Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and head to your hotel in Miraflores, the upscale oceanfront neighborhood with restaurants and shops lining the streets. If you have time after settling in, walk through the historical center to see the Spanish colonial architecture, or try ceviche at one of the local spots. It's a good day to get oriented and rest after your flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walk along oceanfront boardwalk in Miraflores
- Visit Lima's historical centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Try local dishes like ceviche
Landmarks Lima's Historical Centre Miraflores District - Day 2
Lima to Cusco
Morning flight takes you to Cusco where a local guide will meet you. You'll explore the city on a guided tour, checking out Inca structures mixed in with Spanish colonial buildings. The day includes Sacsayhuaman, the ceremonial compound with its massive stonework, and Santo Domingo church, which sits on top of the ruins of the Inca Sun Temple called Koricancha. You'll head back to your hotel for dinner after a full day of walking and learning about the layered history.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cusco
- Visit Sacsayhuaman ceremonial compound
- Visit Santo Domingo church
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Santo Domingo Church Koricancha (Inca Sun Temple) - Day 3
Cusco to Machu Picchu
An early transfer gets you to Ollantaytambo for a scenic train ride through the highlands, about two hours through mountain landscapes. You'll arrive in Aguas Calientes and take a bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the Lost City. Spend time looking at the giant walls, terraces, and mountain-carved ramps that make the site so distinctive. After lunch, you'll head back to Cusco for your final night there.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo
- Train journey to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Lunch
Landmarks Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes - Day 4
Cusco to Quito
Breakfast at your hotel, then you're driven to Cusco Airport for a morning flight that goes through Lima before reaching Quito in the afternoon. Once there, you'll explore the Old Town, a UNESCO site built on ancient Inca foundations with colonial architecture, colorful plazas, and churches throughout. If time allows, check out Calle La Ronda for handicrafts and cafes to get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Calle La Ronda pedestrian street
- Browse shops and handicrafts in Old Town
Landmarks Quito Old Town Calle La Ronda - Day 5
Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
You'll visit Cotopaxi National Park to see one of South America's most active volcanoes. Stop at the Sangolqui open-air market to browse colorful stalls and local items, then walk to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 12,800 feet. From the high valley you can spot llamas, Andean gulls, hummingbirds, and if you're lucky, an Andean Condor. Regional chefs prepare lunch before you return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tasty lunch prepared by regional chefs)
Included Activities
- Visit Sangolquí open-air market
- Walk to Limpiopungo Lagoon
- Lunch
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Sangolquí Market - Day 6
Quito to Galápagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
A short flight takes you to Baltra Island in the Galapagos, then you'll transfer to the port and board MS Santa Cruz II. In the afternoon, exploration begins on the north shore of Santa Cruz heading toward Cerro Dragon. You'll walk past brackish lagoons where shorebirds and flamingos gather, then head inland for bay views and your first chance to see land iguanas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Baltra Island
- Transfer to MS Santa Cruz II
- Landing at Cerro Dragón
- Walk to brackish water lagoon
- Exploration of Dragon Hill area
Landmarks Baltra Island Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) Santa Cruz Island - Day 7
Galápagos Islands (Isabela and Fernandina)
You start at Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island's northwestern tip. After breakfast, naturalist guides take you out by dinghy along the coast to explain the dramatic geology and see flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, snorkel by the cliffs to encounter green sea turtles, oceanic sun fish, and fur seals. In the afternoon, Fernandina Island offers dense populations of marine iguanas, sea lions, Sally lightfoot crabs, hawks, and penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dinghy exploration of Punta Vicente Roca
- Naturalist guide teaching on local geology
- Snorkeling (weather permitting)
- Afternoon exploration of Fernandina Island
Landmarks Punta Vicente Roca Isabela Island Fernandina Island - Day 8
Galápagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
You'll disembark at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station with its giant tortoise breeding center and forest of prickly pear cacti with various land birds. The station runs scientific research and National Park operations. Lunch happens in the cooler highlands, and the afternoon gives you flexible options that you'll decide on with your Expedition Leader. You'll return to Puerto Ayora and the ship by end of day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island)
Included Activities
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
- Visit giant tortoise breeding center
- Explore prickly-pear cactus forest
- Lunch in highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Optional Activities
- Choose from several afternoon activity options (to be decided with Expedition Leader)
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station Puerto Ayora - Day 9
Galápagos Islands (Floreana)
After breakfast, a dinghy ride takes you through channels on Floreana's north shore with great views from Baroness Cove. You'll land at Post Office Bay to see the historic barrel used as a mail drop for over 200 years. Following lunch, snorkel around Champion Islet by dinghy or glass-bottom boat, one of the best spots in the archipelago. Later, head to Cormorant Point to walk across an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon and spot flamingos and pintail ducks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Dinghy ride on Floreana's north shore
- Visit Baroness Cove
- Visit Post Office Bay and historic barrel
- Lunch
- Snorkeling at Champion Islet via dinghy or glass-bottom boat
- Walk at Cormorant Point
Landmarks Floreana Island Baroness Cove Post Office Bay Champion Islet Cormorant Point - Day 10
Galápagos Islands (Relaxation and Las Bachas Beach)
The ship anchors off Baltra Island after four days of exploration. You'll have time to relax and recharge using the ship's facilities like the library, gym, or your cabin. In the afternoon, you'll land at Las Bachas beach on Santa Cruz, a white sand beach with turquoise water where you might spot flamingos and sea turtles. Swimming or snorkeling is available before returning to the ship for an expedition briefing and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Use ship's onboard facilities (library, gym, hot tubs)
- Landing at Las Bachas beach
- Swimming or snorkeling at Las Bachas
- Expedition briefing
Landmarks Las Bachas Beach Baltra Island - Day 11
Galápagos Islands (Santiago and James Island)
You'll explore Santiago Island's pristine beaches and landscapes, seeing the impressive cliffs at Buccaneer Cove on the northwest coast where marine birds and sea lions hang out. Water activities let you get close to fantastic rock formations like Elephant Rock and The Bishop. In the afternoon, Puerto Egas offers fur seal colonies and exotic birdlife, plus opportunities to swim and snorkel along rocky shorelines where marine turtles often appear.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Buccaneer Cove
- Water activities
- Visit Puerto Egas
- Swimming or snorkeling at Puerto Egas
Optional Activities
- Excursion to see fur seal colonies and birdlife at Puerto Egas
Landmarks Santiago Island Buccaneer Cove Puerto Egas Elephant Rock The Bishop - Day 12
Galápagos Islands (Rábida and Bartolomé)
You start on tiny Rabida Island off Santiago's southern shore with a thrilling dinghy ride along the coast. Explore the island's distinctive red-tinted beach and watch sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and Darwin's finches. In the afternoon, sail to Bartolome Island's golden sands with the imposing Pinnacle Rock. Swim or snorkel from the beach or use a glass-bottom boat to see colorful marine life, possibly spotting Galapagos Penguins before hiking to the summit for views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dinghy ride along Rábida Island coast
- Explore red-tinted beach at Rábida
- Exploration of sea lion colony
- Swimming or snorkeling at Bartolomé Island
- Glass-bottom boat exploration at Bartolomé
- Hike to Bartolomé Island summit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to explore Rábida Island
Landmarks Rábida Island Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock - Day 13
Galápagos Islands (Genovesa and Darwin Bay)
Genovesa Island starts with a short but steep 90-foot climb up steps to a flat rocky plateau. You'll walk comfortably and check out huge colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Alternatively, kayak around if you prefer water. In the afternoon, land at the beach by Darwin Bay for a swim, then take a relaxed stroll to observe hundreds of island birds. You can also snorkel, kayak, or just rest on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Climb to rocky plateau on Genovesa Island
- Wildlife observation at plateau
- Kayaking (alternative to hiking)
- Landing at Darwin Bay beach
- Swimming at Darwin Bay
- Bird observation stroll
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Darwin Bay
- Additional kayaking at Darwin Bay
Landmarks Genovesa Island Darwin Bay - Day 14
Galápagos Islands to Guayaquil/Quito
Your final morning visits Santa Cruz Island's north shore. After breakfast, your baggage transfers to the airport while you visit the Tortoise Reserve. Following a dry landing and bus ride into loftier regions, you'll see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, the last highlight of your cruise. The windward slopes host two tortoise species in lush highlands with Galapagos daisies, orchids, bromeliads, and endemic land birds. You'll transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight to Guayaquil, with optional continuation to Quito if arranged at booking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tortoise Reserve
- Wildlife observation of giant tortoises in wild
- Bus ride to island highlands
- Transfer to Baltra Airport
Optional Activities
- Continue to Quito instead of Guayaquil (must be requested at booking)
- Optional Post-Program: Napo River Amazon experience (3 nights lodge, 2 nights Quito hotel)
- Optional Post-Program: Mashpi Reserve Cloudforest Lodge experience (3 nights lodge, 2 nights Quito hotel)
Landmarks Santa Cruz Island Tortoise Reserve Baltra Airport
