Arrive To: Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre 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: Hotel Sheraton Quito

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 Intinan Museum 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: Hotel Sheraton Quito

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Flight to Baltra Island/Board Yacht/ North Seymour Island.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

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

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

Lunch: A light snack is provided on the flight.

Afternoon: Arrive to Baltra Island.

Baltra Island hosts one of the two available airports in the Gal?gos Islands. The other airport is located on San Cristobal Island.

Upon arrival you will be met by your naturalist guide and transferred to the yacht.

Board and set sail.
Enjoy an orientation and a light snack.

Dry landing on North Seymour Island.

North Seymour Island is conveniently located next to Baltra Island. North Seymour has one of the most active seabird breeding colonies in the archipelago. Blue-footed boobies will oftentimes nest very near the trails, giving visitors the opportunity to get a closer view during the walks. Encounter swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions. This site is a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies and has the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird. Spot iguana species, the marine iguanas and land iguanas, during a hike around the nesting sites.

*Please note: Actual cruise itinerary and islands visited are always subject to change by the Galapagos National Park. Itineraries are not guaranteed.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day’s activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
San Cristobal Island (Leon Dormido, Cerro Brujo and Isla Lobos)

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: This morning we will pay a visit to Leon Dormido, for optimal swimming and snorkeling activities.

Leon Dormido (aka Kicker Rock) is a vertical cone formation which rises almost 500 feet from the ocean. It has eroded to give it the shape seen as a shoe or a sleeping lion. You can usually see Blue-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, and frigatebirds on its cliffs, as well as sea lions on its shores.

Later in the morning, navigate to nearby Cerro Brujo.

Cerro Brujo ("Wizard Hill") is one of the nicest white-sand beaches found in the islands. It is situated in a secluded spot on the western side of San Cristobal, with beautiful views of Leon Dormido standing proud in the distance. Visitors to this site can either walk along the beach trail in search of marine iguanas, sea lions, and colorful crabs, or enjoy swimming and snorkeling off the beach.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Wet landing on Isla Lobos.

This small rocky island can be reached by boat, approximately one hour northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, off the coast of San Cristobal Island. Its name in Spanish means "sea lion island" due to a large colony of sea lions that reside on the isle. Oftentimes, the loud and lively barks can be heard long before reaching the island. These vocal and playful mammals enjoy sunning themselves on the rocky outcroppings, providing visitors with a great opportunity to observe their social antics. In addition to sea lions, the island is also home to a colony of Blue-footed Boobies and a number of frigatebirds. This is also a good snorkeling site and a good place to possibly see manta rays and sea turtles.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Espanola Island (Gardner Bay, Islote Osborn and Punta Suarez).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Wet landing at Gardner Bay, Espanola Island.

This morning you will enjoy a beach walk, followed by a panga ride around Gardner and Osborn islets.

Espanola is the southernmost island in the Galapagos. It is best known as the nesting place of the rare Waved Albatross. In fact, most of the world's population of these majestic birds nest here. Gardner Bay, on the northeastern tip of the island, has a beautiful white-sand beach where sea lions like to sun themselves.

There will be an opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. Try to spot marine species like the king angelfish, creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, manta rays, and whitetipped reef sharks.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Afternoon field trip to Punta Suarez on Espanola Island.

Punta Suarez, on the western end of Espanola Island, is home to the Galapagos Hawk and is also the best place to see the red form of the marine iguana. Look for mockingbirds, finches, and boobies. Learn about the lava terrain and cross the inactive lava fields.

Later, visit the famous blowhole, where water shoots 50-70 feet into the air.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation of the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Wet landing on Santa Fe Island.

The island has one of the best locations for swimming with sea lions and is also a great place to catch a glimpse of white tipped reef sharks and sea turtles.

Field trip to cactus forest to see some of the tallest opuntia cacti in the archipelago, and search for a colony of Santa Fe Iguanas.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Dry landing on Plaza Sur Island.

Walking field trip to explore local flora and fauna. Follow the trail to a cactus forest to get a close look at land iguanas and their habitat before continuing our hike in search of local sea lion colonies.

The small island is a great place to view seabirds in flight. A walk along the cliff offers good views of Red-billed Tropicbirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and other pelagic species.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Research Station and Los Gemelos).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Dry landing on Santa Cruz Island.

This morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island to learn about conservation efforts throughout the islands.

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) is a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. The objective of the CDRS is to conduct scientific research and environmental education geared to conservation. The station has a large team of scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world. At the CDRS, visitors have the opportunity to observe giant tortoises at all stages of development, from a few days old to close to one-hundred years of age.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy a field trip into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the archipelago. It is the administrative center of the islands and the most populated. The National Park Service is based here, but perhaps the most important is the Charles Darwin Research Station, the headquarters of all research and conservation efforts on the islands. Giant tortoises can be spotted on the island at certain times of year and several species of Darwin's finches reside here. A dramatic change in vegetation zones can be seen as one travels into the highland region of the island.

Visit Cerro Chato and Los Gemelos ("The Twins") craters.

The twin craters found in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island are actually large sinkholes--not volcanic formations. They were created as a result of the collapse, or the sinking, of surface materials into cracks. The surrounding Scalesia forest is a great place to view vegetation that is unique to this island and search for land birds.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Floreana Island (Punta Cormorant, Devil's Crown, Post Office Bay and Mirador de la Baronesa).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Wet landing on the greenish colored beach on Floreana.

Hike from the black mangrove beds to a lagoon. This large, brackish lagoon holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. Floreana Island is best known for its endemic plant life like the Galapagos millwork, passion flower, and button mangrove.

Novice snorkelers can practice their skills on the main beach in the company of playful sea lions.

Take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe Blue-footed Boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

Later in the morning, snorkel or swim at Devil's Crown.

Devil's Crown is a shallow sunken crater that makes for one of the best snorkeling sites in the islands. The largely submerged volcano has clear blue waters and a variety of colorful fish. Sea lions are sometimes seen frolicking in the waters and seabirds nest in the crevaces. This site is only suggested for good swimmers as the currents can be very strong.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Afternoon excursion to Post Office Bay.

The infamous Post Office Bay can be found on the northern side of Floreana Island. This is the site where whalers used to "mail" their correspondence. A barrel was used as a mail box and held letters from sailors across the globe. If a passing ship was heading where the mail was addressed, the captain would collect and deliver it. Although the barrel is no longer the original one, the system still works since visitors continue to collect and drop off mail.

A short walk from the famous barrel will take us to a tunnel formed by laval flows.

Later in the afternoon, embark on a short dinghy ride followed by a dry landing. From the lookout point we will be able to enjoy great views of resident seabirds.

Mirador de la Baronesa is a basaltic tuff formation located in la Olla Bay, between Punta Cormorant and Post Office Bay. Boat rides along the formation provide great opportunities to spot golden eagle rays, sea turtles, mullets, Galapagos Penguins, and sea lions. The site earned its name from letters written by Baroness Eloisa Von Wagner describing the area.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Galapagos Islands -
Santa Cruz Island (Bahia Ballena, Bahia Eden and Dragon Hill).

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Enjoy a visit to Bahia Ballena ("Whale Bay").

The cove of green sand is located at the base of Cerro Dragon ("Dragon Hill") on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island. The beach contains a large amount of olivine crystals, formed from volcanic materials, which give its sand a special greenish color.

Later in the morning, enjoy a chance to swim and snorkel at Bahia Eden.

Return to the yacht.



Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Dry landing on Santa Cruz for a field trip to Cerro Dragon.

Walk to a saltwater lagoon which is occasionally visited by pink flamingoes. Hike up to Cerro Dragon for a beautiful view of the bay. This area has an interesting Scalesia forest and is the nesting site for numerous reintroduced land iguanas.

Return to the yacht.



Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: Orientation to the next day's activities.

Lodging: Yolita II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guayaquil -
Santa Cruz Island (Black Turtle Cove)/Flight from Baltra Island to Guayaquil/Walk Along the Malecon.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Excursion to Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island.

Take part in a quiet dinghy ride through the mangroves. During this activity, the motor will be turned off to allow close observation of marine turtles, white tipped reef sharks, yellow rays and other marine species.

Return to the yacht for a farewell snack.

Sail to Baltra Island and transfer to the airport to board a flight to Guayaquil.



Lunch: Light lunch 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 & Market Day at Pisac.

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: Excursion 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: Enjoy a leisurely 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 and 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.

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 a visit 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