Leopard Trax - 2008 South American Adventure
September 27th Departure

24 Days - Includes Miami, Quito, Guayaquil, Quito, Chiva Express
Galapagos Islands, Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Pichu, Cuzco, & Aqua Calientes
$4,875 per person
based on double occupancy
Includes R/T Airfare from Miami to South America

Deadline for signing up is March 31, 2008

Please note that all prices are based on double occupancy.  For single travelers, we will do our best to match you up with a travel partner so that you can join us on this wonderful trip.  Due to the size of our chartered yacht, no more than twelve passengers may enjoy this tour.  We are hoping to fill the entire yacht.  Early planning and your initial deposit guarantees you a place in this special adventure.

Based on the huge success of our January 2007 14-Day Safari to Kenya, this year we are offering and outstanding trip to South America where we will focus on Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and Peru.  The tour activity level is very mild with multiple night stays in most cities with less unpacking to do.  The highlight of our trip will be a five day custom cruise of the Galapagos Islands aboard a private 72' custom yacht.  Daily eco-tours to view the animals and features of many of the islands will accent each of these special days!  Then we are off to the mainland for an outstanding tour of the Incan ruins.   

Our tour will utilize many forms of transportation:  Air, Yacht, Rail, and Motorcoach.  This tour is fully inclusive.  All transportation and transfers roundtrip airfare from Miami to South America, luggage handling, all tours, accommodations, meals, entertainment, guides, taxes, and gratuities are included.  Roundtrip airfare from your domicile to Miami is NOT included and must be booked individually and well in advance to insure prompt arrival and departure to match itinerary dates and times.  We suggest that you purchase your airfare at least five months in advance in an effort to gain cost saving incentives for early booking.  However, do not book airfare until after the March 31st deadline.  Airline miles can be used for most or possibly all of your travel.  Please contact your airline mileage club representative to discuss this significant cost saving benefit. 

Please note that due to the varying availability of dates for the Galapagos cruise portion of our tour, our departure date may need to be adjusted by a few days.  In any event, we will not depart sooner than September 20th and no later than September 30th.   A firm departure date will be announced on April 1, 2008 when we have finalized all of our bookings and can begin our reservation process.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Sep 27 - Home to Miami

The flight on your own account from your home to Miami should be scheduled to arrive today.  A midday to early evening arrival would be best if available.  Upon arrival your included transfer will take you to your accommodations where you will be met by your tour managers and the rest of your group.  If you arrive in time, you may be able to enjoy an evening stroll on the beach and a quiet dinner on your own account.  Our scheduled activities begin tomorrow, so get plenty of rest.

Day 2 - Sep 28 - Miami (B,L,D)

Following your included breakfast a full day of activity awaits you.  We will visit some of the hot spots in South Beach.  We will enjoy a great lunch, possibly in the Cuban quarter of the city, and then spend the afternoon on the beach enjoying the Atlantic coast.  In the evening we will enjoy a group welcome cocktail hour and dinner.  An early night prepares us for the great adventure ahead.

Day 3 - Sep 29 - Miami to Guayaquil (B,D)

After your included breakfast we will depart for the Miami International Airport for our flight to Ecuador's capitol city.  We anticipate that lunch will be provided on the flight.  Upon arrival in Guayaquil we will transfer to our local hotel or B&B for our first night in Ecuador.  Depending on our actual time of arrival, free time may be available prior to an early included dinner. 

Day 4- Sep 30 - Guayaquil to Galapagos (B,L,D)

This morning we will fly to the Galapagos Islands.  On arrival at Baltra airport we will be met by the guide and transferred to the yacht.  The Samba, built in Holland in 1996 as a private yacht, is a charming 78-foot motor-sailer. She offers six cabins, each with private bathroom, hot water shower and air-conditioner, and one air-conditioned double cabin with external hot shower and toilet facilities. Samba has an inside salon as well as a shaded outside dining area on the teak decks, and a foredeck with ample space for sun bathing, dolphin watching, or just relaxing.  Once on board we will set course for South Plaza Island, giving you the chance to become acquainted with the vessel and have lunch. Plaza Island is well known for its large Galapagos Sea Lion colonies, Land Iguanas, Prickly-Pear cacti, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Audubon Shearwaters and Red-billed Tropic-birds.  The land visit may last 2-3 hours.  Our standard itinerary each day will be breakfast followed by a morning activity.  Back to the boat for lunch and then an afternoon activity.  Then dinner on the boat followed by free time in the evening  Cruising between islands will take place mostly in the evening and at night while we are asleep.

Day 5 - Oct 1 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Charles Darwin Research Station (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz), where we will learn about Giant Tortoises and Land Iguanas breeding programs on the islands,  Afterwards, optional shopping and sight-seeing at Puerto Ayora. PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz), we will have the opportunity to see Galapagos Giant Tortoises in the wild. This is also one of the best sites for watching land birds such as Darwin's Finches and Vermilion Flycatchers, and Galapagos Doves. The land visit may last 2-3 hours.

Day 6 - Oct 2 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Gardner Bay (Hood Island/Espanola Island), snorkeling along Gardner Islet, maybe kayaking, and a walk on the beach to observe sea lions and Hood Island Mockingbirds.  PM: Punta Suarez, there are large colonies of Blue-footed and Masked (Nazca) Boobies, Marine Iguanas, Albatrosses and Swallow-tailed Gulls. The walk will take 3-4 hours starting with a dry landing.

Day 7 -  Oct 3 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island), a wet landing onto a mineral beach, followed by a short walk to a lagoon, where we find flamingos and other waders. At the end of this trail we reach a beautiful white sandy beach where sea turtles nest.  PM: Post Office Bay (Floreana Island), we will visit the historic Post Office Barrel, followed by an early departure to Isabela Island. While navigating, we will be on the lookout for whales and dolphins. This will be followed by a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown for some snorkeling. The morning activities will take around 3 hours.

Day 8 - Oct 4 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Punta Moreno (Isabela Island), starts with a 2 hour walk across lava fields, while experiencing ‘oasis like’ lagoons, rich in flora and fauna. We will see Galapagos Flamingos and there is a good opportunity to spot our first cormorants and penguins.  PM: Elizabeth Bay (Isabela Island), there will be a panga ride to a quiet mangrove lagoon where sea turtles rest. Around Mariela Rocks, look for penguins, cormorants, and Blue-footed Boobies.  The afternoon program will take around 2 hours. 

Day 9 - Oct 5 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Urbina Bay (Isabela Island), we will walk over different terrains, seeing large Land Iguanas, a variety of native and endemic plants, and sometimes Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. There are also the remains of a 50-year up-lifting, exposing coral heads and other marine fossils.  PM: Punta Espinosa (Fernandina Island), there will be a dry landing, walking over lava fields observing large colonies of Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, penguins and sea lions, which will take us around 2 hours.

Day 10 - Oct 6 - Galapagos (B,L,D)

AM: Puerto Egas (Santiago Island), a coastal walk exploring the great variety of tidal marine life, Galapagos Fur Seals, sea lions, Marine Iguanas.  There is good swimming off the beach and a broad array of marine life to view when snorkeling.  PM: Bartolomé, this is an up-hill walk and once at the summit we will experience panoramic views of Bartolomé and its famous Pinnacle Rock.  We will also be swimming and snorkeling off the beach where we may see more penguins. It will take approximately 3 hours which includes a dry landing for the walk and a wet beach landing.

Day 11 - Oct 7 - Galapagos to Quito (B,L,D)

AM: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island), there will be a panga ride to observe sea turtles, rays and sharks. This will be a fairly short trip so we can return to Baltra in time for the flight to mainland Ecuador. This visit is done before breakfast.  After breakfast we will transfer to the airport.  Upon arrival in Quito we have a free afternoon to check in to our hotel, relax, and enjoy the beauty of this ancient citys.  Tonight we will enjoy a dinner "traditionale" at a local restaurant in the historic district. 

Day 12 - Oct 8 - Quito (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Oct 9 - Quito (B,D)

A completely free day to plan, explore and enjoy on your own.  Be back in time for dinner!  Breakfast and dinner at the hotel, lunch on your own account.

Day 14 - Oct 10 - Chiva Express (B,L,D)

The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart.  A highlight of the trip is to "ride the roof'" with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along historic tracks. We will stop for a snack at a traditional dairy hacienda with cows, horses and llamas. Then the Chiva advances up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano and the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation and a taste of the products of the land (potatoes and broccoli picked that same morning). We will continue by bus to Riobamba, and at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo by the fireplace. Dinner and overnight are at Riobamba.  Visit www.chivaexpress.com for more photos and a great description.

Day 15 - Oct 11 - Chiva Express (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast, we will transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express" for an astonishing ride, twisting and turning over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. We stop at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to an Educational Center for Adult Development and Sustainability.  You know us, we always include a visit to a school on our tours.  Next, we continue aboard the Chiva Express to Alausí, where a snack is served, and prepare to go down the Devil’s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. We then continue by motorcar to the station of Huigra and again board another "Chiva Express" to descend from the Andes to the coastal plains. On the ride to Bucay, you will experience - right before your eyes - the transition from Andean ecosystems to lush tropical coastal vegetation: bananas, oranges, pineapples, ginger and wooden farm houses on stilts. A box lunch is served en-route. Upon arrival in the town of Bucay we will then proceed by road to Guayaquil.  Our accommodations will be at a local hotel near the airport with included dinner.

Day 16 - Oct 12 - Guayaquil to Sacred Valley (B,L,D)

Our adventure continues with a flight to Cuzco and then by road or rail into the Sacred Valley.  Today's journey will require flight changes in Lima and land transfers.  Our goal is to sleep in the Sacred Valley tonight near the Ollanta ruins to take advantage of the lower altitude of 6,000 feet and have some time to acclimate.

Day 17 - Oct 13 - Sacred Valley (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast we will tour the Sacred Valley and the ruins of Moray, the Mara Salt mines, and the Pisac ruins and the local market.  This will be a full day.  Lunch will be served en route and may very well be a picnic.  Tonight we will stay once again at our hotel near Ollanta or will love on to Aquas Calientes. Dinner will be served upon our return.

Day 18 - Oct 14 - Aquas Calientes and Machu Picchu (B,L,D)

A very early morning gets us to the train and a day trip to Machue Picchu.  We'll spend most of the day at this wonder of the world, first with a guided tour, and then on our own exploring.  Our late afternoon return will be to Aquas Calientes for our overnight with dinner back at the hotel.  There may be time for a visit to the hot springs for a well deserved soak.

Day 19 - Oct 15 - Sacred Valley to Cuzco (B,L,D)

After breakfast we will return to Cuzco.  A combination of land transfers and flights may end up taking all day.  Upon arrival in Cuzco, we'll have some free time to explore the local shops and sights of interest.  Lunch will be planned en route with dinner served at our Cuzco hotel.

Day 20 - Oct 16 - Cuzco (B,L,D)

A full day of planned sight-seeing in this ancient city awaits our pleasure.  meals will be served en route.  Our visit today will include local museums, historic parks, and a tour of the old town.  Dinner and overnight are once again at our local hotel.  For those that would like a more extensive adventure into archeology (and extra-terrestrial myth), an optional full day tour to ICA and flightseeing over the Nazca Lines will be available for $425 per person.  This option must be selected at the time of booking.

Day 21 - Oct 17 - Cuzco to Lima (B,L,D)

An early morning flight to Lima will be followed by sightseeing in the capitol city.  Overnight will be at a Lima hotel close to the airport. 

Day 22 - Oct 18 - Lima (B,L,D)

A full day of sightseeing and another night in our Lima hotel.

Day 23 - Oct 19 - Lima - Miami (B,L,D)

An early morning departure following breakfast finds us once again in Miami for our last night together.  Upon arrival in Miami you have the option of continuing on to your home destination or staying the night if you prefer.  Free time on the beach as our schedule permits is followed by a farewell dinner.

Day 24 - Oct 20 - Miami to Home

Your included transfer takes you to the airport to meet up with your personal plans for returning to your domicile.

For a complete discussion and additional information on this special tour
please contact Tom Lucido at 907-868-1594.