Galapagos and the Amazon, then Machu Picchu and Peru’s Sacred Valley

Embark on your grand adventure as you leave the US, filled with anticipation for the incredible journey ahead.

Upon arrival in Quito, Ecuador’s charming capital, you’ll be greeted by a friendly representative who will assist you through migration and customs. Your guide will then escort you to your hotel, where you can unwind and prepare for the exciting days ahead. Take a leisurely stroll around the city or relax at the hotel, soaking in the vibrant energy of Quito.

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the airport for a domestic flight to Galapagos.

Once you arrive at the Baltra airport and go through customs and check-in for the Galapagos National Park, you will meet your naturalist guide, who will transfer you to one of the turtle ranches located in the highlands. He or she explains more about the Galapagos giant tortoises, as well as the history of Santa Cruz. Short tour around one of the highlands ranchs, in Santa Cruz Island, where we will be bushwalking and looking for giant Galapagos tortoises. After a walk, we will visit the lava tunnels and have lunch at the ranch.

You will continue the journey for about 30 minutes to Puerto Ayora, the most populated town in the archipelago. You will check in at your hotel and have the rest.

After breakfast, yacht day to Bartolomé island. This is a fantastic place to admire the Galapagos’ volcanic landscape. This will include a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms, and handrails the view from the top is worth the effort! During this visit, you will do some hiking, and snorkeling and have time to relax by the beach.

In the afternoon, return to the hotel for some relaxation before dinner.

After breakfast, we can look forward to a yacht day to North Seymour. This island was lifted from the ocean floor by a volcanic event, and its origins as a seabed give the island its low, flat profile. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing (dry landing), usually without leaves, waiting for the rains to burst into bloom.

This is a great introductory site to the islands and their wildlife, full of bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, two species of frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. During this visit, we can explore the island on foot, snorkel in its rich waters, and relax on the beach. We will return to our hotel in the late afternoon before dinner.

After breakfast, our private driver will take us to Kuyana Lodge.

Upon check-in at the hotel, we will be welcomed with a refreshing local beverage.

Explore Kuyana Island and the Guitarracocha Trail. The trail’s name comes from ancestral cultural knowledge, as we can hear the sound of guitars in this small water formation at night. On this route, we can explore Kuyana Island and visit the viewpoint, which offers majestic views, and take a refreshing bath on the banks of the Hollin River. This tour is a moderately challenging experience, rated at 2.5 out of 5 points, and typically lasts around 1.5 hours.

Indulge in a mouthwatering dinner, crafted from a fusion of the freshest local ingredients.

Guided night walk and campfire, where you can discover and be a part of the rich nocturnal ecosystem of the region. Learn about the fascinating and mysterious nocturnal species that inhabit the area and immerse yourself in the wonders of the jungle after dark. This tour is a moderately challenging experience, rated at 2.0 out of 5 points, and typically lasts around 1 hour.

Enjoy a special breakfast, lunch, and dinner, crafted from a fusion of the freshest local ingredients.

Amazon Safari, join us on a guided tour in a non-motorized canoe to a stunning lagoon, where you can observe countless bird species, some playful monkeys, and other fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Afterward, we’ll embark on a journey down the Napo River in a motorized canoe, until we reach an indigenous community. Upon arrival, we’ll be welcomed with a traditional dance and an opportunity to learn more about their unique culture and way of life. This tour is rated as a level 2.5 out of 5 on our difficulty scale, making it accessible to most guests, and typically lasts around 6 hours.

We invite you to indulge in an afternoon of sensory exploration, where you can experience the unique aromas, colors, flavors, textures, and cultural beliefs of this region and its people. Our traditional cooking class allows you to create and savor a range of delicious local dishes, including maito and chontacuro. And, of course, you’ll get to enjoy making your own chocolate.

Start your last day right with a delicious breakfast, prepared with a fusion of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

After breakfast, our private driver will take you to the airport, and upon arrival take our international flight back home.

OR

Fly to Lima.

Upon our arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, we will be met by a guide and taken to our  hotel. (Early check-in at hotel included).

We will be picked up from our hotel and taken to Barranco, to visit the Osma Museum where you will see a wide collection of Peruvian colonial art. Then visit Las Pallas, a craft and traditional folk-art shop, where you will run out of words with the wide and colorful variety of pieces brought from artisanal communities around Peru, followed by a magical walk through the romantic Bridge of Sighs, which inspired the great Peruvian singer Chabuca Granda to compose one of her most iconic and well-known songs. Finishing the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Our guide will pick us up from our hotel to begin our Historic Center of Lima tour. We’ll start by visiting the Aliaga House, a colonial mansion with over 5 centuries of history, considered the oldest house in the Americas. Then, we’ll explore the Plaza Mayor, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we can visit the imposing Lima Cathedral. Finally, you’ll visit the Larco Museum, located in the traditional district of Pueblo Libre. The museum boasts a comprehensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold and silver objects and a selection of erotic art pieces.

Enjoy a delicious three-course lunch menu at Café del Museo Larco restaurant.

Our guide will pick us up to take us from our hotel to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima for our flight to Cusco.

Upon your arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, our guide will meet us and take us to our hotel.

We will enjoy a private tour to explore the enchanting and historic city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire. Begin with a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the foundations of the Coricancha temple. Next, discover the impressive Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, the main church in town that houses a rich collection of colonial artworks, featuring impressive golden altarpieces, paintings from the renowned Cusco School, and religious sculptures. Explore the ancient hills of Cusco, including the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Qenqo archaeological complex, and the Puca Pucara military complex. Conclude with a visit to Tambomachay, known as the Inca spa and, finally, return to your hotel.

We will start our tour today by heading to the picturesque village of Chinchero. We will begin by exploring the impressive agricultural terraces and the 17th-century church, built upon an ancient Inca palace and recognized as one of Peru’s earliest Catholic structures. Along the route, there will be a stop at a lookout point to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Next, we will visit the Living Museum of Yucay, where you can witness the creation of textiles, adobe crafts, ceramics, and silverware using ancient Inca techniques.

We will savor a delightful typical lunch in the Sacred Valley.  After lunch, head to the impressive Ollantaytambo Fortress, an important ceremonial center renowned for its stunning agricultural terraces cascading down the surrounding mountainsides. Upon concluding this full-day tour, you will return to the hotel to rest and soak in the renewed Incan spirit.   The Chinchero market is included in tourist visits scheduled for Sundays.

After being picked up at our hotel in Urubamba (Sacred Valley), we will transfer to Ollantaytambo station.

From here we will board Inca Rail’s ‘The 360° train’ from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu Town).

Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, features a lively craft market, various restaurants, and lodging options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away is Machu Picchu, an impressive architectural and engineering marvel believed to have been a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu translates to “Old Mountain,” which enchants visitors with its historical grandeur and natural beauty. After the visit, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes.

Then we will enjoy a delicious set lunch menu at Café Inkaterra while taking in the breathtaking view of the Vilcanota River. The restaurant is known for its unique blend of Andean cuisine and contemporary trends, resulting in a fusion-style meal with a distinctive flavor.

This evening we will have dinner at our hotel.

Have a morning free to enjoy in Aguas Calientes. Optionally, you can return to Machu Picchu to visit the citadel’s attractions. We suggest waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountain. It’s an unforgettable experience! In the afternoon, begin the journey back to Cusco. (Machu Picchu permits not included on this day)

Your return trip to Ollantaytambo station will also be on The 360 train. Each journey lasts about one and a half hours, and schedules are subject to availability.

Our driver will pick us up at Ollantaytambo station and take us to our hotel in Cusco.

This morning, we will transfer from Cusco to Puno. The first stop will be in Andahuaylillas, a charming village 40 kilometers from Cusco, renowned for its church, the Sistine Chapel of America. Next, the second stop will be in Raqchi, where you can visit the impressive Temple of Wiracocha, a fascinating rectangular-shaped building. Afterward, you will enjoy lunch in Sicuani, followed by a brief stop at La Raya, the journey’s highest point at 4,313 meters above sea level. Finally, you will visit the town of Pucara, the first urban settlement near Lake Titicaca, which developed between 100 and 200 A.D., before reaching the city of Puno.

We will be picked up from the port of Puno and taken to the floating islands of Uros. The Uros are an ancient culture that inhabits a series of artificial islands built on the basis of reeds growing in the lake itself. These are constructed by weaving reed in the areas where it grows thicker and thus forming a natural layer. They also build their houses over these. After an hour we will continue to the island of Taquile.

In contrast to the other islands in the lake, where the people speak Aimara, here they speak Quechua. At arrival, you will be given a short description of the island and a tour around it before lunch. After lunch, you will go to the harbour for the trip back to Puno.

On our final day, we visit the ancient necropolis of Sillustani, exploring the chullpas and their intriguing history.

Afterward, transfer to Juliaca airport for your evening flight back to the US. As you depart, you’ll carry with you the unforgettable experiences and stunning landscapes of Ecuador and Peru, a journey to remember for a lifetime.

Evening flight to the US.