Begin your 20-day exploration in Manaus with guided city sightseeing and a "Meeting of the Waters" cruise that takes you along the chocolate-colored Rio Negro to its confluence with the yellow-gray Rio Solimoes. See them flow side by side for four miles without mixing! Stay at the Ecopark Jungle Lodge inside the Amazonian Rainforest, with jungle walks, canoe explorations, and visits to a Monkey Reserve and a Caboclo's Native Amazon Village to learn about traditions, costumes, and culture. Three nights in Rio allow for free time and guided city sightseeing. Next, fly to Iguassu Falls and explore both the Brazilian and Argentine sides before heading to Buenos Aires. Your 3-night stay includes guided sightseeing and time to discover the "Paris of South America" on your own. Next stop is Lima for guided city sightseeing and free time. In Cuzco, guided city sightseeing highlights several ancient sites. Enjoy an excursion to Pisac to visit with locals and buy local wares before visiting the Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo. Next day, a train ride through the Sacred Valley ends in Machu Picchu. You may want to walk up to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas. After a morning at leisure in Machu Picchu, return to Cuzco for free time followed by a free day in Lima. Depart Lima and top off your vacation in Ecuador, featuring Quito guided sightseeing and five days at the Finch Bay Hotel on Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, and each day take a Naturalist-guided cruise to explore various outlying islands. Island visits include Santa Fe, South Plazas, Punta Carrion, and North Seymour. Keep an eye out for endemic land iguanas, sea lions, marine iguanas, nesting swallow-tailed gulls, giant tortoises, masked boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and Audubon's shearwaters-and that's just on land! In the ocean you may find sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, rays, and even hammerhead sharks!

HOTELS
Manaus: Tropical Manaus, The Tropical Manaus situated on the banks of the Rio Negro offers 2 pools, tennis and volleyball courts, beauty parlor, shopping arcade, two restaurants, and several bars.

Brazilian Amazon: Ecopark Jungle Lodge, Inside the Amazon Jungle on the Rio Negro, enjoy daily excursions to learn about the flora, fauna, and indigenous tribes. Rooms feature private facilities and air-conditioning.

Rio de Janeiro: Windsor Plaza, Located near Copacabana Beach, this hotel features spacious rooms with modern facilities, a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, and business center.

Iguassu Falls: Mabu Thermas, Mabu Thermas, near Iguassu Falls National Park, offers four thermal pools, tennis courts, fitness center, gift shop, and several restaurants and bars.

Buenos Aires: Howard Johnson Recoleta, The Recoleta is centrally located near the Colon Theatre, Recoleta Cemetary, and other popular sites-a perfect base for exploring the city.

Lima: Jose Antonio Executive, The Jose Antonio Executive is located in Miraflores-walking distance from shopping centers, the best restaurants, parks, and art galleries, and just three blocks away from the Pacific Ocean.

Cuzco: Novotel Cuzco, The Novotel Cuzco is located in the heart of the city center, close to Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, and Inca Museum. The hotel is built around an early 16th-century house.

Machu Picchu: Sumaq Hotel, The Sumaq Hotel is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu ruins and boasts an Andean health spa, bar, restaurant, gift shop, and business center.

Galapagos Islands: Finch Bay Hotel, The Finch Bay Hotel offers a seaside location surrounded by mangroves. Amenities include a bar, lounge, restaurant, outdoor pool, and Jacuzzi-and beachfront access. All rooms offer twin beds, private facilities, and air-conditioning.