Gems of Peru & Ecuador: From Machu Picchu to the Galápagos Islands - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

Welcome to Lima, the "City of Kings," as Francisco Pizarro christened it in 1535. Peru's capital is a booming metropolis of seaside colonial neighborhoods, fascinating art and history museums, and some of the best restaurants in South America. Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall and take you to your hotel. Then, you'll have the rest of the day free. Sitting on high cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, there's plenty to do and see in this city of almost 10 million people.

 

See great architectural treasures in the historical center and admire the captivating collection of pre-Columbian artifacts at the Museo Larco. Peruvian cuisine is one of the great highlights of any trip to Lima, which you can experience in-depth on a culinary walking tour. Check out the chic shopping centers in Miraflores, or take a walk past the lemon-yellow buildings surrounding the Plaza Mayor de Lima. In the evening, indulge in a memorable feast after booking a table at Maido or Central, ranked among the top 10 restaurants in the world.

Day 2: Fly to Cusco, Tour the Ancient Inca Capital

Get ready to experience a city with a completely different vibe. A driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby today to take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Settle into your hotel and take some time to rest as you adjust to the altitude—this capital of the Peruvian Andes and ancient center of the Inca Empire sits at a lofty 11,152 feet (3,399 m) above sea level.

In the afternoon, tour the city and its nearby archaeological sites. You'll visit the Cathedral Santo Domingo and the Inca temple of Koricancha, then continue to the ruins of Sacsayhuamán in the city's north. This colossal ceremonial fortress still holds many mysteries for historians, who believe its foundations pre-date even the Inca.

Just outside of Cusco lies the Qenko Archaeological Complex, or the "Labyrinth," a sacred temple carved from a monolith where the Inca performed holy ceremonies in honor of the sun, moon, and stars. Head a little farther north to Puka Pukara (Red Fortress), a military ruin where you'll find a fort that was part of the defense system of Cusco and the Inca Empire. Finally, you'll visit Tambomachay, which has an important religious role linked to water and the regeneration of the earth. At the end of the day, you'll return to Cusco for the evening.

Day 3: Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain 

Rise early this morning for a transfer southeast to the hamlet of Llactoc, passing herds of llamas and alpacas along the way. Upon arrival, you'll lace up your hiking boots and set out to tackle the summit of Vinicuna, also known as "Rainbow Mountain." Centuries of mineral sediment have weathered to create the mountain's colorful effect, with striations of turquoise, lavender, and carmine swirling along its slopes.

Along the two-hour walk, you'll take in views of snow-capped mountains and beautiful landscapes in the distance, before snapping some memorable photos at the top, which lies at a staggering 7,060 feet (5,200 m) above sea level. After your descent, you'll head to nearby Cusipata for lunch, followed by a return to Cusco for a free afternoon.

Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu 

Today is sure to be one of the trip's most memorable, as you head to the bus station this morning for the 30-minute ride up to Machu Picchu—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Translated as "Old Mountain," this 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970 feet (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca ruler Pachacutec and his royal court. 

Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving you a sense of the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. After the tour,  you will have time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, then take a bus to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch in the picturesque town center. Once you've eaten, ride a train to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco.

Day 5: Fly to Quito via Lima

It's time to say your goodbyes to Peru as you continue on to your next adventure. A driver will be waiting to take you to the airport, where you'll catch a flight to Lima and then on to Ecuador. After being greeted at the airport in Quito, a driver will take you to your hotel. During a 45-minute drive into the city, you'll get a brief overview of your trip's itinerary. After settling into your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring this city of 9,350 feet (2,850 m)—one of the highest in the world. 

Enjoy its vibrant nightlife, culinary scene, picturesque plazas, shamanic healers, craftspeople, and market stands. Visit the UNESCO-listed Old Town to discover its colonial churches and other historic landmarks, or ride a cable car up Pichincha for dazzling views over the city from the volcano's easter slopes. Walk through Plaza Foch for people-watching, or spend some time in nature at Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, one of the Americas' most significant urban parks. 

Day 6: Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & Mitad del Mundo

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel this morning and take you on a city walking tour. Highlights include the Plaza Grande and its beautiful churches of La Compañía de Jesus, known for its intricate carvings and ornate gold interior, and La Basílica del Voto, the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. End with a stroll down La Ronda, the oldest street in Quito and one of the most romantic, where local vendors and artisans ply their wares along the narrow cobblestones.

Later, head to the kitchen for a cooking class inside a colonial house in the heart of Old Town. You'll learn about Ecuadorian meals and the preparation process of a local dish. Once all your hard work is finished, sit down and enjoy the freshly made lunch you prepared.

Your afternoon takes you to see the monument that marks the equator, the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). Located just 16 miles (26 km) north of Quito, this is where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago. Take a selfie as you stand on the equator and pose with one foot in each hemisphere. Once you've had a look, visit some of the nearby attractions. You'll find a miniature "city" home to art exhibits, a planetarium, a small-scale model of Quito, an ethnographic museum, an old train station, a beer museum, a small chapel, and exhibits on cocoa and chocolate.  

Day 7: Fly to the Galápagos & Isla Santa Cruz, Afternoon Bay Tour

It's time for the next phase of your adventure, as you transfer to the airport to catch your flight to the Galápagos Islands. Upon arrival at the Isla Baltra airport, you'll hop over to Isla Santa Cruz, where your driver will be waiting to take you to the island's main port of Puerto Ayora. Take some time to relax and settle into your hotel before lunchtime.

Later, board a small boat for a bay tour visiting exotic places along Santa Cruz Bay. Possible stops include the small islet of La Lobería, named for its great colony of sea lions. Go snorkeling and find tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the water's surface, and see "Shark Alley," where you'll spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. Reach Canal del Amor to rub shoulders with sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties, then take a short walk to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat. Finally, visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs filled with fresh water at the surface and salt water below. 

Day 8: Explore the Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast, your guide will be waiting to take you to a local farm in the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz, where you can see dozens of giant tortoises in their natural habitat before sitting down to a delicious lunch. Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis and animal protection.

Nearby you'll find the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant tortoises are raised in a secure environment before being released into the wild. This is the best place in the Galápagos to view various species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands to which they are native.

Day 9: Transfer to Isla Isabela, Breeding Center & Isabela Wetlands

Meet your guide in the morning for a ride to the dock in Puerto Ayora, and from there, catch a speedboat to Isla Isabela. Arrive in the town of Puerto Villamil, then follow a short trail along a boardwalk crossing the wetlands and opuntia cactus fields to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center. Here you'll find five different subspecies of Galápagos giant tortoise that have been bred and raised at the center. In total, 330 tortoises are all native to Isabela. Tortoise eggs are carefully nurtured in a unique incubator, while the adults are cared for in large supervised corrals.

Next, you'll visit the Humedales (Wetlands), a 30-minute walk away. This significant habitat is one of the only places where you can see all four native Galápagos mangrove species, which are essential for the habitat of endemic wildlife and help preserve the coastline by resisting erosion. Discover sandy beaches and rocky shores, and follow some of the many trails to experience walking among the mangroves and spotting migratory birds. Afterward, return to the laid-back town of Puerto Villamil, where you can unwind and watch the sunset over drinks.  

Day 10: Explore Las Tintoreras, Return to Isla Santa Cruz

In the morning, you'll meet at Puerto Villamil Pier for a 20-minute sailboat ride to Las Tintoreras, a collection of rocky outcroppings formed by cooling lava. This small islet receives its name from the reef sharks, also known as white-tip sharks, that come to bask in its shallow waters, and its unique geography makes it a hotspot for biodiversity. Observe sea lions sunbathing on the rocks when the tide is low and marine iguanas nesting, allowing for close encounters. There will be plenty of time for exploring the area and snorkeling on today's excursion.

As you plunge into the turquoise water, you'll see blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, starfish, rays, sharks, pelicans, and Galápagos penguins. After a day of aquatic exploration, you'll take the three-hour speed boat back to Puerto Ayora, where you'll stay for the night.

Day 11: Discover an Uninhabited Island

Today's adventure takes you on a fantastic day trip to an uninhabited island. Board a boat and visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, Plaza Sud, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte, where you will follow trails to discover their beauty. After lunch on board, you'll have the opportunity to go snorkeling and explore the area. Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.

Day 12: Transfer to Isla Baltra & Depart

With no planned activities today, you're free to enjoy the island's beauty at your own pace. Relax and enjoy the hotel amenities, savor your last few hours with a hike to Tortuga Bay, explore hidden coves, or stroll in the peaceful town of Puerto Ayora. Later in the day, a driver will take you to the coast where you'll hop back over to Isla Baltra and catch a flight to Quito, where your connecting flight awaits. Safe travels!