HIGHLIGHTS OF PERU & GALAPAGOS

Day 1
Fly to Lima.

Day 2
Early start for the flight to Puerto Maldonado, a small jungle town, then by boat (3-4 hours, depending on the river) to the jungle lodge in the Tambopata Reserve. On the way we may see caimans (alligators), river turtles and a wide variety of birdlife.

Day 3 - 4
We take a short boat ride down river to the trailhead. Here we embark on a tiring longer trail (12 km round trip) which leads to a spectacular hidden lake, requiring the crossing of streams and swampy ground, past the giant lupuna trees (kings of the jungle) which abound in this part of the forest. On the walk you are introduced to more aspects of the forest and its animals. At the lake itself it is possible to spot the elusive black caiman and giant otters. For those who would prefer, it is possible to organise a shorter walk and afternoon visit to a local farm.

Day 5
A dawn start is required for the boat trip back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Lookout for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stake out their territories. Fly to Cuzco. There is usually time for an afternoon tour of the city. At 3300m Cuzco is an extremely high city and you may find yourself short of breath on arrival. Drinking plenty of water and taking it easy at first is advisable.

Day 6 - 7
Located on the Chinchero plane is the village of the same name where Andean weavers provide a demonstration on their art and craft, which not only is colourful but offers insights into their way of life and its traditions. We have lunch in a home and then visit the Moray Inca experimental fields and the impressive salt ponds of Maras before returning to our hotel near Ollantaytambo. For those that would like to, we will also visit the Rainbow Centre in Urubamba. This is a centre set up for children with special needs. You will be shown round the school, meet the volunteers and children and get told more about the project. Please note that this is entirely optional and those who don't wish to visit the project could spend a pleasant hour wandering around the charming town of Urubamba. If you would like to bring anything for the children or donate to the project, this would naturally be very well received. For more details on the project, please see the introduction

Day 8
For most people one of the highlights of the trip is the visit by train to the greatest ruin in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records about it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle. For hikers, there is the possibility of a short one-day Inca Trail option, at no extra cost, covering the best day of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Please note that there are now stringent booking procedures in place for the Inca Trail. If you would like to do the 1 day Inca Trail then it's essential that you let us know before your booking is processed.

Day 9
In the morning, before the tourists arrive, we return early to have a tour and spend the morning at the ruins, then board the train in the afternoon (though its timings are somewhat erratic) for the ride along the Urubamba River to Cuzco, where we spend the night.

Day 10
A free day to relax and enjoy the many attractions of Cuzco. In the centre is the Plaza de Armas, with several fine churches and examples of the famous Inca stonework. Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. It is possible to visit the cathedral, San Blas Church and a religious art museum.

Day 11
In the morning we fly to Lima. In the afternoon there is a city tour of the historical colonial centre as well as the modern district of Lima ending with a view over the Pacific Ocean.

Day 12
Fly to Quito. Time to relax and during the day there is free time for you to explore the main features of the city.

Day 13
Half-day city-tour of Quito, one of the smaller and more attractive of the capitals of South America - 2,850m high in the western cordillera of the Andes. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, and as always at altitude, it is a good idea not to do anything too strenuous at first!

Day 14
We return to Quito airport for the flight to Galápagos. From Quito the flight is to the island of Baltra via Guayaquil, and from here we drive by minibus to the harbour where our boat is moored. Lunch on board will be followed by an afternoon visit to Isla Plaza (approximately 2 hour walk) where there is a nesting colony of magnificent frigate birds, swallowtail gulls, sea lions, land and marine iguanas as well as a cactus forest. We return to the boat for dinner. Sail to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.

Day 15
Visit to the Darwin Station, lunch on board and then a trip into the highlands. It is the only place to see giant tortoises in the wild (apart from Isabela), and it is a good place to see many birds including a variety of finches, cuckoos, vermilion flycatchers and yellow warblers. There are lava tunnels and a pair of large pit craters, Los Gemelos. We will pass through seven vegetation zones as we drive up to the top and see a variety of endemic and native trees and shrubs. There is time afterwards to visit the town of Puerto Ayora.

Day 16
We will have travelled to Espanola Island overnight. The first visit will be to Gardner Bay, a beautiful white sandy beach dotted with sea lions and iguanas. Walking along the beach you should see yellow warblers, Galapagos doves, three species of Darwin's finches, mockingbirds, marine iguanas and, of course, sea lions frolicking in the water. We return to the boat where there is time for snorkelling before lunch. This is a good site for swimming and snorkelling - the waters are clear and the variety of fish amazing. During lunch we sail to Punta Suarez, one of the best sites in the Galapagos Islands. Endemic hood mocking birds, red-billed tropicbirds, brightly coloured marine iguanas, and lava lizards reside here. Nesting colonies of masked and blue-footed boobies can also be seen and, from March to December, the entire world population of waved albatross make their home on Espanola. The Galapagos Hawk and yellow-crowned night heron are often seen here too. Later in the day we sail to Isla Floreana.

Day 17
At Punta Cormorant there is a green sand beach that leads to a lagoon where there may be flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks. An interesting walk through an area with a rich variety of plants leads to a white beach. Sea turtles and stingrays, ghost crabs, Galapagos flycatcher and cuckoo may be seen. Afterwards there should be time to snorkel at the Devil's Crown nearby before setting sail again. We visit Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used to leave mail to be picked up by a passing ship. The afternoon is spent under sail to Isla Isabela. En route we may be lucky enough to see whales, sharks, dolphins, okras, manta rays and frigate birds.

Day 18
At Punta Moreno on the island of Isabela there is a typical pahoehoe lava flow, and a rich life exists in its numerous rock pools and cracks, including white tipped reef sharks. You may see flamingos here, great blue herons and pintail ducks. Pelicans also nest in the mangroves. On board the panga we ride north to Elizabeth Bay, located on the Perry Isthmus, passing rocky islets that are breeding grounds for a small colony of penguin. Flightless cormorants and the biggest specimens of marine iguana are often seen here. A narrow cove lined with tall red mangrove trees is home to marine turtles, rays and shore birds.

Day 19
A wet landing on a white sand beach takes us to Urbina Bay, where you should see giant tortoises and both land and marine iguanas. A short walk takes you to a lagoon where flightless cormorants should be seen. Sail to Tagus Cove on Isabella. We return to the Cachalote to continue on to Fernandina Island. On the shores of one of the world's most active volcanoes, at Punta Espinosa, you will see flightless cormorants, pelicans, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs and an abundance of marine iguanas. Sail overnight to Isla Santiago.

Day 20
By dawn, we will be anchored at Puerto Egas where there will be opportunities for tide-pooling, and then a walk to a series of rocky pools, including the Fur Seal Grotto, where sea lions and fur seals bask around the edge, or swim in the clear water below. In the afternoon, we will sail round the island to Bartolome. You will be visiting one of the most photographed visitors sites in the Galapagos Islands: Bartolome and Pinnacle rock. Wooden steps, built to protect a fragile and eroding environment, lead to the top of this small island, past spatter and cinder cones and occasional clumps of lava cactus. The view is worth the rather strenuous climb (114m); a panorama with Pinnacle Rock, white beaches and mangroves, and the vast volcanic landscape beyond. Having returned to sea level, the panga (dinghy) will take you to the beach with swimming and snorkelling opportunities.

Day 21
By dawn, we will be anchored at Puerto Egas where there will be opportunities for tide-pooling, and then a walk to a series of rocky pools, including the Fur Seal Grotto, where sea lions and fur seals bask around the edge, or swim in the clear water below. In the afternoon, we will sail round the island to Bartolome. You will be visiting one of the most photographed visitors sites in the Galapagos Islands: Bartolome and Pinnacle rock. Wooden steps, built to protect a fragile and eroding environment, lead to the top of this small island, past spatter and cinder cones and occasional clumps of lava cactus. The view is worth the rather strenuous climb (114m); a panorama with Pinnacle Rock, white beaches and mangroves, and the vast volcanic landscape beyond. Having returned to sea level, the panga (dinghy) will take you to the beach with swimming and snorkelling opportunities. Later we fly back to Quito.

Day 22
Depart Quito.

Day 23
Arrive London.