2027 “Peru, Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands” departing 28 September – only 5 places left!

Board our flight to Lima crossing the International Date Line arriving on the same day. Transfer to our hotel.                        

City tour of Lima including the local market, Plaza San Martin and Plaza de Armas surrounded by colonial architecture. The adventure continues with a guided tour of the famous San Francisco catacombs, a fascinating underground network filled with centuries of history. A visit to Casa de Aliaga, one of the oldest colonial homes in Lima where we’ll experience the elegance and charm of the Peruvian colonial era.

This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco before continuing to Sacred Valley, a region in Peru’s Andean highlands which , along with Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, formed the heart of the Inca Empire.

Embark on a captivating day as we explore the enchanting Sacred Valley of the Incas.  This fertile river valley unfolds a tapestry of vital sites for the Incas, blending both strategic and religious significance seamlessly.  Our initial destination is the charming village of Pisac, renowned for its bustling market and ancient Inca Ruins.  Take a leisurely stroll through the vibrant market stalls, alive with a myriad of colours before ascending to explore the Pisac, Intihuantana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiracay ruins.  We’ll continue to Ollantaytambo, crowned by a colossal Inca fortress which stands as an exquisite testament to Inca town planning.  A rare historical chapter unfolds here – a momentous Inca victory over the Spanish invaders.

Today will be one of our highlights as we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. We will travel by train from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes onboard the scenic 360 Machu Picchu Train before taking a bus to Machu Picchu at our allotted time. This 15th century site, located 2,430m above sea level is the most famous of all Inca sites but was not uncovered until 1911. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonisation, the city was never pillaged and as a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition. The tour starts with a bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. You will be astonished at your first view of this stunning site.

We farewell Machu Picchu as we take a train journey to Ollantaytambo.  From here we will travel to the Maras Salt ponds, believe to pre-date the Inca period.  These shallow pools were dug into the mountainside, filled with salt water from an underground spring of an adjacent mountain.  After water evaporation, the salt is carefully collected and packaged for sale.  Witness locals harvesting salt in the traditional way practiced for well over 500 years.  Approximately 7km southwest of Maras, continue to Moray which boasts an impressive Inca ruin of giant circular terraces believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation due to their exceptional irrigation system.  Our destination today is Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400m above sea level in the Peruvian Andes and once the capital of the Inca Empire.

Explore the city’s fascinating history from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day.  Wind through the narrow cobble-stoned streets and visit the market of Cusco.  Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace.  From here, head to Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco, it presents a work of impeccable engineering of gigantic carved rocks that fit with absolute precision.

Today is at leisure allowing you to spend time wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital.  With treasures around every corner, Cusco is a wonderful city to explore on foot.  Vibrant markets and stores give you a plethora of shopping opportunities set amongst fine Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.  The UNESCO World Heritage city is lined with history and ancient monuments, a truly enthralling city to spend time in.

Today we farewell Peru and say hello to Ecuador.  We will transfer at the appropriate time to the airport for our flight from Cusco to Quito and on arrival will transfer to our hotel.  Sitting at 2,850m above sea level high in the Andean foothills lies Quito, the capital of Ecuador.  The city, a short distance from the Equator and with an amazing backdrop of snow-capped mountains, is known for its stunning colonial architecture and artwork.  Founded in the 16^th century on the ruins of an Inca city, Quito has one of the largest, least altered and best-preserved historic centres in the Americas.  It was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978.

This morning we will embark on an immersive tour to engage all our senses.  We’ll explore Quito’s vibrant streets and squares, steeped in colonial charm and wander through the renowned Street of the Seven Crosses and admire the grandeur of Independence Square and Government Palace.  Next, we’ll head north to the equator for a trip to the monument at the Middle of the World and the Equatorial line located at latitude 0^o for the mandatory photo opportunity.

We travel south today to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world at 5,943m above sea level. Despite the altitude, the park is home to numerous birds and varied plant life. Northeast lies Rumiñahui, 4,557m and between the two mountains the plan and lagoon of Limpiopungo. If weather permits, from the north face we may have spectacular views of the mountain. Lunch is included today at a local restaurant at the base of the mountain.

Transfer from Quito to San Cristobal where we will be met by staff and transferred to our private Trimaran, Horizon.  Settle into our cabins and then meet the staff for our briefing.  In the afternoon we will visit the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Centre to enjoy displays on natural history, human history and environment protection of the Galapagos Islands. 

Wake up in the pristine blue waters of the Galapagos Islands.  This morning we will visit Pitt Point located on San Cristobal Island’s northeastern tip which is home to frigatebirds, storm petrels and all three types of boobies: Nazca, blue-footed and red-footed.  An excellent location for snorkelling.  After a hearty lunch onboard, we will visit Witch Hill and Kicker Rock located on the northern coast.  Here we should see sea turtles, rays and various types of booby birds.  Another chance to snorkel or swim in the crystal-clear waters.  Kicker Rock is located about 2 hours west of San Cristobal and protrudes from the water and stands vertically hundreds of feet above the ocean.

Our morning takes us to Punta Suarez where Blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies can all be found.  In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay on the eastern side of the island with its large white sandy beach filled with sea lions and albatross. 

This morning on Santa Cruz Island we visit Las Bachas Beach which is not only ideal for swimming but is also home to flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, sea turtles and various birdlife. In the afternoon we say farewell to paradise and make our way to the airport for our flight to Guayaquil on the mainland where we will overnight.

At the appropriate time we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Australia.