A sample Ecuador/Peru itinerary planned by Tim Lapage and Safari Experts

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Day 1      Hotel Quito - Quito, Ecuador

Depart USA via Miami or Houston for your four-hour flight Quito, Ecuador, arriving pm. Met and transfer to your local hotel.

Day 2      Hotel Quito - Quito, Ecuador

Day in Quito to explore this fascinating colonial city

** If the Galapagos interests you, here we would insert a 7 day cruise amongst the islands

Days 3 and 4      Hacienda Cusin

Collected by your guide and head out of town winding up into the mountains to Papallacta an ancient collection of theraputic hot spring baths. After lunch, time in the pools surrounded by lovely sub Andean peaks, continue on your 1.5 hour drive through the country to Hacienda Cusin, a renovated 17th century working hacienda with lovely gardens and tons of charm.

Day 4 Hacienda Cusin is surrounded by the mountains of the majestic Ecuadorean highlands...the subsistence farming on their slopes resembles a huge patch work quilt. You will remain in the area for the day and can choose between hiking, horseback riding or just exploring the reknowned Indian market in nearby Otavalo and/or the nearby leather town and the wood carvers town.

Days 4 & 5      Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Drive through the pretty countryside to San Agustin...a fantastic hacienda built on old Inca ruins....the dining room walls are all Inca stones! Each room has hand painted murals and wonderful fireplaces...a lovely quirky artistic setting, overlooked by the majestic Mt Cotopaxi. Today's drive will be approximately 3 hours.

Enjoy a day of riding or hiking or sitting and reading by the fire in the homey family room. Be sure and ask them to release the llamas into the courtyard for a fun photo op!

Day 6      Hacienda Chillo-Jijon

Drive with picnic lunch into the spectacular, if not windy, Cotapaxi Volcano National Park before heading on to to the splendid Hacienda Chillo - Jijon, personally hosted by owners Jacinto and Mariana Jijon-Caamaño. (Today's driving time will be approximately 3-4 hours with stops)

Any history of Ecuador is peppered with the names of their relatives. Over dinner, while white gloved and coated waiters serve you, Jacinto and Mariana will regale you with stories of Presidents, impeachments and of Jacinto's years as the Ecuadorean ambassador to Italy. Hacienda Chillo-Jijon.

Day 7      Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel - Lima, Peru

Drive to Quito for your departure at 5:13pm on Taca Airlines TA 28 to Lima, Peru arriving 7:25pm. (Driving time is approximately 1 hour.) You will be met upon arrival by a representative from AUQUI Mountain Spirit and transfer 40 mintues to the Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel.

Day 8      Orient Express Monasterio de Cusco Hotel - Cusco

You will be collected from the hotel at 7:45am and transfer to the airport for Lan Peru LP 71 departing at 9:50am to Cusco, arriving 11:05am. Met upon arrival at the airport by your guide, Edgar Mendivil who will accompany you during your time in Peru. Transfer 15 minutes to The Orient Express Monasterio de Cusco Hotel.

Built in 1592 as a Monastery, it retains a Spanish colonial aura with its charmed colonnaded courtyards and barrel arched public rooms. The Monasterio de Cusco is two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco's central square, where the cathedral and most important museums are located. Cusco is an amazing and magical city where you can enjoy the charming mixture of old Inca, Spanish and Colonial culture.

This unique hotel museum is an architectural treasure built on Inca foundations with a beautiful chapel adorned with extraordinary gold ornaments. It combines the solemnity of a colonial monastery with the luxury, elegance, comfort and excellent quality of a modern five-star hotel. The original architecture and design of the Monasterio has not been significantly altered, and thus the rooms do reflect their origins as a home for Jesuit seminarians. There are no 2 rooms alike and they all vary in size and format.

Cusco's 11,300-foot altitude demands acclimatization. We strongly recommend you lie down and rest for at least two hours in order to adjust to the high altitude. Drink a lot of water and NO alcohol the first two days and the night before, and eat light. Drink coca-tea (you will find a tea-pot at the hotel lobby, it's the best antidote against altitude sickness) and reduce physical efforts as climbing stairs, etc. The Hotel Monasterio has counteracted the sickness altitude problem introducing the oxygen supplementation system in most of their rooms. A light lunch is recommended at the hotel. (Lunch is not included).

Your guide, Edgar, will meet you in the afternoon for a walking tour of this unique and picturesque city.

Cusco is surrounded by the wonders of nature and impressive architectural ruins. Visit the Main Square, where you can purchase colorful crafts and appreciate the curious and charming design of the stone walkways and streets, as well as the beautiful arcades where shops and craft boutiques offer varied souvenirs, designed by local craftsmen.

Dine independently (not included). The hotel's restaurant is excellent, or Kusikuy (348 Plateros street) features local cuisine, soups with quinacs, hearty soups, stuffed chilly peppers, roast guinea pig. Also, the charming glass enclosed second story cafes and restaurants such as Tumupa, around the beautifully lit Main Square, have great views while you eat. Orient Express Monasterio de Cusco Hotel.

Days 9 & 10      Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge - Machu Picchu

Day 9 - You will be collected from the Monasterio at 6:15am and transfer to the Poroy train station to take the Orient Express Vistadome Train departing at 6:45am toward the mysterious Machu Picchu, known as the last refuge of the Incas.

Descend at kilometer 104 and walk with your guide along the Inca Trail for 6 hours towards the Gate of the sun, visiting an archeological group called Chachabamba. A special picnic lunch will be served during the walk. (Included) Shortly after the guardians hut you will get on a Ceremonial Trail that leads to the highest point of the Cerro. Here a ceremonial platform was built by the Incas to give offerings to all the great mountain gods, like Salcantay, Pumasillo, Huacyhuillca visable from here.

During the walk you will have magnificent views of the Urubamba River Valley and of the archeological ruins of Winaywanyna. The way up is constant and the trail is varied, partly with stairs; a wide cobble stoned sidewalk zig zags along the way with several short breaks and lookout points to enjoy the scenery and have a rest. You will be able to appreciate a first sight of the sacred city Machu Picchu before your descent to Machu Picchu and the Sanctuary Lodge.

Spend two nights at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located within the very sanctuary of the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, one of the most famed examples of Inca architecture.

Full day exploring Machu Picchu with your guide at your leisure.

Day 11      K'uychy Rumi Hotel - Sacred Valley

After breakfast at the hotel, at 7:30am transfer by bus (25 minutes) to the station of Aguas Calientes. Depart at 8:35am on the Orient Express Ferrostal Train arriving at Ollantaytambo station at 10:00am. Transfer to the Urubamba River for a 2-hour canoe ride. (Additional cost of $63 p/p) After canoeing you will be transferred to Estancia de Huayocari for a buffet lunch. This afternoon you will visit Pisac and other substantial Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley.

K'uychy Rumi Hotel - One double & one twin room with buffet breakfast.

Day 12      Orient Express Monasterio de Cusco Hotel - Cusco

After breakfast, visit the village of Maras and Chinchero with its lovely church built on an Inca Temple. Chinchero was once the country estate of one of the last emperors, Tupa Inca. Palace walls were constructed of large stones put together like giant jigsaw puzzles. Inside, the palace would have been light and bright with windows to allow the sun's rays to shine on gold and silver objects and fine weavings. Visit its handicraft and food market and see a demonstration of traditional weaving. Typical lunch on the way is included. Continue back to Cusco. Monasterio de Cusco Hotel - One double and one twin deluxe room with buffet breakfast.

Day 13      Lima

In the morning visit to the amazing fortress of Sacsahuaman, and witness a special ceremony by Shaman Nazario by the ruins before returning to the hotel to check out.

You will be transferred at 3:00pm from the hotel to Cusco airport for departure to Lima on Lan Perú LP 38 at 4:30pm, arriving 5:50pm. You will be met upon arrival and drive to a restaurant in Lima for dinner. A suggestion would be the Huaca Pucilana Restaurant in the Miraflores. Reservations suggested. (account direct) Transfer back to the airport for check in at 10:40pm.

Day 14      Departure to the U.S.

Depart Lima for your return to the USA on an overnight flight.