Peru and Galapagos Explorer

Fly to Lima, Peru’s Pacific coast capital. We’ll get you quickly out of the airport and downtown for some time to relax and maybe grab a quick bite.</p. Meals included: None Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park

Your private guide will pick you up and take you into the historical heart of Lima. It’s a mix of churches and mansions dating back to the first days of the Spanish conquest and grand government buildings. Descend into the crypt of San Francisco monastery for a pretty chilling visit, and visit the 500-year-old Casa Aliaga. For a bit of refreshment and fresh air on the Pacific Ocean, we’ll take you for lunch at La Rosa Nautica. This restaurant on a pier is a place to try some of Peru’s best ceviche while watching the surfers tackle the waves. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Belmond Miraflores Park

Fly to Cusco this morning and travel into the Andes with your private local guide. Begin a discovery of the Inca lands. This is a region of lost cities and ancient ceremonial sites, all scattered around a beautiful valley, with a patchwork of farms and villages under high mountain peaks. And through it, all runs the Urubamba River. On the way into the valley, stop at Pisac market for a first taste of Inca culture, and visit the Pisac archaeological site high up on the hillside. There’s also a stop at a llama farm and pick up some mountain clothes for your journey. Stay at Sol y Luna in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas for 3 nights, with plenty of time to explore and enjoy the awesome landscapes. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa

With your private local guide, you will see some of the amazing historical sites left by the ingenious Incas and amaze at the dramatic locations. Start at the site of Moray where complex agricultural terraces were dug into the sides of the valley. And at Maras, the Incas created an amazing and extremely photogenic way to harvest salt in the high mountains. There will also be a stop for lunch in a lovely Andean farm. The food will be fresh from the valley. After all, these are the lands from where potatoes originated and the variety and colours are surprising. In the afternoon it’s off to Ollantaytambo, a massive fort which was the site of battles between the Inca armies and Spanish Conquistadores. Your guide will be able to show you the ingenious way the Incas built the fort up the mountain. Return into the valley for an evening under the stars. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa

We like to suggest an extra day in the Sacred Valley. There’s quite a bit of travelling involved, so with a bit of time in one base you can appreciate the scenery and culture a bit more. Sol y Luna is the perfect base for getting out into the wild by mountain biking or riding on the ranch’s Peruvian Paso horses. Or relax by the lodge, enjoy the serenity of the gardens and a spa. Inca weaving demonstration in the local village are also a window into the culture and a memorable experience. Sol y Luna lodge is also a wonderful destination for gastronomy with refined flavours of the food of the Andes. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa

Set off early this morning to see one of the new wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. Take the train through the canyon to the bottom of the valley, with the famous Lost City of the Incas high above. Entering the site, you’ll have a guided tour of the ruins, which is well worth it to find out theories of how it was built and to see how the buildings align with the moving sun. After the tour, there’s time for a spot of lunch then take your time to wander the huge site of Machu Picchu on your own and gaze across at the Andean peaks all around. There are few things better than to sit looking down on this mystical ancient city in the mountains as the afternoon light changes and the day-trippers leave and the place becomes steadily quieter and more mysterious. Stay overnight in the valley below amid the cloud forest and by the river. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel

We’ve added in the second day entry into Machu Picchu this morning. You can go in before dawn to see sunrise before the crowds arrive, it’s well worth it. In the afternoon, take the train back through the valley to Cusco for a 3-night stay in the ancient capital. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel

No need to rush around after a busy few days. Take some time to wander around the lively city. In the afternoon we’ll arrange a private city tour so you can learn all the ins and outs of this fascinating place. This includes a visit to the ceremonial Inca site of Sacsayhuaman, with its intricate stonework, in the hills above the city. Cusco is full of options for dining and entertainment and we’ll give you some recommendations of some of the interesting places to head to. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Palacio del Inka Peru

It’s a free day today as people get different things from Cusco. Whether it’s a cooking class we can arrange or a private art tour. Or for some adrenaline perhaps rafting or trekking, there’s a host of different Cusco experiences we can arrange. One option is the full day excursion and trek to the rainbow mountain, which has been revealed due to retreating glaciers. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Palacio del Inka Peru

Fly to Quito, one of the world’s highest capitals in a spectacular setting near the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Stay in the heart of the city in the bustling old town and 2 nights at Casa Gangotena. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Casa Gangotena

See the colonial centre of Quito, with ornate churches, grand government buildings and old cobbled streets and markets. All of this is set below a panorama of volcanic peaks. A private local guide will introduce you to parts of the city most miss. Then travel a little out of the city into the fertile valleys for a farm lunch and a visit to the equator line where you can stand in the northern and southern hemisphere at the same time. Don’t forget to get the cheesy photo of striding over the line. Spend the evening in the refined surrounds of Casa Gangotena. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Anavilhanas Lodge

Your mountain adventure takes a turn towards the blue Pacific Ocean and a flight out to the Galapagos Islands. These are among the world great wildlife adventures. The best way to see the variety of land and marine wildlife, as well as the different landscapes of each island, is to cruise in a small vessel. Board the Santa Cruz II ship for a 4 night Galapagos Islands cruise. The sailing schedules change seasonally, covering in 4 nights a good part of the northern islands or the west of the chain. There’s always a stop at the Charles Darwin research station where you can see tortoise breeding program. Plus there’s usually a visit to the hills of Santa Cruz island where there are wild giant tortoises that may come incredibly close. There may be a bit of time in the afternoon for a first dip in the sea, maybe with some sea lions swimming around. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation:Santa Cruz II

Spend three days in different parts of the islands. There are shore excursions in the morning and afternoon led by expert naturalist guides and in small groups. On these excursions there are walks on the islands, boat rides around the shores and some time on the beach and to snorkel. On each excursion, the wildlife abounds and is so habituated to humans you can get unbelievably close. The unique species of Galapagos include blue-footed boobies, Galapagos hawks, albatross and Galapagos penguin, the world’s most northerly. In the seas there are the playful sea lions, marine turtles, marine iguanas, rays and more which you can see while snorkelling. The days in the islands are a relaxed affair with plenty of deck time and time to be looked after by an excellent crew. Have a few cocktails or beers and watch out for whales and dolphins as you cruise the waters. It all adds up to something unforgettable. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Santa Cruz II

There may be time for a last visit to an island. Later disembark and a flight back to mainland South America. Stay for a night in Guayaquil on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. Seafood lovers will appreciate the hotel restaurant or trying any on the promenade for the fresh catch of the day. Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Del Parque

Have a relaxed morning in tropical Guayaquil. Later on, we’ll take you out of the city to visit a cocoa farm and for lunch of organic food on a plantation. In the afternoon, check-in for your return overnight flight. Meals included: Breakfast

Return full of memories of the ancient lands and wildlife wonders, a remarkably varied experience.