Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Quito
Quito- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine at a small, local restaurant featuring quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes with local herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces, possibly including traditional Locro (potato soup))
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with group
- Dinner at local restaurant with traditional Ecuadorian cuisine
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's Old Town
- Visit one or more of the 30 churches in Old Town
Landmarks Quito's Old Town - Day 2
Quito to Galapagos - Isla Santa Cruz Highlands
Quito to Galapagos - Isla Santa Cruz Highlands- Meals
- Breakfast (Boxed breakfast en route to airport), Lunch (Lunch in the Isla Santa Cruz Highlands)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport
- Flight to Galapagos
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands visit (approximately 1.5 hours) with dry landing
- Wildlife viewing: giant tortoises, Darwin finches, woodpecker and warbler finches
- Lunch in the highlands
- Transfer to boat Grande Daphne
- Safety briefing and cabin orientation
Optional Activities
- Meet fellow travellers and socialize on boat deck with drinks
Landmarks Isla Santa Cruz Highlands Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Day 3
Isla Floreana
Isla FloreanaIncluded Activities
- Post Office Bay visit and walk (approximately 1.5 hours) with wet landing
- Post Office Bay snorkel (approximately 1 hour)
- Zodiac boat ride
- Punta Cormorant walk (approximately 1.5 hours) with wet landing
- Devil's Crown snorkel (approximately 45 minutes)
- Overnight sailing to Isla Española
Optional Activities
- Leave a letter at Post Office Bay to be collected by another traveller
- Collect a letter from another traveller at Post Office Bay
Landmarks Post Office Bay Punta Cormorant Devil's Crown Isla Floreana - Day 4
Isla Española
Isla EspañolaIncluded Activities
- Punta Suarez walk (approximately 3 km) with dry landing
- Clifftop viewpoint with views of boobies, frigates and albatrosses
- Bahia Gardner beach visit
- Bahia Gardner walk (approximately 1 km) with dry landing
- Bahia Gardner snorkel (approximately 1 hour)
Optional Activities
- Observe albatross courtship rituals (seasonal)
Landmarks Punta Suarez Bahia Gardner Isla Española - Day 5
Isla San Cristobal to Quito
Isla San Cristobal to QuitoIncluded Activities
- Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) boat ride with wildlife viewing
- Cerro Brujo snorkel or beach walk (approximately 1 hour)
- Flight from Isla San Cristobal to Quito via Guayaquil
Optional Activities
- Leisurely beach walk at Cerro Brujo to photograph sea lions
Landmarks Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) Cerro Brujo Isla San Cristobal - Day 6
Quito to Lima
Quito to LimaIncluded Activities
- Transfer from hotel to Quito Airport
- Flight from Quito to Lima
- Airport transfer and hotel check-in in Lima
Optional Activities
- Self-paced walking tour of Lima
Landmarks Lima - Day 7
Lima
Lima- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Welcome meeting at 2 pm
- Walking tour of Lima's historical centre including mansions, palaces and churches
Optional Activities
- Self-paced exploration of Lima in the morning
- Dinner with group (location at traveller's choice)
Landmarks Lima Historical Centre - Day 8
Lima to Amazon Jungle
Lima to Amazon Jungle- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch during motorised canoe journey into the jungle)
Included Activities
- Early transfer from hotel to Lima Airport
- Flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado
- Motorised canoe cruise into the jungle (approximately 2 hours)
- Lunch during canoe journey
- Eco-lodge check-in and orientation walk
Landmarks Madre de Dios Region Puerto Maldonado - Day 9
Amazon Jungle
Amazon Jungle- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at eco-lodge)
Included Activities
- Half-day jungle trek with local expert guide
- Medicinal plant education
- Lunch at lodge
- Night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife
Optional Activities
- Daytime free time at lodge to relax
Landmarks Madre de Dios Region - Day 10
Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
Puerto Maldonado to Cusco- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return to Puerto Maldonado to collect luggage
- Flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
- Orientation walk in Cusco with leader
- Visit to Plaza de Armas (Main Square)
- Visit to San Pedro Market
- Visit to 12 Angled Stone
- Visit to Regocijo Square
- Visit to San Blas Square
- Pass by Qoricancha Temple (the Sun Temple)
Optional Activities
- Self-paced exploration of Cusco
- Dinner with group at local restaurant
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square Qoricancha Temple - Day 11
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Cusco to Ollantaytambo- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a village in the Sacred Valley), Snack (Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise in Urubamba)
Included Activities
- Private bus transfer through Sacred Valley
- Community visit and lunch at village
- Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise in Urubamba
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant in Ollantaytambo featuring quinoa and alpaca stew
Landmarks Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Urubamba - Day 12
Ollantaytambo - Inca Trail Start
Ollantaytambo - Inca Trail Start- Meals
- Dinner (Nourishing meal prepared by cook at campsite (Route 1))
Included Activities
- Minivan or bus transfer to trailhead (Routes 1 & 2)
- Meeting with porters, cook and guide (Routes 1 & 2)
- Guided hiking on chosen route (Routes 1, 2 or 3)
- Meals prepared by cook at campsite (Routes 1 & 2)
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Pisac market (Route 3)
- Tasting local empanadas in Pisac (Route 3)
- Buying local favourites for picnic at San Pedro Market (Route 3)
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Huillca Raccay Llactapata Veronica Peak Choquequilla Qory Song'o (Golden Heart) Perolniyoc Cascade Q'orimarca Pisac Pisac Market - Day 13
Inca Trail - Day 2
Inca Trail - Day 2Included Activities
- Guided hiking on chosen route with leader
- Ascent to mountain passes with views (Routes 1 & 2)
- Walking tour of archaeological sites from Tambomachay to Cusco (Route 3)
Optional Activities
- Visit art galleries and workshops (Merida, Mendivil, Olave galleries in Cusco for Route 3)
- Dinner at local restaurant (Route 3)
Landmarks Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass) Pacaymayo Valley Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicassa Pass Intipunku (Sun Gate) Nevado Veronica Tambomachay Puka Pukara Quenqo Saksaywaman - Day 14
Inca Trail - Day 3
Inca Trail - Day 3Included Activities
- Guided hiking on chosen route with leader
- Views of snow-capped mountains and Inca ruins (Routes 1 & 2)
- Train transfer to Aguas Calientes (Routes 2 & 3)
Landmarks Runkuracay Pass Cordillera Vilcabamba Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds) Winay Wayna Kachiqata Quarry Ollantaytambo Urubamba Valley Aguas Calientes - Day 15
Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at 4 am (Route 1 only)), Lunch (Lunch together in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Final hike to Intipunku (Sun Gate) (Route 1)
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu (Routes 2 & 3)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins including temples, palaces and living quarters (Routes 2 & 3)
- Bus transfer from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Train transfer from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Bus transfer from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco
Optional Activities
- Extensive photography at Machu Picchu
Landmarks Intipunku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes Ollantaytambo - Day 16
Cusco
Cusco- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rest at cafe on Plaza de Armas
- Visit San Pedro Market for souvenirs and local food
- Try local mystery soups at San Pedro Market
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
- Shopping for local goods and handicrafts
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market - Day 17
Cusco to Puno
Cusco to Puno- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach bus transfer from Cusco to Puno through altiplano
Optional Activities
- Attend one of Puno's many cultural festivals (if timing allows)
- Dinner at local restaurant specialising in grilled trout
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Puno - Day 18
Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands to Llachon Homestay
Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands to Llachon Homestay- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Peruvian favourites prepared by host family)
Included Activities
- Motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca
- Visit to floating Uros Islands
- Homestay in local lake community
- Participation in daily family activities
- Quechua language learning
- Traditional Peruvian dinner prepared by host family
Optional Activities
- Join a local soccer game with community kids
- Explore island with host family members
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Islands - Day 19
Taquile Island - Puno
Taquile Island - Puno- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorboat transfer to Taquile Island
- Uphill trek to main area of island (approximately 1 hour)
- Shopping for locally hand-knitted textiles and handicrafts
- Descent of approximately 500 steps to boat
- Return motorboat transfer to Puno
Optional Activities
- Socialise with group at local bar
- Drink chilcano or pisco sour at local watering hole
Landmarks Taquile Island Lake Titicaca - Day 20
Puno to La Paz
Puno to La Paz- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Puno to La Paz border
- Border crossing between Peru and Bolivia
- Orientation walk of La Paz with new Bolivian leader
- Walking tour of markets and colonial architecture
Optional Activities
- Visit Witches' Market for folkloric remedies, potions and totems
Landmarks La Paz Witches' Market - Day 21
La Paz
La Paz- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of La Paz
- Additional activities in La Paz (at traveller's own cost)
