Peru and Galapagos

Days 1-2
Cusco, Peru / Sacred Valley of the Incas

We explore Cusco, ceremonial heart of the Inca Empire, and the Inca fortresses and market town of nearby Pisac.

Days 3-4
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was so well hidden in the jungled ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that the Spaniards never found it. We marvel at the altars, terraces, and mysterious chambers of this perfect example of Inca architecture, an extraordinary glimpse into the Inca world. Return to Cusco late on Day 4.

Days 5-6
Cusco / Quito, Ecuador

After a day to enjoy Cusco’s cafés and artisan markets, we fly to Quito, Ecuador, on Day 6.

Days 7-8
Galápagos Cruise / North Seymour / Santa Cruz

Flying to the Galápagos, we board our luxurious yacht and cruise island to island with our expert naturalist guide, enjoying hikes and wonderful snorkeling adventures in the unique ecosystem that inspired the theory of evolution. There’s a world of wonder in Darwin’s bewitching islands—on land as well as in the sea. We sail to North Seymour Island for a hike among prehistoric-looking marine iguanas, Darwin’s “imps of darkness.” On Santa Cruz, we visit the town of Puerto Ayora and the Darwin Research Station, with its museum and tortoise breeding facility, then head up to the lush highlands for a chance to see Galápagos tortoises in the wild. Many Galápagos “residents” are found directly on or next to the trail, allowing for nose-to-nose observation and incredible up-close photography. The sheer abundance and diversity of the wildlife make this a place unlike any other on earth.

Day 9
Galápagos Cruise / Española

At remote Española (Hood), we discover a jewel of an island known for its high number of endemic species. Marine iguanas are inky black on most Galápagos islands, but on Española, they are brightly colored, with a reddish tint. At Punta Suarez, we find spectacular cliffs inhabited by colorful lava lizards, the indigenous Hood mockingbird, and cactus and warbler finches. We enjoy great snorkeling on the northeast coast at Gardner Bay, where sea lions laze on long white beaches. Between April and November, Española is famed for its colonies of nesting waved albatross. These giant birds use the island’s steep cliffs as runways to take off for their oceanic feeding grounds.

Days 10-12
Galápagos Cruise / Floreana / Isabela / Fernandina

Rich flora abounds on Floreana, and the snorkeling is out of this world at Devil’s Crown, the remnant of a volcanic crater whose pinnacles rise up from the sandy bottom. Red-billed tropicbirds nest in the crater’s rocky crevices, while schools of king angelfish and beautiful marbled rays swim below. On Punta Cormorant, we watch elegant pink flamingos wade in the shallows, and on Isabela Island, we snorkel among tiny Galápagos penguins who seem to fly through the water. We look for flightless cormorants at Punta Espinosa and marine turtles at Urbina Bay. On pristine Fernandina, we hike Punta Espinosa to see the biggest colony of marine iguanas in the islands. We can often see them diving in the intertidal areas.

Days 13-15
Galápagos Cruise / Santiago / Bartolomé / Quito

Santiago (James) Island has numerous shorebirds, including lava herons, Galápagos doves, and Galápagos hawks. Our hike up the volcanic cone called Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island offers top-of-the-world views. We explore by panga in Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon that is a nursery for many sharks and rays. Fly to Quito and depart on Day 15, or extend your journey to Machu Picchu, Ecuador’s mountain highlands, or the Amazon.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to extend your adventure, we offer the following options:

• Otavalo & Hacienda Zuleta Extension (3 days)
• Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center (4 days)
• Amazon Rainforest Extension: Sacha Lodge (4 days)

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

• Otavalo & Hacienda Zuleta Extension (3 days)
• Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center (4 days)
• Amazon Rainforest Extension: Sacha Lodge (4 days)

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.