Galapagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps plus Machu Picchu

You arrive in Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital and gateway to South America. You settle into your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay. Lima features a UNESCO-listed historic center with colonial architecture and coastal districts such as Miraflores and Barranco, known for ocean views and urban energy.

You start your day in Lima after breakfast with a guided city tour including lunch. You visit Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Spanish colonial architecture. You also visit the Larco Museum, which displays a private collection of Pre-Columbian art. After the half-day excursion, you have free time to explore the city, relax in a central plaza, or have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Get a brief look at Cusco before heading to the Sacred Valley
In the morning, you take a flight to Cusco, the ancient seat of the Inca Empire.  Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a look at Sacsayhuaman fortress – a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city. Marvel at the construction techniques these ancient people used – this is just a foresight of the many wonders you will witness over the coming days.  

Afterwards, you visit the Sulca Textile House Museum, which gives you an insight into the traditional fabrics created and worn by people since Pre-Columbian times. There will also be a chance to see an exhibition of South American camelids, and an opportunity to do some shopping.  After this brief visit to Cusco, you continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley for an overnight stay.  

Discover the lost city of the Incas
An early morning transfer takes you to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, from where you catch a train along the narrow-gauge line to Machu Picchu, passing through stunning highland scenery along the way.  After around two hours, you stop at the small town of Aguas Calientes and take the short bus ride to Machu Picchu – the so-called Lost City of the Incas.  

Enjoy a guided tour of this once-hidden settlement, marveling at the stone walls, terraces, and ramps that are carved into the mountain. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Machu Picchu as you gaze at the lowland jungle from this city in the clouds.  After lunch, return to your hotel where you’ll enjoy another overnight stay. 

Andean Community and Cusco walking tour
Today, you’ll get an insight into the lives of Andean highlanders with a visit to the Misminay community, where sacred ancestral traditions live on. Learn about their ancient farming techniques, textile weaving, and folkloric traditions passed down through generations, and then enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic Peruvian flavors. 

After lunch, you’ll be transferred to Cusco, where you’ll set out on a guided walking tour. A compact city packed with cultural beauty, there’s no better way to discover the archaeological capital of South America than on foot.  

Visit the city's most important historical monuments see the influence of different cultures. The Plaza de Armas and surrounding areas showcase architecture from after the Spanish conquest, yet just a short walk away you’ll see Inca walls, some with blocks so large and intricate it remains a mystery as to how they were ever constructed.  

Meanwhile, a visit to the Santo Domingo church reveals that it was built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, which was dedicated to worship of the sun god, Inti. After the visit, you’ll walk back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cusco. 

Discover the vibrant city of Quito
The day begins with breakfast at your hotel. You then drive to the airport in Cusco for the morning flight via Lima to Ecuador, on the Equator in the lush Andean foothills. You arrive in Quito in the afternoon.

At 9,350 feet, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, and its exquisite Old Town was founded on an ancient Inca settlement. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s packed with well-preserved colonial architecture as evidenced in colorful plazas, magnificent churches and handsome monuments.

Settle into your hotel and enjoy your overnight stay.

Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World City
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Quito’s remarkable Old Town – one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture – and sample some delicious chocolate made from the finest Ecuadorian cacao along the way. 

Next, you head to the iconic ‘Middle of the World City’, located around 16 miles north of Quito. After lunch, you visit the famous monument that delineates the imaginary line of the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere. 

Get ready to explore the spectacular Galapagos Islands
After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galapagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. You get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible wildlife on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. You take the small panga boats ashore to get a closer look. 

As you stroll across flat and sandy dunes, look out for Blue-footed Boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs, and learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your naturalist guides. 

Meet the famous giant tortoises
Your first stop today is the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve – a breeding center for the endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species, including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and lava lizard. 

The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galapagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat.  

The small panga boats will then take you to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galapagos Islands where you might see three species of boobies. Enjoy a nature walk, explore the coastline by boat, or snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear water. 

Spot wildlife against idyllic backdrops 
You start the day with a scenic nature walk on the blissful beaches of Santa Fe, home to the endemic Barrington land iguana and a colony of sea lions. You can swim or snorkel from the small panga boats, take a kayak for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to observe the marine life below. After a delicious lunch, prepared by the onboard chefs, you head to South Plaza Island.  Keep an eye out for frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Galapagos Shearwaters gliding on the breeze. Here, among a dazzling array of flora, land iguanas laze by the shore while marine iguanas slip in and out of the water. 

Learn about local conservation on Santa Cruz Island
Today, you visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora.

A giant tortoise breeding center, where you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches – the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There’s also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that’s home to many land birds. Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about, munching on grass and wallowing in pools. You'll have time for another activity, such as mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation. 

Lava lizards and incredible birdlife
Your Galapagos Islands cruise reaches Española, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary – look out for Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls, and the mighty Waved Albatross on cruises April through December. 

It’s also a chance to spot red Española lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 feet into the air. After lunch on board the ship, you head to the picturesque coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet, to seek out sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. If you're feeling active, you can go snorkeling or kayaking. 

Green turtles, sharks and rare bird colonies
The wealth of wildlife watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where you hope to see Galapagos green turtles, rays, and friendly reef sharks. On the shore, look out for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats. You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. Alternatively, see the reefs from the glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, you sail to North Seymour. The island is a great site for spotting colonies of Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas also congregate here, attracted by the bountiful sea life in its waters. 

From the Galapagos Islands to Quito
Your expedition cruise draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito to connect to your international flight, or if you prefer, to Guayaquil.

To explore more of Ecuador, why not extend your stay and join one of the post-voyage options.

As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and wonderful experiences few have the privilege of seeing.