Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos Tour

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. When you arrive at the airport, your hotel is just a short walk away. Comfort, luxury, and convenience will help you start your tour rested and refreshed.

After breakfast, walk back to the airport and fly from Lima to Cusco. When you arrive, you’ll meet your guide and take a private Sacred Valley tour. Visit the ruins at Pisaq and a market. Then continue driving to the town of Ollantaytambo in the Urubamba Valley to stop for the night.

In Ollantaytambo you’ll find the incredible ruins of several of the Incas greatest masterpieces. Visit these in the morning after breakfast, then take a train ride to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll stay overnight.

Get an early start today, taking a bus to Machu Picchu. Spend the morning on a private tour of Machu Picchu, then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Transfer from here to Cusco and check in to your hotel.

Tour the city of Cusco today. Begin with a visit to the San Pedro Market where you can get a glimpse of traditional life in the region and take plenty of photos. Then visit the Sacsayhuamana citadal on the outskirts of the city. Return to the downtown area to tour the charming and artsy San Blas neighborhood, the famous twelve-angled stone, and Cusco’s main square, the Plaza de Armas. End your day at Qorikancha, the Sun Temple that was the most important temple to the Incas.

Enjoy a free, unscheduled day in Cusco to explore at your leisure.

Today on the Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos Tour you will ride a tourist bus along the Camino del Sol from Cusco to Puno. Along the way, stop for a guided tour of the San Pedro Church in Andahuayllillas, which is so ornate and beautiful it has been called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. You’ll also visit the Raqchi temple archaeological site and Pucara fortress. Lunch will be provided along your drive, possibly in the town of Sicuani. When you arrive in Puno, a transfer will take you to your hotel for the night.

Leave your hotel this morning and head for the port to begin your boat trip to the islands of Uros and Taquile. Experience the unique floating islands of Uros first. Walking on these islands is an unusual feeling, similar to walking on a waterbed, but they are safe. You’ll have a chance to see how people live here, looking into houses and possibly riding a traditional reed boat. Return to the boat and travel on to Taquile Island, where you’ll check in to a local hostel. The afternoon is free to explore this delightful island as you wish, together with a local guide. Later in the afternoon, most tourists will leave the island and it becomes a very peaceful place.

Spend the morning exploring traditional island life as you have the chance to participate in daily activities with local island residents. After lunch, board the boat back to Puno and return to your hotel in Puno around 3:00-4:00 PM.

Leave Puno and fly from Juliaca airport back to Lima today. Check in to your hotel then spend the afternoon on a private guided tour of the city of Lima. In the colonial part of the city, you’ll visit the catacombs at the San Francisco church, the Plaza de Armas square, and the archaeological site at Huaca Pucllana. You will also visit the more modern areas of Lima, including Larcomar and Miraflores. Return to your hotel after your fascinating tour.

Return to the airport in Lima and fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

Enjoy a private half-day tour of Quito’s historic districts today. On your bus ride from your hotel in the newer section of the city, notice how your surroundings change in character. You’ll see architecture from Ecuador’s colonial period, including beautiful churches, such as La Basilica Church and La Compañia Church. Tour a variety of plazas and local shops, taking time to experience the wonderful atmosphere of this city. Then your tour continues to El Panecillo Hill, a hill located in central Quito that offers amazing views of the whole city and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes.

Leave early from Quito for a fascinating, 3-hour drive to Otavalo. Along the way you’ll see surprising dry areas, in stark contrast with the tropical rainforest, due to the “rain shadow” caused by the volcanoes. You can also see great examples of the geology that helped form the Andes mountains. Cross the Equator into the Otavalo region. Here, the Otavalo Indians proudly continue their long-held traditions. This lush and beautiful valley is surrounded by lakes and smaller volcanoes. Explore the Otavalo market, shopping for souvenirs or simply observing the daily life of the local people. After Otavalo, continue driving to Cotacachi, which is a small village where you will stop to eat lunch. End the day with a visit to the stunning Cuicococha Crater Lake, surrounded by vibrant green mountains, before returning to Quito for the night.

In the morning, fly from Quito to the Baltra Island Airport and transfer to your cruise ship for your Galapagos Island Cruise. Cruise itineraries vary depending on which tour you choose. Some cruises will visit the Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island in the afternoon. (Galapagos cruise is not included in the tour, prices vary.)

(Sample itinerary) Continue exploring Santa Cruz Island today, visiting Whale Bay in the morning and Dragon Hill in the afternoon.

(Sample itinerary) Visit Isabela Island today. Spend the morning at Las Tintoreras and the afternoon exploring wetlands.

(Sample itinerary) Explore more of Isabela Island. Visit Punta Morena in the first part of the day, then later head to Urbina Bay.

(Sample itinerary) Visit Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island in the morning today, then return to Isabela Island to explore Tagus Cove.

(Sample itinerary) On the last full day of your Galapagos cruise, visit Perto Egas on Santiago Island, then head to the red island of Rabida in the afternoon.

End your Galapagos cruise today with a visit to Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island, then it’s time to head to the Baltra airport for a flight to Guayaquil. This is the end of your tour. Please plan your onward travel from Guayaquil for later in the day.