Galapagos Explorer + Peru's Land of the Incas

Arrive in Guayaquil by late evening. Meet your fellow travelers at your hotel, the Hilton Colon.

In the morning, fly from Guayaquil to Baltra, in the Galapagos. After the 1 1⁄2-hour flight, immediately board the ship. Over the course of the week, your exact routing depends on the National Park Service.

The following is a representative sample of the islands you may visit during your week on board:

Bartholome
This is an enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves, and golden sand converge. Great walks and views abound, with a chance to snorkel with Galápagos penguins.

Santiago
Santiago offers close encounters with Galápagos fur seals along with an opportunity to study the inhabitants of the island’s countless tide pools.

Santa Cruz
Look for blue-footed boobies, pelicans, sea lions, and more. Enjoy walks in the highlands and encounter giant tortoises in the wild.

Isabela
A small black sand beach offers wonderful morning swimming. Enjoy a more challenging hike over rugged shoreline and a shorter walk within an iguana colony. Kayaking and deep water snorkeling opportunities are on offer.

Fernandina
This is the youngest island in the Galápagos and one of the most pristine tropical islands left on earth. Look forward to hikes over relatively recent lava flows, and spot marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Floreana
Snorkel among sea lions in the clear waters off Champion Islet. You may also find flamingos, pintail ducks, and various shorebirds. Hike to a pristine white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles.

Depart Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru. Overnight at the conveniently located Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel. 

This morning, fly to Cusco then drive to Moray, a visually stunning Inca site believed to have been an agricultural laboratory where Incan priests would test soils and crops. Dine on Peruvian cuisine for lunch at Parador Moray, overlooking the ruins. En route to the hotel, walk through a colorful, typical local market before an optional visit to the pottery studio Pablo Seminario, featuring ceramics made with ancient Peruvian techniques and designs. Check into Sol y Luna Hotel, a Relaix & Chateau property. 

After breakfast, learn about Peru’s history from National Geographic expert Peter Frost. Visit the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Casa Orihuela for lunch—a working, family-owned hacienda, then see the family’s private museum filled with colonial artwork and enjoy a demonstration of Peruvian Paso horses accompanied by Marinera dancers and live music. Watch a traditional weaving demonstration by National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa. After dinner at the hotel, watch a folkloric dance performance. 

Enjoy the views from the valley to Machu Picchu via train with large picture windows. Spend the day exploring Machu Picchu’s different structures with your guide—ceremonial religious, astronomical, and agricultural. Overnight at the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (formerly the Orient-Express Sanctuary Lodge) with views of the Andes.

Hike to the Sun Gate this morning, the ancient final checkpoint to Machu Picchu, and watch daybreak over the sacred ruins. The morning is free to explore Machu Picchu on your own or with your guide. After a train and bus ride, visit Awanacancha, where llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas are bred. En route to Cusco, stop at Plaza San Cristobal for photos, offering sweeping views of the colonial part of Cusco.  Check into the Belmond Monasterio Hotel for two nights (formerly the Orient-Express Monasterio Hotel). 

Explore the Inca Empire’s capital city of Cusco and visit the magnificent 17th-century cathedral and convent of Koricancha, and the vast Sacsayhuaman fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Cusco at your leisure this afternoon. Relax, shop, or visit one of the many churches and museums. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Return to Lima and visit the Larco Herrera Museum and stroll the Plaza Mayor. Lunch is in traditional Latin American style. Experience the music of the Andes at a presentation of indigenous instruments. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the Belmond (formerly Orient-Express) Miraflores Park Hotel.

This morning fly home – or anywhere else you might have decided to go!