Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito and have time to settle in. If your flight gets in early, Old Town's worth exploring on your own with its 30 churches scattered throughout the area. Later this evening, you'll meet your group at 5 pm or 6 pm for a welcome meeting, then head to a local restaurant to try traditional Ecuadorian dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine at local restaurant featuring fresh flavors including quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes with local herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces sourced from local farms, possibly including traditional Locro (potato soup))
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with group
- Dinner with group at local restaurant featuring traditional Ecuadorian cuisine
Optional Activities
- Self-paced exploration of Quito's Old Town
- Visit to any of the 30 churches in Old Town
Landmarks Quito's Old Town - Day 2
Quito to Galapagos Islands
An early start gets you heading to the Galapagos with a boxed breakfast on the way to Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Once you land, your naturalist guide meets you and you'll head into the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz to look for giant tortoises, Darwin finches and woodland birds. After lunch you'll transfer to Puerto Ayora and board the Grande Daphne, where you'll meet the crew and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Boxed breakfast en route to airport), Lunch (Lunch in the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport
- Visit to Isla Santa Cruz highlands with naturalist guide
- Wildlife viewing in misty forests including giant tortoises, Darwin finches, woodpecker and warbler finches
- Lunch in the highlands
- Safety briefing on Grande Daphne boat
Optional Activities
- Social time on deck with fellow travelers
Landmarks Mariscal Sucre International Airport Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands - Day 3
Galapagos Islands
You'll explore Post Office Bay with its 18th-century postal system still operating today, where you can leave a letter or pick one up to deliver later. Snorkelling and a Zodiac ride follow. Then you'll visit Punta Cormorant's olive-green beach to see sea lions and green turtle nesting areas. By afternoon you'll snorkel at Devil's Crown, an eroded volcanic cone where rays, sharks, sea lions and turtles often appear.
Included Activities
- Visit to Post Office Bay with historic post box from 18th century
- Snorkelling at Post Office Bay
- Zodiac ride
- Punta Cormorant walk (approximately 1 kilometer) passing waterbird-filled lagoons
- Visit to Eastern Pacific green turtle nesting site at Punta Cormorant
- Snorkelling at Devil's Crown
Optional Activities
- Leave or collect letters at Post Office Bay
Landmarks Post Office Bay Punta Cormorant Devil's Crown - Day 4
Galapagos Islands
Landing at Punta Suarez on Isla Espanola, you'll hike rocky trails to a clifftop viewpoint with panoramic views of boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions and albatrosses doing their courtship displays. Then it's on to Bahia Gardner beach full of sea lions and hood mockingbirds. You'll do a short beach walk and snorkel to see reef sharks, turtles and tropical fish.
Included Activities
- Hike at Punta Suarez (approximately 3 kilometers) to clifftop viewpoint
- Wildlife viewing at Punta Suarez including boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions and albatrosses
- Visit to Bahia Gardner beach
- Walk along Bahia Gardner beach (approximately 1 kilometer)
- Snorkelling at Bahia Gardner
Landmarks Punta Suarez Bahia Gardner - Day 5
Galapagos Islands to Quito
Morning cruise around Leon Dormido, a dramatic 150-meter basalt crater with nesting seabirds and sea lions hanging out. You'll snorkel at Cerro Brujo to spot Galapagos sharks and sea turtles, or take a leisurely beach walk if that appeals more. Then it's time to head to Isla San Cristobal airport for your flight back to Quito through Guayaquil, arriving around 4 pm and transferring to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Boat ride around Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)
- Snorkelling at Cerro Brujo or beach walk at Cerro Brujo
Optional Activities
- Leisure walk and photography at Cerro Brujo beach to observe sea lions
Landmarks Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) Cerro Brujo - Day 6
Quito to Lima
Transfer from your hotel back to Quito airport for your flight to Lima. A local representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. With your free time, you might take a self-paced walking tour to discover Lima's Indigenous heritage, Amazonian rainforest connections, diverse wildlife and mountain landscapes.
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to Quito airport
- Transfer from Lima airport to hotel
Optional Activities
- Self-paced walking tour of Lima
- Day 7
Lima
You have a free morning in Lima after breakfast to explore at your own pace. At 2 pm your group gathers for another welcome meeting. After that, you'll join a walking tour of Lima's historical centre to see mansions, palaces and churches lining the streets. In the evening, consider heading out for dinner with your group to get to know your new companions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at 2 pm
- Walking tour of Lima's historical centre
Optional Activities
- Self-paced exploration of Lima in the morning
- Group dinner
Landmarks Lima Historical Centre - Day 8
Lima to Amazon Jungle
Early start heading into the Peruvian Amazon with a transfer to Lima airport and a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Pack a small duffle bag with essentials for the next two days. You'll board a motorised canoe for a couple-hour journey deep into the jungle to your eco-lodge in the Madre de Dios region, stopping for lunch along the way, then settle into your thatched-roof lodge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch during canoe journey into the jungle)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Lima airport
- Motorised canoe journey to eco-lodge (approximately 2 hours)
- Lunch during canoe journey
- Short orientation walk at eco-lodge
Landmarks Puerto Maldonado - Day 9
Amazon Jungle
Join a half-day guided trek with local experts to learn about medicinal and practical plants from Indigenous knowledge. Keep an eye out for rainbow macaws, butterflies, peccaries, monkeys, capybaras, giant otters and jabirus. You'll return to the lodge for lunch and free time to relax. After sunset, venture out on a night walk searching for nocturnal inhabitants like caimans, jaguars and anacondas.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at eco-lodge)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided jungle trek
- Night walk in the jungle
- Lunch at the lodge
- Day 10
Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
After collecting your luggage in Puerto Maldonado, you'll take a short flight to Cusco. Once you've settled in and adjusted to the altitude (around 11,150 feet/3,400 meters), your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the city. You'll see a mix of ancient Inca stonework and Spanish colonial buildings, walking past the Plaza de Armas, stopping by San Pedro Market to check out the local scene, and visiting Qoricancha temple. By evening, head to Casa Intrepid for your trek briefing where you'll get details about what's ahead. After that, you can either explore Cusco on your own or join your group for dinner.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Cusco
- Visit Plaza de Armas (Main Square)
- Visit San Pedro Market
- See the 12 Angled Stone
- Visit Regocijo Square
- Visit San Blas Square
- Pass by Qoricancha temple
- Trek briefing at Casa Intrepid
Optional Activities
- Coricancha Temple entrance fee - PEN15
- Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
- Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
- Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD100
- Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square Qoricancha - Day 11
Cusco to Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo
Travel by private bus through lush terraces of the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Inca defeated the Spanish. Stop in a village to enjoy lunch and conversation with locals who practice many Inca traditions. You'll visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba to learn about their social enterprise supporting single mothers and their focus on gender equality and economic growth.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in community village in Sacred Valley), Snack (Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant in Urubamba, a social enterprise providing employment and job training for single mothers)
Included Activities
- Private bus travel through Sacred Valley
- Visit to community village
- Lunch in community village
- Visit to AMA Restaurant social enterprise in Urubamba
- Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant in Ollantaytambo
Landmarks Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Urubamba - Day 12
Machu Picchu Trek Route Selection
Depending on your pre-trip travel arrangements, you'll begin one of three routes to Machu Picchu: the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail, or the Cusco stay before train. For hiking routes, you'll receive a 5 kg maximum duffle bag for 4 days with porters carrying your items. For the train route, you'll keep most luggage at your Cusco hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Nourishing meal prepared by cook at campsite (Route 1 and Route 2 only))
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Minivan transfer to 82 km marker, meeting with porters/cook/guide, Day 1 trekking to campsite at 3100m with views of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay, Llactapata and Veronica Peak, evening meal at campsite
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Visit to Choquequilla, climb to Qory Song'o (Golden Heart) hill for valley views, exploration of sacred tombs, visit to Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, arrival at campsite 3700m above sea level, exploration of Q'orimarca archaeological site
- Route 3 Cusco: Drive to Pisac, visit Pisac market for souvenir shopping and local empanadas, return to Cusco in afternoon, visit to San Pedro Market with option to buy local items
Optional Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Views of Veronica Peak
- Route 3 Cusco: Shopping at Pisac market, purchasing local items at San Pedro Market
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Huillca Raccay Llactapata Veronica Peak Choquequilla Qory Song'o (Golden Heart) hill Perolniyoc Cascade Q'orimarca Pisac - Day 13
Machu Picchu Trek Continues
Route 1 tackles the most challenging day with a 5-hour steep ascent to Dead Woman's Pass at 4200m with valley views, then descent to Pacaymayo Valley campsite. Route 2 conquers three major passes starting at Puccaqasa (4370m), continuing to Kuychicassa (4450m, the highest point), and reaching the sacred Intipunku sun gate. Route 3 takes a 2-3 hour walk from Tambomachay archaeological site back to Cusco with afternoon free time.
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Trek to Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusca) at 4200m, descent to Pacaymayo Valley campsite at 3650m
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Trek to Puccaqasa pass (4370m), trek to Kuychicassa (4450m), visit to Intipunku (sun gate) sacred site, arrival at campsite 3600m
- Route 3 Cusco: Walk from Tambomachay (2-3 hours), stops at Puka Pukara, Quenqo and Saksaywaman archaeological sites
Optional Activities
- Route 3 Cusco: Visit to Merida art gallery
- Route 3 Cusco: Visit to Mendivil art gallery and workshop
- Route 3 Cusco: Visit to Olave art gallery and workshop
- Route 3 Cusco: Dinner
Landmarks Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwanusca) Pacaymayo Valley Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicassa Pass Intipunku (Sun Gate) Nevado Veronica Tambomachay Puka Pukara Quenqo Saksaywaman - Day 14
Machu Picchu Trek Continues to Final Night
Route 1 continues through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass (3980m) with snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba views, descends 2-3 hours to Sayacmarca ruins, crosses the third pass to Phuyupatamarca (3850m), then descends Inca steps 2 hours to Winay Wayna campsite. Route 2 hikes downhill to the incomplete Kachiqata quarry, explores Ollantaytambo's cobbled streets and takes a short train to Aguas Calientes. Route 3 drives to Ollantaytambo to meet up with hikers and catches a 1.5-hour train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes.
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Trek through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass (3980m), descent to Sayacmarca ruins, crossing to Phuyupatamarca (3850m) ruins, 2-hour descent on Inca steps to Winay Wayna archaeological site campsite
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Downhill hike to Kachiqata quarry, exploration of Ollantaytambo, short train journey to Aguas Calientes, overnight hotel stay
- Route 3 Train: 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, 1.5-hour train journey through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, overnight hotel stay
Landmarks Runkuracay Pass Cordillera Vilcabamba Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca Winay Wayna Kachiqata Quarry Ollantaytambo Urubamba Valley Aguas Calientes - Day 15
Machu Picchu
Route 1 hikers start before dawn with breakfast at 4 am, say goodbye to porters and trek 2.5 hours to Intipunku (Sun Gate), entering Machu Picchu through the sun gate with views of the Lost City of the Incas. Route 2 and 3 travelers take an early 6 am bus up to Machu Picchu, built around 1440 AD as a retreat for Incan nobility. Everyone enjoys a guided tour of temples, palaces and living quarters, then heads to Aguas Calientes for lunch, trains back to Ollantaytambo and drives to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast at 4 am (Route 1 only)), Lunch (Lunch in Aguas Calientes together with group)
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Final 2.5-hour trek to Intipunku (Sun Gate), entry to Machu Picchu
- Route 2 and Route 3: Early bus journey to Machu Picchu at 6 am, guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins including temples, palaces and living quarters
- All routes: Bus journey to Aguas Calientes, lunch in Aguas Calientes, train journey to Ollantaytambo, drive back to Cusco
Optional Activities
- All routes: Photography opportunities at Machu Picchu
Landmarks Intipunku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu - Day 16
Cusco
You have a free day to relax, shop and explore Cusco's sights. Rest your legs at a cafe on Plaza de Armas or browse San Pedro Market for vegetables, meats, local cheeses, chocolates, herbal medicines and handicrafts. The market is where many locals eat 'mystery soups', though the most popular contain frogs or offal. If something active appeals, try mountain biking in the hills surrounding Cusco.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Plaza de Armas
- Visit to San Pedro Market
- Shopping at San Pedro Market
- Dining at San Pedro Market
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market - Day 17
Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Travel through dramatic high altiplano scenery to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake at 3800 meters altitude. The long local bus drive is worth it for your first glimpse of the immense lake stretching to the horizon. Puno blends Indigenous Aymara and Quechuan culture where traditional Andean customs remain visible. Ask your leader where to get the best grilled trout for dinner tonight.
Included Activities
- Local bus journey through high altiplano to Puno
Optional Activities
- Dining at local restaurant for grilled trout dinner
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Puno - Day 18
Uros Islands and Homestay
Take a motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, stopping at the floating Uros Islands, which look like they stepped out of a Pixar or Studio Ghibli film. Built by the Uros people hundreds of years ago to protect themselves from Inca forces, the islands are constructed from layers of totora reeds. Get up close with contemporary lake life through a homestay where you'll help with daily activities, try words in Quechua and maybe play soccer with local kids.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Peruvian feast cooked by host family)
Included Activities
- Motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca
- Visit to floating Uros Islands
- Homestay experience with local community
- Participation in daily family activities
- Dinner prepared by host family featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine
Optional Activities
- Learn Quechua words/phrases
- Join local soccer game
Landmarks Uros Islands - Day 19
Taquile Island
After breakfast, board another motorboat and cruise to Taquile Island, known for intricate hand-knitted textiles produced by locals where knitting is strictly a male domain and women do the spinning. It's an excellent place to purchase high-quality, locally-knitted goods while supporting the community. Trek uphill for about an hour to the main island area to shop for handicrafts, then descend approximately 500 steps back to the boat and return to Puno.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorboat journey to Taquile Island
- Uphill trek to main island area (approximately 1 hour)
- Shopping for hand-knitted textiles and handicrafts
- Descent of approximately 500 steps to boat
Optional Activities
- Group outing for drinks in Puno
- Chilcano drink
- Pisco sour
Landmarks Taquile Island - Day 20
Puno to La Paz
Head to the bustling highland city of La Paz in Bolivia this morning. At the border, you'll say goodbye to your Peruvian leader and welcome your new Bolivian leader. After border formalities at the Peruvian migration office and document checks, you'll discover the colonial architecture of La Paz. Browse vibrant markets on a walking tour and explore the Witches' Market in search of folkloric remedies, potions and totems for last-minute souvenirs.
Included Activities
- Border crossing into Bolivia
- Walking tour of La Paz including colonial architecture and markets
- Visit to Witches' Market
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Witches' Market
Landmarks La Paz Witches' Market - Day 21
La Paz
No activities are scheduled for today, so you're free to leave after breakfast. If you'd like to extend your stay in Bolivia, contact your booking agent to arrange additional days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
