Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and head to a 2 pm welcome meeting to connect with your group leader and fellow travelers. After that, there's a leader-led walking tour through the vibrant Miraflores area, then you have free time to wander around the neighborhood at your own pace. This is a good opportunity to try ceviche, the iconic Peruvian national dish, though plenty of other local food options are available if seafood isn't your preference.
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Miraflores
Optional Activities
- Group dinner in Miraflores
Landmarks Miraflores - Day 2
Lima to Paracas
You'll start with a guided walking tour through Lima's historic centre, passing atmospheric streets lined with ornate mansions, palaces and Spanish colonial churches. You'll see Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, San Francisco Monastery and the central market where vendors sell fresh produce and regional specialties. Later you'll walk along Alameda de Chabuca Granda, a pedestrian strip where locals gather for street food and entertainment. By afternoon, you'll travel by minivan to the coastal town of Paracas.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima's historic centre including San Francisco Monastery, Catacombs and Central Market
- Visit to Alameda de Chabuca Granda
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Cathedral of Lima San Francisco Monastery Central Market of Lima Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Day 3
Nazca
A 2-hour boat tour takes you to Islas Ballestas where you'll see pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and penguins. Then you'll head by private van toward Nazca, stopping in Huacachina oasis town for lunch. You can climb the viewing tower to see the ancient Nazca Lines or book an optional flight for a better perspective. As the sun sets, you'll drive to a local's traditional mud house in the desert for a homemade pachamanca dinner (potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones) after a brief ceremony.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Huacachina oasis town), Dinner (Homemade pachamanca dinner (potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones) at local's traditional mud house with ceremony thanking Pachamama and chicha (corn beer))
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Islas Ballestas
- Viewing tower at Nazca Lines
- Pachamanca dinner at local's traditional mud house
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (USD100 excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport)
Landmarks Islas Ballestas Nazca Lines Huacachina - Day 4
Nazca to Arequipa
You'll leave Nazca and travel to Arequipa by private vehicle. This city sits at the foot of El Misti Volcano and features baroque architecture built from pale volcanic rock called sillar, earning it the nickname 'the White City'. After a long driving day, you can walk around the main plaza to stretch your legs and check out the nearby cathedral and cafes.
Landmarks El Misti Volcano - Day 5
Arequipa
A local guide will help you get to know Arequipa. You'll visit the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel on a walking tour. Lunch is at a traditional picanteria restaurant where you can try classic Arequipa dishes like rocoto relleno and queso helado. Afterward you're free to explore on your own, perhaps returning to the main square for a closer look at the cathedral, wandering cafes, or heading to the suburb of Yanahuara. You can also visit the Juanita Museum to see Peru's famous 'Ice Maiden' mummy.
- Meals
- Lunch (Group lunch at a picanteria with classic Arequipa specialties including rocoto relleno, solterito and queso helado)
Included Activities
- Walking tour visiting main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel
- Admission to Santa Catalina Monastery
- Admission to Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
- Group lunch at a picanteria with classic Arequipa specialties
Optional Activities
- Juanita Museum Admission Fee (PEN20)
Landmarks Santa Catalina Monastery San Ignacio Chapel Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa Yanahuara - Day 6
Arequipa to Puno
You'll travel by minivan to Puno on Lake Titicaca's shores. It's a long drive but the views of Peru's highlands and the Altiplano are dramatic and scenic. Along the way you'll stop at the pre-Inca ruins of Sillustani to see circular burial towers called chullpas on a beautiful peninsula near Lake Umaya. You'll then continue to Puno, a cultural center of Aymara and Quechuan Indigenous heritage and the Folklore Capital of Peru.
Included Activities
- Visit to Sillustani archaeological site
Landmarks Sillustani Lake Umaya - Day 7
Lake Titicaca
You'll start with a motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca (3820 m/12,533 ft above sea level), learning about its spiritual significance for Quechua people. You'll visit Uros Titinos, floating islands made entirely from layers of totora reeds that are constantly rebuilt as the reeds decay. Then you'll head to Taquile Island where you'll climb a one-hour uphill paved path with great views, then enjoy an optional lunch of quinoa soup and muna tea (Andean mint tea). After, you'll descend roughly 500 steps back to the boat for your return to Puno.
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca day tour
Optional Activities
- Set lunch consisting of quinoa soup and muna tea (Andean mint tea) on Taquile Island
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Titinos Taquile Island - Day 8
Puno to Cusco
You'll take a scenic public tourist bus across the Altiplano toward Cusco with a rest stop along the way. Stock up on snacks before you leave. Cusco is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city with colonial buildings built on Inca foundations. On a guided walking tour you'll see the facade of Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. Your leader can recommend dinner spots.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Cusco covering Qoricancha temple facade, San Pedro market, main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square
Landmarks Qoricancha Temple San Pedro Market Plaza de Armas 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square - Day 9
Cusco
You have a free day to explore Cusco at your own pace. Your included boleto turistico (tourism ticket) gives you access to several museums and archaeological sites like the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum and the Inca ruins of Q'enqo, Pica Pakara and Pisac. Qoricancha is the most accessible, a former Incan temple that once held the empire's riches until the Spanish built a Dominican church on top of it.
Included Activities
- Full Boleto Turistico Pass providing access to 16 archaeological sites (transport and guides not included)
Landmarks Contemporary Art Museum Regional History Museum Qosqo Native Art Museum Q'enqo Pica Pakara Pisac - Day 10
Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo
You'll travel through the Sacred Valley, known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, where maize crops cover terraced valley walls and the sacred river flows below. You'll stop for a guided tour of Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking Cusco built from enormous stone blocks. After lunch at AMA Restaurant in Urubamba (a cafe employing and training single mothers), you'll head into the Sacred Valley to the rarely visited Huilloq community. You'll be welcomed with an offering to Pachamama and learn about ancestral textile techniques, then have a guinea-pig lunch (vegetarian option available). Later you'll drive to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of its archaeological site with views over the present-day settlement.
- Meals
- Snack (Coffee and cake at AMA Restaurant in Urubamba), Lunch (Guinea-pig lunch in Huilloq community (vegetarian option available upon request))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress
- Visit to AMA Restaurant and learning about the social enterprise
- Community visit to Huilloq with welcome ceremony to Pachamama
- Guinea-pig lunch in Huilloq community (vegetarian option available)
- Guided tour of Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Urubamba Huilloq Ollantaytambo - Day 11
Aguas Calientes
You'll catch a train through the winding Urubamba Valley climbing toward Aguas Calientes, a seriously scenic journey through cloud forest. The town sits at the foot of Machu Picchu, making it a perfect place to relax. Your leader can recommend walks around the area. If you're interested, you can do the optional One Day Inca Trail trek (11 km/7 miles), which requires pre-booking at least 30 days ahead. This starts with a 6:30 am train, includes a local guide leading past archaeological sites like Chachabamba and Winay Wayna (2680 m/8,793 ft), and ends with a 1.5-hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) before entering Machu Picchu, then a bus back to Aguas Calientes.
Included Activities
- Train journey through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes
Optional Activities
- One Day Inca Trail trek (11 km or 7 miles) - Must pre-book minimum 30 days before departure (USD465)
Landmarks Urubamba Valley Aguas Calientes Chachabamba Winay Wayna Intipunku - Day 12
Machu Picchu - Cusco
You'll take an early 5:30 am bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu. This city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, though it may have been a sacred site even longer. You'll take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. After, you'll catch the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then enjoy a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo before a final drive to Cusco for the night.
Included Activities
- Early bus ride to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins including temples, palaces and living quarters
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
Landmarks Machu Picchu - Day 13
Cusco
You have free time to explore more of what Cusco has to offer. Your boleto turistico lets you check out any archaeological sites you missed earlier, or you can grab coffee at Plaza de Armas and do some people-watching. If you're still seeking adventure, the hills surrounding Cusco work well for mountain biking. Ask your tour leader for advice on optional activities and recommendations.
Optional Activities
- Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD100
- Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
- Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
Landmarks Plaza de Armas - Day 14
Cusco to Lima
You'll take a short unescorted flight from Cusco to Lima. Upon arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel and met by a local leader who can help with optional activities. The day is free to spend however you like, whether revisiting sites from the trip's beginning, doing some final souvenir shopping, or gathering the group for one last night out.
Included Activities
- Arrival transfer to hotel in Lima
Optional Activities
- Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
- Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
- Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
- Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
- Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
- Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
- Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
- Lima - Cathedral of Lima (entrance fee) - PEN12
- Day 15
Lima to Quito
You'll head to Lima Airport for a flight to Quito, Ecuador. Quito sits at high altitude beneath Pichincha volcano, stretching along a valley surrounded by the Andes. You'll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel upon arrival. The rest of the day is free until a 5 pm welcome meeting. After that, you'll head out with your new leader and fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant to try traditional flavors and get to know your group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group dinner at local restaurant with traditional Ecuadorian flavors)
Included Activities
- Arrival transfer to hotel in Quito
- Welcome meeting at 5 pm
- Group dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano - Day 16
Isla San Cristóbal
An early morning airport transfer gets you to your flight to the Galapagos Islands (pick-up around 4:30 am, total flight time roughly 3.5 hours with a stop in Guayaquil). A boxed breakfast will be provided. You'll be met by your National Park Guide and transferred to your catamaran, the M/Y Queen Beatriz. This afternoon you'll visit Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado (Red Hill) to see giant tortoises in a national park breeding program and information center, learning about their origin, evolution and conservation challenges.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Boxed breakfast provided before departure), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Interpretation Center Visit at Isla San Cristóbal (1 hour) - Dry Landing
- Highlands Walk at Isla San Cristóbal (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
Landmarks Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado Puerto Baquerizo Isla San Cristóbal - Day 17
Isla Santiago
You'll explore Bartolome, one of the Galapagos' most spectacular volcanic landscapes with parasitic spatter cones and lava flows. You'll hike up 360 wooden steps to a volcano top for superb views toward Sullivan Bay on Isla Santiago. Watch for Galapagos penguins, lava lizards and the rare Galapagos Hawk. You'll snorkel with tropical fish, starfish, white-tipped reef sharks, rays and hopefully penguins. On Santiago's eastern coast you'll walk on Pahoe-Hoe lava from an 1897 eruption, spotting marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins while your guide explains the islands' geology.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Isla Bartolomé - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Bartolomé - Snorkelling (1.5 hours)
- Isla Bartolomé - Panga ride (30 mins)
- Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
Landmarks Isla Bartolomé Pinnacle Rock Sullivan Bay Isla Santiago - Day 18
Isla Santiago
You'll explore wonderful locations on Santiago Island. Start at Espumilla Beach in James Bay, one of the most beautiful Galapagos spots and an important marine turtle nesting site. You'll watch for hawks, ghost crabs, blue-footed boobies plunging for fish and brown pelicans. The palo santo forest and lava formations are spectacular. You'll visit Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove), a natural monument with historic pirate ties and Darwin's old research camp. Finish at Puerto Egas, a black sand beach with Sugarloaf Volcano nearby. You'll see hundreds of marine iguanas and sea lions, then snorkel in tidal pools formed from lava flows home to sponges, snails, hermit crabs and fish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Isla Santiago - Espumilla Beach - Panga ride or Snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Santiago - Buccaneer's Cove - Panga Ride (45 mins)
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Walk (1.45 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Snorkelling (1 hour)
Landmarks Espumilla Beach Caleta Bucanero Puerto Egas Sugarloaf Volcano - Day 19
Puerto Ayora to Mainland Ecuador
You'll have an early start to make the most of your final Galapagos visit before a mid-morning flight to mainland Ecuador. You'll explore Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservation work continues. You'll get close encounters with giant tortoises, baby tortoises and land iguanas. After this final excursion you'll head to the airport. Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, you'll get an included transfer to your hotel and the option to join fellow travelers for an optional dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing
- Arrival transfer to hotel in Quito
Optional Activities
- Optional group dinner in Quito
Landmarks Puerto Ayora Charles Darwin Research Station - Day 20
Quito
Your Galapagos adventure ends after breakfast with no planned activities, so you can depart whenever your onward travel plans require. If you'd like to extend your stay, Quito has many things to see and do. Contact customer service about optional activities that interest you. They can also help book a departure transfer to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
