Cruising the Galapagos and Amazon

Day 1 - Lima, Peru
Check-in to the luxurious Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, wonderfully located in the upscale seaside district of Miraflores. Then join your guide to discover Lima’s rich Colonial architecture#WHS# visit the Larco Herrera Museum, the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art.

Day 2 - to the Amazon / Embarkation
Today you fly into the Amazon! At the Iquitos Airport, you’ll be met for your 90-minute overland journey to the Marañon River where your intimate Amazon cruiser, the 7-cabin Delfin, awaits. As you set sail into the rainforest, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail on-deck. Dinner is served in the casually elegant, wood-paneled dining room, featuring fine Peruvian cuisine paired with excellent vintages. Then join your fellow travelers and our onboard naturalist guides for an orientation outlining your Amazon journey. Meals B,D

Day 3 - Amazon Cruising
The first light of day is an ideal time to experience the rainforest, and breakfast (with plenty of coffee and tea!) is served early onboard ship. At 7:00am, join our naturalist guides for your first Amazon excursion:

Wet Season (from approximately December to May): Explore by skiff along the Belluda Stream. Here in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, you’ll have excellent opportunity to espy the rich wildlife of this “gallery forest”.

Dry Season (from approximately June to November): A jungle walk inside the Yanallpa Community explores two different eco-systems: Flooded Forest and Terra Firma Forest.

Cruising this afternoon along the El Dorado River brings you into an area of the Amazon renowned for its rich diversity of bird life, including parrots, the endangered scarlet macaw, and hummingbirds. Tonight’s dinner again features excellent Peruvian cuisine and fine South American wines. Meals B,L,D

Day 4 - Amazon Cruising
This morning finds the Delfin on the Pacaya River, in the very heart of the 5 million acre Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest protected area in Peru. Your morning excursion across river, lake, and swamp reveals the rich diversity of this unusual wetland region. Lunch onboard is followed by an afternoon excursion:

Wet Season (Dec to May): Journey by skiff across Lake Atun Poza, an amazing habitat for egrets, herons, hawks, and long-legged cormorants.

Dry Season (Jun to Nov): Join our naturalist guides for a fascinating hike through the forest to find two unique trees, the enormous Ceiba tree and the Cotton Kapok tree. With luck and patience, you might also see the giant otter.

This evening’s dinner is again accompanied by fine wines. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - Amazon Cruising / Disembarkation / Flight to Lima
Step aboard skiffs this morning to explore along the Yarapa River and visit Puerto Miguel village for an intimate look at life here in the Amazon. Back onboard, the Delfin continues downstream to the source of the Amazon River. From the Observation Deck, you’ll have opportunity to sight dolphins. Disembark early this afternoon in the port town of Nauta for your overland journey to Iquitos Airport. Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll be met and escorted to the luxury Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel. Meals B,L

Day 6 - Lima / Quito
Fly to Quito#WHS# and tour the Colonial district of the capital, founded in 1534. You’ll drive by the impressive Parliament Building and stroll downtown, visiting colonial churches and monasteries of this urban jewel. Enjoy a relaxing overnight at the 5-star Swissotel in the heart of the city. Meals B

Day 7 - Fly to the Galapagos Islands
Fly to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos#WHS# where you embark your deluxe cruise ship, the MV Galapagos Explorer II. An afternoon visit to Cerro Brujo is an excellent spot to catch your first glimpse of pelicans and other Galapagos sea birds. Dinner onboard is followed by a briefing from the ship’s staff of naturalists – given each night to preview the next day’s activities. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Española Island / Hood Island
One of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, Española is notable for its birdlife. At Punta Suárez you see an incredible variety of wildlife including Española iguanas, Galapagos doves, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropic birds, sea lions and the Galapagos albatross which can only be seen on this island. After lunch, visit Gardner Bay – a tranquil white sand beach where sea lions bask in the sun. A small dingy can carry you to spectacular Gardner Rock, home to white-tipped reef sharks and other marine life. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - Santa Cruz Island / Rabida Island
On Santa Cruz, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important Galapagos tortoise breeding program and then explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town on the islands. This afternoon, you’ll explore Rabida Island, dominated by red lava formations, and home to flamingos, colonies of sea lions and pelicans. Meals B,L,D

Day 10 - Santa Cruz / Fly to Quito
Enjoy a morning walk to see the nesting sites of sea turtles on Bachas Beach, and then hike along the lagoon to observe flamingos, marine iguanas and blue herons. In the afternoon, disembark in Baltra for your return flight to Quito. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the luxurious Swissotel. Meals B,L,D

Day 11 - Quito
Your program finishes after breakfast. Or, discover more of South America with our FreeStyle Travel. Meals B

Don't miss our current specials: World Traveler 2% Cash Discount If you make payment by check, money order or electronic cash withdrawal and pay-in-full for your General Tours trip within 7 days of making your reservation, we'll discount the entire cost of your trip by 2%. Your entire balance must be paid by personal check, travel agency check, money order or authorized electronic debit withdrawal (ACH) from a checking account to qualify; and your payment must be received by General Tours not later than seven (7) days from the date of your reservation to qualify. We recommend using a traceable overnight delivery method. If your check or electronic debit is returned from your bank for any reason, your reservation will no longer qualify for the 2% cash discount; a $25 processing fee will be added to your account balance; and all future payments will need to be made by credit card or certified funds.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/25/2010 - 4/5/2010	$5,599
3/25/2010 - 4/5/2010	$5,759
3/25/2010 - 4/5/2010	$6,019
3/25/2010 - 4/5/2010	$6,149
4/22/2010 - 5/3/2010	$6,149
4/22/2010 - 5/3/2010	$6,019
4/22/2010 - 5/3/2010	$5,759
4/22/2010 - 5/3/2010	$5,599
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

World Traveler 2% Cash Discount

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