CRUISING THE GALÁPAGOS ON BOARD THE SANTA CRUZ WITH PERU and PERUS AMAZON (ISYE2012)

Day 1:
Arrive Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, where you will be met by your Local Host.

Day 2:
Quito. Your included city TOUR showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and, later, the Spaniards. See Independence Square dominated by its formidable Cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the BASILICA with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)

Day 3:
Quito–Baltra (Embarkation)–Galápagos Cruising. Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, transfer to Santa Cruz Island, where you will embark the Santa Cruz and enjoy five days of cruising among various Galápagos Islands. Visit Las Bachas on SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, where abandoned WWII military barges can be found. Today, it is an important nesting area for the East Pacific Green Sea Turtle. You will also see brackish lagoons just steps away from the sea and the white-sand beach, a feeding ground for various wading birds—from stilts to flamingos. This evening, a lecture led by your onboard Naturalist will prepare you for tomorrow’s adventure. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Cruising: James Island. After breakfast, join your Naturalist for a short panga ride to Espumilla beach on JAMES ISLAND. In the nearby mangrove forest, watch where you step, as this is common nesting area for sea turtles. Also keep an eye out for Galápagos finches, marine iguanas, and sea lions, as well as flamingos and pintail ducks in the nearby lagoons. This afternoon, land at Puerto Egas, known for its black-sand beach and landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. This is a great opportunity to see land and marine birds as well as a colony of fur sea lions and marine iguanas. You have the chance to snorkel or swim from the beach, or ride on the glass-bottom boat. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Cruising: Rábida & Bartolomé Islands. Disembark at RÁBIDA ISLAND on a red-colored beach, formed from the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Here, your Naturalist points out large colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a wonderful place to snorkel from the beach, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. At BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND, hike to the summit for a stunning view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones, including iconic Pinnacle Rock. You will also have the chance to snorkel and possibly see Galápagos penguins in tropical waters and even some sharks! (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Cruising: Tower Island. Upon arrival at TOWER ISLAND, your visit to Prince Philip’s Steps begins with a scenic panga ride along the cliffs to see the large number of shore and seabirds nesting in the cliffs’ ledges. Disembark at the base of Prince Philip’s Steps and climb up the stairs to a trail where birdlife abounds. A walk with your Naturalist reveals large colonies of masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and even short-eared owls. In the afternoon, disembark at Darwin Bay to observe thousands of birds—mainly, frigatebirds, redfooted and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds. Return to the beach for swimming and snorkeling in this beautiful natural harbor. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Cruising: San Cristobal Island (Disembarkation)–Quito–Lima, Peru. After breakfast, depart for Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galápagos back in 1835. This island is home to seabirds like blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigatebirds, and various shore birds. Also watch for the Chatham mockingbird and Chatham lava lizard—both species are endemic to this island and seen nowhere else in the Galápagos. Head to the airport for your return flight to Lima to begin the Peru portion of your vacation. (B)

Day 8:
Lima. Your included city TOUR focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the Cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin and with its eerie burial crypts. (B)

Day 9:
Lima–Cusco. Fly to Cusco high in the Andes. Your guided TOUR visits the Santo Domingo MONASTERY, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. In the Plaza de Armas, see the Cathedral before taking a short drive outside the city to the ruins of SACSAYHUAMAN with its intricate stone walls, amphitheatre of KENKO, and the Red Fortress of PUCA PUCARA. (B)

Day 10:
Cusco. Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley leads to the market town of PISAC. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. At the other end of the valley is OLLANTAYTAMBO. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Try out area cuisine at one of the many Cusco restaurants recommended by your Local Host. (B,L)

Day 11:
Cusco–Machu Picchu. Board a TRAIN bound for MACHU PICCHU and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided TOUR, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas, or hike to the peak of Huayna Picchu. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Machu Picchu–Cusco. A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over MACHU PICCHU. Return to Cusco, where your Local Host will recommend options for your free time. Perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B)

Day 13:
Cusco–Puerto Maldonado. Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Embark on a MOTORBOAT for a journey up the Tambopata River to view turtles, caimans, monkeys, and river birdlife, such as capped herons, black skimmers, and kingfishers. Arrive at your unique Amazon Jungle Lodge within the Ese’ Eja Native Indian Community. After settling in, take a walk to the CANOPY TOWER to observe the forest and river and its inhabitants. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Puerto Maldonado. A BOAT TRIP and walk brings you to Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake to search by canoe for resident giant river otters—the largest and most endangered of the otter species. This afternoon, learn about medicinal uses of the area’s endemic plants. Tonight, why not participate in a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife? (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Puerto Maldonado. For more insight into jungle life, visit the PARROT CLAY LICK and watch parrots and macaws perch to eat clay. Also visit a native slash-and-burn FARM, once thought to be wasteful but now a proven sustainable method. (B,L,D)

Day 16:
Puerto Maldonado–Lima. Fly to Lima, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 17:
Lima. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/19/2012 - 6/4/2012	$6,285
6/16/2012 - 7/2/2012	$6,285
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$6,285
8/11/2012 - 8/27/2012	$6,285
9/8/2012 - 9/24/2012	$6,285
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,285
10/20/2012 - 11/5/2012	$6,285
11/3/2012 - 11/19/2012	$6,285
11/17/2012 - 12/3/2012	$6,285
12/1/2012 - 12/17/2012	$6,285
12/15/2012 - 12/31/2012	$6,285
12/29/2012 - 1/14/2013	$6,495
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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