Ultimate Latin America Travel

Flight to Quito, Ecuador. Welcome and transfer to your hotel, the Dann Carlton.

Dann Carlton Hotel

5 DAY/ 4 NIGHT GALAPAGOS CRUISE ONBOARD THE LUXURY LA PINTA YACHT (All meals included) - Itinerary subject to change

Transfer to the airport for the flight to the Galapagos. Following our morning arrival at Baltra Airport, we transfer to the Itabaca Channel, taking a small ferry across the Channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We board our bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we'll learn about the unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Note: please dress with comfortable shoes and clothes, bring a small backpack with any medicine you might be taken, sunblock, insect repellent and anything you need during the excursion as you will go onboard Yacht La Pinta and the end of the day.

Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch, we travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz, one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.

Meals: B, L & D

Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There's a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat.

Sombrero Chino Islet
The tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance: a Chinese hat. This islet, only formed fairly recently, makes a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities with white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.

Meals: B, L & D

Bartolomé Island )
This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits: Bartolomé Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take to the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach and some snorkelling. We can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.

Sullivan Bay (James Island)
After lunch, we board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming and snorkelling, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galápagos while observing its wildlife.

Meals: B, L & D

Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
In the morning, we begin our exploration of this island with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds. There is an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.

Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before we disembark for a steep climb up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the land is flat, allowing for a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels and the elusive short eared owl.

Meals: B, L & D

Baltra Island
Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland in time for your flight to Lima. Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel, the Airport Ramada Hotel.

Airport Ramada Hotel   |  Meals: B

After breakfast, flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas. Transfer to your hotel, the Novotel.
In the afternoon, a guided tour of Cuzco will include visits to the Main Cathedral, the Main Square, Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay and the Qoricancha temple. Overnight accommodation.

Novotel Hotel   |  Meals: B

Today, an early start by Vistadome train journey to Aguas Calientes. After the 3 1/2 journey, transfer by bus up to the fantastic ruins of Machu Picchu. A guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Free time at the site before overnight accommodation in Aguas Calientes at El Mapi.

Meals: B

Today you will have an opportunity to visit this bustling market town or to revisit Machu Picch. Free day before returning to Cuzco aboard the afternoon train. Accommodation in the Inca capital of Cuzco.

Meals: B

After breakfast, return flight to Lima and your connecting flight to Santiago. Arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Orly.

Orly Hotel   |  Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rapa Nui, otherwise known as the Easter Islands. The flight will take approximately 5 hours. Arrival, traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel. Rapa Nui is the most isolated, inhabited island in the world.
Located 2000 miles (3200 km) west of Chile and over 4000 km from Tahiti, it was discovered by the Dutch in 1772, Admiral Jacob Roggeween landed there on Easter Sunday and gave the island its present name. He was the first European to describe the unusual statues carved from the volcanic rock from Rano Raraku. Standing as tall as 18 ft (5.5 m) and weighing up to 100 tons, the statues are known as moai, and each are supposed representations of clan chieftains. These moais, were placed on top of platforms called ahu, which in turn served as a family burial vault.

Meals: B, I-L

After breakfast, a full day's tour visiting Vaihu, where eight toppled Moai lie, Akahanga, Rano Raraku volcano, where the statues are half buried, Ahu Tongariki, where the largest Ahu (or platform) is located, Te Pito Kura (a large rock believed to have been brought from Tahiti) and Ahu Nau Nau (where the Moai are in particularly good condition).

Meals: B

Today, a half day's excursion to Rano Kau volcano, site of ancient petroglyphs and the ceremonial temple of Iorongo, Vinapu (site of meticulous stonework found nowhere else on the islands) along with the Anakai Tangata caves. Free afternoon.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Santiago and connecting flight to Iguazu. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

Free day.

Meals: B

After breakfast, a visit to the fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Iguazu falls, the most voluminous falls in the world and more than three times the width of the Niagara Falls. The Argentinean side of Iguazu allows for a close appreciation. Set in a subtropical rain forest reserve of over 180,000 hectares, Iguazu is home to jaguar, puma, caiman and over 400 species of bird. The tour will also include the Aventura ride, an exhilarating boat ride on the Parana River, heading towards the Iguazu falls themselves. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Today you will cross the border into Brazil for an excursion to appreciate a wider view of the falls. The falls lie on the three borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Return to your hotel in Argentina.
Please note, all US and Canadian passport holders require a visa for this trip to Brazil.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires and connecting flight home.

Meals: B

End of our services.