Nine of the Best Isles | plus Machu Picchu (Western and Northern Route) (2024)

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Lima

   Lima Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Explore Lima's historical center with Spanish colonial architecture
   • Walk along the oceanfront boardwalk in Miraflores district
   • Visit restaurants and cafés in Miraflores
   • Shop in Miraflores
   • Try local dish of ceviche

   Landmarks
   Lima Historical Center
   Miraflores District

3. Day 2

   Lima to Cusco

   Lima to Cusco Show on map

   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)

4. Day 3

   Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco

   Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco Show on map

   Meals

   Lunch, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
   • Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
   • Bus ride to Machu Picchu

   Landmarks
   Machu Picchu
   Ollantaytambo
   Sacred Valley
   Aguas Calientes

5. Day 4

   Cusco to Quito

   Cusco to Quito Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Calle La Ronda pedestrian street with cafés and handicraft shops

   Landmarks
   Quito Old Town
   Calle La Ronda

6. Day 5

   Quito to Middle of the World

   Quito to Middle of the World Show on map

   Meals

   Lunch

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Quito's Old Town
   • Visit Middle of the World City monument
   • Sample Ecuadorian chocolate

   Landmarks
   Quito Old Town
   Middle of the World City

7. Day 6

   Quito to Galápagos Islands

   Quito to Galápagos Islands Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Landing at Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz Island
   • Walk past brackish lagoon with shorebirds and flamingos
   • Encounter land iguanas

   Landmarks
   Baltra Island
   Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill)
   Santa Cruz Island

8. Day 7

   Isabela and Fernandina

   Isabela and Fernandina Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Panga boat exploration at Punta Vicente Roca
   • Naturalist-guided geology lesson
   • Snorkeling at Punta Vicente Roca (weather permitting)
   • Exploration of Fernandina Island

   Landmarks
   Punta Vicente Roca
   Isabela Island
   Fernandina Island

9. Day 8

   Santa Cruz Island

   Santa Cruz Island Show on map

   Meals

   Lunch (In the lush highlands with giant tortoise viewing)

   Included Activities

   • Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
   • View recently hatched giant tortoises
   • View Darwin's famous finches
   • Explore prickly pear cactus forest
   • Lunch in the highlands with wildlife viewing

   Optional Activities

   • Mountain biking
   • Visit sugar plantation

   Landmarks
   Charles Darwin Research Station
   Puerto Ayora
   Santa Cruz Island

10. Day 9

    Floreana and Champion Islet

    Floreana and Champion Islet Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch

    Included Activities

    • Panga boat ride through Floreana's north shore channels
    • Visit Post Office Bay historic barrel
    • Snorkeling at Champion Islet
    • Glass-bottom boat exploration at Champion Islet
    • Walk from Cormorant Point beach to brackish lagoon

    Landmarks
    Floreana Island
    Baroness Cove
    Post Office Bay
    Champion Islet
    Cormorant Point

11. Day 10

    Relaxation and Las Bachas Beach

    Relaxation and Las Bachas Beach Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Landing at Las Bachas beach
    • Swimming at Las Bachas beach
    • Snorkeling at Las Bachas beach
    • Wildlife viewing at Las Bachas beach
    • Expedition briefing on board

    Optional Activities

    • Use ship library
    • Use ship gym
    • Use ship hot tubs

    Landmarks
    Las Bachas Beach
    Baltra Island

12. Day 11

    Santiago Island

    Santiago Island Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Visit Buccaneer Cove with water activities
    • Viewing of rock formations including Elephant Rock and The Bishop
    • Visit Puerto Egas
    • View Galápagos fur seal colony

    Optional Activities

    • Swimming at Puerto Egas
    • Snorkeling at Puerto Egas

    Landmarks
    Santiago Island
    Buccaneer Cove
    Puerto Egas

13. Day 12

    Rábida and Bartholomé Islands

    Rábida and Bartholomé Islands Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Panga boat ride at Rábida Island
    • Visit red-colored beach at Rábida Island
    • Sea lion colony viewing at Rábida Island
    • Beach swimming or snorkeling at Bartholomé Island
    • Glass-bottom boat exploration at Bartholomé Island
    • Hike to Bartholomé Island summit

    Landmarks
    Rábida Island
    Bartholomé Island
    Pinnacle Rock

14. Day 13

    Genovesa Island

    Genovesa Island Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Hike to Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) at Genovesa Island
    • Walking on plateau with bird viewing
    • Landing at Darwin Bay beach
    • Swimming at Darwin Bay beach

    Optional Activities

    • Kayaking from Prince Philip's Steps
    • Snorkeling at Darwin Bay beach
    • Kayaking at Darwin Bay beach

    Landmarks
    Genovesa Island
    Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco)
    Darwin Bay

15. Day 14

    Galápagos Islands to Quito

    Galápagos Islands to Quito Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Dry landing at passenger wharf on Santa Cruz Island north shore
    • Bus ride to Santa Cruz Island highlands
    • Giant tortoise viewing in the wild

    Landmarks
    Santa Cruz Island