South America Highlights

North South Journeys' representative in Argentina will meet you at the domestic Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, and upon check in you will be presented a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Argentina. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in Buenos Aires and other Argentina destinations. 

If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now. 

Located only 260m from Plaza San Martin and from Florida Street, Hotel Pulitzer offers stylish, modern rooms with free WiFi and plasma TVs in downtown Buenos Aires.

Decorated in sober colours, rooms at Pulitzer Hotel feature comfortable armchairs upholstered in leather and natural fabrics. All of them have minibars and large windows. A buffet breakfast including fresh juices is served daily. Fine drinks and cocktails can be enjoyed at the bar. A skybar is also featured.

Guests can unwind reading a book from the library in the charming lounge, which features a glass ceiling. Galerias Pacífico Shopping Mall is 400 m away, whereas Puerto Madero is 700 m away.

Duration: 3 hours
Departure: Morning & Afternoon departures.
Included Services: Guided Tour in English in a shared van of up to 12 seats. Pick up from no more than 3 hotels. This tour Includes 3 stops at Plaza de Mayo, Caminito at La Boca and Cementery of Recoleta.

This tour provides an overview of Buenos Aires and does not include time to stop and enter museums or attractions that you will see while exploring the city. Lunch is not included. You will be picked up from your hotel for this tour to discover the beauty and magic of Buenos Aires with this panoramic tour visiting the most important highlights of this spectacular city.

At the first stop discover the history of May Square, the site of the most important historical events and their protagonists since its foundation: see its surroundings, the most emblematic buildings, and learn all about them. Continue for a visit to the oldest residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo, with its cobble-stoned streets and discover its antiques shops and picturesque buildings. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighborhood of La Boca: walk along Caminito Street and enjoy the dancers and souvenir shops. See the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium.

Contemplate the modernization of the city whilst traveling along Puerto Madero and its exclusive docks, full of excellent restaurants and large offices. Pass through the Retiro neighborhood and move on to see the most exclusive residential area before finally arriving at Recoleta. Once there, discover the final resting place of Eva Peron, “Evita” and wander through Recoleta Cemetery where she is to be found.

After the tour you will be dropped to your hotel.

Departure: Between 19:30 and 20:00 approx. (exact time TBC closer to your travel) 
Dinner & Show: Starting from 20:30
Included: Shared round trip transfers, Tango show and dinner

You will head to the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, the birthplace of tango and the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires. Arrive at a conventillo, a historic tenement restored and now used as a restaurant-theater, where La Ventana takes place. As you stroll through the theater’s preserved architectural interior, travel back in time to the tango grandeur of the early 1900s. 

You will arrive 90 minutes before showtime and dig into a three-course meal featuring a wide array of Argentine and international dishes, accompanied by Argentine wines. Two tango orchestras and an Argentine folk music group provide live accompaniment to the five smartly costumed couples on stage, who grace the stage with sensuality and breathtaking precision.

 Listen to both Spanish and indigenous styles of music from the bands as well as vocalists. Get a glimpse of the gaucho culture, or Argentina’s version of cowboys, through a demonstration of boleadoras, used to wrangle livestock.

After dinner you will be transferred back to your hotel.

This small city is not the main tourist destination as the falls provide the main visitor draw card. However, during your time at leisure, you may wish to visit the 'hito de las tres fronteras' or the 'three country border'. This is the intersection of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.  

The hotel is located in the heart of Puerto Iguazu, a few meters from the best restaurants, bars and pubs in the city.  It offers stunning views of Luis Honorio Rolon Natural Park and the Iguazu River. 

O2 Hotel Iguazu is a modern hotel, featuring rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, and modern amenities such as free WiFi, minibars, and soundproofing. Guests enjoy views of landmarks and tiled floors for a comfortable stay.

The hotel offers a rooftop swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, sauna, fitness centre, sun terrace, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property.  

Its unbeatable location a few meters from different points of interest and entertainment such as the Iguazú Casino and the Iguazú shopping promenade allows you to enjoy the different leisure activities offered by the city.

Included: National Park Entrance Fee, Train & Guided Visit

You will be picked up from your hotel to visit the Argentinean side of the Iguazú Falls, 67.000 hectares long, located within Iguazú National Park, one of the first protected areas of America. 

The falls are made up of 275 falls thundering down from a 70 meter average height. In this section of the rainforest, a huge variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies can be seen while walking plus the diversity of native species this park has to offer. 

Once inside the park, you have the option to take a train to Estación Cataratas and/or Estación Garganta del Diablo if you prefer not to walk. It takes 18 minutes to Estación Garganta. After arrival, walk along the 1200m moderate trail and enjoy the most spectacular fall: Devil’s Throat. After that, you will walk on Upper Circuit: 800m trail of raised boardwalk above the ground and water surface, so as not to block or scare away our local fauna. In this circuit, the waterfalls from the upper part of Dos Hermanas, Bosetti, Bernabé Méndez, and M’Bigua among other waterfalls can be observed. 

Then on Lower Circuit: 1600m trail walk, above the ground surface, with a view from the bottom of Dos Hermanas, Alvar Nuñez, San Martín, Bosetti and Peñon of Bella Vista waterfalls; from Peñon we get a view of Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) and Cañón del Rio Iguazú inferior. 

Note: Lunch is on your own in the park. Your guide will explain the options and provide time in between activities for you to eat.

Optional add on: Please speak to your consultant if you would like this to be included in your quote.

This add on tour offers an exciting adventure within Iguazú National Park and in Lower Iguazú River. 

It is divided into 2 parts: firstly, the sailing on the semi-rigid boats to reach the bottom of San Martin, Bosetty, Tres Mosqueteros and Cañon de Garganta del Diablo falls and down the river rapids up to Puerto Macuco (3 km from the Waterfalls); secondly, an 8 km ride in a special truck along the rainforest, observing the local flora and fauna with the aid of specialized guides. 

Feel and experience the Waterfalls in this tour! You can start this tour by boat and then walk, or the other way around.

Difficulty: Medium, 100 meters of stairs total.
Note: This ride does have restrictions for pregnant women, people with physical / medical problems and children under 12 years old.

The hotel is located in the heart of Puerto Iguazu, a few meters from the best restaurants, bars and pubs in the city.  It offers stunning views of Luis Honorio Rolon Natural Park and the Iguazu River. 

O2 Hotel Iguazu is a modern hotel, featuring rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, and modern amenities such as free WiFi, minibars, and soundproofing. Guests enjoy views of landmarks and tiled floors for a comfortable stay.

The hotel offers a rooftop swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, sauna, fitness centre, sun terrace, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property.  

Its unbeatable location a few meters from different points of interest and entertainment such as the Iguazú Casino and the Iguazú shopping promenade allows you to enjoy the different leisure activities offered by the city.

Included: Brazilian National Park Entrance Ticket, Private Transfers, Guided Visit

The tour starts when you arrive to the Visitor Center to enter the park. 

You will use the official buses that explore the park and take us to the trail over the Iguazú River. From this point, you will get a panoramic view of the Argentinean falls across the river and is an ideal time to take pictures. Continuing on, you will see Río Iguazú Canyon, Salto Rivadavia and Tres Mosqueteros. Towards the end of the tour, you will arrive at the Devil’s Throat lower viewpoint, 200m away. This beautiful scenery is enhanced by rainbows that are always on display. 

The tour ends at Salto Floriano where an elevator takes you up to the bus parking - or for those looking for an active option, you can walk the path and up the stairs to the meeting point.

Optional add on: Please speak to your consultant if you would like this to be included in your quote.

Included: Bird Park entrance fee & Guided Visit

The Parque das Aves is a magnificent bird park positioned just 300 meters away from the entrance of the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park. The walking tour through the park on the marked circuit lasts about two hours, however, visitors may remain in the park all day long if they want to spend more time with the birds.

Parque das Aves is the only institution in the world focused on the conservation of the beautiful and exuberant birds of the Atlantic Rainforest, offering an up-close, immersive and charming experience with them. When you visit Parque das Aves you also learn about what we do to help reverse the conservation crisis that these birds and the Atlantic Rainforest are experiencing. Here you can have a complete experience of connection and knowledge about birds and their forests, a natural heritage of global importance at your fingertips.

The entire trail is sign-posted and has special access for wheelchair users. During the circuit, you'll find toilets and shelters. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy the restaurant and cafe overlooking the Lake of Flamingos and relax. 

For visitors who enjoy observing birds from afar, the park does offer shortcuts around the aviaries that do not require you to pass directly through them. Other areas in the park have open ponds where birds like flamingos congregate. 

Note: Flights are not included in the land pricing and will be sent as a separate quote.

North South Journeys' representative in Brazil will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you with your bags and make sure you get your detailed itinerary for your experiences in Brazil. 

Just 130 m from Copacabana Beach, the Windsor Palace features a rooftop terrace with a pool and beautiful ocean views. Surrounded by trendy shops, it is only 3 km from the famous Ipanema Beach and perfect for beach walks, sandy beaches and promenades.

The air-conditioned rooms at the Windsor Palace Hotel provide a balcony, modern bathroom and cable TV. Amenities also include a minibar, telephone and radio. 

The restaurant serves Brazilian and international food. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Several international and regional dining options are available within a 5-minute walk.

You will be picked up from your hotel after breakfast to visit the most famous landmarks of the city and see the natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro from up above. 

Embark on a comfortable train that ascends the mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer is located 700 meters above sea level. The Christ statue, known as the “wonder of Rio”, was recently elected one of the 7 "New Wonders of the World". Upon arrival at the top, you can use the panoramic elevators or escalators to arrive at the foot of the statute. There you will marvel at the panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why it is called the "Marvellous City".

Afterwards, descend the mountain and stop for a delicious lunch (not included). From there passengers will continue to Sugar Loaf.

Over a million tourists each year visit the world famous ‘Pão de Açúcar’, (Sugar Loaf Mountain), which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rising up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of a concentrated, refined sugar loaf. The journey to the top is made in glass cable-cars. The first cable-car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its surrounding islands. From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable-car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Mountain and downtown Rio de Janeiro.

You will be transferred back to your hotel after the tour.

For your time at leisure in Rio de Janeiro, we recommend visiting Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana beaches to experience Rio like a local.

There are a myriad of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars in these areas to enjoy. 

If you are in Rio on a Sunday, you can check out the Feira Hippie de Ipanema which is the hippie market in Ipanema. It is full of colourful clothing, artistic local paintings and beautiful local hand made jewelry. 

You will be picked up from your hotel for this unique private tour of Old Rio and Santa Teresa. 

The tour starts with a walking tour which gives visitors a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio. The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, such as the São Bento Monastery, , Praça XV, the "Travessa do Mercado", Imperial Palace (‘Paço Imperial’), the cultural center located in the beautifully-restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa França-Brasil, Ouvidor Street and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. The walk continues on down Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square, and up to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

You will have some time to have lunch (not included) before your next stop in the  neighborhood of Santa Teresa which is located on Morro do Desterro (Exile Hill).

During the XVIII century this neighborhood served as a convent. The hill is located in the city's heart and has preserved Old Rio's aspects ('Rio Antigo'). Artists and bohemians flock to Santa Teresa because of its architectural and cultural charm. Old-fashion cable cars maneuver the narrow streets and are considered one of the city's historical heritage. You'll be able to visit Cosme Velho before heading through Castelinho ('Little Castle'), where Commander Antonio Valentim lived during the XIX century. Next, we will stop by Ruins Park ('Parque das Ruinas'), where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Rio de Janeiro. 

Afterward, we will visit the Chácara do Céu Museum (Farmstead of Heaven Museum), an exciting Brazilian and European art collection highlighting Portinari, Di Cavalcanti, Matisse, and Modigliani. The tour continues to Largo do Guimarães, considered the heart of the neighborhood, where there are several bars and restaurants.

You will then be returned to your hotel. After this tour, guests will certainly feel as though they know a little more about the history and culture of Rio de Janeiro.

Optional add on: Please speak to your consultant if you would like this to be included in your quote.

Departure: Evening, exact time to be confirmed closer to travel
Duration: approximately 4 hours
Show Location: Teatro Leblon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

You will be picked up at your hotel and will first enjoy a delicious dinner before enjoying this multicultural show that brings different cultures of Brazil to the stage. 

The show perfectly combines a variety of Brazilian dances that developed from African rhythms via the slave trade and from the natives that lived in Brazil before colonization. The presentation combines diversity and culture: the Ziriguidum from the Northeast, the Folklore from Amazon, the Capoeira from Bahia, and samba dance from Rio de Janeiro.

After dinner and the show, you will be transferred back to your hotel. 

North South Journeys' representative in Peru will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Peru. This is your chance to run through specific pick-up times and logistics for your tours in the country. 

If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Located in the exclusive district of Miraflores, close to the Pacific Ocean, archaeological sites and a privileged boardwalk on the Costa Verde, a few blocks from Larcomar shopping center. Just 25 minutes from Jorge Chavez airport. Pullman Lima Miraflores is synonymous of vibrant, cosmopolitan and stylish.

The property is located 199 m from Larcomar, 6 km from Museum of the Nation and 6.9 km from Monterrico Racecourse. The accommodations features a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a mini-bar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Pullman Lima Miraflores all rooms come with bed linen and towels.

Guests at the accommodations can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

San Martín Square is 9 km from Pullman Lima Miraflores, while Museum of the Santa Inquisicion is 9 km away. 

You will be picked up at your hotel for this private half day tour.

We will begin the visit of the city with an exploration of Colonial Lima. First, we will stop at the Main Square, to explore it on foot and admire the exteriors of the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the City Hall, all examples of Lima's still-present colonial architectural opulence. We will visit the Cathedral; as walking through its numerous chapels, we'll discover various architectural styles and learn about the religious history of Peru. Then, we will visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that currently holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Next, we will make our way to Santo Domingo Convent a religious and architectural gem that houses holy paintings, images, and relics of Peruvian saints, as well as written accounts of the endeavors of the Dominican Order across the country. Finally, we will begin a journey through the streets of modern Lima as head toward the most traditional of the residential zones of the capital: San Isidro, the heart of the city's financial district; and Miraflores, a perfect spot to enjoy wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean.

The name “Pakaritampu” derives from the Quechua words “pakari”, which means “dawn” and “tampu” which means “home”. Pakaritampu Hotel is in the heart of the Sacred Valley, located in the village of Ollantaytambo. It is a short walk to the train station with direct connection to Machu Picchu, and one hour and a half drive from the city of Cuzco.

The town of Ollantaytambo is the starting point of the Inca Trail, a beautiful place that offers various tourist attractions.

Rooms here will provide you with a private bathroom with hot water and toiletries, a digital safety-deposit box, a TV with cable channels, amenities, WiFi access, a phone, and a garden and mountain view. A heater can be requested.

At Hotel Pakaritampu you will find a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Other facilities offered include luggage storage and a laundry service.

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel for your private tour.

First you will visit Pisac, a picturesque town located 32km northeast of Cuzco. Its colourful markets take place every day. Here merchants sell all sorts of handicrafts, the most important of which are the textiles and ceramic goods such as ceremonial goblets called "Q'eros", plates, ashtrays, necklace and replicas of pre-Hispanic pottery.

Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon you will visit the remarkable fortress of Ollantaytambo, built by the Incas. A very steep stone staircase leads into the fortress. Across an esplanade there is a temple with 10 niches, and beside it a block of partially un-worked stones. Beyond another esplanade, six huge rectangular monoliths (estimated weight: 50 tons) form the Temple of the Sun. Vestiges of rooms are seen on top of the fortress, and on the other side of the hill a four story building, believed to be either a military school or prison.

This morning after breakfast you will go to Aguas Calientes via train from Ollantaytambo town.

Additional details of your train time and logistics will be provided to you by our ground partner upon arrival in Peru. If you have any questions, be sure to discuss with your assistance guide in Aguas Calientes. 

After breakfast you will meet the Representative at the hotel who will explain the logistics in detail of your day.

Next you will be transferred by bus to the gates of Machu Picchu where you will have a private guided tour of Machu Picchu. You will then have free time to explore the site at your own leisure. Well known as ‘The Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu was built around 1450, but abandoned 100 years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. 

In 1911 Hiram Bingham, an American historian discovered its existence with its classic Inca style. The main buildings of Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, are located in the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.

After you explore the citadel, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cuzco

*Reminder: Only overnight bags or small carry on suitcases are allowed on the train. Your full luggage will be transferred to your Cuzco hotel.

Step into the smart, contemporary and cozy confines of El MaPi, amidst the picturesque Machu Picchu Pueblo. Discover an efficient, lively and friendly atmosphere, welcoming guests expecting an unfussy, down-to-earth break. The flowing lobby creates a sense of vitality. Lofty ceilings, panoramic windows and an open café allow natural light to filter between tall eucalyptus dried branches, creating an ambiance of order and well being.

Relax in a pleasant and wholesome ambiance after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most famous destination: the Machu Picchu Archaeological site.

Note: Dinner in the restaurant at the hotel is included in your stay.

This morning, you will take the bus from Aguas Calientes up to the Citadel and spend the morning at leisure walking around Machu Picchu. 

This second entry is for the morning time slot, after you have enjoyed your time in the citadel, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to prepare for your return train journey to Cuzco.

You will return via train from Aguas Calientes to your Cuzco hotel via train and transfer. Depending on when you travel, the logistics are as follows. 

May to December Return Logistics:
From May to December, the train runs from Aguas Calientes station all the way to Poroy Station just 25 mins outside of Cuzco. Your private transfer will be waiting for you at the Poroy Station to take you to your Cuzco hotel.

January to April Return Logistics:
From January to April, the train runs only from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Station. From there, everyone on the train boards shared coaches for the drive from Ollantaytambo Station to Wanchaq Station (just 5 minutes from the centre of Cuzco). This shared coach is operated by Peru Rail.

Your private transfer will be waiting for you at the Wanchaq Station to take you to your Cuzco hotel.

Additional details of your train time and logistics will be provided to you by our ground partner upon arrival in Peru. If you have any questions, be sure to discuss with your assistance guide in Aguas Calientes. 

Ramada by Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco is a converted 17th-century mansion located in Cuzco’s centre, a few steps away from Cuzco Main Square and La Merced Church. It offers colonial-style accommodation and free WiFi. 

Ramada by Wyndham Costa del Sol Cuzco ’s Paprika Cuzco Restaurant serves breakfast buffet and international dishes with a blend of traditional Peruvian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Walak bar serves drinks and snacks.

San Pedro Train Station is nearby and other close by attractions include the Central Market, Cathedral of Cuzco, and Inka Museum.

Today, you will visit the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman a colossal structure built with huge carved rocks jointed with absolute accuracy, this astounding sample of the Incan military architecture is, undoubtedly, the greatest architectonic work of the Tahuantinsuyo.

The tour will have make a short stop at Cristo Blanco, a large statue where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, you will explore the San Pedro Market, Cusco’s main street market, inundated with aromas, tastes, sights, and colors of the local products of the Cusco region.

Afterward, visit the Qoricancha (which means room of gold in Quechua), a temple dedicated to the Sun god.  Legend has it that its inner walls were once completely lined with gold.

Finally, we'll head to Cusco Cathedral. You will take a guided tour to discover the mysteries of it and admire its lovely atria and priceless 17th and 18th century paintings of the Cusco school.

After the tour, you will free to choose one of the many restaurants in the vicinity that will let you sample delicious Peruvian cuisine.

Ramada by Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco is a converted 17th-century mansion located in Cuzco’s centre, a few steps away from Cuzco Main Square and La Merced Church. It offers colonial-style accommodation and free WiFi. 

Ramada by Wyndham Costa del Sol Cuzco ’s Paprika Cuzco Restaurant serves breakfast buffet and international dishes with a blend of traditional Peruvian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Walak bar serves drinks and snacks.

San Pedro Train Station is nearby and other close by attractions include the Central Market, Cathedral of Cuzco, and Inka Museum.

After breakfast, you must check out at your hotel and be ready as a representative will transfer you to the Bus Terminal.

Here you will join a shared tourist bus from Cuzco to Puno (10 hours) with two stops in local communities (Includes entrance fees). Early in the morning you will depart from Cuzco for Puno on board a comfortable vehicle. This trip will allow you to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Andes. During the trip, you will make a brief stop at Andahuaylillas, a friendly, warm-weather town which is home to one of the most unique churches in the Andes, known as Peru’s Sistine Chapel. You will be dazzled by the beautifully decorated murals and frescoes covering walls, baseboards, ceilings and façades. The next stop is Racchi, one of the most important constructions of the Inca Empire, known for its extraordinary architecture. 

Following the stop at Racchi, the transfer will then cross the La Raya Pass, which lies at 4,335 m.a.s.l. There is a great chance you will see herds of vicuñas and llamas. The last stop will be the town of Pucará, known as the place where the Toritos (little bulls) of Pucará are made. The famous torito is believed to have magical and religious qualities among the inhabitants of the Andes as a symbol of procreation for their herds, for happiness in marriage, fertility at home and as protection for the house.

This transfer includes a buffet lunch at a country-style restaurant featuring regional cuisine.

The Casa Andina Premium Puno is a lovely hotel that has a perfect location: on the shores of Lake Titicaca, from the hotel you can have the best lake view room in the world.

It has 45 non-smoking rooms with bottled water, small balcony and services like: internet center, free WiFi, restaurant, lobby bar, room service, concierge, among others.

This morning, a private transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the port to join the shared full day tour on the spectacular Lake Titicaca where you will see the floating reed islands of the indigenous Aymara. You will have a private guide just for your group, but there will be other passengers on the boat as well.

This tour explores the floating reed islands called Uros as well as the island of Taquile. Here you will meet the local Aymara who occupy these islands. The Aymara are the second largest indigenous culture in Peru behind the Quechua who are direct decedents of the Incan peoples. 

It is a great day exploring the highest navigable lake in the world and seeing living culture.

After visiting the islands on Lake Titicaca, you will return to Puno via fast boat and will be picked up at the dock and transferred to your hotel.

Lunch is included at a traditional restaurant on Taquile Island. 

The Casa Andina Premium Puno is a lovely hotel that has a perfect location: on the shores of Lake Titicaca, from the hotel you can have the best lake view room in the world.

It has 45 non-smoking rooms with bottled water, small balcony and services like: internet center, free WiFi, restaurant, lobby bar, room service, concierge, among others.

You need to look for the shuttle bus at the airport shuttle pick up for your complimentary ride to the hotel. 

Offering a terrace and spa centre, Wyndham Quito Airport is located in Quito. The hotel has a hot tub and sauna, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. An airport shuttle is available upon request.

Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV. Some units include a seating area where you can relax. You will find a coffee machine in the room. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom equipped with a shower. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.

Take the free shuttle from the Wyndham Garden Guayaquil (Airport Hotel) to the airport, only a few minutes away.

*Please ask for your transfer to the Airport at the reception of the hotel.

North South Journeys Galapagos representative will be waiting for you at the Baltra Airport. They will provide you with your pre-paid transfer ticket and will escort you to the short airport shuttle and the ferry which takes you across the small channel (10 min ride) to Santa Cruz Island. Here your private transfer and guide is awaiting you. 

You will journey across the island up into the highlands and will be amazed by the island’s variety of wildlife and geology. Beginning on the coast and travelling along the road to Puerto Ayora, the road climbs through the agricultural zone and into the mist-covered forests of the highlands. Santa Cruz possesses all of the various life zones present on the archipelago, with wonderful birding opportunities, like Darwin’s finches. Almost every land bird present on the islands can be found here. Continuing on, the tour will stop at a local ranch for lunch. You will be able to explore the grounds in search of tortoises during the visit. After lunch, you continue to descend through the agricultural zone into the transition zone where the Tortoise Reserve is located. In this area, the introduced vegetation of the higher farmlands is replaced by native vegetation. 

The brand new Ikala Hotel was built with a focus on sustainability and protecting the environment. The hotel is protected from the strong Galapagos sun by the surrounding beautiful trees and gardens giving to the whole ambience a natural freshness.

The hotel features a lovely swimming pool, bar area, and a beautiful terrace located on top of the main building, where you can find the restaurant and resting area. The terrace has an incredible view to the Puerto Ayora harbour.

Ikala Hotel is located in the small city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The hotel is just one block away from the main pier, allowing you to easily reach the pier and the main streets of Puerto Ayora (Avenida Baltra and Avenida Charles Darwin) where you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and other facilities.

A 10 minute walk to the east along the Avenida Charles Darwin, will get you to the famous Charles Darwin Station and to the Galapagos M. Cifuentes Visitor Center where you can now observe the embalmed body of Solitary George, the world famous giant Galapagos Turtle. You can also easily find Las Ninfas Lagoon, a beautiful natural retreat, just a five minute walk from the hotel.

You will be able to visit one of the following islands today - Bartolome, Santa Fe, North Seymour or South Plazas Islands. This will be confirmed closer to your travel date. 

Your day starts after breakfast at your hotel early in the morning to take advantage of the best hours of light. You will travel from Puerto Ayora by van to the Itabaca channel, where the boat will be waiting. The boat ride to the island is approximately 2 hours.

After arriving to the Island, you will disembark for a walk to the top of the island with a 115 meters view point above sea level. The views include the nearby islands and the famous Pinnacle Rock. In addition to incredible views, Bartolome Island provides amazing geological characteristics. 

This Bartolome Island tour also includes stops at nearby beaches to enjoy the ocean and wildlife. 

To finish the day, the tour will stop at Sullivan bay on Santiago Island which is located next to Bartolome Island. This bay includes a lava field and here you can snorkel before the boat ride back to Puerto Ayora.

The tours activities include short hike, swimming, snorkeling and wildlife observation. You have the chance of seeing blue sharks, lava heron, Galapagos crab, sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays and many kinds of fish among others.

Your day starts after breakfast at your hotel. Travel by small boat approximately 2 hours (pending weather conditions) to a small island 24 kms squared which lies in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago, to the south west of Santa Cruz Island. 

Geologically it is one of the oldest, since volcanic rocks of about 4 million years old have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterized by the presence of a dense forest of the giant opuntia cactus.

Weathered cliffs provide a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds,shear-waters petrels. Santa Fe species of Galapagos Land Iguanas and lava lizards are frequently seen. 

Santa Fe Island is home to one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos. The landing site is a wet landing located in Barrington Bay on the northeastern side of the island. Large numbers of sea lions are found on the beaches here.

After landing on Santa Fe Island you will continue for a short walk to see two species of land iguanas found only within this island. Crabs, Night Heron, Sea Iguanas, Mockingbirds and other birds are seen frequently on the Island. After the walk we will go back to have lunch on board and finally enjoy a wonderful snorkel experience. 

The bay is an excellent swimming and snorkeling place where Sea Turtles, rays, fish, and the clear and warm water are unique attractions.

Your day starts after breakfast at your hotel. Travel by small boat, max 16 passengers total, on an excursion to South Plazas Island. 

South Plazas Island is very small at only .13 km² and is situated off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. It is formed from uplifted marine lava and is one of the smallest islands on the archipelago. This island, despite its size, has a high concentration of wildlife. The tour disembarks (this is a dry landing) on a small dock frequently occupied by sea lions. 

You will continue through a small forest of prickly pear cacti with bright yellow flowers. You will see land iguanas (South Plazas has the largest population of land iguanas in the Galapagos) as they are often waiting for the pear cacti's fruits and flowers to fall on the ground. The walk continues up to a small cliff, where you can often see a shoal of the endemic yellow-tailed mullet swimming below. The clifftop lookout also offers excellent views of swallow-tailed gulls, tropic birds, frigate birds and pelicans. 

The view extends to the eastern end of the island where bull sea lions congregate to rest after they have lost territory to a challenger. Here they recover energy before vying to once again be the master of the beach. 

Return to Santa Cruz. Lunch included.

Your day starts after breakfast at your hotel. Travel by small boat, max 16 passengers total, on an excursion to North Seymour Island. 

North Seymour is a small 1.9 km² island north of Baltra with a path that crosses the interior and allows you to explore rocky coast. You will see some of the largest bird colonies on the Galapagos Islands here.

The main features of this island are the incredible fauna species you can observe such as the Land Iguanas, the Magnificent Frigate bird with their incredible scarlet pouches, blue-footed boobies with their unique courtship dances and sea lions surfing across the waves. You will have time to explore and learn about the animals from your guide. 

Once on board, you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch before returning to Santa Cruz Island where you will have the opportunity to snorkel at Bachas Beach if you wish, or alternatively, you can relax on shore. You will see a variety of fish species and maybe even swim with sea lions if they are feeling friendly.

After snorkeling, you will be brought back to port and transferred to your hotel for the rest of the evening at leisure. 

During your time at leisure on Santa Cruz Island, we recommend you explore the following sites if they interest you. 

Las Grietas:
Las Grietas (The cracks in English) is a place to swim in cool ocean water between two tall cliffs, where the earth has opened like a rack or “crevasse”. To get here from Puerto Ayora, you need to take a speed boat ferry (approximately $1, it is a very short ride under a minute) from the main dock to Finch Bay hotel. Once there, continue along a rocky wall to the very end where you will find a path leading off to the right hand side. From here, you follow a 15 minute trail that starts off sandy and rocky, and winds up crossing over a jagged lava field, through a cactus forest, and up a sandy path once again to the top of Las Grietas.

Tortuga Bay:
Beautiful white sand beach, a few kms walk, or take a 20 minute water taxi from the main port in Puerto Ayora. Visitors must sign in and out at the start of the path with the Galapagos Park Service Office. Tortuga Bay has a gigantic, perfectly preserved beach that is forbidden for swimming and preserved for wildlife. There is a separate cove where you can swim.

Opening Hours:
6:00 to 18:00 daily

Charles Darwin Research Centre:
A 15 minute walk from Puerto Ayora, here you can spend time at the research centre. You can view the exhibition hall, visit the library and see their specimen collections. 

Opening Hours:
Monday through Sunday
8:00 to 12:30 & 14:30 to 17:30

You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast and head to the Charles Darwin Station. 

The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation, as well as other fascinating relevant statistics. The most striking attraction of this station is certainly the Tortoise Breeding Center, where it is possible to view tortoises of varied sizes and shapes. Travelers here can freely walk and get their photos with the tortoises. Among other inhabitants at the center, you can see the land and marine iguanas and different species of birds.

After lunch, the tour continues with a trail to Tortuga Bay. This trail starts from the main street in Puerto Ayora and takes about an hour of walking. The trail goes through the arid zone and many land birds can be seen along the way.

Arriving to Tortuga Bay beach you will find the first beach “Playa Brava” this beach is with open waters and strong under currents not recommendable for swimming, if you continue walking to the right side (15 minutes) you will arrive to “Playa Mansa” ideal for sun bathing, swimming and photo shooting, you will also find marine iguanas along the shore. 

You will be able to visit one of the following islands today - Bartolome, Santa Fe, North Seymour or South Plazas Islands. This will be confirmed closer to your travel date.