Arrive To: Arrive at the international airport in Quito, Ecuador.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in, followed by time at leisure.

Please note that this is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day. Hotel check-in usually begins at 3PM.


Lodging: Hilton Colon Quito Hotel

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Orientation to the program.

Visit El Panecillo for panoramic views of Quito.

Before the Spanish arrived, the hill known as El Panecillo (small bread roll) was used by the Inca for sun worshiping. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military took advantage of El Panecillo's strategic location and elevation (9,843 ft), and built a fortress to protect and monitor the city. In present times, the hill is the site of a city monument and lookout point where visitors can get 360° views of Quito. On clear days, it is even possible to spot Cotopaxi's snowy peak in the distance.

Enjoy a walking exploration of Quito's colonial center. Visit the Independence Square with an informative explanation of the Presidential and Bishop Palace, as well as the Cathedral. Visit La Compañía church, one of the most beautiful churches in Quito, legendary for its gold covered interior. Visit the historic San Francisco church and convent, raised up above a wide stone paved court originally known as "Tiangues," a place used by the indigenous inhabitants of Quito to trade products.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant including an introduction to Ecuadorian food products and typical Ecuadorian cuisine.


Afternoon: After lunch, we will leave Quito and travel in a northerly direction to visit the Museo Intinan located on the Equator line, near the Middle of the World complex.

The IntinanMuseum has a permanent exposition that details the Andean cosmovision of Ecuador's ancestral cultures. Learn about the indigenous calendar and its accuracy. Visit an ancient home to find out about the way of life and traditions of indigenous people more than a century ago. Acquaint yourself with the important rituals of Amazonian tribes as you educate yourself about the cultures of Ecuador's Oriente region.

Lecture: Galapagos: A Natural Laboratory of Evolution and its Threats.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Hilton Colon Quito Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Flight to Galapagos. Baltra and Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach).

Note: There is a 44 lb weight limit for checked luggage on the flights to the islands. Please pack accordingly.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.


Morning: Transfer to the airport for flight to the Galápagos Islands.
Depart for the Galápagos Islands.

Note: Actual cruise itinerary and islands visited are determined by the Galápagos National Park. The park reserves the right to change cruise itineraries without prior notice.


Lunch: Light snack on the flight.


Afternoon: Arrive to Baltra Island. Baltra Island hosts one of the two available airports in the Galapagos Islands. The other airport is located on San Cristobal Island. Transfer to pier to board yacht. Welcome orientation and light snack.

Field trip to Playa las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island with a site lecture about local flora and fauna. Visit the the flamingo lagoon.

Bachas Beach is an important nesting site for sea turtles and a great place to look for migratory birds, pelagic species and flamingos.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day’s activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Field trip: Wet landing on the white sand beach in Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island. Enjoy a walking exploration of the lava flows to observe and learn about the island's fascinating geological features.

A volcanic eruption that took place on Santiago Island in the early 1900’s formed huge lava flows in the area that is now Sullivan Bay. As the lava cooled off, it solidified into a black sheet of interesting shapes and textures that made their way to the sea. The rope-like lava seen on this island is called pahoehoe lava. Other interesting formations include lava bubbles and tree shapes; ghosts of Santiago’s past. Few plant species have been able to root in this harsh environment.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Retun to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: Dry landing on Bartolome for a hiking field trip up a dormant volcano with a site lecture. View volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. From the summit, we will be able to enjoy postcard views of Pinnacle Rock and nearby islands.

Pinnacle Rock, the "Guardian of the Isles" rises sharply from the coast of Bartolome. The lunar-like landscape is home to one of the islands' most endearing residents: the Galapagos Penguin. The penguins make their home along the craggy coast, fishing in the waters nearby. After spending part of the year in the cooler waters off of Isabela and Fernandina, the penguins return in August in order to prepare for courtship in September.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Genovesa Island (Darwin's Bay & Prince Phillip's Steps).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Excursion to Prince Phillip's Steps, Genovesa Island for bird watching and site lecture.

Prince Phillip's Steps is a trail which leads up a steep rock staircase through squadrons of frigatebirds and Red-billed Tropicbirds. In March, male frigatebirds begin showing off their inflated red pouches in preparation for mating season which takes place in April. Red-footed Boobies perch on the branches of Palo Santo trees and Storm Petrels, which serve as prey for Short Eared Owls (mating season in June), are found in the open lava fields at the end of the trail. Along the beaches and rocky alcoves, sea lions are the main stars. Females give birth in August and by September, while still nursing their pups, begin searching for new mates. During this time, visitors should be particularly mindful of aggressive males fighting for territory and females protecting their young (pupping continues through November).

Optional swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: Wet landing in Darwin's Bay, Genovesa Island.

Genovesa's volcanic sea cliffs and salt bush offer a prime habitat for the birds of the Galapagos. August is a particularly active time, with large numbers of Red-footed Boobies congregating on the island while Nazca Boobies (aka Masked Boobies) and Swallow-tailed Gulls go about their nesting rituals.

Darwin Bay is the caldera of an extinct volcano which has been partially eroded and offers superb swimming and snorkeling.

Optional swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation of the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Field trip to Puerto Egas, Santiago Island.

Also called San Salvador, this island is the fourth largest in the Galapagos. Puerto Egas, located on James Bay on the western side of the island, has black volcanic formations that provide shelter to a number of creatures. Here you will see marine iguanas sunning themselves on the rocks while sea birds fly overhead in search of food. Brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs live in the rock crevices and tide pools; a sharp contrast to the black lava formations they call home. Galápagos fur seals enjoy the inlets along the western shoreline and have been known to swim with visitors from time to time. Green sea turtles come ashore in January to dig nests and lay eggs. By April and May, the hatchlings emerge and make their perilous journey to reach the sea before being scooped up by seabirds and other predators.

Optional swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Returning to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: Afternoon visit to Buccaneer Cove on Santiago's northwestern tip.

Navigate around the island's craggy cliffs searching for seabirds such as American Oystercatchers that come here to nest July. Travelers visiting Santiago in August should be on the lookout for Galápagos Hawks as they attempt to impress future mates with impressive acrobatic displays. In the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates and whalers reportedly used Buccaneer Cove as a safe place to rest and load up on supplies such as water and food. During that time, passing ships released goats on the island in the hopes that they would multiply and be a source of food for subsequent voyages. However, without any natural predators to hold their numbers in check, the animals became feral and depleted most of Santiago's vegetation. In the 1970s the national park began an extermination program in an effort to eradicate feral goats, pigs, and cats in the islands.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Later in the afternoon visit the Minas de Sal located northwest of Santiago Island.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Isabela & Fernandina Islands (Punta Vicente Roca & Punta Espinoza).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Panga ride to Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island in search of seabirds and marine life.

As cold currents flow around the northwestern tip of Isabela, food-rich waters are brought closer to the surface, attracting all sorts of marine life and birds. Galápagos Penguins arrive in Isabela in February, searching for cooler waters. In August they return to Bartolome in preparation for mating season. The cove's rich marine life and well protected bay have made this into a prized diving location in the islands. Flightless Cormorants, Masked Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies can be seen along the cliffs and the water's edge. In July, whales and dolphins can sometimes be spotted swimming off Isabela's western coast.

Optional swimming and snorkeling.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: Dry landing at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. During this afternoon hike, participants will have a chance to observe the island's unique volcanic formations and search for resident wildlife.

This young island is the third largest in the Galapagos and is also the westernmost; located next to Isabela Island. Fernandina has some of the most dramatic landscapes found in the archipelago. The aa and pahoehoe lava formations create a unique landscape and provide visitors with a great chance to study lava flows and the forces which gave birth to the Galapagos Islands. Although Punta Espinosa is better known for its large colony of marine iguanas (nesting season in March), one can also expect to see sea lions, Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Penguins (February - July). Flightless Cormorants begin exhibiting courting and nesting behavior in July.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Wet landing on Urbina Bay. Search for resident wildlife and observe the remains of a coral reef on land during a walk along the bay.

Urbina Bay is situated approximately two fifths of the way along Isabela's western coast. The flattened area of the bay exhibits signs of a coral reef on land; proof that the flat land we see today in that area was once uplifted from the sea. Cormorants, pelicans, marine iguanas, and Flightless Cormorants frequent this site in addition to marine turtles and rays which are sometimes seen swimming in the bay.

Optional swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Later this morning, take a panga ride to Tagus Cove for a chance to spot resident seabirds and examine historical graffiti left on cliff walls by early sailors. A walk on the lower slopes of Volcan Darwin provides the perfect opportunity for a site lecture on lava formations.

Some of the most popular sites on Isabela are located on its western coast and take longer to reach (especially on smaller boats), so this island is oftentimes not included on shorter itineraries. Tagus Cove offers visitors the opportunity to see writings (carved and painted) left behind by pirates and whalers who frequented the area in years gone by. A short trail leads to the base of the Darwin Volcano where different lava formations can be studied. The island is home to Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Mangrove Finches, pelicans, marine iguanas and a variety of other birds.

Optional swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: Panga ride to Elizabeth Bay with site lecture: Marine Species of the Galápagos Islands.

While following the lower western edge of this large island, we will reach a site that is well known for its marine life. Elizabeth Bay is situated in the crook of Isabela’s ‘arm’ as it begins to bulge and form the southern portion of the island. This site is reached by boat and generally does not include land excursions. The bay is home to a large number of sea and shore birds, as well as marine turtles and rays. A short boat ride to the end of the bay, to the nearby Mariela Islands, is a nice option for those who wish to see Galápagos Penguins.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Isabela Island (Volcan Chico, Breeding Center & Poza de las Tintoreras).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Dry landing on Isabela Island for a field trip to Las Tintoreras, located 10 minutes south of Puerto Villamil.

Las Tintoreras is an islet on Isabela known for its rich marine life. Tide pools provide visitors the perfect chance to view tropical fish as they are temporarily trapped within a crevice. The calm and crystal clear waters make it easy to view the marine life below.

After exploring Las Tintoreras, take an excursion around Sierra Negra Volcano.

Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, is made of a chain of five volcanoes which are periodically active. Volcano Wolf is the highest point on the island and in the archipelago, but Sierra Negra is the largest of the five major volcanoes on Isabela. Sierra Negra is a shield volcano, with a large and shallow caldera and relatively flat slopes. In October of 2005, it erupted after a period of seismic activity and lava from the eruption covered up to 14 square kilometers of the caldera floor. Both old and new lava formations can be spotted in the area including cinder cones, tuff cones, and spatter cones.

Return to the yacht.


Lunch: Lunch onboard.


Afternoon: This afternoon, enjoy a field trip to the Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza, where visitors can view tortoises of different ages and sizes and learn about the local captive-breeding project. Be on the lookout for land iguanas exhibiting courtship behavior in preparation for the breeding season in January. The land iguana eggs begin hatching in April, a time when visitors can catch a glimpse of multiple generations of iguanas making their way around the island.

On the way back to the yacht, visit the wetlands or Humedales. Study the flora of this unique ecosystem and look for shorebirds and waders. The lagoons attract many migrant birds--making this site one of the best water-bird areas in the islands. Also nearby is the Wall of Tears, a historically important location where prisoners built a wall with lava blocks as punishment.

Return to the yacht.


Dinner: Dinner onboard.


Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Tip Top III

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guayaquil -
Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Research Station & Pit Craters)/Flight to Guayaquil.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.


Morning: Field trip to Charles Darwin Research Station followed by a short visit to the highlands to view the Pit Craters (a.k.a. Los Gemelos).

Santa Cruz is the most important island in the Galapagos in many respects. It is the second largest island, the most populated, and it is the administrative center of the islands. The National Park Service is based here, but perhaps most important is the Charles Darwin Research Station, the headquarters of all research and conservation efforts on the islands. Giant tortoises can be spotted in the highlands of Santa Cruz in greater numbers from August to May. Nesting tends to take place from June to August and by December the giant tortoise eggs begin hatching (through April). Several species of Darwin's finches make this island home as well. In addition, a dramatic change in vegetation zones can be seen as one travels higher on the island.

Transfer to the airport on Baltra Island to catch a flight to Guayaquil.


Lunch: Light snack on the flight.


Afternoon: Arrive in Guayaquil and transfer to the hotel.

Late afternoon excursion to the Malecon (river walk).

A revitalization project in the 1990s reshaped Guayaquil, turning it into a beautiful and vibrant city with many tourist attractions. The two mile river walk along the Guayas River, known as the Malecon, has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists to take a stroll and visit restaurants, art galleries, stores, and museums.

Return to the hotel.


Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Oro Verde

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sacred Valley -
Flight to Cusco via Lima and Transfer to the Sacred Valley/Introduction to Machu Picchu and Market Day at Pisac.

Note: There is a weight limit of 23 kg (approximately 50 lb) for checked luggage on the internal flights in Peru.

Breakfast: Early breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima, Peru to connect with your flight to Cusco.

Arrive to Cusco.

Transfer to hotel in the Sacred Valley with en route market visit at Pisac.

Pisac is a small, sleepy town nestled in an Andean valley along the Urubamba River. The traditional produce market is held on Sundays, when people from surrounding communities converge on the tiny central plaza to buy and sell produce and other supplies. During other days of the week, the town hosts a handicrafts market where all nature of locally made crafts can be seen on display.


Lunch: Box lunch en-route.


Afternoon: Arrive at hotel and check-in.

Lecture: Early evening tea with an expert on Machu Picchu who will discuss the spiritual and mystical significance of the ancient Inca sites.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Posada del Inca - Yucay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sacred Valley (Yucay) -
Chincheros Town and Ollantaytambo Ruins.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Visit to Chincheros town including a visit to a weaving cooperative, where you will meet with locals and learn about traditional weaving styles and techniques.

Weaving is a way of life in Chincheros, as important for preserving ancient traditions as it is for earning a livelihood. Located in the Peruvian Andes on the Inca road between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Chincheros was an early Inca center built by emperor Tupa Inca as his country estate. During Inca reign, textiles were woven and offered to mark special occasions, from peace treaties and sacrifices to marriage ceremonies and puberty rites. In Chincheros, children grow up playing with their mother's spindle and loom. By age six or seven, most children learn to weave by watching their elders. They begin by weaving jakimas, or narrow ribbons, before moving on to more complicated pieces.

Visit to local farms.
Lecture: The Agriculture of the Incas.


Lunch: Lunch at hotel.


Afternoon: Stroll through the ruins at Ollantaytambo accompanied by a guide who will highlight the engineering genius of the Inca.

The Ollantaytambo Ruins are not ruins in the traditional sense. Ollantaytambo is a town with original buildings of Inca construction where the Inca retreated to make their last stand in the highlands against the Spanish. Running water still flows through the town in aqueducts. The terraces above the town still are farmed. The pinnacle above the town is a small burial ground.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Posada del Inca - Yucay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) –
Excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note: There is a weight limit of 11 pounds for luggage on the Peru Rail transfer to Machu Picchu. Plan to pack an overnight bag for one night in the Machu Picchu area. Your bag must weigh no more than 11 pounds and measure no more than 62 inches /157 cm (length height width). Excess luggage can be stored at the hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Board a train to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. The train ride follows the Urubamba River and offers spectacular views of the Andes.

Upon arrival, continue with a bus transfer to the Machu Picchu ruins.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant near the ruins.


Afternoon: Full afternoon guided field trip in and around Machu Picchu ruins.

This ancient Inca city was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, a Yale graduate and U.S. senator fascinated with Inca archaeology. Bingham found Machu Picchu, with the help of a local farmer who knew about the ruins, while searching for Vilcabamba and Vitcos. He hypothesized that the site was a "citadel," existing for strategic and defense purposes. He also speculated that the site was a refuge for Cusco's Virgins of the Sun, based upon the finding of skulls there, although not scientifically classified as female. Breakthroughs in archaeology since 1985 have, taken as a whole, supported the emerging view of Machu Picchu as a ceremonial and administrative center for a very populous region. Machu Picchu was built, flourished, and fell into demise within a period of 100 years.


Dinner: Dinner on your own for a chance to explore local fare.

Lodging: El Mapi Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Guided excursion around the town of Aguas Calientes. Visit the local market.

Participants who wish to revisit Machu Picchu are welcome to skip the town excursion and spend the morning at the ruins (at own expense--entrance fee is not included and tickets must be purchased in advance).

Note: Machu Picchu park tickets are not sold on site and must be purchased in advance. Please contact the program coordinator at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you are interested in buying Machu Picchu entrance tickets.


Lunch: Lunch at hotel.


Afternoon: Transfer to train station.
Board the early afternoon train to Ollantaytambo Station.

Arrive at the Ollantaytambo Station and board a bus for your transfer to Cusco.

Arrive in Cusco and check-in at hotel.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy Cusco at your own pace.


Dinner: Dinner on your own for a chance to explore local fare

Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Field trip to the Sacsayhuaman Ruins.

The fortress of Sacsayhuaman forms the head of the Puma design of old Cusco. It is a wonder of technical achievement and a testament to human will. It is a mystery how it was constructed, since the stones are not found in the region, and most of the blocks weigh more than a ton. The largest rock weighs more than 300 tons. Sacsayhuaman is constructed of huge polygonal blocks which interlock with one another. The stones are so precisely placed that a knife blade cannot be inserted between them.

Excursion through the city of Cusco.

The center of Cusco is a history lesson. Modern and colonial buildings are built on top of Inca foundations, and colonial churches dominate the central square.


Lunch: Lunch at a café in the main plaza where you can enjoy the colonial architecture of the city.


Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure.

Pre-dinner presentation by local expert on the history of Inca and Andean musical instruments.


Dinner: Dinner on your own for a chance to explore local fare.

Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Morning flight from Cusco to Lima.

Arrive in Lima.
Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Transfer to local restaurant for a presentation on Peruvian cuisine by a local culinary expert.


Lunch: Farewell lunch at local restaurant.


Afternoon: Orientation through Lima with an excursion to La Catedral.

The most important church in any town in Peru is usually called La Catedral ("The Cathedral"). In the case of Lima, La Catedral is also the most important church in all of Peru. This beautiful colonial building in the Plaza de las Armas presumably houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro -- whether the bones are authentic or not is a matter of conjecture.


Dinner: Dinner on your own for one final chance to explore Lima's culinary delights.


Evening: Depending on flight schedules, some participants will transfer to the airport this evening for a late night/early morning flight to the U.S.

Lodging: Casa Andina Select

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel (dependent on flight time).


Morning: Transfer to the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima for flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.


Meals Included: Breakfast