Lima may be the political capital of Peru, but when it comes to gastronomy, it is one of the capitals of the world! Food is certainly going to be a theme during your stay in Lima that is for sure. On arrival in this culinary paradise, your private guide will be waiting at the airport to assist you to the Lima´s Airport Hotel for check-in.

Unearth the city’s treasure trove of fantastic restaurants and bars at your leisure. Restaurants Astrid & Gaston or Central are just two of many in the city, which regularly rank among the top 100 in the world. Lima has some of the best eateries and food markets in Latin America, which you can explore while also taking in the history behind the streets, which house them.

Included: Transfer from Lima airport to your hotel; Accommodation in Lima. (Meals – None).

Private transfer from your hotel to the airport. Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be met and takento your hotel.

If arriving from lower altitude, we would recommend spending your first day in Cusco relaxing, and getting used to the altitude before doing anything overly physical. If arriving from Lake Titicaca then hopefully the altitude should not be a problem, and a day of exploring this iconic city is a fantastic way to begin your time in Cusco.

Your hotel is located in the historical center and within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Plaza de Armas, the main square of Cusco. Cusco is a place, which has it all, busy local markets, grand colonial architecture, rich archeological history, relaxed café’s, beautiful surrounding scenery and much more. The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure and with many excellent Cusco restaurants to choose from.

Enjoy walking around the Imperial City of the Incas. The tour starts at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School and several beautiful altars. Then you will visit the Temple of the Sun, the main religious center of the Incas dedicated to the Sun Cult, where the walls were said to be covered entirely with gold.

If you still have some energy left, as this is a private tour, we recommend asking your guide to take you up to the old Inca city of Sacsayhuaman, on the outskirts of Cusco. Here you will see and learn how the Inca’s were able to move and lift enormous rocks, to construct walls so strong, that the building has survived all these years as well as a few earthquakes, mudslides and erosion. You can then take a taxi back to your accommodation but, not before taking in the stunning aerial view over the terracotta rooftops of Cusco from the Inca city of Sacsayhuaman (entrance fee to these ruins is not included).

Included: Private transfer to Lima airport; Private transfer with assistance from Cusco airport to Cusco hotel; Half day private guided walking tour of Cusco; Entrance Fees; Accommodation in Cusco. (Meals – Breakfast).

Your guide will pick you up to explore the Sacred Valley on a group tour, where you’ll stop in Pisac and visit its famed artisans’ and antiques market which is considered to be one of Peru’s liveliest. After exploring Pisac’s market you’ll visit the Inca ruins above the town which offer spectacular views over the Urubamba River, agricultural terraces and intricate Inca waterworks.

Continuing your journey through the Sacred Valley you’ll reach a local restaurant situated on the banks of the Urubamba River where you’ll stop to have a traditional Andean lunch. The restaurant offers delicious local dishes as well as a view of the Urubamba River which is the sacred river of the Sacred Valley.

Following lunch, your guide will take you to the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, where the Inca famously defeated the invading Spaniards. The staggered agricultural terraces and intact fortresses show the Inca history in its rawest form and its ceremonial site will treat you to uninterrupted views over the Sacred Valley. Your transfer will then take you to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley where your evening is free to spend at your leisure before your journey to the hidden ruins of Machu Picchu starts tomorrow!

Included: Full day small group tour of the Sacred Valley with transport, small group guide, entrance fees and lunch; Accommodation in the Sacred Valley. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, your private transfer will pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley and take you to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Boarding the train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes shaves 2 hours off what normally is a 4-hour journey from Cusco, beginning at the most beautiful part of the stretch, leaving from Ollantaytambo. The train has large windows allowing you to see from the peaks of the Andes as they fall down into the flowing rivers on the valley floor, all from the comfort of your seat.

The day you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! To reach Machu Picchu where your private guide will accompany you to the Guard Shack at Machu Picchu where you’ll get the best view as the sun rises above the surrounding mountains and lighting up this World Wonder, as well as an extended tour and explanation of the history, surrounding areas, and the sacred legend of Machu Picchu.

In the afternoon you’ll begin your journey to the Inca Capital of Cusco. Taking the train from Aguas Calientes you’ll head through the dramatic landscape of the Sacred Valley until you reach Cusco. Having acclimatized to the altitude the last few days, Cusco’s altitude (11,150ft. above sea level) should be no problem at all at this point, allowing you to really get out and enjoy the town this evening, or get some rest at one of our lovely boutique hotels in Cusco.

Included: Private transfer from Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo train station; train ticket to Aguas Calientes Half day private guided tour of Machu Picchu with transport, private guide and entrance fees: train back to Cusco; Transfer from the train station to your hotel in Cusco; Accommodation in Cusco. (Meals – Breakfast)

**Note: Expedition train ticket for Comfort class, Vistadome train ticket for Superior and Luxury class.**

It’s time to hit the road again as you make your way to Guayaquil. Once there you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Included: Private transfer with assistance to Cusco airport; Private transfer from Guayaquil airport to hotel; accommodation in Guayaquil. (Meals – Breakfast)

Guayaquil is Ecuador’s economic capital and main port of the country. It is located at the foot of the Guayas river and it is also the largest delta in the Pacific Ocean. This is Ecuador’s most popular city and it carries an important story from the colonial period up to the present. In this excursion, you will visit the main attractions such as The 9th of October Boulevard, El Malecon 2000, The Metropolitan and the Cathedral. Also, you will visit The Seminary Park with its exotic iguanas and the legendary neighborhood of Las Peñas, which is the oldest part of the city. Here you can see traditional houses and the people’s typical lifestyle. Additionally, there will be a panoramic drive with a pleasant walk. The beauty of the city is a bit more hidden but definitely worth visiting once you found the hidden places, which your guide will help you to find.

Included: Private excursion with Transport and Guide; accommodation in Guayaquil. (Meals – Breakfast)

Today you will arrive to the airport of Baltra, one of the Galapagos Islands. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the island Santa Cruz. You will first cross the Itabaca channel by a ferry boat and then you will continue by car. Your first stop will be at the highlands of Santa Cruz. The Parte Alta as the highlands are called in Spanish is very lush and green and is the natural habitat of the giant Galapagos tortoises. You will visit a private ranch where you will have lunch. Here you walk between the trees and search for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay close to the small lagoons. You also will visit the lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies, but the inside stays liquid and flows out like a river. After this tour you continue by private transport to your hotel. Here you will have a meet & greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of your itinerary to you. You have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Santa Cruz on your own.

Included: Group day tour on one of the islands; Accommodation in Santa Cruz. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)

Today you will have a day tour to North Seymour or Bartolome or Santa Fe or Plazas. Please be aware that you will visit one of these places in your day tour. Which one this is, will be confirmed with you in a later stage. See the descriptions of the day tours below. In all tours lunch and snorkeling equipment is included.

Plazas
Your first stop will be a refreshing one; you will be snorkeling at Punta Carrion where you will see colorful fish and sea turtles. Afterwards you continue to Plazas. There are actually two islands, Plaza Norte and Plaza Sur. Only Plaza Sur, the southern bigger island is visited by tourists. This island has a lot to offer. The flora and fauna will astonish you. This island is mostly known for the many land iguanas that live on it. When you are a little further from the coast, it looks like you’ve walked into the movie Jurassic Park, because you will be eye to eye with beautiful green, yellow and orange land iguanas. This is all surrounded by beaches, beautiful cacti and in the background the blue ocean. At the coast the male sea lions live in peace. The militant lifestyle is only maintainable for males who are in their prime. The elders spend their last days in colonies, of which one can be found at Plaza Sur. It is sensational to see how the sea lions and iguanas mix. They play together as real pals. This island also offers a lot to bird lovers and a so called birdwatchers paradise can be found; a steep cliff with swallow tailed gulls, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, tropical red bill birds, frigates, pelicans and Audubon’s. The gulls, partners forever, are always here cuddling or nesting.

North Seymour
North Seymour is located north of the island Baltra. The island has a surface area of only 1.9 square kilometres and is almost totally flat. At this island there are the breeding colonies of the frigates, the blue-footed boobies and the swallow tailed gull. To impress the female frigates, the male blows up his red throat bag. To attract more attention they fly around in the surroundings of the female. You can imagine that this is not too easy with a blown-up throat bag, because they lose their balance quicker. It is interesting to watch. Afterwards you will navigate towards the beach of Bachas. Here you can relax at the beach and follow the trails of the nesting sea turtles and snorkel a bit and swim at the beach. There is also a trail leading to a flamingo pool where there might be flamingos, on the way you see the shipwreck of Bachas.

Santa Fe
The beauty of this Island is best appreciated from the trail which climbs the fault cliff overlooking the southern half of the bay. This plateau is also the best place to find the large land iguanas (Conolophus Pallidus) that are endemic to Santa Fe Island. The Santa Fe land iguana lives nowhere else in the world and, in fact, on no other Galapagos Island. A sub-species of the famous endemic Galapagos land iguana, the Santa Fe variety is yellowish-green in color and can grow to over one meter in length. At the beach of Santa Fe you can observe a sea lion colony and in the bay there are often rays, white tip sharks and sea turtles. At the rocky side of the bay you will snorkel with colorful fish.

Bartolomé
This is a day tour and breakfast (in most cases), lunch and snorkeling equipment are included. Bartolomé is a bit further away than other islands, therefore you start early today. The first stop will be a refreshing one. At Sullivan Bay you snorkel from the boat or relax at the beach. Here you can find, from December until April, green sea turtles that come ashore to lie in the sun. This is special because in other places the turtles only come ashore at night to lay eggs. During the day they are staying in the safe water. Snorkeling is almost a must here. With a little luck you will see the Moorish Idol; this is the most beautiful fish from the Galapagos. Afterwards you continue to Bartolome. The island has a surface area of only 1.2 square kilometers and the highest point of the island is at 114 meters. You can reach this point by taking a path through an almost surrealistic landscape and past recent signs of volcano eruptions. You will visit the highest point of the island with a spectacular view over the lava in different colors, the many volcanoes and the deep blue see as well as the famous Pinnacle Rock.

Included: Group day tour on one of the islands; Accommodation in Santa Cruz. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)

Santa Cruz Island
You will have the morning off to explore the beautiful island Santa Cruz on your own. In the afternoon you will be transferred from your hotel to the dock of Santa Cruz from where you will take a lancha (motorized small boat) to the island of San Cristobal. The boat ride will take about 2 hours and depending on the weather, it can be a bit bumpy. Arriving to the dock of San Cristobal you will be transferred to your hotel.

Included: Group day tour on one of the islands; Accommodation in Santa Cruz. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)

Today you will have a day tour to either Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos. Please be aware that you will only visit one of these places.

Isla Lobos
This is a day tour and both lunch and snorkeling equipment are included. With a small boat you will go to Isla Lobos. From the boat you can already observe much of the wildlife, before you disembark on Isla Lobos, where during the guided visit over the land you can observe frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions that inhabit the island. You will take a walk on land. Afterwards you will have time to snorkel in the small canal between the two islands and will be able to swim with playful sea lions and observe rays and turtles. After this visit the tour will continue to Playa Ochoa or a similar beach. You will have a lunch box at the boat or at some days you will have lunch afterwards in a local restaurant. This white coral beach offers the opportunity to walk around and relax and swim in shallow waters before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Kicker Rock (León Dormido)
This is a day tour and both lunch and snorkeling equipment are included. With a small boat you set sail for the lava formation in the middle of the ocean called Kicker Rock (or León Dormido in Spanish as they say it looks like a sleeping sea lion). First you will circle around the rock formation to observe the different bird species that use the rock formation as a resting or nesting place. Afterwards the boat will anchor and you will jump of the boat to snorkel the canal in between the rock formation. Beware that the currents can be strong and that you will be snorkeling in open waters without being able to see the bottom. Here you will be able to spot different shark species (sometimes even hammerheads!), turtles, rays and more. In some seasons you might encounter jellyfish which can sting, however a wetsuit will be provided when this is the case. After the snorkeling you will continue to Manglecito or a similar beach. You will have a box lunch on board. This white coral beach offers the opportunity to walk around and relax and swim in shallow waters before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Included: Group day tour on one of the islands; Accommodation in Santa Cruz. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning you will have time to explore the island of San Cristobal on your own. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport of San Cristobal. From here you will take your flight back to the mainland.

Included: Airport transfers in San Cristobal and Quito; Accommodation in Quito. (Meals – Breakfast)

Located in the Andean mountains, Quito is the world´s highest capital city with an altitude of 2850 meters. Its well-preserved historical center was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and it´s considered the cultural capital of South America. In addition the city has a unique geographical location. In this day tour you will visit all the highlights of the old town as well as the Mitad del Mundo’ (Middle of the World) monument, marking zero degrees of latitude, where you’ll explore the Intiñan museum and a number of on-site attractions dedicated to this unique geographic location. Stand in the Equatorial line and take memorable pictures as you are in the middle of the world! (Entrance fees Not Included).

Included: Private excursion with Transport, Guide and Lunch. Accommodation in Quito. (Meals – Breakfast)

At the chosen time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Included: Transfer from hotel to Quito airport; (Meals – Breakfast)