- ✓ Taste Lima’s vibrant food scene and colonial plazas by the Pacific
- ✓ Spot monkeys, macaws, and caimans from a jungle lodge in Tambopata
- ✓ Trek the Inca Trail through cloud forests to Machu Picchu’s ruins
- ✓ Island-hop Galapagos, meeting giant tortoises, sea lions, and iguanas
Visit three of the world’s most iconic places as you sleep in a lodge deep in the Amazon, trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and visit the famous Galapagos Islands. You’ll also visit three of the continent’s most famous cities along the way, making this a holiday you’ll never forget.
Fancy spending a little longer in the Galapagos, or perhaps skipping the trek and taking the train to Machu Picchu? Just chat to your Travel Specialist, and we’ll tweak things until it’s just perfect.
Days 1 & 2 – Market Plazas of Lima
You’ll start your Peru adventure in Lima. A proud Latino city, often cloaked in mist from the Pacific Ocean and with a famed food scene, Lima fizzes with energy and is more than just a handy starting point for your holiday. You’ll spend two nights in a cosy hotel in a pleasant part of town.
The following morning you’ll be shown around the lively Miraflores food market and the charming colonial centre by your local Limeño guide. You’ll learn a little about the history of the city, as well as trying some of the local snacks.
Days 3-5 – Into the Peruvian Amazon
You’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. From here, you’ll travel by boat along the river to your comfortable jungle lodge, tucked deep in the rainforest and surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.
Over the next few nights, you’ll head out with expert local guides on foot and by boat, exploring the forest by day and after dark. Your lodge is owned by the Native Community of Infierno, giving you the chance to meet some of the people who have lived in and cared for this rainforest for generations. All meals and activities are included, so you can simply settle into the rhythm of jungle life.
Wildlife is a big part of the experience, and the Tambopata region is home to an incredible variety of creatures. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys swinging through the canopy, colourful macaws, parrots and toucans, as well as capybaras, caimans and all manner of fascinating insects. If you’re lucky, you could spot giant otters along the river or even a jaguar prowling the riverbank. You might also have the chance to try your hand at fishing for piranhas.
Days 6 & 7 – Explore the Cobbled Streets of Cusco
Return to Puerto Maldonado in time for the short flight to Cusco, the Inca heartland and a city of colourful contrasts. You’ll spend two nights in a cosy pousada, set in the heart of the artistic San Blas district. Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Travellers from all over the world meet here before heading into the mountains, making it a lively hub of restaurants, bars and museums.
The next morning you’ll embark on a history focused walking tour of the city with an English-speaking guide. 500 years ago Cusco was the beating heart of the Inca Empire, which, at its pinnacle, reached from Ecuador to Bolivia and Chile. The city may now be a thriving modern hangout, but it’s peppered with echoes of its Inca past.
Days 8-11 - Inca Trail: following ancient footsteps
After spending time acclimatising in Cusco, you’ll set off on the classic Inca Trail, following an ancient route through the Andes towards Machu Picchu. Over four days, you’ll trek around 44 kilometres through changing landscapes, from mountain valleys and high passes to lush cloud forests. Along the way, you’ll pass ancient Inca ruins and checkpoints, with the toughest section taking you up to 4,200 metres at Dead Woman’s Pass. You’ll camp each night with a small group, local guide and porters, with plenty of uphill walking but equally impressive views to keep you going.
On your final morning, you’ll wake before sunrise and walk through the cloud forest towards the Sun Gate. As the early morning mist lifts, you’ll get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu spread out below the mountains. After time to explore the ruins, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes before taking the scenic train back to Cusco, where a comfortable bed awaits. It’s a challenging few days of trekking, but following the ancient Inca route and arriving at Machu Picchu on foot makes it a memorable way to reach Peru’s most famous sight.
Day 12 – Fly to Quito, Ecuador
After a final night resting your weary legs in Cusco, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito, Ecuador. The journey usually takes around 5.5 hours, including a stop in Lima. Set high in the Andes, Quito is Ecuador’s lively capital, where grand historic buildings, colourful streets and mountain views set the scene for the next part of your trip.
Days 13 & 14 – Galapagos Island Hopping: A taste of Santa Cruz
After a night in Quito, you’ll fly to the Galapagos Islands. These islands are a paradise for wildlife spotting but also surprisingly more inhabited than you might expect. Each island has its own charm, and three of them are inhabited: Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristobal. You could easily spend a week on each of the islands, but for a teasing taster, this trip visits two of them.
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by your driver. First, you will take the bus together to the Itabaca Channel and cross to the nearby island of Santa Cruz, which is home to around 24,000 people. Here, you’ll get in your driver’s car and he’ll take you through the highlands to the centre of Puerto Ayora. Along the way, you’ll visit a local farm where you’ll meet giant tortoises that live here in the wild. These mighty creatures walk around freely but come to the farm to eat. After lunch, continue to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Here, you will meet a local guide who will explain your program for the next few days. Then, you’ll head into Puerto Ayaroa with your guide on a food tour to sample the local delicacies.
The following day, you are free to explore independently. Enjoy a short morning walk to Tortuga Bay, an idyllic beach where you’ll find loads of iguanas bathing in the sun.
Days 15 & 16 – Galapagos Island Hopping: A taste of San Cristobal
After a leisurely morning, make your way to the pier for the 1.30 pm ferry to San Cristobal. The journey can be choppy, so you may want to take precautions against seasickness. In the port of San Cristobal, our local contact will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon, you have time to walk along the boulevard, where you can watch the sea lions that sleep there. If you prefer to relax, go to one of the nearby beaches. Later today, you’ll also learn how to make ceviche at Playa Mann. Your teacher used to sell this local delicacy at the harbour, but now she’s opened her own restaurant. Her fish dish is famous across the region.
We haven’t planned any activities for your second day in San Cristobal. But there are plenty of things to do. You can snorkel with sea lions at Playa Lobita, or we can arrange a snorkelling tour for you to an uninhabited island. Hike to the Cerro Tijeretas to spot the famous frigate birds, or take a half-day tour to the highlands of San Cristobal. We recommend ending the day with a cold beer at the local brewery.
Days 17 & 18 – Overnight in Quito and depart from Ecuador
This afternoon, you’ll have some final time to enjoy the Galapagos at your own pace before heading to the airport for your flight back to Quito. You’ll spend your last night in Ecuador’s capital, giving you one final evening to soak up the atmosphere before your journey home. The following day, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your international flight home, bringing your Ecuador adventure to an end.
Accommodation
