Monday, March 16. Barbara takes a train to historical Machu Picchu. She explores ithe Incan ruins that remained largely undiscovered until a 1911 archaeological find by Hiram Bingham. The Inkaterra Mach Picchu Hotel hosts Barbara’s group for the night.

Tuesday, March 17. Barbara spends the morning continuing her exploration of Machu Picchu. After lunch, the train travels through the Peruvian Andes to Cuzco’s Hotel Libertador for the night.

Wednesday, March 18. Barbara tourcs Cuzco and the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park.

Thursday, March 19. Barbara flies to Lima to check in to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel. She spends the afternoon touring Lima’s Plaza Mayor, the Archbishop’s Palace, San Francisco Monastery, and Casa Luna.

Friday, March 20. Barbara’s long adventure concludes with a flight from Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima back home to Sarasota, Florida!

Thursday, March 12. Barbara explores Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Sites to behold include vermillion flycatchers, woodpecker finches, and the famous Galapagos giant tortoise. After lunch, Barbara tours the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Friday, March 13. Barbara’s last day on the M.V. Santa Cruz. The ship disembarks in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal. She visits the San Cristobal Interpretation Center and tours the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for shopping and lunch. Barbara checks into the Hilton Colon Hotel in Guayaquil and spends the remainder of the day visiting Bolivar Park and the famous statue of Simon Bolivar.

Saturday, March 14. Barbara flies to Lima, Peru for the second half of the excursion and spends the night at the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel.

Sunday, March 15. Barbara travels to Cuzco and the Urubamba Valley. She shops at the Pisac market and visits the village of Ollantaytambo, and spends the night at the Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel.

Monday will include a tour of the famous ruins of Machu Picchu!

Saturday, March 7. Barbara tours Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Sites to behold include the Museum of Banco Central del Ecuador and the UNESCO World Heritage site. She visits the Church of La Compania de Jesus, the Church of San Francisco, and the carving of the winged Virgin of Quito.

Sunday, March 8. Barbara heads into the Ecuadorian Andes to Calderon. Crossing the equator, Barbara visits Otavalo’s textile markets and villages in Peguche, where Incan crafts are made and sold. Lunch is served at La Mirage.

Monday, March 9. Barbara boards the M.V. Santa Cruz, lunching on the ship and cruising the northern shores of Santa Cruz. A walking tour of Dragon Hill lasts through a beautiful afteroon.

Tuesday, March 10. Barbara explores the volcanic island of Bartolome. Pinnacle Rock is located on the island. Sites to behold include Galapagos penguins, large schools of fish, Galapagos hawks and herons, and sally lightfoot crabs. Sea lions, seals, marine iguanas and turtles are visible throughout the island.

Wednesday, March 11. Barbara visits Rabida Island and North Seymour Island. Sea lions, marine iguanas, flamingos, Darwin’s famous finches, and blue-footed boobies are all inhabitants of the island.

Thursday will include an excursion to Santa Cruz Island!

On Friday, March 6, Barbara left for South America on a 15-day tour.

Friday night and Saturday, Barbara stayed at the Hilton Colon Hotel in Quito, Ecuador. Saturday, she toured the city of Quito and headed on Sunday to Calderon, in the Ecuadorian Andes, for shopping and site-seeing!