Itinerary to Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

April 2007

As many of you know, Robin and I are headed off to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on May 3rd, 2007 and returning on June 16th , 2007.

We have mapped out an overall itinerary, but I would suspect that it may change as time progresses as our previous trips have shown.

We will fly to Lima, Peru (via Houston) and spend a couple days in Lima seeing the sights. Weather there is a low of 17C and a high of 21C. We then fly to Cusco which is at 3326 meters (10,900 feet) which is the jump off point to visit the Mayan ruins in Machu Picchu. After a couple days in Cusco, getting accustomed to the elevation, we will then take a 2 day hike into Machu Picchu. ( Weather L 6C and H 17C)

Then back to Cusco for a day, then into the Sacred Valley (between Cusco and M.P.) for 3 days.

Our plan is then to take in a 5 day/4 night excursion into a jungle lodge, Refugio Amazonas. http://www.perunature.com/pages/index.htm# (Weather L 21C H 32C)

We will then fly back to Cusco and take the train (Andean Explorer) to Lake Titicaca. The elevation here is 12,500 ft. which is higher than Cusco. There we want to view the floating islands on Lake Titicaca and possibly do some kayaking. ( Weather L 2C H12)

Onward to Arequipa where we plan to spend a few days and visit the Colca Canyon. Hope to do some day hikes here. This area is know as one of the deepest canyons in the world (10,500 ft. compared to the Grand Canyon which is about 5,300 ft. deep). Many condors habituate this area and hopefully we will be lucky enough to spot some soaring above the canyon. Also some hot springs in the area. (Weather L 11C H20C)

Then up to the beach district to a small town called Mancora; which is about 1 1/2 hours south of Tumbes; near the Ecuadorean border. Want to spend about 4 - 5 days on the beach then back to Lima to catch a plane to Ecuador. (Weather L 21C H 30C)

We will fly from Lima into Quito in Ecuador; and stay in Quito for a couple of days. (Weather L 10C H 19C) Then take a plane into the Galapagos Islands and board a boat which we will live on for 5 days and visit the various islands in the Galapagos chain. (Weather L 23C H 26C) We have about a week that we haven't yet decided what to do, but probably spend some of this time exploring more of Ecuador.

You can see that we will certainly be experiencing different climates throughout our trip!! We will try to post pictures as we go and you can view them by clicking on the link - Our Photos. Have also attached our previous BLOG from our trip to France this past summer if any of you are interested or need to do some reading to help you fall asleep!!!

Back to Lima by June 14th with a final day by the beach in Playa Hermosa then a late overnight flight on the 15th to Houston and back home on the 16th.