Galapagos, Machu Picchu & Amazon Expedition: 25-Day Discovery

Location: Peru, Ecuador
Duration: 25 Days
Tour Type: Premium Peru & Ecuador Tour Package
Destinations: Lima, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata Jungle Lodge), Galapagos Cruise.
Difficulty: Moderate

From the high deserts and Andes Mountains to the Amazon jungle and the enchanted Galapagos Islands, this is the grand South American journey everyone desires but few experience.

Visit all of Peru’s diverse elevations, terrains, and ecosystems, followed by an unforgettable, intimate Galapagos cruise. Choose between a 5 or 8-day cruise to see the Galapagos Islands, as each yacht offers a different itinerary to explore these unique islands.

25-Day Grand Expedition Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrive in Lima
• Day 02: Private Lima City Tour
• Day 03: Flight from Lima to Juliaca (Lake Titicaca)
• Day 04: Full-Day Lake Titicaca Tour (Uros & Taquile Islands, Lunch)
• Day 05: Andean Explorer Train from Puno to Cusco (Lunch onboard)
• Day 06: Private Cusco City Tour (Half Day)
• Day 07: Private Sacred Valley Tour (Full Day, Lunch)
• Day 08: Train to Aguas Calientes & Guided Machu Picchu Tour
• Day 09: Second Day at Machu Picchu (Optional Hikes)
• Day 10: Vistadome Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Day 11: Tour of Tipon Archaeological Site
• Day 12: Leisure Day in Cusco
• Day 13: Flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado; Transfer to Jungle Lodge
• Day 14: Amazon Jungle Lodge Excursions
• Day 15: Amazon Jungle Lodge Excursions
• Day 16: Flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima
• Day 17: Flight from Lima to Guayaquil (Ecuador)
• Day 18: Flight from Guayaquil to Baltra (Galapagos) & Embark Cruise
• Day 19: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 20: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 21: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 22: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 23: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 24: Galapagos Islands Cruise
• Day 25: Flight from Galapagos to Lima for International Departure

| 25-Day Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive to Lima.

After you clear immigrations, retrieve your luggage and pass through customs you will be greeted in the airport terminal and taken by private car to Miraflores, Lima to check in to your hotel. Overnight Lima.

Day 02: Private Lima City Tour.

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. Overnight Lima.

Day 03: Lima-Juliaca flight.

After breakfast check out and bring everything with you. You will be greeted in your hotel and taken by private car to the Lima airport for your 90 minute flight to Juliaca. You will be met in the airport and driven by private car to your Puno hotel. Normally this is a 40 minute drive but today you can stop to see the chulpas of Sillustani on the way from Juliaca to Puno. Chulpas are circular tombs that signify the circle of life. Overnight Puno.

Day 04: Group Motor Yacht Tour Lake Titicaca, Uros, Taquile (lunch).

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.

Day 05: Puno – Cusco Andean Explorer Train.

After breakfast check out and bring everything with you. Water and meals are included today. 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, meals on train)

Day 06: 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. Water will be provided today in the 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, and Pucapucara. After completion of the tour you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight Cusco.

Day 07: Private Sacred Valley Tour (all day, Lunch).

After breakfast check out, store your luggage with the hotel and get a claim check. You will be picked up at your hotel to begin your tour of the beautiful Sacred Valley. Water will provided in the car and lunch is included today. This ride will bring you through the land of the Incas. Stop at agricultural center of Moray where groups and seeds were developed. Next stop at the salt terraces of Salineras. Finally in Ollantaytambo, where you will be staying tonight, scale the wall that the Incas used to defend the Sacred Valley to the north. Overnight Ollantaytambo.

Day 08: Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, Guided Machu Picchu Tour.

Bring everything with you this day. You will not be returning to this hotel. In the afternoon walk 5 minute downhill to the train station to board your train to Aguas Calientes. You will be met by your guide and escorted to your hotel then visit Machu Picchu this day with your guide. Overnight Aguas Calientes.

Day 09: Machu Picchu.

You can take the bus up to Machu Picchu this day at 5:30 AM if you wish. Take water and maybe a few snacks for energy with you up to Machu Picchu. 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).

Day 10: Vistadome train/bus Aguas Calientes-Cusco(Wanchaq).

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.

Day 11: 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.

Day 12: Leisure Day Cusco.

Leisure day in Cusco. Overnight Cusco.

Day 13: Cusco-Puerto Maldonado flight. Jungle lodge.

Check out of your hotel and take everything with you this day. You will not be returning to Cusco. You will be greeted in your hotel and taken to the Cusco airport for your 30 minute flight east into the Amazon. In Puerto Maldonado you will be greeted in the airport and taken by group van and long boat to check in to the lodge. Lodge greeting, welcome beverage and check in. For the next 4 days you will be able to select various jungle excursions.

Day 14 & 15: Jungle lodge.

Enjoy two full days of excursions at the jungle lodge.

Day 16: Jungle lodge – Puerto Maldonado-Lima flight.

After breakfast check out and take everything with you. Transfer to the airport by longboat and van for domestic flight to Lima where you will be greeted and taken by private car to your hotel to check in. Overnight Lima.

Day 17: Lima-Guayaquil flight.

After breakfast check out and bring everything with you. You will be taken to the airport by private car in time for your departing flight. You will be met in Guayaquil and taken to your hotel to check in. (B)

Day 18: Guayaquil – Baltra flight.

In the morning checkout and bring your luggage with you. You will be taken to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. The flight is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra, travelers pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced and to pay the park entrance fee of $100. Your guide will meet you, collect your luggage and transfer you to motorized rafts, called ‘Pangas’, to take you to your yacht where our crew will welcome you on board. After your lunch, you will have your first visit. 
PM: Bachas Beach & South Plaza. Las Bachas is a white sand beach that is a major egg-laying site for sea turtles. On the sandy white beaches we will get a close look at a sea turtle nesting area and a lake frequented by leggy pink flamingos and other migratory birds. South Plaza has a unique landscape of Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cacti and provides some of the most interesting wildlife observation spots. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail. Swallow-tailed gulls and frigate birds glide effortlessly over the escarpment. Towards the far end of the island a ‘bachelor colony’ of male sea lions can be observed. (B,L,D)

Day 19: Santa Fe Island.

PM: Santa Fe. The turquoise water of the stunning bay offers the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions. You will land on the sandy beach of a beautiful protected bay where you will be greeted by colonies of sea lions. A short circular trail takes you along the cliff edge where you can most likely spot iguanas as well as many lava lizards and even the Galapagos Hawk. The trail brings you back round onto a second beach that is also inhabited by sea lions and blue footed boobies sit on the rocks. Snorkel in the bay with sea lions and admire the many species of reef fish and occasionally sea turtle and rays. Lunch will be served whilst still anchored in the bay. 
On this tour look out for: Sea lions, Land iguanas, Lava lizards, Swallow-tailed gulls, Lava gulls, Shearwaters, Storm petrels, Marine iguanas, Great frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, White tip sharks, Sting rays, sea turtles. (B,L,D)

Day 20: Hood (Española) Island.

AM: Punta Suarez. One of the oldest of the islands, Hood is small and flat. Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island mockingbirds, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running, Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air. 
PM: Gardner Bay. Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. (B,L,D)

Day 21: Floreana Island.

AM: Punta Cormorant. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you’ll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan. These huge birds nest here from April to December. Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge. At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of very fine white sand, a nesting site for green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil’s Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds and an outstanding snorkeling spot. 
PM: Post Office Bay. Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos. This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove. (B,L,D)

Day 22: Santa Cruz Island.

AM: Charles Darwin Research Station. This morning we will visit at Puerto Ayora the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station conducts a captive breeding program of giant tortoises, and we’ll see the hatchlings of several subspecies. This will be a good chance to get a close photograph of the largest of our planet’s tortoises. Afterward there should still be time to stroll the quiet streets of Puerto Ayora. 
PM: Santa Cruz Island Highlands. During your visit to the highlands, you will walk through tunnels formed by rivers of red hot lava, gaze down into giant pit craters (Los Gemelos), trek through lush green cloud forest observing birds, and seek out giant Galapagos Tortoises in the wild. The forest is shrouded in clouds (or garua) most of the year and so lush green vegetation is abundant as are a wide variety of birds including the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher, many species of Darwin Finches, Galapagos Doves and Yellow Warblers. (B,L,D)

Day 23: Rabida & Bartolomé Island.

AM: Rabida Island. Disembark and make a wet landing on the mesmerizing red beaches of Rabida Island. Walk along the beach past sea lions, marine iguanas and a variety of birds. Continue inland to the island’s unique saltwater pond to search for the island’s famous bright pink flamingos. There may also be time to snorkel. 
PM: Bartolomé Island. Bartolome Island itself is famous for its ‘Pinnacle Rock’. Climb up a long wooden staircase comprising 360+ steps to the viewpoint on the summit that offers breathtaking views. A short dinghy ride after the walk will allow you to photograph the Galapagos Penguins that live along the coastline. The orange beach and surrounding coastline is great for swimming and snorkeling. 
On this tour look out for: Penguins, Lava lizards, Snakes, Marine iguanas, Frigate birds, Blue footed boobies, Brown noddie terns, Brown pelicans, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles. (B,L,D)

Day 24: Tower (Genovesa) Island.

AM: Darwin Bay Beach. Tower is a collapsed volcano and ships sail directly into its large breached caldera. Tower attracts vast numbers of pelagic seabirds that come here to nest and breed: great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels. A trail leads from a coral beach past tidal lagoons. 
PM: Prince Philip’s Steps. A second trail called Prince Philip Steps, leads to an open area for masked boobies, frigates, and red-footed boobies. At the end of this trail are thousands of band-rumped storm petrels at the cliff’s edge, where they nest in crevices. Short-eared owls can sometimes be seen here, hunting the storm petrels during daylight hours. (B,L,D)

Day 25: North Seymour & Departure.

AM: North Seymour. Located slightly to the north of the airport island of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of the uplift caused by magma build up below. It is covered with low, bushy vegetation and contains the largest colony of Magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos islands. Land iguanas are common here too. There is also a population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right, making this one of the highlights of the visit. Transfer to Baltra to take your plane to Guayaquil and connecting international flight home. (B)