Peru, Galapagos Islands & Quito

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart Miami/Arrive Lima
• 2 Lima
• 3 Sacred Valley
• 4 Machu Picchu
• 5 Machu Picchu & Cusco
• Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu, $110
• 6 Cusco
• Optional Excursion: Chinchero & Maras or Moray, $110
• Optional Excursion: Tipon & Andahuaylillas, $90
• 7 Cusco & Lima
• 8 Lima & Quito
• 9 Quito, Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island
• 10 Santa Cruz Island & Isabela Island
• 11 Isabela Island
• 12 Isabela Island & Santa Cruz Island
• 13 Santa Cruz Island & Tortuga Bay
• 14 Santa Cruz Island & Quito
• 15 Quito
• 16 Quito & Otavalo
• 17 Depart Quito/Arrive USA

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Miami/Arrive Lima

• Depart Miami on your flight bound for Lima, Peru
• Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in

Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores

Day 2 Lima

• Tour the historic district of Lima
• Delight in a Pisco Sour class
• Visit the Larco Herrera Museum

Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, your exploration begins with a tour of the historic district of Lima. First, see the Presidential Palace on Plaza Mayor, which serves as the official residence of the President of Peru, City Hall of Lima, located in the Plaza de Armas, which was built in the early 20th century and is home to the local government of Lima. Next, visit the Cathedral of Lima, built in the mid-16th century. This stunning cathedral is the largest in the city and home to many architectural and artistic treasures. 

Before lunch, put your mixologist skills to the test as you participate in Pisco Sour class. This famous Peruvian cocktail is made with pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters. It is a refreshing drink popular among locals and international travelers.

The Larco Herrera Museum, located in Lima, Peru, is an archaeological and ethnographic museum containing one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian art. The museum was founded in 1926 by Rafael Larco Herrera, a Peruvian archaeologist and collector. The museum houses over 45,000 ancient artifacts spanning over 5,000 years of Peruvian history, including ceramics, textiles, metals, and jewelry. Highlights include the most extensive collection of Moche ceramics worldwide and essential pieces from the Nazca, Wari, and Inca cultures. The museum is housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion built on top of a pre-Columbian pyramid.

End the day with a visit to the fashionable district of Miraflores, with beautiful parks and elegant residences overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3 Sacred Valley

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco
• Explore the Pisac Market and shop for unique crafts
• Continue to Ollantaytambo and tour the fortress and ruins

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire (11,000 feet above sea level). Upon arrival, travel to nearby Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a beautiful market. Here you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics, and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce.

Continue to Ollantaytambo (9,160 feet above sea level), located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins, which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. The temple area is at the top of a series of steep terraces, which helped provide an excellent defense. The stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, an incredible feat involving thousands of workers. Afterward, check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Machu Picchu

• Transfer to Ollanta station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
• Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu

El MaPi Hotel Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

It's a short drive from your hotel to the Ollanta railroad station, where you'll board the Vistadome train that will take you through the lush Urubamba Valley. The train ride passes through stunning scenery en route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, one of the world's most spectacular and enigmatic archaeological sites (8,000 feet above sea level).

Unknown to the outside world until archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu is now the most recognizable symbol of the Incan Empire. Believed to have served as a country retreat town for Inca nobility, the complex consists of giant walls, terraces, and ramps constructed from precisely cut rock formations. This impressive architectural feat, in combination with its breathtaking natural setting amid mist-covered green mountains above the rushing Urubamba River, makes for a visually stunning and even mystical experience. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Day 5 Machu Picchu & Cusco

• Morning at leisure or optional second visit to Machu Picchu
• Return to Ollanta station by Vistadome train then transfer to Cusco by bus

Novotel Cusco Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore the quaint town of Aguas Calientes, revisit the citadel at Machu Picchu, or trek to the top of Huayna Picchu on an optional excursion. This afternoon, journey back to Ollanta station by Vistadome train, then continue to Cusco by motor coach. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Optional Excursion: Second Visit to Machu Picchu, $110

Early this morning, there will be an opportunity to visit Machu Picchu for a second time independently. For the more adventurous, test your limits with a climb to Huayna Picchu, the sharp peak towering above the citadel.

Entrance to Machu Picchu: $110 per person. Entrance to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu: $130 per person. Price includes reserved ticket and round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Please contact us to reserve this option in advance as availability is limited.

Note: We are not able to secure your ticket for the Machu Picchu Second Visit and Huayna Picchu entrance until we receive your valid passport information. Tickets are only issued by the Peruvian authorities upon receipt of valid passport details.

Day 6 Cusco

• Day at leisure or join one (or both!) optional excursions

Novotel Cusco Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy the day at leisure in this beautiful town in the high Andes Mountains. You may stroll through the main square or wander the charming side streets. Alternatively, take advantage of one, or both, optional excursions!

Optional Excursion: Chinchero & Maras or Moray, $110

This morning's optional excursion begins with a visit to the ancient village of Chinchero and its beautiful colonial church built upon the original foundations of Tupac Yupanqui Palace. Explore Chinchero's artisan weavers' complex, and discover the traditional weaving, dying, and spinning techniques. Next, depending on your departure date, visit Maras or Moray. During the dry season (May through late November), see the salt works of Maras, consisting of about 3,000 small pools constructed on a mountainside. The ancient Inca would irrigate these pools with brackish spring water and allow them to evaporate to produce salt for the empire. During the rainy season (late November through April), visit the archaeological site of Moray, consisting of enormous terraces in concentric rings that allowed ancient farmers to create diverse microclimates and harvest various crops.

Optional Excursion: Tipon & Andahuaylillas, $90

This afternoon's optional excursion begins with a scenic drive to Tipon, an impressive complex located 15 miles outside Cusco. Tipon is an ancient marvel of engineering consisting of twelve agricultural terraces and an advanced irrigation system still used by the local population today. Next, continue to Andahuaylillas and visit the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, considered the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas" because of its ornate gold-leaf altar and beautiful artwork adorning its ceilings and walls.

Day 7 Cusco & Lima

• Morning city tour of Cusco
• Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress & Puka Pukara
• Afternoon at leisure in Cusco for last minute shopping and exploration
• This evening transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima

Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cusco. First, see the Plaza de Armas, the center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco. Here, you'll visit Cusco's beautiful 16th-century cathedral. Then, just a few blocks away, discover the ruins of the Koricancha, a critical temple built to honor Inti, the Incan sun god. When the conquistadors arrived in Cusco, the temple was covered in sheets of solid gold and adorned with golden statues; however, within months of their arrival, the temple was stripped, and the gold was plundered as a treasure for Spain.

Then, visit the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an emblematic Incan construction built in the 15th century. The size of the fortress and its massive stones are remarkable, and how they were transported, cut, and laid is still a mystery. Next, travel to Puka Pukara, also known as the "red fortress," thought to have been a military stronghold. It has many rooms, courtyards, bathrooms, aqueducts, and towers to explore.

Return to Cusco for lunch at a local restaurant. The balance of the afternoon is yours to explore Cusco and shop for last-minute souvenirs. Why not make your way to the San Blas neighborhood, known as the "Balcony of Cusco"? Here you'll find excellent workshops and art shops of some of the best artisans specializing in goldsmithing, pottery, and wood and stone carving. This evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, cross the sky bridge and check in to your airport hotel.

Day 8 Lima & Quito

• Cross the sky bridge to the airport for your flight to Quito.
• Upon arrival in Quito, meet our representative and transfer by hotel shuttle service to your hotel for check-in.

Wyndham Quito Airport or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, cross the sky bridge to Lima airport terminal and board your flight to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Arrive in Quito (9,350 feet above sea level), and after customs formalities, you will be met and transferred by a scheduled shuttle service to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Day 9 Quito, Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island
• Take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island
• Discover Los Gemelos lava chamber
• Explore a 600-acre private giant tortoise reserve
• Continue to Puerto Ayora for check-in and welcome drink

Hotel Solymar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, the gateway to the Galapagos Islands. Next, take a short ferry across Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island, and then drive through the various microclimates on your way to the village of Puerto Ayora on the island's south side.

Today, see Los Gemelos (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers, an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The path to the lava chambers is a beautiful introduction to the incredible biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands, teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including a scalesia forest draped in liverwort and mosses as well as numerous birds, such as Darwin Finches.

Afterward, drive to a 600-acre private reserve where giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze, and sleep. Feel free to mingle with these gentle giants. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! Galápago is Spanish for tortoise, and the islands were named for these fantastic creatures. There will be a selection of field boots for your use if conditions are muddy.

Next, have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the remnants of an illuminated lava tunnel. Created by ancient lava flows, the tunnel is 1,350 feet long with a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, adorned with stalagmites & stalactites, mineral-colored walls, and a rippled lava floor.

Next, have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the remnants of an illuminated lava tunnel. Created by ancient lava flows, the tunnel is 1,350 feet long with a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, adorned with stalagmites & stalactites, mineral-colored walls, and a rippled lava floor.

Continue to Puerto Ayora to check into your centrally-located hotel.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Spend time exploring the vibrant island-town including boutique shops, local handicraft markets, trendy coffee shops and more—or, enjoy a short, scenic walk to the Charles Darwin Center.

Day 10 Santa Cruz Island & Isabela Island

• Morning at leisure
• Board a 2 hour speedboat and set off for Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island
• Enjoy a short exploration of Puerto Villamil

Iguana Crossing Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, enjoy your bayside hotel at leisure. This afternoon,  board a speedboat and transfer to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. The speedboat transfer in open water takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival at Puerto Villamil, check in at your hotel. Afterward, enjoy a short exploration of Puerto Villamil. This evening, meet with fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Note: Transfer between islands is by speed boat and will take approximately two hours, dependent on the weather. The ride can be quite rough. Consider bringing a poncho in case of splashing and sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness. 

Day 11 Isabela Island

• Set out to see Concha de Perla
• Visit the Flamingoes Lagoon

Iguana Crossing Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the lodge, set out to see Concha de Perla to observe the fascinating marine life that inhabits this natural pool of crystal-clear water.

This afternoon, visit the Flamingo Lagoon, an area where these unique birds come to rest and feed.

Day 12 Isabela Island & Santa Cruz Island

• Explore a small group of islands called Las Tintoreras
• Take a walk through a lava field that is home to a colony of marine iguanas
• Board a 2 hour speedboat and return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island

Hotel Solymar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the lodge, board a small craft and head out to Las Tintoreras, a small group of islands located just off the coast of Puerto Villamil. Here, you’ll take an intriguing walk through a jagged lava field, passing abundant colonies of nesting marine iguanas and sea lions, to see a small canal of shallow waters full of resting whitetip reef sharks. After the walk, you have the opportunity to snorkel in this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangroves for a chance to see whitetip reef sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, and of course, the mystery of the mangrove below the surface.

This afternoon board a shared charter speedboat heading back to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and enjoy some free time. Later this evening, enjoy dinner with fellow travelers.

Note: Transfer between islands is by speed boat and will take approximately two hours, dependent on the weather. The ride can be quite rough. Consider bringing a poncho in case of splashing and sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness. 

Day 13 Santa Cruz Island & Tortuga Bay

• Set out on a tour of beautiful Tortuga Bay
• See exotic native species on a walk through a cactus forest
• Continue to a sandy beach to observe marine creatures in the shallow water
• After a chance to swim, take a short hike to an iguana nesting site
• Walk through a prickly pear forest
• Kayak in Punta Estrada to visit the home of the blue-footed boobies
• Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant

Hotel Solymar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Tortuga Bay. A short hike down a path will take you through a cactus forest, home to numerous Darwin Finches, Mockingbirds, Yellow Warblers, Lava Lizards, and many more of the Galapagos’ endemic and native species. From the white sandy beach, you will have a chance to observe different marine species, like sting rays and baby reef sharks, in the shallow waters of the mangroves.

After an opportunity to swim, take a short hike to a marine iguana nesting site. The walk back is through a prickly pear forest carpeted in crimson sesuvium with black lava outcroppings. Continue on foot back to the hotel, or if a water taxi is available, you can pay for a short boat ride back to the hotel. 

This afternoon, kayak at Punta Estrada, where you will paddle through towering lava channel walls to visit the home of the blue-footed boobies.

Enjoy a farewell dinner on your last night in the Galapagos this evening.

Day 14 Santa Cruz Island & Quito

• Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito
• Upon arrival in Quito this evening, transfer to your hotel for check-in

Swissotel Quito Breakfast

Day 15 Quito

• City tour of Quito and Equatorial Monument

Swissotel Quito Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Today, enjoy a city tour of Quito. Arguably one of the loveliest South American cities, Quito offers a spectacular setting surrounded by mountains and several snow-capped volcanoes, including the still-active Mt. Pichincha. Begin your walking tour at the Presidential Palace. 

Continue to the Monastery of San Francisco, Quito's oldest church and the most significant colonial building constructed in Latin America. Next, visit the largest neo-gothic basilica in the Americas, noted for its gargoyles in the form of native Ecuadorian animals such as iguanas, armadillos, and Galapagos tortoises. The next stop, La Compañía de Jesús, has an ornate and richly sculptured facade and interior with colored columns, 10-sided altars, and gilded balconies.

After lunch, drive north of Quito to the Equatorial Monument, the Mitad del Mundo ("Middle of the World"), commemorating the exact place where Charles Marie de la Condamine established the Equator, where you can stand with one foot in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere.

For those interested in seeing a spectacular panoramic view over Quito and the snow-capped surrounding volcanoes of Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo, take a ride on the Teleférico. This gondola lift transitions to approximately 13,285 feet above sea level for a breathtaking experience. Those who opt out of the Teleférico ride may enjoy visiting the Quito National Museum. NOTE: The Teleférico experience reaches high altitudes and may not be suitable for all passengers. Warm clothes are suggested.

Later this evening, join fellow travelers for an included dinner.

Day 16 Quito & Otavalo

• Visit the Peguche Waterfall
• Explore the Otavalo Market

Wyndham Quito Airport Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, visit the Peguche Waterfall, which offers excellent views of the falls from several hiking trails and bridges.

Following lunch, travel to Otavalo, the land of the “Otavaleños” Ecuadorian community, where all families speak Quichua as their first language and Spanish as their second. See women in colorful embroidered clothing and men in broad-brimmed hats with blue ponchos.

Explore the Otavalo Market located around the Plaza de Ponchos, Ecuador's most famous indigenous market. The Otavaleños travel to the town to sell a multicolored variety of handicrafts, including sweaters, ponchos, hats, necklaces, and other handmade products. 

Later today, transfer to your hotel.

Day 17 Depart Quito/Arrive USA

• Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight home

Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Transfer to the airport in the morning for your return flight to the USA.

Hotels

Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores

First Class

Make the Courtyard by Marriott Lima Miraflores your home base during your trip to Peru. Featuring a fantastic location in Lima's Miraflores district, this superior 4-star hotel provides sophisticated lodging with service to match. The hotel places you within reach of many of Lima's most notable attractions, such as Parque Kennedy and the Barranco district. Whether you're in Lima for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Lima Miraflores can help you make the most of your visit.

More information

El MaPi Hotel

Tourist Class

El MaPi Hotel is located in the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo, a few steps from the town center and museum. The hotel is efficient, people friendly. and the design brings together a blend of classic, modern, and recycled materials.

More information

Novotel Cusco

First Class

 

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Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport

First Class

Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport hotel is conveniently located just steps from the Lima International Airport. The modern hotel offers a restaurant, bar, fitness center, indoor pool, and spa. The hotel is 8 miles from Plaza Mayor de Lima, the birthplace of Lima, Archbishop Palace, Basilica Cathedral, and San Francisco Church. Spend an evening in Lima's contemporary culture and entertainment center, with its plethora of restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs, and movie theaters.

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Wyndham Quito Airport

First Class

Experience the warmest of welcomes when you visit the 4-star Wyndham Quito Airport hotel. With a prime location at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), the Wyndham Quito Airport is your top choice for an overnight stopover or day-room in transit. From the moment you step into the lobby, you will find impeccable services and amenities. Relax in your well-appointed room, indulge in the finest international dishes at the onsite restaurant or meet up with friends at the lobby bar for a signature cocktail.

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Hotel Solymar

First Class

Hotel Solymar is centrally located on Puerto Ayora's main street and within walking distance of a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The hotel features ocean access on Pelican Bay, and a beautiful patio for guests to enjoy the nature of the Galapagos.

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Iguana Crossing

Tourist Class

The Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel sits on the waterfront of the most beautiful beach on Isabela Island. It is surrounded by the national park wetlands and overlooked by the six majestic volcanoes on the island. The friendly staff will make your stay as carefree as possible so you can relax and enjoy.

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Swissotel Quito

Superior First Class

Swissotel Quito is one of the city’s top luxury hotels, located in the commercial and residential area of the Floresta neighborhood.

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In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Ecuador? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Peru? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about the Galapagos? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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