Explore the best of Peru and Ecuador in 21 days—Machu Picchu, Galapagos, Amazon and more. A luxury journey through nature, history and culture.
The Ultimate Journey: Galapagos Cruise, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca | 21-Day Luxury TourLocation: Peru & Ecuador This is the ultimate South American odyssey. A journey that seamlessly blends a luxury ocean cruise, the stark beauty of desert coasts, and the mystical allure of the mountain jungle. Prepare for an experience so profound that all future vacations may pale in comparison. Explore the legendary Inca ruins with your private guide, traversing altitudes from sea level to over 11,000 ft, all within three unforgettable weeks. You can even choose to start or end your adventure in the Galapagos, tailoring this dream trip to your wishes. 21-Day Luxury Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive Quito
| After you clear immigrations, retrieve your luggage and pass through customs you will be greeted in the Quito airport terminal and taken by private car to your hotel by your driver. Overnight Quito. |
Day 2: Quito-Baltra Flight & Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 1)
| You will be returning to this hotel after your cruise. You can leave the bulk of your luggage in secure storage and take your smaller travel bags with you if you want. After breakfast you will be greeted in your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport in time for your flight to the Galapagos Baltra airport. The Ocean Spray has a counter that can assist you in checking in to your flight. You will be greeted in the Baltra Airport and taken to the Ocean Spray yacht to begin your luxury cruise.(B) |
Afternoon: Santiago Island, Chinese Hat
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Sombrero Chino is named after its shape formed by volcanic rock giving it the name, Chinese Hat. Since it was given a maximum visiting capacity by the National Park Service it offers rare, up close viewing of Galapagos wildlife and well preserved remnants of fragile volcanic rock that can’t be found in such a unique condition anywhere else. The islet is home to a colony of sea lions on the white coral sand beach. Here you can see American Oystercatchers, Galapagos Penguins swimming along the shores, and Sally-Lightfoot Crabs in bright contrast to the dark volcanic rock.
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Day 3: Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 2)
Morning: Isabela, Vicente Roca Point
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The largest in the archipelago, this seahorse-shaped island is also one of the youngest and most volcanically active. The morning visit is to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish).
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Afternoon: Fernandina, Espinosa Point
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No foreign species have ever invaded Fernandina Island and therefore it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. The volcano “La Cumbre” dominates the landspace with lava fields reaching the ocean. The island´s highlight features the Flightless Cormorant nesting site. This area provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos Hawk.
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Day 4: Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 3)
Morning: Isabela, Tagus Cove
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Tagus Cove is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views. Punta Tortuga, just north of Tagus Cove, is another lovely beach surrounded by mangroves.
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Afternoon: Isabela, Urbina Bay
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Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place for snorkeling.
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Day 5: Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 4)
Morning: Isabela, Elizabeth Bay
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Elizabeth Bay is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. The bay contains many islets, which can be visited by dinghy. Penguins and Blue-footed Boobies can be spotted on the rocky islets. With an abundance of marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling and viewing schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps even sharks.
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Afternoon: Isabela, Moreno Point
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Moreno Point is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during a dinghy ride along the striking rocky shores or a hike along path through lava rock leading to tide pools and mangroves create a birdwatcher’s delight. In the tide pools green sea turtles or white-tip sharks can be spotted.
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Day 6: Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 5)
Morning: Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Station
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The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Sub-species of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans, stretching out their heads for a pet. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.
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Afternoon: Santa Cruz, Highlands
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Here at the Highlands, you can walk along a path, observing the hills, ferns, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. This area is home to giant tortoises, forest, mockingbirds, Bahama ducklings, White-cheeked Pintail ducklings, Darwin finches, and many other species. You will come upon the underground lava tubes, which are more than one kilometer (half a mile) long. Local guides are will provide information and flashlights. Walking through the lava tubes is a unique and surreal experience.
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Day 7: Ocean Spray Cruise (Cruise Day 6) & Flight to Quito
Morning: South Plaza Island
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In the morning, you will head to South Plaza Island. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
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Transfer to Baltra Airport & Flight to Quito
| Please keep in mind that on departures days, your morning visit will be early and short since we need to be prepared before heading back toward the airport for your returning flight to Ecuador’s mainland. The morning of Day 06 of your cruise you will be returned to the Baltra airport for your flight back to the mainland of Ecuador. In the Quito airport you will be greeted by your private car and taken the short distance to check in to your hotel. Overnight Quito. (B) |
Day 8: Quito City Tour
| After breakfast you will be greeted in your hotel by your guide and taken on a private tour of Quito. Visit the Middle of the World monument and ride the Teleferico cable car high above Quito. Overnight Quito. |
Day 9: Quito-Lima-Juliaca Flights
| After breakfast and check out. You will be met by your driver and taken by private car to the Quito airport in time for your flight to Lima. In the Lima airport after you clear immigrations and customs it is a simple walk to the Lan counter to check your bags and get your connecting domestic flight to Juliaca. You will be greeted in the Juliaca airport and taken to your hotel to check in. Overnight Puno. (B) |
Day 10: Group Motor Yacht Tour Lake Titicaca, Uros, Taquile
| Brimmed hats and jackets are necessary for today! It is sunny, windy and cold on the boats. After an excellent breakfast you will be taking the Lake Titicaca motor yacht tour on Lake Titicaca to visit the floating man-made Islands of Uros. Bring water and snacks with you this day. Here you will meet, up-close the citizens who have preserved their old traditions and still live on the water. The motor yacht tour then continues to the island of Taquile. Only the men weave on Taquile and you will see no dogs there. Typical lunch included on Taquile of fresh lake trout or a vegetarian option. In the late afternoon return to your hotel by boat. Long boat ride today so bring a book and brimmed hats. Overnight Puno. (B,L) |
Day 11: Puno-Cusco Andean Explorer Train
| We will provide you with your 14 different site admission Cusco Tourist Ticket. Have it with you with you everyday until you depart Cusco. After breakfast check out and bring everything with you. Water and meals are included today on the train. You will not be returning to Puno. You will be greeted in your hotel and taken by private car to the Puno train station for the Andean Explorer train to Cusco. This ride will take you through Peru’s high altiplano to elevations over 12,000 feet. In Cusco you will be greeted and taken by private car to check in to your hotel. Overnight Cusco. (B,L,D) |
Day 12: Private Cusco City Tour (½ Day)
| In the afternoon you will be met at your hotel for the unforgettable Cusco City Tour by private car. Visit the temple of the sun (Koricancha). Afterwards you will go north (20 minutes) to visit the ancient ceremonial sites of the Incas just outside of Cusco: the megalithic walls of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo Pucapucara. After completion of the tour you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight Cusco. (B) |
Day 13: Private Sacred Valley Tour
| Check out of your Cusco hotel this morning, you will be staying in the Sacred Valley and not returning here until Day 19. You can leave luggage in secure storage if you want. After breakfast check out, store your luggage with the hotel if you want to and get a claim check. You will be picked up at your hotel to begin your private tour of the beautiful Sacred Valley. Water will provided in the car and lunch is included today. Feed the llamas before visiting the ruins above Pisaq. After lunch scale the wall that the Incas used to defend the Sacred Valley to the north at Ollantaytambo. Overnight Sacred Valley. (B,L) |
Day 14 & 15: Leisure Day Rio Sagrado
| Leisure Days to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the area at your own pace. (B) |
Day 16: Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes
| Travel with only an overnight bag and store the bulk of you luggage in the hotel. You CANNOT bring large pieces of luggage on the train with you!! Bring train and Machu Picchu tickets, passport & immigration card with you today. You will need passports to board the train to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. Bring passport with you up to the Machu Picchu Entrance to receive souvenir stamp. After breakfast check out. You will not be returning to this hotel tonight. Store whatever luggage you don’t want to take with you in the hotel’s secure storage. You will be returning to this hotel tomorrow night. You will take the train from the hotel’s train station to Aguas Calientes (2 hours). You will be met by hotel staff in the Aguas Calientes train station and escorted to your hotel. You can take a guided tour of your hotel’s grounds and gardens today if you wish. Your guide will meet you in your hotel at 7PM for a brief orientation of the following day’s tour of Machu Picchu. Overnight Aguas Calientes. (B, Dinner in Hotel) |
Day 17: Guided Machu Picchu Tour & Vistadome train to Rio Sagrado
| After breakfast check out and store your bags with the hotel for the day. You can take the bus up to Machu Picchu this day at 5:30 AM if you wish with your private guide. Take water and maybe a few snacks for energy with you up to Machu Picchu. You will have about 2 hours with your guide then the rest of the day to explore the park on your own. Arrive early to see the sunrise from inside the park if you wish. Hike to the Sun gate or the Inca Bridge (2 hours). When finished, take the bus (buses run continuously) back down to Aguas Calientes (20 minutes). Retrieve you bags from the hotel and proceed to the train station in time for you train back to the Sacred Valley. (B) |
Day 18: Moray/Salineras. Return to Cusco
| After breakfast and check out you will be met in the hotel by your private guide to visit the agricultural center of Moray where crops and seeds were developed to be distributed throughout the empire. Next, stop at the salt terraces of Salineras where salt is still mined from a small stream in pools built into the side of a mountain. Return to and overnight Cusco. (B) Take everything with you today to head back to Cusco by train and bus. Walk to the Aguas Calientes train station in time for your train. You will be greeted in the Wanchaq station and driven to your hotel (3 minutes). Overnight Cusco. (B, lunch on train) |
Day 19: Tipon
| Today visit the water works site of Tipon where the Inca kept their summer estates. This is a marvelous place that few tourists visit. Overnight Cusco. (B) |
Day 20: Cusco-Lima Flight
| After breakfast check out and bring everything with you this morning. You will be greeted in your hotel and taken to the Cusco airport in time for your 1 hour flight to Lima. In Lima you will be greeted by your driver in the airport terminal and taken by private, secure car to your hotel to check in. Overnight Lima. (B) |
Day 21: Private Lima City Tour. Depart Lima
| Check out of your hotel this afternoon and bring everything with you. In the afternoon you will be greeted in your hotel and taken to enjoy the private Lima “The City of the Kings” tour. Visit the Plaza Mayor Lima and the 16th century Cathedral of gold, followed by a tour of the catacombs at the Convento San Francisco. The tour comes to a close in one of the most beautiful residential districts in Lima, Miraflores. There you will visit the only pre-Inca ruin remaining there, Huaca Pucllana, constructed in the 2nd century AD. After the tour you will be taken to the airport in time for your departing flight. |
INCLUDED
| Luxury services and benefits of this circuit |
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