INTRODUCTION The Chimu Collections range consists of boutique properties, cruises & itineraries, throughout Latin America, designed for travellers seeking unique experiences. Enjoy a luxurious adventure combining the ancient Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu and the impressive wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Start in Ecuador's capital, Quito, spread across a spectacular Andean Valley and joining volcanic peaks. The city itself will take your breath away. Your journey continues on a cruise to the Galapagos islands, nature's wonderland of wildlife. Finish your journey with a flight to Cusco to explore the ancient civilization of Machu Picchu. ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival transfer in Quito On arrival into Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Sitting at 2,850 metres above sea level high in the Andean foothills lies Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The city, a short distance from the Equator and with an amazing backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is known for its stunning colonial architecture and art-work. Founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city, Quito has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic centres in the Americas. It was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. DAY 2: Quito Private City Tour with Middle of the World Commence a colonial city tour of Quito exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical old town in the Americas. Visit some of its most important churches such as the majestic La Compañía and iconic San Francisco which have stunning multi-ethnic designs and cultural heritage. We then take you to the Ethnographic Museum, which shows the great diversity of Ecuador s native groups. Here you will see The Equatorial Monument which marks the exact middle of the World, Latitude 0º. You can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. A certificate for having crossed the Equator is issued to each guest! The surrounding, volcanic scenery is stunning. Beside the monument is a Colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and gift shops. DAY 3: Quito Otavalo Market Excursion w/lunch We head 1.5hrs north of Quito to visit the Otavalo indigenous market; the most important indigenous market in South America. On the way, we pass by small villages, the snow capped volcano Cayambe, the San Pablo Lake, and the Imbabura Volcano. In the city of Cayambe, we make a quick stop to try the traditional biscuits before continuing to Otavalo. The market is the largest of its kind in South America, offering many different kinds of arts and crafts from local communities.
DAY 4: Transfer to the airport for onward At the appropriate time, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your outward flight from Quito. Baltra Airport & South Plaza Island Our adventure begins with a morning flight to Baltra Island and immediate transfer to the dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There s a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, cabin assignment and then lunch. We weigh anchor and start sailing for our first afternoon outing. South Plaza Island The turquoise waters of the channel here contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline, while a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus beyond, populated by yellow-grey land iguanas. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while sea birds play with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but spectacular island DAY 5: Friday, Santa Fe & San Cristobal Santa Fe Island We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana, unique to just this island, may be spotted during the walk. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat. Cerro Colorado Tortoise Habitat After lunch, we disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.
DAY 6: Saturday, Punta Pitt / Cerro Brujo Punta Pitt We land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island this morning. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline; we can observe frigates, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach and snorkel. Cerro Brujo In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes us to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coral beach, great for walking, with rewarding bird-watching featuring seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galapagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835. DAY 7: Sunday, Punta Suárez/Gardner Bay Punta Suarez Our morning outing at Punta Suárez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - January), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous blowhole lava formation. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Many regard this site as the best in the Galapagos. Back on board for lunch. Gardner Bay In the afternoon, we set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area, or else there s time to kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat. On arrival into Quito you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 8: Transfer to the airport for onward At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival into Lima you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Guided assistance is included. Lima, the capital of Peru, sits on the country's arid Pacific coast. Founded in 1535, its colonial centre is well preserved, but today Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America s largest cities. The city is home to the various museums including the Museo Larco that houses a collection of pre-columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru s ancient civilizations. Lima is known as the gastronomical capital of the Americas, encompassing specialties from ceviche and traditional coastal cooking to refined global fare. It even boasts several of the top restaurants in the world. Today is spent touring Lima, the Colonial City of Kings. On the city tour you will visit a number of well-known sites including the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Plaza de Armas as well as the Catacombs located beneath the San Francisco Convent. This is a chance to appreciate Lima's magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-colombian past.
DAY 9: Transfer to the airport for onward You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your outward flight from Lima. Arrival into Cusco and transfer to hotel. Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Incan remains. Narrow, cobblestoned streets lined by Inca walls stretch out from the main plaza in every direction. Many of the colonial buildings were built on top of Incan foundations and the stonework is unparalleled in its precision and beauty. Take a sightseeing tour through Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Visit the fascinating Qorikancha Temple of the Sun, the 12-Angled Rock and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here head to the archaeological remains located around the city, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo (giant rock), the ancient site of Puca Pucara and finally the Water Temple of Tambomachay. DAY 10: Sacred Valley Full Day Tour Today, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. The first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market and Inca Ruins. There is free time to wander the colourful market stalls before heading uphill to the Pisac, Intihuatana, Q allaqasa and Kinchiracay ruins. Enjoy a fine buffet lunch in gardens overlooking the Valley. Continue your journey along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo. The town, which is dominated by a giant Inca fortress, is perhaps the best surviving example of Inca town planning and was the scene of a rare Inca victory over the invading Spanish. Transfer to your hotel for the night or should you be returning to Cusco, visit Chinchero en route, an important Inca town with a colonial church and plaza.
DAY 11: Transfer to train station for onward Transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the Poroy train station. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey on board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train through the spectacular Andes mountain range to the renowned Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You will enjoy first class service on board this stylish train including lunch. *Due to limited space for luggage storage on trains, luggage restrictions apply: one bag or backpack (carry-on luggage) with a maximum weight of 5.0 kg/11 lb, measuring no more than 62 linear inches/157 linear cm (height + length + width) Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site, located 2,430 metres above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It is the most famous of all Inca sites, but it was not until 1911 that it was brought to the world s attention by the American historian Hiram Bingham. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonisation, the city was never pillaged and as a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition. With its location on a dramatic ridgeline surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Urubamba River on three sides, the city of Machu Picchu is a remarkable place to visit. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and in 2007 it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The tour starts with a bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. You will be astonished at your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and monuments such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries. Tour includes guided group tour and return bus from Aguas Calientes village. Please be aware that your tour of Machu Picchu does not include an entry permit to Huayna Picchu (the iconic hill behind the Machu Picchu ruins). If you want to climb Huayna Picchu then you need to pre-book your permit with at least 3 months in advance. Please contact your travel specialist if you would like to do this.
DAY 12: Free time to explore Aguas Calientes Free time to explore the town of Aguas Calientes and wonder around its many markets and restaurants This afternoon return to Cusco by the sophisticated Hiram Bingham train enjoying the first class service with dinner. On arrival into the Cusco Poroy Train Station you will be transferred to your hotel in the city. DAY 13: Transfer to the airport for onward You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your flight from Cusco. INCLUSIONS & DETAILS Accommodation Inclusions Difficulty Rating Single Surcharge Notes Price Dependent upon Deluxe Daily breakfast and meals as detailed on the itinerary Private transfers & excursions with bilingual speaking guide Accommodation in 5* properties with private facilities 1 - Easy Available Upon Request Contact us for more details Season and Availability SUSTAINABILITY Chimu Adventures undertakes a number of sustainability measures within its operations including: 1) Only using local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprints. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you re visiting. 2) Where possible, using locally owned and operated boutique hotels to maximise the return to the local community.
3) Chimu s Pass it on programme has provided funding to hundreds of local community projects in Latin America. Our aim is to empower local communities, helping them to develop their own infrastructure for the future. Since 2006, we have been working with Kiva (a well-known Non-Governmental Organisation), providing hundreds of loans to local businesses all over South America. 4) In our pre tour information we provide a range of tips and advice on how to minimise your impact on both local environments and communities. 5) Chimu Adventures offices also take a number of sustainability measures including carbon offsets for company vehicles and most staff travel. Chimu Adventure s internal processes are also structures to create a paperless office and to reduce waste. There are also internal programmes to help staff minimise their carbon footprint such as our staff bike purchase assistance plan which encourages office staff to commute to work via bicycle. Currently almost half of our office based staff commute to work via bicycle.