2017 - APT South America

63 CUBA, MEXICO & PANAMA Day 9. Cusco, Puno. Board the Andean Explorer for a full-day rail journey into the highlands and on to Puno. Along the way, enjoy access to the lounge car and the open-air observation bar car, and be treated to a three-course lunch. Two Night Stay: Puno, The Libertador Lake Titicaca, Lake View Rooms. BL Day 10. Puno, Lake Titicaca. Travel by speedboat over the waters of Lake Titicaca to the village of Luquina. Here, visit a school where you will spend time getting to know the teachers and pupils. Enjoy a local-style lunch with views of the Capachica Peninsula, before a cruise to the islands of the Uros people, built entirely with reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake. BL Day 11. Puno, Colca Canyon. As you make your way to Colca Canyon today, you'll see the region's incredible manmade stepped terraces, many of which date back to pre-Inca times. Stacked upon each other like staircases, most of these fields are still tended to by local farmers, whose livelihood depends on the potatoes, beans, barley and quinoa that grow here. Stop for lunch overlooking a lake, before arriving at your hotel in the heart of the canyon. Two Night Stay: Colca Canyon, Las Casitas del Colca. BLD Day 12. Colca Canyon, Freedom of Choice. Spend today in Sibayo, a little village tucked away in the mountains known as 'stone town' for its stone and mud brick huts. This friendly community will let you participate in a choice of their daily activities. Perhaps visit their alpaca and llama farm, take a walk with one of the local villagers for some fishing on the Colca River, or remain with the village women who will demonstrate local weaving techniques. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the village. BL Day 13. Colca Canyon, Arequipa. Rise early and travel to the Mirador Cruz del Condor viewpoint for unparalleled panoramic views of one of the world's deepest canyons. Look for the Andean condor rising and circling on the morning thermals. Later, begin your journey to Arequipa, a historic city situated in the shadow of volcano El Misti. Two Night Stay: Arequipa, Casa Andina Private Collection. BL Day 14. Arequipa. Embark on a city tour, visiting the historic World Heritage-listed centre where you can admire the colonial architecture, including the 16th-century Santa Catalina Convent. This afternoon, join a delicious 'Bean to Bar' chocolate workshop. Enjoy tastings of Peruvian chocolate and create your own flavours using a range of Andean grains such as quinoa and kiwicha. BD Day 15. Arequipa, Quito (Ecuador). Fly via Lima to Quito. Here, you will stay in the historic city centre, overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Two Night Stay: Quito, Casa Gangotena Hotel. BD Day 16. Quito. Tour Quito and discover its colonial splendour before afternoon tea at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to wander the World Heritage-listed Old Town. BL Day 17. Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Embark Galápagos Islands Cruise. Fly to Baltra Island and take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island, the most developed island of the archipelago. Meet giant tortoises in the wild at El Chato Reserve, before transferring to your luxurious ship. Four Night Cruise: Yacht La Pinta. BLD Day 18. Galápagos Islands Cruise, Santa Cruz Island. Take a Zodiac to Eden Islet to observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks and frigatebirds. Later, on Sombrero Chino Islet, look out for Galápagos penguins. BLD Day 19. Galápagos Islands Cruise, Bartolomé Island. Zodiacs will take you to Bartolomé Island where you can explore the red volcanic landscapes. Continue to Pinnacle Rock, then explore Sullivan Bay. Here, join your naturalist guide for a walk. BLD PERU ECUADOR Galápagos Cruise 4 Guayaquil Quito GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS 2 Cusco Arequipa Lake Titicaca (Puno) Colca Canyon Lima Sacred Valley 2 2 Machu Picchu 1 3 2 2 Havana Panama City PANAMA CUBA 4 3 1 3 Cruise Flight (included) Rail Coach No. of nights Flight (not included) Will you spy frigatebirds in the Galápagos? Zodiacs transport you ashore in the Galápagos

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