Explore the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu

Upon arrival in Quito,  you will be warmly welcomed by an andBeyond representative who will meet you and drive you to your hotel. 

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second highest capital,  with arguably one of the finest settings in the world.  Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire,     before being destroyed and re-founded by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. The colonial center - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 - is one of the largest and best preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches and art galleries.

Today, You will visit the city's highlights. Begin at downtown, passing through the modern section of Quito towards the city's historic district. Sit in the Independence Square, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and City Hall. Stroll past El Sagrario Church and marvel at the exquisite stone facade of La Compañía Church. Visit the San Francisco Church, built over the ruins of an Inca Palace in the 16th century. Ride up the road to the Panecillo or the Itchimbia hills for a breathtaking view of Quito. 

During your route, you will have the opportunity to indulge in a wonderful chocolate tasting at the Galeria Ecuador, whilst learning about the cultivation of cacao plants. This adventure is fun for the whole family as the Galeria boasts an interactive game that allows you to practice sowing, growing and cultivating the cacao plant. You will also have the opportunity to make your own chocolate truffles. Under the guidance of an expert, use an array of different ingredients such as cinnamon, salt from Cusco, chocolate nibs, nuts and cacao to create a mouth-watering morsel.

After a delightful breakfast, an andBeyond representative will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Quito airport. As you travel, you'll have the opportunity to soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

Once at the airport, you will catch your flight to Baltra airport in the enchanting Galápagos Islands.

Upon arrival in Baltra, our dedicated team will ensure a smooth and seamless process, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the anticipation of your incredible journey. We aim to make every moment of your trip stress-free and enjoyable, setting the perfect tone for your unforgettable Galápagos experience.

Arrival
BALTRA | NORTH SEYMOUR

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the Galapagos Explorer.  

AFTERNOON: Begin your journey traversing North Seymour Island on foot in search of blue-footed boobies, colonies of frigatebirds, fork-tailed gulls, sea lion and land iguana. Palo santo trees can also be found on the island. 

Swim and snorkel
SAN CRISTÓBAL

MORNING: Sail to Punta Pitt to explore a cluster of eroded volcanoes sparsely populated by endemic vegetation.

AFTERNOON: Discover Kicker Rock where you will find the remains of eroded lava flows as well as two vertical rocks rising 152 m (500 ft) from the ocean. This natural monument is great for spotting various tropicbirds, frigatebirds and boobies. You’ll also visit Lobos Island, a small flat islet located 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is a fantastic spot to observe nesting frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies as well as snorkel with friendly sea lion. 

Iconic birdlife
ESPAÑOLA

MORNING: Today you will travel to Osborn Islet, Gardner Bay and Gardner Island. Bask in the sunshine on the pristine sandy white beaches and discover the vibrant underwater world by snorkelling along its rocky shores. Gardner Bay is also the only known breeding site for the critically endangered waved albatross.

AFTERNOON: Explore the rocky landscape of Punta Suarez, home to one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos as well as a large blowhole where ocean water has been seen to spray up to 15 – 23 m (50 - 75 ft) into the air. 

Beautiful beaches
FLOREANA

MORNING: This morning you will explore Champion Island and Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Floreana Island also boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Galapagos. Situated between two volcanoes, the lagoon is home to flamingo, common stilt and white-checked pintail duck. In addition, the island hosts a high percentage of endemic plant species as well as two distinct beaches, the olivine crystal Green Beach and coral Flour Sand Beach.

AFTERNOON: In the 18th century, sailors passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island to use as an unofficial mailbox. Known as Post Office Bay today, the tradition continues as travellers leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. 

Tortoises and twins
SANTA CRUZ

MORNING: Begin your day with a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important conservation work taking place in the Galapagos. Next, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which was established to protect and preserve the Galapagos’ tortoise population. Strolling through the park not only showcases the various tortoises but also the land iguana that are bred and nurtured at the centre.

AFTERNOON: After lunch, discover the highlands of Santa Cruz. Explore a pair of volcanic sinkholes called ‘The Twins’ (or Los Gemelos) formed by land collapsing beneath the surface before spending time at the Tortoise Reserve El Chato where several subspecies of giant tortoises roam free. 

Rocky summits
SANTA CRUZ | BARTOLOMÉ

MORNING: The rocky, low-lying hill, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz Island is home to an impressive population of Galapagos land iguana. These miniature dragons roam around the sun-scorched, boulder-strewn island, enjoying the fruits and flowers of their favourite food, the prickly pear.

AFTERNOON: Next, head to the famous Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island. A walking trail leads to the summit of an extinct volcano, boasting some of the best views in the Galapagos. Pinnacle Rock beach is also ideal for snorkelling with Galapagos penguin

Birdwatchers' paradise
GENOVESA

MORNING: The 14 km2 (8.6 mi2) island of Genovesa is the tip of a submerged shield volcano that rises 76 m (249 ft) above sea level. Its central crater is filled with salt water while ocean erosion over time created the Darwin Bay on its southern slope. The island is known for its great swimming, snorkelling and panga excursions.

AFTERNOON: Genovesa is a paradise for sea birds, including large colonies of red-footed boobies and frigatebirds. Discover Prince Phillip’s Steps (El Barranco), the breeding ground for the tree-loving red-footed booby and ground-nesting masked booby. The island is also home to four species of Darwin finches: the large ground finch, the sharp-beaked ground finch, the large cactus finch, and the warbler finch. 

Departure
THE DAPHNES | BALTRA

MORNING: The Daphnes include two islands, Daphne Major and Daphne Minor, situated just north of Santa Cruz. Spend your last few hours in the Galapagos exploring Daphne Major. Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and blue-footed boobies can be found nesting here. 

It’s time to bid farewell to the amazing experience you just had in the Galápagos Islands and embark on a new adventure. Once on land, you will be taken to Baltra airport, where the V.I.P. lounge will be at your disposal for your enjoyment before boarding your scheduled flight to Quito. From Quito, you will take your international flight to Peru, arriving in Lima tonight to start the second half of your journey.

Welcome to Peru

Tonight, you will land in Lima, where your hotel is strategically located within walking distance of the airport, allowing you to rest and recharge for tomorrow's new adventures.

Overnight at Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima airport hotel.

Morning private transfer to the Airport of Lima for your flight to Cusco.

On arrival in Cusco your guide will be waiting for you to transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Inca, enjoy a 1.30hours scenic drive.

On your way you will have the opportunity to visit Sulca textil center,   where you will learn the tradition of weaving, a private initiative that brings together 14 rural communities, in which textiles made by the people of these communities are on display. Besides the exposition of weavings, the center also has a display of the different types of indigenous camelids: the llama, the vicuña, the guanaco (though the latter is currently in danger of extinction).

Continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas for check in.

Rest of the day will be at your leisure for an easy acclimatisation to altitude.

Overnight at Sol y Luna Hotel.

This morning you will visit Chinchero, a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta. The village mainly comprises mud brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Its major atraction is its colourful market

We will then continue to Moray. The main feature that impresses is its system of circular agricultural terraces, which are up to 330 feet deep. They are build using retaining walls connected by an irrigation system. Moray can be considered a crop lab– they used the terraces to create micro-climates and grow various products.

After lunch visit Maras, the salt mines, or the famous "salt pools" The salt mines of Maras are still in use today. These days there are thousands of pools, or pocitos, with each pocito yielding around 150 kilograms of salt per month. You can visit the salt mines and explore them along narrow paths. It’s fascinating to watch locals harvest the salt, a process that hasn’t changed in thousands of years.

Overnight at Sol y Luna Hotel.

This morning please meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel, who will  transfer you to Ollantaytambo Train Station.

Before boarding the train to Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to  visit the town of Ollantaytambo, with its Inca streets of stone, traditional square homes and small markets. You will also have time to explore its ruins and hike up to an Incan temple for a majestic view of the town.

Departure from Ollantaytambo train station to Machu Picchu on the Vistadome  train. 

Reception at the train station by the hotel’s representatives that will take care of your luggage. Your guide will accompany with a short walk to the buses that leads to the citadel and board the 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu Citadel. (8000 ft. – 2432 m.a.s.l.)

Explore the enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu accompanied with your guide for three hours.  Your expert guide will lead you through the site, providing archaeological and historical information on key areas of interest, including Intihuatana (the Sun Dial), the Sacred Plaza and the Temple of the Sun.

This is an opportunity to revel in the energy and atmosphere of one of the most significant and spectacular archaeological sites on the planet, surrounded by the cloud forest, Wayna Picchu and Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), the entrance to the Machu Picchu Inca trail.

Dinner will be at your hotel.

Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

This morning rise early, take a bus and enjoy the prospects of a walk through Machu Picchu at sunrise, something which people of strong spirituality believe to be the highlight of a visit to Machu Picchu.

Today you will have the option to do one of these hikes:

• Huayna Picchu, one of the highlights of a visit to Machu Picchu. The views of the Citadel and surrounding landscape are extraordinary from the top and well worth the climbing effort.
• Machu Picchu Mountain, large granite steps comprise most of its trail and wind all the way to the top. The steep climb is a challenging but rewarding hike and the 360-degree views at the top are a gorgeous reward.

Rest of the morning continue touring Machu Picchu with your guide.

Bus transfer to Aguas Calientes train station to board the train to Poroy.

Depart on the Hiram Bingham train. Dinner on board.

On arrival in Poroy train station, private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight at Monasterio, a Belmond hotel.

This morning,   for the Cusco City Tour and visit of the nearby ruins, you will meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel. Your guide will take you to the Main Square to visit the Cathedral of Cusco, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco; in addition to its official status as a place of worship, it has become a major repository of Cusco's colonial art, it also holds many archeological artifacts and relics.

You will then continue to Koricancha Temple, the most impressive example of how Inca and Hispanic cultures fused together. The remains of the ancient Peruvian Sun Temple were used as foundations on which the Santo Domingo church and convent was built. The temple is a symbol of Western dominance. The site is a living example of the co-existence of Peru's past with European architecture.

You will drive 15 minutes from Cusco to visit Sacsayhuaman, an imposing display of Inca architecture. There are still questions about its real purpose during the Inca period. At first, it was thought to have been a fort, but later it was considered to have been a ceremonial centre.

Private transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima

Assistance at Lima Airport to connect with your  outbound flight.