The ultimate experience visiting the best that Peru and Ecuador have to offer: the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Quito, Cusco and Machu Picchu, as well as a cruise in the Galapagos.
Departures: Weekly on Tuesdays (the Galapagos cruise departs Thursdays)
Length: 15 days / 14 nights
Destinations: Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu / Quito / Galapagos Islands (choose either a 5-day Western Islands Cruise to Santa Cruz, Isabela and Fernandina Islands; or a 5-day Eastern Islands cruise to Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española and San Cristobal Islands) / Guayaquil
Cruise: 5 days / 4 nights on board the Archipel I or Archipel II, excellent catamarans operating in the Galapagos.
Alternative Cruises: We craft all our trips to meet your wishes, and can tailor this holiday to create fabulous Machu Picchu and Galapagos Cruise Holidays including a range of different cruise options, be it longer cruises on the Archipel I or Archipel II, or alternative cruise yachts. Please contact us for further information.
Highlights: In Peru surround yourself in the history of the Inca Empire with tours of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, then take the train to visit Machu Picchu. In Ecuador explore the cobbled streets and colonial architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Quito before cruising the Galapagos to snorkel with sea lions, explore volcanic landscapes, discover the history and wildlife and experience an incredible cruise in this iconic archipelago.
Tailor Made: This is a suggested holiday that can be booked exactly as described if you wish or that can be used to help inspire you on the fascinating journeys and destinations in Peru and Ecuador. Like all our holidays this itinerary can be tailored, customised and crafted by our friendly experts to suit your own travel style, personal requirements, wishes, budget and interests. Simply get in touch to discuss, and we would be delighted to create a truly personalised holiday for you.
Holiday Itinerary
Arrive in Lima to start your holiday at any time. We will meet you at the airport and will escort you to your hotel in the heart of the Miraflores district. The remainder of the day will be free time for you to adjust to your new surroundings and relax following your long flight to South America.
Meals: None
Overnight: Hotel in Miraflores, Lima
Peru's capital city is a vibrant blend of historic colonial architecture and pre-Inca pyramid ruins. Today you will enjoy a free day in Lima to relax and provide a free day after your Galapagos cruise and before further travel into the Peruvian Andes. Your hotel is in the district of Miraflores, a popular and modern area of Lima with cliff-top parks overlooking the Pacific ocean within walking distance of your hotel, as well as the 2500 year-old ancient pyramid of Huaca Pucllana nearby. Lima is also an excellent place to taste some fine cuisine with some of South America's top restaurants located in Miraflores and nearby San Isidro, we can assist with recommendations or reservations if needed.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Miraflores, Lima
Today you will travel on a domestic flight from Lima to Cusco and can choose from a morning, afternoon or evening flight (depending on availability). At the appropriate time we will meet you at your hotel and will escort you to Lima airport for your flight to the colonial city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. On arrival in Cusco we will escort you to your central hotel where the remainder of the day will be free so you can explore this beautiful city and to allow time to acclimatise.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Cusco city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and today you will tour the city visiting some of the Inca sites, colonial plazas, and major cultural places of significance that are among the hundreds of Inca ruins, important colonial buildings, churches, markets and other sights in this fantastic place. The tour includes visits to Cusco cathedral with its historic architecture and incredible interior, the Inca ruin of Qoricancha (also spelled Korikancha) known as the Temple of the Sun which was formerly an Inca temple that was adapted and transformed by the Spanish during the colonial period, and the large and important Inca ruins of Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman on the outskirts of the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Today you will journey the length of the Sacred Valley of the Inca on a facinating tour visiting all the important Inca sites along the way. The first stop is a visit to the traditional village of Chinchero where you will learn more about the traditional crafts techniques famous in this region as well as visit the stunning quaint colonial church and the Inca ruins within the village. Next is a tour of the Inca ruins of Moray which consist of giant circular terraced depressions sunk into the ground that were used by the Inca to cultivate different crops at different temperatures. You will also tour the impressive salineras salt pans at Maras which are thought to predate the time of the Inca and are located in a spectacular valley gorge. The final stop on the tour is a visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and you will tour the giant Inca ruin that overlooks the town. Spend the night in a hotel in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the beauty of the Andean landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hotel in Sacred Valley
This morning you awake in the Sacred Valley which not only allows you the chance to experience the tranquil beauty of this region of Peru but also provides easy access to the train station in Ollantaytambo, and very early this morning we will escort you to Ollantaytambo train station from where you will travel on the scenic train through the valleys of the Andes towards Machu Picchu. The train ends at Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes, the small town in the valley below Machu Picchu) and from here we will escort you by bus up the steep valley sides to arrive at Machu Picchu itself for your first view of this unforgettable sight. You will tour the ruin in full learning more about the incredible history of Machu Picchu and its importance to the Inca, and after the tour you will also have some free time to explore the ruin yourselves. Afterwards you will return to Machu Picchu Pueblo by bus for lunch and will have some time to buy some souvenirs in the crafts market before returning to Cusco by train later in the afternoon, arriving in late evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
Enjoy free time in Cusco. Today provides a break in your holiday as an opportunity to rest and relax following your visit to Machu Picchu. It also offers the chance for further exploration of Cusco so you can visit the countless art galleries, museums, churches, markets, cafes and plazas in this wonderful city.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Cusco
At the appropriate time we will meet you at your hotel in Cusco and escort you to Cusco airport from where you will embark on an international flight to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. On arrival in Quito we will meet you and escort you to your hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Quito
The old-town centre of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city is full of beautiful colonial-era architecture and churches, with winding cobbled streets packed full of cafes, shops, art galleries, and a rich historical heritage. Today you will enjoy a free day in this fabulous city. Destinations you may consider visiting, all of which are within walking distance of your hotel, include the Church and Convent of St. Francis, the Compañia de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus) with its incredibly ornate and beautiful gold interior, the Presidential Palace and Independence Square which is surrounded by staggering architecture.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Central hotel in Quito
Day 10 (Thu) This morning we will escort you to Quito airport from where you will fly to the Galapagos Islands, meet your guide and fellow passengers and begin your Galapagos cruise. Your excursions begin with a visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit the Twin Craters and to observe wild Galapagos Giant Tortoises.
Day 11 (Fri) This morning visit the jagged rocky islets of Tintoreras to spot Galapagos penguins, sea lions and white-tipped reef sharks. In the afternoon make a landing on Isabela Island, the largest in the archipelago, to spot flamingos and to visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Day 12 (Sat) Morning visit to Moreno Point to follow an overland "Pahohoe" lava trail to spot birds in the nearby creeks and mangroves. In the afternoon embark on a zodiac ride to spot flightless cormorants, sea turtles and penguins at the Marielas Islets in Elizabeth Bay.
Day 13 (Sun) Enjoy an easy overland hike along the cliff tops of Tagus Cove to admire views of Darwin Lake and to spot Galapagos penguins. Later in the day visit Espinoza Point, the only visitor site on Fernandina Island, to spot a colony of marine iguanas and the iconic flightless cormorant.
Day 14 (Mon) On your final morning in the Galapagos enjoy a stroll along the beautiful white sands of Bachas Beach, a nesting site for sea turtles. In late morning you will be escorted to the Galapagos airport for your return flight to the Ecuador mainland where we will escort you to your hotel.
Meals Days 10-13: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal / Day 14: Breakfast
Overnight Days 10-13: Archipel I or Archipel II Catamaran / Day 14: Hotel in Guayaquil
Day 10 (Thu) This morning we will escort you to Quito airport for a flight to the Galapagos to meet your guide and begin your Galapagos Archipel cruise. Your visit begins with a tour to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to spot the iconic Giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Day 11 (Fri) At Cormorant Point on Floreana Island spot flamingos, sea lions and admire the tropical Palo Santo forest landscape. Later visit Post Office Bay and Baroness Lookout, two of the more historic locations in the Galapagos, and enjoy the beauty of the nearby beach.
Day 12 (Sat) Visit Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the world, and spot the local populations of sea lions and turtles. Later on the opposite side of Española Island follow an overland trail at Suarez Point to spot a variety of birdlife including albatross.
Day 13 (Sun) Pitt Point was the first land spotted by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle during their infamous voyage and is home to a colony of blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca-boobies. In the afternoon enjoy the coral sand beach at Witch Hill, which has excellent snorkelling and perfect crystal clear waters.
Day 14 (Mon) On your final morning in the Galapagos spot Great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos sea lions at Lobos Islet. Later in the morning you will be escorted to the Galapagos airport for a return flight to the Ecuador mainland where we will escort you to your hotel for the evening.
Meals Days 10-13: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal / Day 14: Breakfast
Overnight Days 10-13: Archipel I or Archipel II Catamaran / Day 14: Hotel in Guayaquil
At the appropriate time we will escort you from your hotel to Guayaquil airport from where you will be able to check-in for your international flight and start your return journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: N/A
Included
- Two domestic flight within Ecuador (Quito - Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil)
- One domestic flight within Peru (Lima - Cusco)
- One international flight (Cusco - Quito, via Lima)
- All excursions
- English-speaking guides for all excursions
- INGALA Galapagos Control Card
- Entry fees to all sites included in the itinerary (with the exception of Galapagos National Park Entry Fee which is payable on arrival in Galapagos)
- Accommodation
- All meals detailed
- Private transfers to / from airports or hotels
- All transport and travel within South America
Not Included
- International flights to/from South America. We exclude international flights to give the option to compare flight pricing or use air miles, however we can include and provide international flights as part of your holiday and any international flights booked through us would be ATOL-protected as part of your package with us. Depending on time of year, departure airport and airline preference flight prices start from around £800pp economy for return flights. If you would like us to include international flights or provide a quote just let us know your preferred departure airport when you enquire.
- Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (payable on arrival in the Galapagos).
ATOL PROTECTION
This is a flight-inclusive package holiday. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate.
Contact Us if you want more information or want to book this holiday. One of our South America holiday specialists will be more than willing to help.
