Machu Picchu and Galapagos Adventure

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. Home to a plethora of interesting museums and a foodie’s delight, being the ‘gastronomical capital of the Americas’.

Join your local guide will take you on an exclusive half-day tour of Lima’s culinary and historical highlights, designed by us to help you get the most out of the city, starting with a visit to a local market to sample some local fruit and a scenic stroll through the city’s historic downtown with some tastings of famous local bites along the way. Enjoy a stop at the San Francisco catacombs, a tour of Casa de Aliaga, a stunning colonial style mansion. End your tour with a Chilcano or Pisco Sour cocktail - both are made with the local brandy, Pisco.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, where you will descend into the Sacred Valley below Cusco. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands which, along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, formed the heart of the Inca Empire. The Sacred Valley’s elevation is 2,800 meters above sea level, so it’s recommended to take it easy for the afternoon as your body acclimatises to the altitude.

On today’s Sacred Valley of the Incas tour, you will be presented with plenty of photo opportunities of ancient Incan villages and ruins, whilst learning about the culture and beliefs of the Incan people. This tour is the perfect start to understanding the unique way of life, farming techniques, and archaeological design of the Incas. The first stop is the village of Pisac. Wander the colourful market stalls before heading uphill to the famous Pisac ruins, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiracay ruins. Enjoy a fine buffet lunch in gardens overlooking the Valley before continuing along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo, which is dominated by a giant Incan fortress.

Today will be one of your highlights in South America with a visit to Machu Picchu. A transfer will collect you and transfer you to Ollantaytambo train station to board a scenic train and arrive in one of the world’s most famous ruins after the morning fog and crowds have cleared. A guide will meet you on arrival and take you directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will spend the afternoon marvelling at the stunning display of ancient architecture and incredible surroundings. located 2,430 metres above sea level, your guide will explain the 15th-century Inca site before taking you to your hotel for the night in the local village of Aguas Calientes.

Start your journey back to Cusco by boarding a return train to Ollantaytambo. A transfer will be waiting as you arrive back to Ollantaytambo station to continue onwards to Cusco. En route, you will visit the Maras Salt ponds, believed to pre-date the Inca period. These shallow pools, dug into the mountainside, are filled with salt water from an underground spring from an adjacent mountain. Continue to Moray, which boasts an impressive Inca ruin of giant circular terraces that are believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation. You will then be dropped to your hotel in Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes.

Join the exclusive day tour and explore the city’s fascinating history. This specially designed tour has been perfected to show you the best of this incredible city without the crowds and other tourists. Learn about this city from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day, winding through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visiting the market of Cusco. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace and finish up at Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco.

Today is at leisure, allowing you to spend time wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital. With treasures around every corner, Cusco is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Vibrant markets and stores give the traveller a plethora of shopping opportunities set amongst fine Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Included is a BTG ticket which provides access to most of Cusco’s attractions and museums, so you choose where you wish to spend your day.

Arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel.

Sitting at 2,850 metres above sea level high in the Andean foothills lies Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The city, a short distance from the Equator and with an amazing backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is known for its stunning colonial architecture and art-work. Founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city, Quito has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved historic centres in the Americas. It was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978.

Overnight in Quito

Today you will embark on an experiential tour that has been designed to evoke all of the senses.
The experience will allow participants to touch, taste the culinary delights, smell the aroma of the coffee beans, see the beautiful cobblestone lined streets and historical buildings and hear the bells of the church ringing. We also include the sixth sense of love; you will be able to experience the love that local artisans put into their craft and participate in a demonstration.

The tour will start with an exploration of the bustling streets and squares of the charming and colonial city of Quito. You will walk the street of the seven crosses, see the main Independence Square and Government Palace, as well as admire the domes of the many churches in the old town. Walk to the busy street of La Ronda which is packed with bars, people and character.

Depending on the day and availability you may visit artisans, a local family that makes traditional sweets (and of course you will be able to do a taste test!) or perhaps paint with the Escuela Quiteña, who are the artists responsible for restoring colonial art at many of the historical chapels in the city. You may have the chance to make traditional ice cream or quesadillas or try your hand at weaving the famous toquilla straw hat. We can also include visits to local markets where you be able to try the local cuisine. The choice is yours and your guide will cater to your preferences!
Return to the neighbourhood of San Marcos, home to many galleries, coffee shops and local family run stores, as well as beautiful Neo-Classical architecture, painted in muted pastels. End the tour with a drink at a rooftop bar, that has a breathtaking view of the Panecillo hill surrounded by the old city.

Please note that experiences are subject to availability on the day, this tour is run on a private basis and can be customised to suit your preferences.

Depart south from Quito to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi (5,943 m)is the highest active volcano in the world. Despite the altitude, the Park is home to numerous birds and varied plant life. Northeast lies Rumiñahui(4,557 m) and between the two mountains the plain and lagoon of Limpiopungo (3800m approx.). If weather permits, from the north face we may have spectacular views of the mountain. The surrounding scenery also includes volcanoes like Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Sincholagua, Lunch is included at a restaurant at the base of the mountain. The tour also includes a visit to an indigenous market nearby.
You will be returned to your hotel in Quito at the end of the tour.

Overnight in Quito

Depart any time from Quito. Transfer to the airport in time for your onward flight to Galapagos Islands.


Embarkation to the Galapagos Islands - Baltra Airport

Please note: this is based on M/Y Bonita - itinerary B, 5 days.
Another cruise may be offered to fit with your departure dates, details will be provided at the time of quoting. We can also offer a longer cruise if you prefer.


AM: BALTRA AIRPORT (ARRIVAL)
Welcome to Galapagos! Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your naturalist guide will greet you and assist with the transfer to Itabaca Channel. This initial journey offers your first connection with the archipelago as you take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. Along the way, observe Baltra’s arid landscape and learn about its history as a former U.S. WWII airbase. This is just the beginning of the many fascinating stories awaiting you on your adventure.


PM: HIGHLANDS
Embark on a pleasant journey into the verdant highlands, where a bus ride leads you through lush forested landscapes home to Galapagos Giant Tortoises. These impressive creatures, reaching up to 300 kg/600 lbs, can often be seen peacefully grazing or resting in freshwater ponds. The highlands are also home to a variety of bird species rarely found in the lowlands. Depending on your itinerary, you may have the opportunity to visit a lava tunnel and learn about the volcanic forces that shaped these remarkable islands.

AM: CORMORANT POINT | DEVIL'S CROWN
Punta Cormorant is located in the north of Floreana and it is known for its large coastal lagoon with American flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts and other shorebirds. There is a beautiful white sand beach which is an important nesting ground for green sea turtles where we can also see rays and reef sharks. In recent years, a small group of blue footed boobies have started to breed right by the trail. This is also a great trail dayto look at endemic plants.

Snorkel Experience: It will be done at Devil’s Crown, a heavily eroded little volcano right by Floreana island. This is considered by many as one of the best snorkeling sites in the entire archipelago as the current funnels plankton through the Crown, attracting huge schools of snapper, Creole fish parrot fish, angelfish, reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and a phenomenal amount of marine life.

Highlights: Sea turtle nesting site, Galapagos shearwaters, Tropicbirds, Frigatebirds, Finches, Shorebirds


PM: POST OFFICE BAY
Floreana is famous for the tales of German settlers and the baroness during the late 1920’s and 30‘s. Assassinations, disappearances and other unsolved mysteries are the ingredients of this fascinating story. Post office bay was often used by whalers to anchor their ships and go up to the highlands to get freshwater and tortoises. Most boats visiting the Galapagos had to come to this place sooner or later, so a system of mail was established more than 200 years ago: a barrel near the beach became the way to leave messages to other ships and also to the outside world. This mail system is still in use and will allow you to send postcards from the Galapagos to the outside world. Aside from a small beautiful beach, the area is great for dinghy tours to look for sea lions, green sea turtles, shorebirds, small sharks and, with some luck, Galapagos penguins.
Snorkel Experience: There is great snorkel from the beach, as you can see lots of sea turtles, rays, great diversity of fish and, if you are really lucky, Galapagos penguin

Highlights: Galapagos penguins, Marine iguanas, Sea turtles, Finches, Shorebirds

AM: SUAREZ POINT
This rocky trail is one the most amazing nature walks you can do in the Galapagos islands. From the moment you set foot on the island and all the way along the trail the amount and diversity of fauna is truly amazing. Sea lions and marine iguanas will be the first ones welcoming us, followed by large colonies of sea birds, including Nazca and Blue-footed boobies, gulls and tropicbirds. At the end of the trail we will visit a colony of waved albatross (April to January), the largest bird in the islands and one of the most interesting because of its powerful flight and elaborate courtship. Waved albatross only nest at Española, so this is the only place where you will see them at close range.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Herons, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Marine iguanas, Waved Albatross, Lava lizards



PM: GARDNER BAY
Gardner Bay is one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos, with fine white coral sand and crystal-clear waters. Here, sea lions bask on the shore while Española mockingbirds search for food. It’s also a great spot to observe marine iguanas and Galapagos hawks. Nearby, Osborn Islet unveils a vibrant underwater world, perfect for snorkeling. In its calm waters, swim alongside sea turtles, reef sharks, and schools of tropical fish like angelfish, parrotfish, and surgeonfish, making it an unforgettable destination for marine exploration.
Snorkel Experience: Explore the waters of Gardner Bay and Osborn Islet, where you can swim with sea lions, turtles, and reef sharks. Spot rays and schools of tropical fish in a colorful, lively reef.

Highlights: Coral sand beach, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Marine iguanas

AM: INTERPRETATION CENTER | KICKER ROCK
Located in the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center is dedicated to the history of human presence in the Galapagos. Since the times of the early Spanish explorers to the present times, including illustrious visitors such as Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition will take you through the dangers and struggles of the first settlers trying to survive the harsh Galapagos environment.

Snorkel Experience: Depending on the itinerary, snorkel is allowed around Kicker Rock. Very good place to see sharks, sea turtles, rays and a lot of different species of fish. Great diversity of invertebrates growing in the vertical walls.


PM: LOBOS ISLAND
Lobos Island, a small islet near San Cristóbal, offers an unforgettable wildlife experience. Upon landing, groups of sea lions will greet you as they play in tidal pools. Walking inland, you’ll spot frigatebirds perched in bushes, displaying their inflated red pouches, while blue-footed boobies nest along the trail, performing their iconic courtship dance. In the calm waters, snorkeling provides an incredible opportunity to swim with playful sea lions, while sea turtles and rays rest on the sandy bottom.
Snorkel Experience: The calm waters of Lobos Island are perfect for swimming with playful sea lions. Sea turtles and rays are often seen resting on the sandy bottom, while tropical fish add vibrant colors to the scene.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Galapagos sea lions, Magnificent and great frigatebirds, San Cristobal Lava Lizards

AM: BACHAS
After, we will go to the beach known as Bachas, located north of Santa Cruz Island. Here we can snorkel or take a relaxing walk on the beach. For this, we will make a wet landing, in which we will jump from the panga to the shore of the beach. Again, we recommend disembarking barefoot and wearing light walking shoes for the rest of the journey. The saltwater lagoon behind the beach often has great blue herons and small birds. Both beaches are nesting areas for green sea turtles.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Blue footed boobies, White-cheeked pintails, American flamingoes, Sandpipers, Lava gulls


PM: BALTRA (AIRPORT)
Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.

Fly to Quito, arriving late afternoon.