Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in
Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.
(B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, where you’ll meet your expert naturalist and transfer to board the Galápagos Legend for an unforgettable three-night cruise. Set sail to North Seymour Island, a dramatic landmass formed by ancient underwater volcanic eruptions that layered lava across the ocean floor. Take a guided walk among impressive nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls, while gaining insight into the remarkable breeding cycles of Galápagos seabirds. Along the way, encounter playful sea lions, land iguanas, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive endemic Galápagos snake.
(B,L,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Awake at Bartolomé Island to explore a striking moonscape shaped by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for sweeping views of the surrounding islands and iconic Pinnacle Rock, while keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies along the way. Bartolomé also boasts some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos, with crystal-clear waters revealing sea turtles, white‑tipped reef sharks, and—on occasion—Galápagos penguins. This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and walk across young pahoehoe lava flows formed in the late 19th century, where reddish‑yellow tuff cones are dotted with emerging plant life. The otherworldly terrain feels like stepping onto another planet. After your guided walk, enjoy snorkeling from a white-sand beach, where you may encounter penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays gliding through the water.
(B,L,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristóbal and walk to the summit of a volcanic tuff cone, where multiple breathtaking viewpoints reward your climb. This remarkable site is one of the few places in the Galápagos where all three booby species—blue‑footed, red‑footed, and Nazca—can be seen together, along with two species of frigate birds and a lively sea lion colony. The surrounding waters are ideal for dinghy rides to observe seabirds up close and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. Continue to Cerro Brujo, where a coastal lagoon attracts migratory birds such as black‑necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, sandpipers, and white‑cheeked pintails. Enjoy stunning views of Kicker Rock, southern San Cristóbal, and the island’s rugged coastline, with time included to swim alongside sea lions and other marine life in the clear waters.
(B,L,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal, where you’ll learn about the national park’s important conservation and breeding programs dedicated to protecting these endangered icons of the Galápagos. Return to the port village for a final opportunity to browse for souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted islands. Later, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight to Peru, where you’ll be taken to your hotel for a free evening.
(B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration.
(B)
INSIDER PICKS
This evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Transfer to the Lima airport and fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide. Your private guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. This is followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara.
(B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Today, enjoy a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, you’ll discover the cultural significance of the alpaca and learn about the ancient weaving traditions that are still practiced today. Continue on to the lively market town of Pisaq, where you can browse colorful stalls offering handmade rugs, cozy alpaca sweaters, and locally crafted jewelry. At the far end of the valley, explore Ollantaytambo, renowned for its remarkably preserved Inca ruins and some of the finest stone masonry of the ancient empire.
(B,L)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Journey by train through the heart of the Sacred Valley en route to Machu Picchu, the legendary “Lost City of the Incas,” brought to global attention by American explorer, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. Enjoy a guided tour of this remarkably preserved citadel, where you’ll explore ancient temples, sacred dwellings, and an impressive mile‑long aqueduct system.
(B,L,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by train, where the remainder of the day is free.
(B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
After a transfer to the airport, fly back to Lima today and be transferred to your hotel for a free evening.
(B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
(B)
