima, Peru

Located in Malecon de la Reserva, an exclusive residential area with a spectacular ocean view, Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel is a relaxing, comfortable oasis.

Your ocean view guestroom features an ample private bathroom in marble and granite, comfortable king-sized bed, air-conditioning, heating, spacious closets, a sitting area equipped with the best in communications technology—fax machine, two phone lines, data port. Access to the Internet and personal computers are available upon request.

Tambo del Inka
Urubamba Valley, Peru

Retreat to a space that is spacious, elegant, and filled with opulence. Individual design traits pay homage to our surroundings—a unique opportunity for those wishing to truly experience our culture.

Hotel Rio Sagrado
Urubamba, Peru

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, among verdant fields and towering mountains, lies Hotel Rio Sagrado. Set on the banks of the rushing Urubamba River, this beautiful Orient-Express hotel is built in natural materials to resemble an authentic Andean village. Situated at a lower altitude than nearby Cuzco, its delightful hotel villas provide the perfect environment in which to relax and acclimatize. So savor fresh produce in the restaurant, enjoy a local Sacred Valley massage in the hotel spa and slip into the spirit of Peruvian life.

Sanctuary Lodge
Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, at 8,200 feet above sea level, is the only hotel located within the very sanctuary of the Inca citadel. It is located right on the top of the mountain, only a couple of seconds from the actual ruins themselves. Reflecting the casual, intimate atmosphere of a home away from home, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge has 29 well appointed rooms and 2 suites, with some of the best views of the world: the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Mountain. The interior garden has a variety of local flowers and orchids in addition to a beautiful panoramic view.

All rooms are equipped with private telephone, cable TV, mini bar, and safe-deposit box. The hotel offers room service and serves Peruvian and international dishes at the buffet restaurant, which is open to the public for lunch, and the à la carte restaurant, open only to Lodge guests.

Hotel Monasterio
Cuzco, Peru

Hotel Monasterio del Cuzco is located in a 17th-century building that was once the Seminary of San Antonio Abad. In 1995, the seminary was tastefully converted into a hotel, while still preserving its original historically relevant architecture. Today the hotel provides a unique opportunity to experience the comfort and service of a five-star hotel in an amazing museum setting.

The decoration and furnishings combine the best of modern and traditional Spanish colonial style, many of them with charming views of the city or the colorful rooftops of Cuzco. You can feel the presence of the past as you are pampered with every luxury and modern comfort.
The original architecture and design of the Monasterio has not been significantly altered, and thus the rooms reflect their origins as a home for Jesuit seminarians. There are no two rooms alike and they all vary in size and format.

A fine restaurant, coffee house and bar are located in the hotel. Your comfortable and elegant room includes telephone, mini bar, cable television, hairdryer and room service. The Hotel Monasterio has taken steps to alleviate altitude sickness by introducing an oxygen supplementation system, which is a special feature of your guestroom

Marta Luna

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marta speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and English. She’s an “insatiable traveler”, very interested in history, art and literature, and also paints as a hobby. She resides both in Argentina and Italy.

Travel Dates: December 04, 2012