Highlights of Ecuador & Peru

Main destination Ecuador · About Escorted or Guided Tour

Highlights of Ecuador & Peru

Main destination Ecuador · About Escorted or Guided Tour
Ecuador and Peru are home to a stunning array of landscapes, indigenous villages, attractions and history. You’ll see something new every day – whether you’re trekking among ruins at Macchu Pichu, spotting sea lions on the Ballestas Islands, looking for Nazca Lines in the Peruvian Desert, sampling fresh empanadas in Cusco or simply sitting back and watching the alpacas graze in Chivay. Take interactions with this beautiful land’s humble and proud people, throw in some truly incredible food, add some jaw-dropping scenery and you’ve got the right mix for the trip of a lifetime.

Highlights

Set into the foothills of the Pichincha Volcano, Quito is one of the most attractive cities in South America and a great place to kick of your adventure

Hike through the Amazon rainforest and sample fruit, chocolate and if you’re brave enough, tree worms in a local indigenous farming community

Seeing the enigmatic Nazca Lines is an incredible experience, whether they’re the work of ancient civilizations or something more supernatural

Whether you trek the classic Inca Trail, the Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu are a majestic destination, no matter how you get there

Through a vast Andean valley lies the Colca Canyon, home to the mighty Andean condor. See these magnificent beasts go about their morning routines at sunrise

The floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca are a marvel of concept, construction and history. Take a boat tour on the lake and spend the night with a local family in a traditional island community

You will visit the following places:
Lima

Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. With a population fast approaching 9 million, Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America, behind Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Lima is home to one of the largest financial hubs in Latin America. It has been defined as a beta world city by GaWC international rankings. It was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as La Ciudad de los Reyes, or "The City of Kings."

Cantón Quito

Cantón Quito

San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of 1,397,698 according to the last census (2001), and, as estimated by the municipality, approximately 1,504,991 in 2005, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha province and the seat of Metropolitan District of Quito. The canton recorded a population of 1,842,201 residents in the 2001 national census. In 2008 the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations.

Arequipa

Arequipa

Arequipa is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region. It's Peru's second most important city (after Lima), and the second most popular among tourists (after Cuzco). The city was founded on August 15, 1540 by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal as "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción". During the Colonial period, Arequipa became highly important for its economic prosperity and for its loyalty to the Spanish Crown. The historic center of Arequipa spans an area of 332 hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic heritage, natural scenery and cultural sites make the city a major tourist destination. Its religious, colonial, and republican architectural styles blend European and native characteristics into a unique style called "Escuela Arequipeña".        

Cuenca

Cuenca

The city of Cuenca — in full, Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca — is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2,500 meters above sea level, with an urban population of approximately 400,000 rising to 700,000 inhabitants in the larger metro area. The centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site due to its many historical buildings. Of all the cities in Ecuador, Cuenca is arguably the most charming with its stunning architecture, tourist attractions, hotels and night activities. It has long been known for a rich intellectual, and is famous for its colorful festivals, distinct food and breathtaking scenery. In recent years, Cuenca has become a hot spot for expatriates and retirees settling down to live.

Cusco

Cusco

Cusco, often spelled Cuzco, is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cusco Province. In 2013, the city had a population of 435,114. Located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cuzco, its elevation is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). The site was the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th until the 16th-century Spanish conquest. In 1983 Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has become a major tourist destination, hosting nearly 2 million visitors a year. The Constitution of Peru designates it as the Historical Capital of Peru.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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