We officially begin our South America Expedition with a flight to LIMA, PERU from Miami. During the flight, dinner will be served on-board the plane. Upon our late arrival at the airport, we will collect our luggage and transfer to RADISSON ROYAL QUITO hotel, where we will check in and have a good night sleep. D

Following a delicious breakfast, we will board our private and comfortable motor coach and enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR OF LIMA. During the tour we will drive through the central part of the city. We will stop and see one of the wonderful cathedrals in town in addition to having some time to shop for handicrafts and textiles in the Miraflores area. There are markets, malls and boutique shops all offering special Peruvian arts and crafts. The afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy at your leisure. Tonight, a special ‘welcome dinner’ will be served at our hotel, and we will have an opportunity to meet everyone on our trip and learn more about this extraordinary expedition from Kaye England and Sew Many Places founder, Jim West. B, D

This morning, following an early breakfast, we will transfer back to the Lima Airport for our flight to IQUITOS, the bustling city located at the entrance of the AMAZONIA REGION. Upon our arrival, we will be met and transferred to the Explorama Dock where we will begin a twenty-five mile boat journey down the AMAZON RIVER to the Ceiba Tops Lodge, a private hotel in the middle of the rain forest. This lodge/hotel provides charming rooms with air conditioning and hot water, giving us all the comforts of home, but still providing that very unique opportunity to experience the Amazon Rain forest. Upon our arrival at the lodge, we will check into our hotel rooms and then enjoy a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, Jim will provide some tips on photography and Kaye will provide a short lecture. There will also be time to relax and enjoy an afternoon swim in the pool or take a hike in the beautiful primary rain forest reserve surrounding Ceiba Tops Lodge, which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. Later in the evening, following dinner, there will be an opportunity to sit back and relax to local flute or guitar music in the El Toucan Bar. It will be an exciting first day in this extraordinary place. And as we fall asleep in our private hotel rooms, we’ll hear all the fascinating sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night. B, L, D

This morning we begin our day with a scrumptious breakfast, followed by a morning boat ride to visit a small village of Yagua Indians. Along the way, we will have an opportunity to experience fishing for small piranha before arriving at the Indian village. Our guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see flora and fauna and shop for local crafts, before seeing a blowgun demonstration, which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Don’t forget your cameras, this morning will be one of the real highlights of our Amazon experience.

In the afternoon, we will walk through the streets of a small town called INDIANA. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital. Later in the day we will return to our lodge to relax before dinner. Tonight is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. B, L, D

This morning we begin our day very early departure from our lodge (by boat) to the Explor Napo Lodge for breakfast. This lodge is a sister property to the lodge we are staying in, but designed more for the “adventure traveler.” Following breakfast, we’ll hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway, spanning over 500 meters (one-third of a mile), and connected by tree platforms that reach a height of over 115 feet. This is all accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. We’ll return back to the Ceiba Tops Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing. It will be a fascinating and educational experience for all of us. There will be time to enjoy a swim in the pool or a short nap in the hammocks before dinner. Tonight, Kaye will treat us to a special talk. B, L, D

This morning following breakfast, we will check out of our lodge and take the boat ride back to the city of IQUITOS where we will fly to CUSCO. Upon our arrival at the Cusco Airport, we will collect our luggage and be met by our local tour guide and motor coach driver who will transfer us to the first class LIBERTADOR PALACIO DEL INKA hotel where we will check in and unpack. Tonight we will enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, L, D

This morning, following a buffet breakfast, we will enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR OF CUSCO. There will be time in the afternoon and evening for some terrific shopping opportunities and dinner on your own. We will offer a special “optional” dinner show for those who might be interested. B

This morning, we will check out of our hotel, leaving our large suitcases with the bell captain, and transfer to the train station where we will enjoy a 4-hour train ride to the small town of AGUAS CALIENTES. This ride will take us through beautiful scenic mountain areas of Peru, through the Urubamba Valley and Sacred Valley of the Incas. Upon our arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will be met by our local guides who will take us to our deluxe hotel, the extraordinary Inkaterra Hotel. This hotel will certainly be one of the most special hotel experiences you’ve ever encountered. We will check in and relax before enjoying dinner at the hotel. B, D

This morning, following a very early breakfast, we will walk to our bus that will take us to the incredible ruins of MACHU PICHHU.

Located 120 km northwest of Cusco, the Inca city of Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world in dense jungle covered mountains until 1911. This 'Lost City' is one of the world's archaeological jewels and is one of South America's major travel destinations. Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram Bingham found it in 1911.

The Holy City of Machu Picchu was built in stone among the flanks of two hills belonging to the eastern mountain range of the Andes, descending into the Amazonian upper sylvan. There is no doubt that Machu Picchu represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering.

We will follow our local professional guide through each portion of the ruins and learn more about the Inca civilization. There will be photograph opportunities like you’ve never experienced before in your life. You will have an opportunity to stay as long as you like at the ruins. The group will take the bus back down the mountain and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon on your own. Tonight we will enjoy dinner back at our hotel. B, D

Today you have an opportunity to have a leisurely morning on your own. Following breakfast, you may opt to participate in one of the complimentary optional tours offered through the hotel, go back to Machu Picchu to explore again on your own, or just relax with a morning massage. In the afternoon we will check out of our hotel and take the train back to the city of CUSCO. Upon our arrival, we will check into our same hotel, collect our larger suitcases and relax before dinner. Our farewell dinner will be at the hotel. B, D

This morning, following breakfast, there will be free time today for last minute souvenir shopping before we check out of our hotel and transfer to the Cusco Airport for our flight to LIMA. We will arrive at the airport and transfer to our flight that will depart for MIAMI late this evening. B

This morning, our flight arrives very early in the morning into Miami. This will bring our South America Expedition with Kaye England and Jim West – Sew Many Places to an end. And as we all go in different directions from Miami, there will still be that one common thread that will connect us to one of the most extraordinary experiences we could have ever hoped to participate in as quilters and creative explorers.