MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- On a private yacht, embark on a 4-night cruise of the Galápagos Islands with a naturalist guide.
- Explore the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu.
- Meet giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Master two of South America’s classics, ceviche and pisco sours, at an interactive cooking class.
- Indulge in a farm-to-table meal in a local community.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Discover centuries-old Andean textile methods in the Peruvian Andes.
- Wind through the Andes in a train to Machu Picchu.
- Stand tall in the “Middle of the World” at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum.
HOTELS
- Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima
- Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley, Yucay
- Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
- Casa Andina Premium, Cuzco
- Mercure Hotel Alameda, Quito
- M/Y Passion, Galapagos Islands
INCLUDED
- 14 Days
- 13 Nights
- 13 Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 8 Dinners
Lima, Peru - Tour Begins
Touch down in Lima, the “City of Kings.” Across ancient lands and earthly legends, experience the mysticism of the Peruvian Andes.
Lima
Become fascinated by Lima’s history on a tour through the historic center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where the elegant Cathedral at Plaza de Armas stands out among the colonial architecture. Visit the former home of a conquistador and feel the surge of colonial and republican life. Get to know new friends over a menu of artful Peruvian dishes at a welcome dinner.
Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley
Fly over the Andes on your way to Cuzco – the heart of the Inca civilization. Follow the trails of this Andean paradise with a local guide to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Learn about centuries-old methods of traditional textiles at Awana Kancha – known as the "palace of weaving." Stop in Pisac village and browse a handicraft market full of vibrant colors. Discover why Peru has consistently been named the world’s top food travel destination during a fun-filled interactive cooking class where you will learn how to master ceviche and pisco sours. Settle in to your hotel nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley and relax in the calming surround of the Andes.
Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo - Sacred Valley
Visit the terraced ruins of Ollantaytambo, the only Incan settlement that has remained continually inhabited since its inception. At the ceramic studio of artist Pablo Seminario, see how he utilizes the intricate techniques inspired by ancient Peruvian cultures. Mix with a nearby community and delve deep into the cultures of modern Andean people. Learn traditional methods of growing, harvesting and weaving, listen to their music and learn their dances before enjoying a farm-to-table meal of local specialties.
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Hop aboard your train to Machu Picchu, where views of the Andes astound through panoramic windows as you climb toward the “Lost City of the Incas.” Uncover the mysteries of this “Lost City” at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin. Wrapped inside a semi-tropical jungle and hidden by mountains, Machu Picchu or La Ciudadela, (the Citadel), is one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites.
Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy some leisure time this morning. You may choose an optional excursion to Machu Picchu at sunrise, or maybe you’ll explore the local markets before boarding your train back to the Sacred Valley. Continue to Cuzco and feel the local culture at a special community dining experience.
Cuzco
Start your morning with a local guide on a tour of Cuzco, visiting the San Pedro Market, the Koricancha temple, the central Plaza de Armas, and the Cuzco Cathedral. Later, it’s your choice! Travel above the city to discover the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Fortress -OR- embark on a walking tour of San Blas, the traditional old quarter of Cuzco, lined with restaurants and artisan shops. The rest of the afternoon is yours. This evening, dine at your leisure at a local restaurant featuring the local flavors of Cuzco.
Cuzco - Quito, Ecuador
This morning, fly to Ecuador’s stunning capital city – Quito, your home for the next two nights.* An intersection of mountains and colonial architecture, this city is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of lively culture and vibrant history.
Quito
Today, tour the Presidential Palace in Quito’s colonial center. After lunch, stand at the “Middle of the World,” situated between two hemispheres, at the Equatorial Line Monument and Museum. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Quito - Santa Cruz, Galápagos - Embark Ship
Fly to the gateway of the Galápagos, Santa Cruz. Launch your eco-adventure aboard the M/Y Passion,** an exclusive 14-person yacht that serves as your home for the next four nights. After lunch, set sail toward Black Turtle Cove, a lagoon where rays and turtles swim under the shadow of the mangrove trees. Spot pelicans and herons diving into the water, grabbing fish for an afternoon snack.
Genovesa Island
Make your way to Genovesa Island and anchor in Darwin Bay, named for the famous researcher that frequented these islands. Keep your eyes peeled for red-footed boobies trotting around the prickly pear cacti. Considered to be a haven for birds, you can easily lose track of how many different pairs of wings flutter by. The afternoon brings you to El Barranco where lava cliffs shelter tropical birds and low-lying rocks offer the perfect sunbathing bed for a colony of seals. Hike along a trail to the edge of a cliff before trekking further inland, pausing aside wildlife.
Marchena Island - Santiago Island
Grab your snorkel and jump into the water at Punta Espejo, a marine hotspot off Marchena Island. Home to pods of dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and bright coral, this is the perfect spot to enjoy two morning snorkeling excursions. After drying off, join an expert-led discussion to learn how the ocean currents affect the nature found on the Galápagos Islands. Continue to Santiago Island and walk across a hardened lava flow in Sullivan Bay. Look for ethereal bubbles, where crystallized minerals poke out among the plant fossils. Along the coast you might find some Galápagos penguins waddling around, dipping into the water for some tasty fish.
Bartolome Island - Santa Cruz Island
Start the day at Bartolome, named after one of Darwin’s friends and fellow researchers. Ascend the wooden stairs to the island’s summit, providing an incomparable vista spread out before you. Climb back down to the white sand beach frequented by nesting sea turtles. Don your snorkel and float in the clear water, keeping your eyes peeled for diving penguins. After lunch, continue on to the island of Santa Cruz. Head toward Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) and spend time in its saltwater lagoon, where flamingoes and black-necked stilts wade through the water. Venture further onto the island and discover an iguana nesting site.
Santa Cruz Highlands - Disembark Ship - Quito - Tour Ends
After breakfast, disembark your yacht in Puerto Ayora. Continue on toward the Santa Cruz Highlands, where you will visit a ranch that hosts giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Bid the Galápagos goodbye and return to Quito, where a day room will be available close to the airport before your flight home.
