Best of Peru And Ecuador

Highlights

• Cocktails in restored 16th mansion
• Colonial city of Cusco
• The lost city of Machu Picchu by train
• Colourful Sacred Valley
• Unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos
• Intimate cruise experience
  

Day 1 - Arrive Lima
An A&K welcome on arrival and transfer. This afternoon a tour of colonial and modern Lima taking in the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas and the beautiful Larco Herrera Museum. A drive through San Isidro and Miraflores showcases these elegant seaside districts and this evening is cocktails at the elegant 16th century Casa Aliaga, a superbly restored colonial home.
Miraflores Park Hotel (Executive Suite Ocean View)

Day 2 - Lima - Sacred Valley (2,400M)
Fly to Cusco where you travel by road directly into the Sacred Valley, heartland of the Incas, a charming area full of archaeological sites, Inca terraces and quaint market villages. Visit the delightful town of Chincheros with its cobbled streets and Inca origins. On Sundays its colourful fair draws countryfolk from all corners of the valley to exchange their products. Lunch today is at Huayoccari Hacienda. Continue to the massive stone fortress of Ollantaytambo and its Incan town (B,L).
Tambo del Inka (Deluxe Room)

Day 3 - Sacred Valley
This morning visit the AKP sponsored 'Children of the Rainbow' centre in the Sacred Valley, an inspiring project giving hope and a future to many families in the region. This afternoon is at leisure to relax at the hotel, enjoy the many activities available in the valley or perhaps indulge in a spa treatment (B,L).
Tambo del Inka (Deluxe Room)

Day 4 - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu (2,350M)
Transfer to Ollantaytambo station to board the train for the scenic journey along a narrow gauge line to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Venture by bus up to the magical site, clinging to the mountain slopes high above the Urubamba River. Rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, the site remains well preserved and largely intact so as you walk amongst the ruins of palaces, temples, houses and storerooms it is easy to imagine the city at the height of the Inca Empire (B, D).
Inkaterra Machu Picchu (Casita Junior Deluxe)

Day 5 - Machu Picchu - Cusco
A fascinating morning to further explore the ruins with your guide. Late this afternoon board the luxury Hiram Bingham rail service for the return journey to Poroy where you transfer on by road to Cusco. Dinner and entertainment is included on the train (B,D).
La Casona Inkterra (Suite Patio)

Day 6 - Cusco
A morning guided walk around this colonial city with its cathedral and the beautiful Plaza de Armas and then on to the nearby Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman. The afternoon is yours to discover what makes this delightful city tick. There's a tour of the studio of Martin Chambi, the first indigenous photographer in the Americas and the first to photograph Machu Picchu or the opportunity to meet local artists in the bohemian San Blas district (B).
La Casona Inkterra (Suite Patio)

Day 7 - Cusco - Guayaquil
A flight to Lima with access to the VIP lounge between connections. Continue on by air to Guayaquil*, Ecuador and a transfer to the hotel (B).
Mansion del Rio (Suite)

Day 8 - Guayaquil-Galapagos Islands
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos archipelago. Here you board the M/V Eclipse, your home for the next week (B,L,D).
Sanctuary MV Eclipse (Superior Stateroom or Single Stateroom)

Day 9 - Day 14 - Galapagos Islands
The next six days are spent exploring the tiny islands whose amazing variety of wildlife prompted Darwin to write his ground-breaking 'Origin of Species'. Most expeditions with your naturalist guide are by pangas - inflatable, rubber vessel with outboard motor. These manoeuvre smoothly into bays offering unequalled opportunities for photography and up-close observation. Snorkels are also available onboard to explore the fascinating underwater world around you.

There are 13 islands and countless smaller islets. Landmark sights include Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island, Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, Gardner Bay on Espanola and the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz.

Wildlife found in the Galapagos includes the Galapagos Tortoise, land and marine iguanas, turtles, the brightly-coloured Sally-Lightfoot Crab, fur seals, sea lions, seven types of dolphin, 16 species of whales and profuse birdlife including three species of booby, penguins, finches, cormorants and waved albatross to name a few (B,L,D).
Sanctuary MV Eclipse (Superior Stateroom or Single Stateroom)

Day 15 - Galapagos-Quito (2,800m)
Disembark at Baltra for the flight to Quito. A private welcome into the Ecuadorian capital before transferring to your hotel.
Plaza Grande (Royal Suite)

Day 16 - Quito
This morning explore the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town as well as sights around Panecillo Hill. There's also a 'behind the scene's' visit to the studio and private collection of acclaimed artist Osvaldo Viteri (B,L).
Plaza Grande (Royal Suite)

Day 17 - Depart Quito
A transfer to the airport and VIP lounge access as you farewell South America (B).

Note: *Flights not included in pricing.

A&K Insider Access - Casa Aliaga
Experience the splendour of one of Lima's most impressive and oldest homes over cocktails. Dating to the 16th century, Casa Aliaga is superbly restored and has been in the Aliaga family for over 400 years, making it the oldest house in the Southern Hemisphere inhabited continuously by the same family. From the intricately carved timber front door to the stone entrance hall and up the grand staircase, each part of the house is unique and has been designed with grand proportions. In typical Spanish style there is an interior courtyard and decorative elements throughout the house include vast iron lamps, valuable antiques and artworks.

Children of the Rainbow
Situated in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas, the corridor connecting the city of Cusco with world famous Machu Picchu, the Children of the Rainbow project brings hope and healing to an area where alcoholism and a lack of education has created suffering through child abuse, domestic violence, poverty, malnutrition and a decimating ecosystem. By providing love, shelter, education and health resources, an opportunity is created for local people to improve their future and preserve a beautiful part of the world. A&K guests can bring books, school supplies and sports equipment for the children and 'wish list' items needed by the project. It also provides opportunity for interaction with children in the home.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 17 day suggested journey in Peru & Ecuador will cost from $15,120 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.