Highlights
- Snorkel with sea lions and penguins in the Galápagos
- Trek to mountain huts on the slopes of the active Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador
- Drink coca tea at a café overlooking the beautiful plazas of Cusco
- Travel through the cloud forest to the lost mountain city of Machu Picchu
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Guayaquil (Ecuador), Explore the Coastal City | Guayaquil |
| Day 2 | Fly to the Galápagos, Isla Santa Cruz Boat Tour | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 3 | Discover Isla Pinzón & Playa La Fe | Isla Santa Cruz |
| Day 4 | Boat to Isla San Cristóbal, Interpretation Center, Tijeretas & La Lobería | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 5 | Snorkeling & Beach-Hopping on Isla Lobos | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 6 | Snorkeling Day Trip to Kicker Rock | Isla San Cristóbal |
| Day 7 | Fly to Quito, Explore the Ecuadorian Capital | Quito |
| Day 8 | Hiking in Cotopaxi National Park | Quito |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Termas de Papallacta | Quito |
| Day 10 | Fly to Lima (Peru), Free Afternoon in the Peruvian Capital | Lima |
| Day 11 | Highlights of Lima City Tour | Lima |
| Day 12 | Fly to Cusco, Explore the Ancient Inca Capital | Cusco |
| Day 13 | Sacred Valley Biking Tour, Discover Machu Picchu | Cusco |
| Day 14 | Depart Cusco |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guayaquil (Ecuador), Explore the Coastal City
Welcome to Ecuador! You'll land in Guayaquil, known as the "Pearl of the Pacific." It's the country's main port and Ecuador's second-largest city. Upon arrival, a driver will greet you and take you to your hotel to rest and refresh. Then, you can explore at your own pace and fall in love with this charming, culturally rich city.
Visit the Parque Seminario, where you can spot iguanas scurrying about. After visiting the park's neo-Gothic cathedral, continue north to Las Peñas, a colorful 16th-century neighborhood famous for its cobbled streets and pastel hilltop homes. Climb the 444 steps from Las Peñas to the top of Cerro Santa Ana to find a little chapel, a lighthouse, and a viewpoint that offers vistas of the city skyline and the Gulf of Guayaquil beyond.
Day 2: Fly to the Galápagos, Isla Santa Cruz Boat Tour
Today, meet your driver and transfer to Guayaquil's airport for the adventure of a lifetime in the Galápagos, a volcanic archipelago around 621 miles (1,000 km) off Ecuador's coast. Upon arrival at Isla Baltra's airport, you'll take a short ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to reach Isla Santa Cruz. Your guide will be waiting to transfer you to a local farm in the island's highlands, where you can see dozens of giant tortoises in their natural habitat before sitting down to a delicious lunch. Afterward, you'll continue to the port of Puerto Ayora to check into your hotel.
Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and collaborate on environmental projects such as water analysis and animal protection. Nearby, you'll find the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant tortoises are raised in a secure environment before being released into the wild. This is the best place in the Galápagos to view various species of giant tortoises.
In the afternoon, board a small boat for a tour, visiting exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz. See Shark Alley, where you'll spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. Reach Canal del Amor, where you'll find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties, then take a short walk to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat. Finally, visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs filled with fresh water at the surface and salt water below. Return to your hotel in Puerto Ayora after the tour.
Day 3: Discover Isla Pinzón & Playa La Fe
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Boat to Isla San Cristóbal, Interpretation Center, Tijeretas & La Lobería
Continue your exploration of one of the world's great bucket-list destinations today. Check out of your hotel in Puerto Ayora, then take a three-hour speedboat ride to the easternmost island of San Cristóbal, your base for the next several nights. Your driver will be waiting at the ferry landing to transfer to your hotel.
Settle in, then meet your guide for an island tour, starting at the local Interpretation Center, where you'll learn about the island's wildlife and conservation efforts. The center is filled with interactive activities, and you can see a presentation of the archipelago's origins as well as its cultural past from when humans first discovered the islands.
Get a taster of the islands' wildlife in its natural habitat at Las Tijeretas, a hill named for the red-bellied tijeretas (frigatebirds) that nest in the area. If you visit the island from June to October, you may also see whales, so keep your eyes peeled. Finish the day on the beach of La Lobería, home to a host of iconic Galápagos creatures, such as marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and a colony of playful sea lions. There's also the chance to end the day with a snorkeling session if you can't wait to see what's beneath the waves.
Day 5: Snorkeling & Beach-Hopping on Isla Lobos
Set sail for Isla Lobos this morning, just 6 miles (10 km) north of Isla San Cristóbal. This appropriately named "Sea Lion Island" is teeming with jolly sea lions who bask on its shores and frolic in the surrounding waters. Come ashore on the island's sandy beaches, don your snorkeling gear, and wade into the shallows to search for tropical fish (you won't have to look hard) and, with any luck, sea rays and turtles. You'll probably find that a few of the sea lions swim along with you, including their clumsy pups.
Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, relax on the white sands, and look for colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs, frigatebirds, and iguanas. You can also take a short hike over the island to spot other species with a camera in tow. Afterward, sail off into the sunset back to your hotel in San Cristóbal for a leisurely evening.
Day 6: Snorkeling Day Trip to Kicker Rock
This morning, you'll head off on a day trip to Kicker Rock, also known as Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion), one of the best-known landmarks in the Galápagos. Ride there on a comfortable speedboat that will navigate you along the coast of San Cristóbal as you spot rare birdlife and marine species en route. Created from volcanic ash, Kicker Rock rises almost 500 feet (152 m) up from the ocean floor and is home to some of the archipelago's most famous endemic birds, including frigatebirds, Nazca boobies, and blue-footed boobies.
You'll also have the chance to meet the wildlife under the water on a snorkeling excursion. Look out for tropical fish, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and four species of rays. Currents at Kicker Rock are strong, and the water is cold; however, the excursions are well supervised, and guests receive life vests and safety lines. After lunch on the boat, head to an unspoiled beach where you can relax and defrost in the sunshine. In the afternoon, return to port to watch the sunset at Playa Mann and end the day with dinner on the beach.
Day 7: Fly to Quito, Explore the Ecuadorian Capital
Make your way back to Isla Baltra this morning to catch your flight to Quito, one of the world's highest-altitude capitals at 9,350 feet (2,850 m). After settling into your hotel, you'll have the rest of today to explore the city independently, from the UNESCO-listed historic center to the lively bars around Plaza Foch. Walk through Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, the largest urban park on the continent, or ride the TelefériQo to the top of Cruz Loma for dramatic skyline views.
Stroll through the Old Town's narrow streets and visit some of its most important churches, such as the Baroque La Compañía, with its incredible gold-covered interior, and the neo-Gothic La Basílica del Voto Nacional. Head to the summit of El Panecillo for incredible panoramic views, then walk down La Ronda, one of the oldest streets in the city, for dinner in one of the traditional Ecuadorian restaurants.
Day 8: Hiking in Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, meet your guide and drive south to the high-altitude Cotopaxi National Park. The park is most famous for its eponymous active volcano, whose 19,347-foot (5,897 m) symmetrical snowcapped peak is the second-highest summit in Ecuador (and one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth). Be sure to bring plenty of layers to prepare for a change in weather and altitude as you explore the park to see birds, wild horses, and a mix of Andean plants and wildlife amid rugged páramo scenery—and perhaps even an elusive Andean condor.
In the park, your guide will take you to Laguna Limpiopungo and point out some species native to the area, as well as the ancient El Salitre Inca ruins in the park's highlands. Then, trek to the 5,748-foot (4,800 m) Refugio Jose Rivas for the best Cotopaxi views of the day. You can also take a two-hour horseback riding trip through the park for a less strenuous option. In the afternoon, return to Quito.
Day 9: Day Trip to Termas de Papallacta
Day 10: Fly to Lima (Peru), Free Afternoon in the Peruvian Capital
Say adiós to Ecuador today and hop a flight to the neighboring country of Peru. Your flight lands in the capital city of Lima, a vibrant metropolis located at the site of a pre-Columbian Indigenous settlement, conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores. Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Your driver will collect you from the airport and transport you to your hotel, where you'll settle in before heading out to explore.
Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean makes it a perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals and grab a bite to eat in one of many award-winning restaurants. Take in views over the ocean from the clifftop paths of El Malecón de Miraflores, then take a break from the hustle and bustle at the tranquil Parque Kennedy.
You can stroll through the park and admire the beautiful flowers and trees, or shop for souvenirs, as local vendors set up daily to sell handmade crafts. End the day in the bohemian district of Barranco—a popular oceanside neighborhood for artists, tourists, and locals alike—for a relaxed evening, drinking pisco sours and sampling Peruvian desserts.
Day 11: Highlights of Lima City Tour
After breakfast, discover more of Lima on a private tour, starting with a panoramic view over the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca temple from the fourth century CE. Visit the romantic Parque del Amor in the oceanside Miraflores neighborhood and learn more about the monuments and history of the grand Plaza San Martín. A highlight is a stop at the central Plaza Mayor, dominated by emblematic Lima landmarks like the soaring Baroque Cathedral of Lima, the stately Government Palace, and the Monastery of San Francisco and its famously macabre Catacombs.
Admire the Lima Wall at the Bodega & Quadra Museum, a fortification built in the 17th century, and learn more about the city's Spanish colonial history. Visit the Santo Domingo Convent, proof of Catholicism's importance during this era, and climb its tower for incredible views over the city. Continue to chic Miraflores or slightly more party-hardy Barranco for excellent dinner, dancing, and nightlife.
Day 12: Fly to Cusco, Explore the Ancient Inca Capital
Head back to Lima's airport this morning for your flight to Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca Empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries. Remember: you'll be 11,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, so take it easy and make sure to drink lots of water. Since the Inca designed Cusco as a city for walking, start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. Stroll through the plaza, where you can sit on a balcony and have a cup of coca tea while adjusting to the elevation.
From there, walk down Hatunrumiyoc Street and admire the ancient Inca walls, notably the 12-Angle Stone, so named because its dozen angles fit perfectly in the surrounding stones. It's a shining example of the ancient Inca's stonemasonry prowess. Next, consider checking out the Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun. The Inca built it, and after the arrival of the Spanish, it became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent.
Another option is to explore San Blas, an old bohemian quarter famous for its white walls, blue doors, and creative artisan community. Or, head to the slopes above the city to check out Inca sacred sites like Sacsayhuaman and Q'enqo. Don't forget to pick up some snacks and souvenirs at the legendary Mercado Central de San Pedro before sampling traditional Andean-Peruvian cuisine at one of the city's many excellent restaurants.
Day 13: Sacred Valley Biking Tour, Discover Machu Picchu
This morning starts early with a transfer to Pisac in the Sacred Valley, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. In this area, you'll explore ancient Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. Later, visit Pisac town's famous textile market to browse handmade garments. From here, you'll join a bike tour to discover more of the valley, passing through the village of Chinchero, believed by the Inca as the birthplace of the rainbow. See extensive Inca terraces and several small colonial-era churches before cycling to the ancient Inca city of Ollantaytambo.
Walk through the streets with Inca-era canals and climb the agricultural terraces for sweeping views. Then, drop off your bike and board a 1.5-hour scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Your guide will welcome you at the train station for a 25-minute shuttle to the citadel. The 15th-century, UNESCO-listed Inca complex, located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m), which once served as a retreat for the Inca emperor, was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden until the early 20th century.
Your guide will lead you around the site, explaining the complex's different buildings and hidden corners. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense of the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. After the guided tour, you'll also have time to explore the sanctuary independently. Following the tour, catch your return train to Ollantaytambo and hop on a transfer to Cusco for your final night in Peru.
Day 14: Depart Cusco
Today is your last day in Peru. Depending on the hour of your departure, you may have time to visit one more café and do some people-watching before meeting your driver for a transfer to the Cusco Airport. Catch your flight back to Lima and then transfer to your international departure. Alternatively, stay and extend your time in Peru—there's so much to see and explore. ¡Buen viaje!
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