Peru & Galapagos Discovery

Welcome to Peru. Upon arrival at Lima Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in Miraflores, a modern middle-class suburb on the coast. The remaining time today is free to spend at leisure exploring the capital.

Lima – Cusco. We take a short flight to Cusco, which will be our home for the next two days. Once the centre of the Inca Empire, Cusco is now a vibrant city, home to extraordinary craftmanship, with old Inca walls and bustling squares filled with ornate baroque colonial churches. Stroll around the cobbled streets of this enchanting city as the shoeshine boys and postcard sellers jostle for your attention, shop at the many handicraft stalls and grab a drink at one of the cafes.

The rest of the day is free to independently explore and in the evening experience the city's energy as people flock to the many restaurants, bars and cafés.

This morning we explore Cusco on a guided walking tour. We visit Q’oricancha, also known as the Sun Temple, this was the most significant temple in the Inca empire, a sacred ground dedicated to the Sun God. Following this, we explore the colossal zigzag walls of Sacsayhuaman fortress set on a hill side above Cusco. In 1536 this was the site of a bitter three-day battle was fought between the Spaniards and the Incas.

The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure. Stroll around the cobbled streets, explore Cusco's colourful, bustling markets and splendid churches. The air at this altitude can be thin and the streets are steep, so take your time.

Cusco - Sacred Valley. Today we leave Cusco and drive over the high plains and down into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley was densely populated in imperial times and the well-preserved ruins bear witness to the highly developed society that the Incas created. During our drive we pass many of the villages and temple fortress that are scattered throughout the valley. We explore the Pisac complex, which is built on terraces carved into the steep hillside, rising like a staircase to the heavens. We also visit Pisac village before continuing our journey through this beautiful, patchwork valley to the temple of Ollantaytambo, with the magnificent Andes as a beautiful backdrop. Ollantaytambo fortress, the colonial grid plan and the Inca foundations are still intact and there are wonderful views down over the sloping hillsides and into the fertile valley. We spend tonight in this tranquil valley.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu. Our day begins with an incredibly scenic 2-hour train journey from Ollantaytambo to the iconic lost city of Machu Picchu. Situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River and surrounded by tropical forest, the Inca city enjoys a truly spectacular setting and it's one of the most fascinating ancient sites in the world. Following a guided tour of the ruins we spend the night in the spa village of Aguas Calientes, a couple of kilometres upstream.

.If you fancy hiking a section of the Inca Trail without disrupting your tour, we can arrange for you to undertake the one day Mini Inca Trail on the same day while still participating in the guided tour of the ruins and staying with the group in the evening. Please note: You must pre-book the Mini Inca Trail as availability is limited, please ask us for more details.

Machu Picchu - Cusco. There is the optoin to revisit the ancient citadel to walk one of the many trails around the site. Hike up the steep path to Huayna Picchu for incredible views over Machu Picchu or trek to the Inca Bridge, carved into the steep cliff face. Alternatively, you can relax at the hotel before we return to Cusco by train this afternoon.

Please note: If you want to revisit Machu Picchu you will need to enquire with the office and pre-book as availability is limited.

Cusco - Puno. After an early breakfast, we travel by private bus to Puno on the shore of Lake Titcaca. The journey is incredibly scenic and takes approximately 8 hours, climbing over 4,300m. The road is flanked by majestic snow-capped peaks, and we witness men and oxen toiling in fields surrounded by corn and potato crops. We reach the highest point of our journey, as we make our way across the plains of Altiplano, passing market towns where llamas and alpacas are herded by bowler-hatted women.

Sitting on the Peruvian-Bolivian border beautiful Lake Titicaca is vast, almost like an inland sea. Today's adventure begins with a motorboat journey across the lake to visit the fascinating Uros Islands. These unique floating islands are constructed entirely from the lake's tortora reeds – the same material used for the islanders' canoes, and you can feel the ground subtly shifting beneath your feet.

This afternoon a guided excursion takes us to the Chullpas at Sillustani, imposing stone tombs believed to be the final resting place of ancient Hatun Colla chiefs. These towers stand along the treeless shores of a remote highland lake, surrounded by captivating landscape.

Puno - Lima. This morning we take a flight back to Lima, a short 1 hour and 40 minutes journey. Upon arrival spend the rest of the day at leisure. There's time for an optional tour of the capital's historic centre, alternatively consider visiting one or two of the world-class museums. In the evening why not celebrate the last night of the tour on the cliff top in Miraflores or Barranco sipping a pisco sour cocktail and watching the sun set over the Pacific.

Lima - Guayaquil (Ecuador). Today we bid farewell to our Peruvian tour guide and transfer to Lima airport for a flight to Guayaquil. Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city, located on the banks of the Rio Guayas. A city tour takes us through the bustling open-air market at La Bahia, past the colonial naval shipyard and on to the Malecon (the waterfront promenade). We continue our tours, strolling past tropical gardens, busy markets and cafes to our final stop, Santa Ana hill and Las Penas. This charming district has vibrant wooden houses and ramshackle old streets.

Guayaquil - Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the airport this morning for you flight to the Galapagos Islands. Here we embark on a five day cruise around the archipelago aboard a small motor yacht which will be our home for the next 4 nights. Once settled into our cabin, we begin our tour of the the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. Find a comfortable place on deck, relax and enjoy the views, often trailed by flocks of birds and playful dolphins.

We continue our captivating cruise around the Galápagos Islands, with two landings a day to encounter diverse wildlife. There will also be the opportunity to snorkel both from the islands and the boat itself, and two kayaks are available for use. During our cruise we will visit the islands of San Cristobal, Floreana, Espanola and Santa Cruz.

San Cristobal is an old island with volcanic peaks to the north and lush vegetation in the south. Here you can learn about the natural and human history of this island at the The Interpretation Centre, experience snorkelling off Cerro Brujo's beaches and encounter sea lions at Isla Lobos.

Floreana has a rich and fascinating history and highlights of the island include a visit to Post Office Bay and snorkelling around the Devil's Crown, a part submerged crater. There's also a golden beach where green turtles nest and a salt lagoon which is home to a plethora of wading birds.

Espanola is one of the most beautiful Galapagos Islands and also one of the oldest, dating back an estimated 3.3 million years. Espanola has a high percentage of endemism because it is isolated from other islands. Endemic species include the Waved albatross, Darwin's finches and the mockingbird of Espanola, which is the largest species in the islands and has developed carnivorous behaviour. A highlight of this island is a visit to Urbina Bay with its long white beach which is home to a sea-lion colony. There's also a spectacular blowhole where the spray shoots 30m high.

Santa Cruz island has the largest human population of all the islands, mostly living in Puerto Ayora. On this island we see a colony of land iguanas at Dragon Hill in the northwest and giant tortoises in the verdant highlands. We also hope to spot rays and sharks from the comfort of a panga or kayak at Black Turtle Cove.

Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil. We disembark from our cruise and take a short flight back to Guayaquil where our tour ends upon arrival.

Post tour accommodation in Guayaquil can be arranged upon request. Please contact us for details.