Quito, Galapagos & Peru Explorer - 13 Days

Welcome to Quito, the Ecuadorean capital. On arrival, make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to settle in or head out and explore the city independently.

Quito - Baltra (Galapagos Islands) - Santa Cruz. Today, you'll be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Baltra Island, the gateway to the remarkable Galapagos, renowned for its unique wildlife and volcanic landscapes. On arrival, we meet our local guide and transfer by ferry and vehicle to Santa Cruz Island, where our Galapagos journey begins.

This afternoon, we travel into the Santa Cruz Highlands, a lush, elevated region that contrasts sharply with the drier coastline. Here, we explore lava tunnels and walk among the native forests, before encountering the famed Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural environment. Watching these slow-moving icons graze or rest in muddy pools offers a rare insight into one of the archipelago's oldest inhabitants.

Following a freshly prepared lunch at a local ranch, we continue to Puerto Ayora, a port town set beside clear turquoise waters. We check in to our hotel and take in the relaxed island atmosphere that defines this extraordinary corner of the world.

Santa Cruz - Isabela. This morning, we set out with our guide on a scenic public speedboat journey to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos and one of its most captivating. On arrival, we take a short boat ride to Tintoreras Islet, a striking wildlife sanctuary shaped by ancient lava flows and sheltered turquoise waters.

Stepping ashore, we encounter an impressive range of Galapagos wildlife in its natural setting. Sea lions lounge along the rocks, marine iguanas bask in the sun, and blue-footed boobies perch nearby. The area is also home to brightly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and, on occasion, the elusive Galapagos penguin. Tintoreras is an important breeding site for marine iguanas, making it an excellent place to observe these endemic species up close.

After a guided walk across the volcanic terrain, you may choose to join an optional snorkelling experience in the clear surrounding waters. Here, you can swim among tropical fish, white-tip reef sharks, playful sea lions and, with a little luck, manta rays in one of the Galapagos' richest marine environments. Masks and snorkels are provided, with wetsuits available to hire locally.

Isabela - Santa Cruz. We set out on a guided walk to Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in the Galapagos and an important feeding area for flamingos. We follow a scenic two-kilometre trail through Isabela Island’s distinctive landscapes, as our guide explains the island’s volcanic origins, native vegetation and endemic wildlife.

The lagoon itself is an intriguing artificial feature, created when rainwater filled a former excavation site. Over time, it has become a peaceful refuge for flamingos and an excellent spot for birdwatching and photography.

We then continue along the trail to the Tortoise Breeding Center, founded in 1994 to protect several threatened tortoise species native to southern Isabela. Here, we learn about the conservation and breeding programmes that support the recovery of these iconic animals. Walking through the centre, we see tortoises at different stages of life, from small hatchlings to full-grown adults, and gain insight into efforts to restore populations impacted by habitat loss and historical poaching.

In the afternoon, we return by boat to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, where you have time to relax and reflect on the extraordinary biodiversity of the Galapagos.

Optional - The Tunnels Please note - this excursion must be booked in advance and cannot be arranged locally. Instead of visiting Flamingo Lagoon and the Tortoise Breeding Center, you may choose to explore The Tunnels, one of Isabela Island’s most striking natural attractions. Formed by ancient lava flows millions of years ago, this unique area features a series of lava formations both above and below the water. Traveling by boat, your guide leads you through the tunnels on a snorkelling excursion, where you discover a rich variety of marine life. In these clear waters, you may encounter white-tip reef sharks, lobsters, marine turtles, penguins and playful sea lions, while blue-footed boobies are often seen resting on the lava formations above. This experience offers an immersive look at one of the Galapagos’ most impressive marine environments.

Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito (Ecuador). This morning, you are transferred to the airport for your included flight back to Quito. Quito is the largest and best-preserved colonial city in the Americas and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its historic centre and elegant architecture.

On arrival, we are met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore independently. You may choose to wander through the atmospheric Old Town, admire the beautifully illuminated churches, or enjoy the lively ambience of one of the city’s cafés or plazas.

Today, we set out on a guided city tour of Quito, exploring layers of history shaped by indigenous cultures and Spanish colonial rule. We begin in the well-preserved Colonial District, where cobbled streets lead past whitewashed buildings and richly decorated churches. We visit Plaza de la Independencia, the historic centre of the city, framed by key landmarks including the Cathedral of Quito, the Presidential Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace, all central to Ecuador’s political and cultural heritage. Our tour continues to El Panecillo Hill, crowned by the iconic Virgin of Quito statue, where we enjoy sweeping panoramic views across the city and the surrounding Andean landscape.

After the tour, we return to the hotel and the afternoon is free for you to relax or continue exploring the capital at your own pace.

Optional - Middle of the World Tour After the city tour, you may choose to travel north of Quito to the Middle of the World, where the equatorial line marks the division between the northern and southern hemispheres. With a local guide, you explore the site and visit the Inti-Nan Solar Museum, learning about the scientific and cultural significance of this unique location.

Quito - Lima (Peru). Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru. Often referred to as the “City of Kings,” Lima is renowned for its elegant Spanish Colonial architecture, world-class museums, and gastronomic excellence that ranks among the finest in the world. Upon arrival at the international airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start soaking in the energy of this dynamic coastal city.

Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley. Don't worry, you'll be back to Lima later in the tour! For now, you'll be transferred to the airport this morning for your included flight to Cusco.

On arrival, meet our guide and continue by road to Urubamba in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Travelling through fertile highland scenery and traditional Andean villages, we stop in Pisac, known for its colourful Indian Market. Here, you have time to browse and bargain for handcrafted textiles, ceramics, silver jewellery and other distinctive Peruvian souvenirs.

We then continue to the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, a vast Inca fortress that once held both religious and military significance. Exploring the site, we see finely crafted stonework, terraced hillsides, temples and the remains of ancient aqueducts. Still inhabited today, Ollantaytambo is often described as a living Inca town, with its original layout and traditions remaining part of daily life.

We finish the day with lunch at Tunupa Valle, a charming country estate set beside the Urubamba River, where local flavours are enjoyed against a backdrop of tranquil valley and mountain views.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley. This morning, we embark on a memorable journey aboard the Premium Economy train with Inca Rail, winding through the lush and scenic Urubamba Valley en route to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sites, Machu Picchu: the legendary Lost City of the Incas. Am upgrade to the Vistadome train service may be available.

Nestled at 8,200 feet above sea level and hidden amidst towering peaks and cloud forests, Machu Picchu remained a secret for centuries until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, board the shuttle for a dramatic ascent along a winding mountain road to the citadel itself. With the guidance of a knowledgeable expert, you’ll explore the extraordinary stone terraces, ceremonial temples, and urban dwellings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, while uncovering the legends of the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" who are believed to have taken refuge here from the Spanish Conquistadors.

After our guided tour, return to Aguas Calientes for a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant, offering a chance to reflect on the wonder of the ruins. In the afternoon, board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met and transferred back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley - Cusco. After breakfast, transfer back to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. We begin our guided tour of this fascinating city, where Inca foundations and Spanish colonial architecture sit side by side, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange. Our first visit is to the Convent of Santo Domingo, built atop the remains of Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. Once the most sacred site in the empire, Koricancha was famed for its perfectly cut stone walls, which were once covered in sheets of gold. We then continue to the Plaza de Armas, the lively heart of the city, surrounded by historic arcades, before visiting Cusco Cathedral, a 17th-century landmark renowned for its colonial artwork and intricately carved wooden altars.

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. You may choose to wander the cobbled streets, browse local handicraft markets or relax in one of Cusco’s cafés while soaking up the city’s distinctive atmosphere.

Optional - Dinner & Show at Tunupa Cusco Restaurant In the evening, an escort accompanies you on foot to Tunupa Cusco Restaurant, located just three blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Known as one of Cusco’s leading gastronomic venues, the restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes served as a buffet, combining traditional and contemporary flavours. Set above the city, it also provides sweeping views of Cusco and the surrounding Andes, creating a memorable dining experience.

Today is free for you to relax or explore Cusco at your own pace.

Optional - Half-Day Nearby Inca Ruins of Cusco Just beyond the city, you may choose to visit a series of important Inca sites set in the surrounding hills. We begin at Sacsayhuaman, the impressive fortress overlooking Cusco, renowned for its enormous stone blocks and distinctive zigzag walls. The site also serves as the main ceremonial setting for the annual Inti Raymi Festival. We then continue to Qenqo, a labyrinth of carved rock passages believed to have held ritual significance, before visiting Puca Pucara, a former military outpost. Our final stop is Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca, where finely engineered fountains channel water from a natural spring, showcasing the Incas’ advanced understanding of hydraulics.

Cusco - Lima. This morning, transfer to Cusco Airport for your included flight to Lima. On arrival, you are met by a local guide and transferred to our hotel.

Later, we enjoy a half-day guided tour of Lima, exploring both its historic heart and modern districts. We begin in colonial Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting the Plaza Mayor, the focal point of the old city, surrounded by landmarks such as the Government Palace and City Hall, viewed from the exterior. We then enter Lima Cathedral, known for its ornate altars and religious artworks, before continuing to the Convent of Santo Domingo, a fine example of Spanish Baroque architecture that houses important religious relics and offers insight into the early influence of the Dominican Order in Peru. Our tour continues through modern Lima, with a drive through the elegant neighbourhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro, celebrated for their green spaces, refined architecture and coastal setting. After the tour, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Optional - Dinner at Huaca Pucllana Restaurant In the evening, you may choose to dine at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant, uniquely located within the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site dating back around 1,500 years. Overlooking the illuminated adobe pyramid, the restaurant specialises in contemporary Peruvian cuisine, blending traditional Criollo flavours with modern techniques. The menu features a variety of dishes, including ceviches, soups, meats, pastas and classic Peruvian specialities, offering a memorable dining experience in an exceptional setting.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check-out. No transfer is included so you can make your own way to the airport or your next destination.