Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll land in Lima and get settled at your hotel. If there's time before checking in, head to the historic center to walk around the Spanish colonial architecture (it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or take a stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk in Miraflores where you'll find restaurants, cafes, and shops. Since Lima has a reputation as the food capital of Latin America, try some local dishes like ceviche while you're there.
Optional Activities
- Walk through Lima's historic center with Spanish colonial architecture
- Stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk in Miraflores district
- Visit restaurants and cafés in Miraflores
- Shop in Miraflores
Landmarks Lima Historic Center Miraflores District 
- Day 2
Lima to Cusco
After flying to Cusco, a local guide will meet you at the hotel and lead a tour of the city. You'll see Inca structures mixed with Spanish colonial buildings, visit the 15th-century ceremonial compound of Sacsayhuaman, and check out Santo Domingo church which was built on top of the ruins of Koricancha (the Inca Sun Temple). Later you'll head back to the hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cusco
- Visit Sacsayhuaman (15th-century ceremonial compound)
- Visit Santo Domingo church and Koricancha ruins
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Santo Domingo Church Koricancha (Inca Sun Temple) 
- Day 3
Cusco to Machu Picchu
An early transfer takes you to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley where you board a narrow-gauge train to Machu Picchu through highland scenery. After around 2 hours, you'll stop in Aguas Calientes and take a short bus ride to Machu Picchu. A guide will show you the stonewalls, terraces, and mountain-carved ramps there. You'll have lunch, then head back to Cusco for your final night.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo
- Train journey to Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours through highland scenery)
- Bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Lunch at Machu Picchu
Landmarks Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley 
- Day 4
Cusco to Quito
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll transfer to Cusco airport for a morning flight to Quito, Ecuador (connecting through Lima). By afternoon you'll arrive in Quito, which sits at 9,350 feet and is the second-highest capital in the world. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with well-preserved colonial-era architecture, colorful plazas, and magnificent churches. If time allows in the evening, walk through Calle La Ronda, an old pedestrian street with cafes and handicraft shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Flight to Quito
Optional Activities
- Visit Calle La Ronda pedestrian street with cafés and handicraft shops
Landmarks Quito Old Town Calle La Ronda 
- Day 5
Quito
A guide will take you through Quito's Old Town, one of South America's largest and best-preserved colonial quarters. You'll walk the cobblestone streets, look at the architecture, and try some chocolate made from Ecuadorian cacao. Then you'll head north to the 'Middle of the World City' (about 16 miles from Quito). After lunch, visit the famous monument marking the Equator and stand with one foot in each hemisphere for photos.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Quito's Old Town
- Chocolate tasting from Ecuadorian cacao
- Visit to Middle of the World City
- Visit to Equator monument
- Lunch
Landmarks Quito Old Town Middle of the World City Equator Monument - Day 6
Quito to Galápagos Islands (Baltra)
You'll take a short flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Archipelago and transfer directly to the port where MS Santa Cruz II awaits. In the afternoon you'll explore Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz's north shore. Walk past a brackish lagoon with shorebirds and American flamingos, then head inland for nice bay views and your first chance to see land iguanas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Flight to Baltra Island
- Transfer to ship port
- Afternoon visit to Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill)
- Walk to brackish lagoon observation
- Land iguana viewing opportunity
Landmarks Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) Santa Cruz Island Baltra Island 
- Day 7
Galápagos Islands (Isabela and Fernandina)
Start at Punta Vicente Roca on the northwestern tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, explore the coast on a panga boat with naturalist guides who'll teach you about the area's geology. This nesting site has flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and boobies. If weather permits, you'll snorkel by the cliffs where you might spot green sea turtles, oceanic sunfish, and fur seals. In the afternoon, explore Fernandina's unique ecology with its large marine iguana population, and watch for sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks, and penguins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Panga boat exploration of Punta Vicente Roca coastline
- Naturalist guide presentation on island geology
- Wildlife viewing: flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, boobies
- Snorkeling (weather permitting)
- Afternoon exploration of Fernandina Island
- Marine iguana and seabird observation
Landmarks Punta Vicente Roca Isabela Island Fernandina Island - Day 8
Galápagos Islands (Santa Cruz Island)
You'll explore Santa Cruz Island starting in the morning at Puerto Ayora. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where recently hatched giant tortoises and Darwin's famous finches are on display. There's also a prickly pear cactus forest home to many land birds. Enjoy lunch in the lush highlands where giant tortoises graze and wallow in pools. You'll have time for another activity like mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.
- Meals
- Lunch (In lush highlands)
Included Activities
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Giant tortoise breeding center viewing
- Darwin's finches observation
- Prickly pear cactus forest exploration
- Lunch in highlands
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking
- Sugar plantation visit
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Station Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz Island - Day 9
Galápagos Islands (Floreana)
After breakfast, take a panga boat ride through the channels on Floreana's north shore and see incredible island views from Baroness Cove. Later you'll land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that's served as a post office for over two centuries. Following lunch, explore around Champion Islet in a panga boat or glass-bottom boat, which is one of the archipelago's best snorkeling spots. Then head to Cormorant Point where you'll walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon with American flamingos and pintail ducks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Panga boat exploration of Floreana north shore channels
- Baroness Cove viewpoint
- Visit to Post Office Bay historic barrel
- Lunch
- Panga boat or glass-bottom boat exploration around Champion Islet
- Snorkeling at Champion Islet
- Visit to Cormorant Point
- Walk from olivine-crystal beach to brackish lagoon
- Wildlife observation: American flamingos, pintail ducks
Landmarks Floreana Island Baroness Cove Post Office Bay Champion Islet Cormorant Point - Day 10
Galápagos Islands (Relaxation Day)
You'll relax onboard while anchored off Baltra Island after four days of exploring Galapagos environments. Use the library, gym, and hot tubs on the ship to recharge. In the afternoon, land at Las Bachas beach on Santa Cruz Island's northern shore. This white sand beach with turquoise water is perfect for spotting flamingos and sea turtles. Swim or snorkel before returning to the ship for a briefing about the next day's activities.
Included Activities
- Onboard relaxation time
- Access to ship library and gym
- Use of ship's hot tubs
- Afternoon visit to Las Bachas beach
- Swimming or snorkeling at Las Bachas
- Wildlife observation: flamingos, sea turtles
- Expedition briefing
Landmarks Las Bachas Beach Santa Cruz Island - Day 11
Galápagos Islands (Santiago Island)
You'll explore Santiago Island's beaches and landscapes. See the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove on the northwest coast with its marine birds and sea lions. Try water activities and check out rock formations like 'Elephant Rock' and 'The Bishop'. In the afternoon, head to Puerto Egas, one of the best visitor sites. See a colony of Galapagos fur seals and exotic birds, or swim and snorkel along rocky shorelines with marine turtles.
Included Activities
- Exploration of Santiago Island beaches and landscapes
- Visit to Buccaneer Cove
- Marine bird and sea lion observation at Buccaneer Cove
- Water activities
- Viewing of rock formations: 'Elephant Rock', 'The Bishop'
- Visit to Puerto Egas
Optional Activities
- Excursion to view Galápagos fur seal colony and exotic birdlife
- Swimming or snorkeling along rocky shorelines with marine turtles
Landmarks Santiago Island Buccaneer Cove Puerto Egas Elephant Rock The Bishop - Day 12
Galápagos Islands (Rábida and Bartolomé)
Your morning starts on tiny Rabida Island off Santiago Island's southern shore. Take a panga ride along the coast to explore the island's red-colored beach. Watch a sea lion colony and look for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and Darwin's finches. In the afternoon, sail to Bartolome Island's golden sands, dominated by Pinnacle Rock. Swim or snorkel at the beach or discover marine life in a glass-bottom boat. You might spot Galapagos penguins on the shore, then hike to the summit for nice views.
Included Activities
- Panga boat ride along Rábida Island coast
- Red-colored beach exploration
- Sea lion colony observation
- Marine iguana viewing
- Mockingbird, yellow warbler, and Darwin's finch observation
- Visit to Bartolomé Island
- Swimming or snorkeling at Bartolomé beach
- Glass-bottom boat tour for marine life viewing
- Galápagos penguin observation
- Hike to Pinnacle Rock summit for views
Landmarks Rábida Island Bartolomé Island Pinnacle Rock 
- Day 13
Galápagos Islands (Genovesa)
You'll explore Genovesa Island, a birdlife haven. The morning starts with a steep but short 90-foot climb up Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) to reach a flat rocky plateau. Walk while looking for large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Afterward or instead, hop into a kayak. In the afternoon, land at Darwin Bay's beach for a swim. Stroll while observing hundreds of island birds, or swim, snorkel, kayak, and relax on the beach.
Included Activities
- Climb Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) - 90 feet
- Walk along rocky plateau
- Nazca booby colony observation
- Red-footed booby colony observation
- Great frigatebird and storm petrel observation
- Afternoon visit to Darwin Bay beach
- Swimming at Darwin Bay
- Bird observation walk
Optional Activities
- Kayaking instead of or after initial climb
- Snorkeling at Darwin Bay
- Relaxation on beach
Landmarks Genovesa Island Prince Philip's Steps (El Barranco) Darwin Bay - Day 14
Galápagos Islands (Santa Cruz) to Quito
Your last morning starts on Santa Cruz Island's north shore. After a dry landing at a passenger wharf and a bus ride to the island's higher region, see giant tortoises in the wild. The windward slopes are reserved as a tortoise habitat with two species living in lush highlands featuring forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids, and bromeliads. Afterward, transfer to Baltra airport for your flight to Quito and your international connection. If you prefer, continue to Guayaquil instead.
Included Activities
- Dry landing at passenger wharf on Santa Cruz north shore
- Bus ride to island's higher region
- Giant tortoise in the wild viewing
- Walk through Galápagos daisy, orchid, and bromeliad forests
- Transfer to Baltra airport
Optional Activities
- Continue to Guayaquil instead of Quito
Landmarks Santa Cruz Island
