Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco
You'll arrive in Cusco and head straight to your hotel in the city center. Since you're coming in at high altitude (11,150 feet/3,400 meters), this day is mostly about getting settled and wandering around the charming streets at your own pace. Take it easy, grab some coca tea if the altitude hits you, and get familiar with the neighborhood.
- Start point
- Cusco, Peru (Pick-up from Cusco airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore charming streets of Cusco city center
- Day 2
Cusco
Morning starts around 10:00 a.m. at San Pedro Market where you'll walk through stalls of local ingredients and then head to cooking class. You'll prepare trout ceviche, lomo saltado, and an Andean dessert, then make your own pisco sour with a head bartender. After lunch with what you cooked, the afternoon shifts to seeing Incan and colonial sites like Cusco Cathedral, Temple of the Sun, and the Sacsayhuaman fortress. You'll also check out archaeological sites at Qenqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Dishes prepared during cooking class)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- San Pedro Market visit and local ingredients learning experience
- Hands-on cooking class: trout ceviche, lomo saltado, Andean dessert preparation
- Pisco sour mixology with head bartender
- Lunch featuring prepared dishes
- City tour visiting Cusco Cathedral
- Visit Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha)
- Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress
- Archaeological site visit: Qenqo
- Archaeological site visit: Puca Pucará
- Archaeological site visit: Tambomachay
Landmarks San Pedro Market Cusco Cathedral Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) Sacsayhuaman Qenqo Puca Pucará Tambomachay - Day 3
Cusco to Sacred Valley
Early transfer takes you from Cusco toward the Sacred Valley. You start at Pisaq Market with its colorful local crafts and textiles, then continue to Ollantaytambo fortress where you can see the impressive Inca stonework and grab views of the valley. After lunch with regional food, you'll settle into your accommodation in the Sacred Valley for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Regional flavors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Pisaq Market visit
- Ollantaytambo fortress exploration
- Lunch with regional flavors
Landmarks Pisaq Market Ollantaytambo 
- Day 4
Machu Picchu
Full day at Machu Picchu starting with a scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo that winds through mountain landscapes (75°F/24°C). You'll join a shared excursion to explore the ancient Incan citadel and take in the architecture surrounded by green peaks. The return train journey back to Cusco gives you time to relax after a full day of walking around this high-altitude site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
- Shared guided excursion to Machu Picchu ruins
- Return train journey to Cusco
Landmarks Machu Picchu 
- Day 5
Rainbow Mountain
Shared full-day tour to Rainbow Mountain where the landscape shows vibrant hues across the slopes. You'll travel through the Andes with scenic views throughout, then tackle a guided hike to the summit for panoramic vistas. The hike takes several hours depending on fitness level. Lunch happens midway through with mountain views all around, and your guide shares information about local culture and history along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch amidst stunning backdrop)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through the Andes
- Guided hike to Rainbow Mountain summit
- Lunch with mountain views
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain 
- Day 6
Cusco to Quito
Transfer from your Cusco hotel to the airport for your flight to Ecuador. When you land in Quito, your shuttle driver will be holding a sign with your name. After the transfer, you'll check in at your hotel and have the rest of the day to rest and adjust to the change in scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (4-Star Airport Hotel)
- Day 7
Santa Cruz Island
Early morning transfer to Quito airport for your flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos (around 75°F/24°C year-round). After landing at Galapagos Ecological Airport, you'll meet your guide and cross the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. From there, head to the highlands to see Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. Lunch happens at a local ranch surrounded by freely roaming tortoises. Later you'll visit Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about island history and conservation work before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local ranch with giant tortoises)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cross Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island
- Santa Cruz highlands visit
- Galapagos Giant Tortoises observation
- Lunch at local ranch
- Charles Darwin Research Station visit
Landmarks Galapagos Ecological Airport Charles Darwin Research Station 
- Day 8
El Garrapatero Beach
Pack sunscreen, towel, and swimsuit for a visit to El Garrapatero beach known for white sand and clear waters. Your guide picks you up and takes you along the road to this beach spot. You'll have time to relax, walk along the shoreline, and paddle a kayak through calm waters and hidden coves. Watch for sea lions, iguanas, seabirds, and sally lightfoot crabs scattered around rocks and shallows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- El Garrapatero Beach visit
- Leisurely shoreline walk
- Kayaking in calm waters and hidden coves
- Wildlife observation: sea lions, iguanas, seabirds, sally lightfoot crabs
Optional Activities
- Flamingo spotting (weather dependent)
Landmarks El Garrapatero Beach - Day 9
Uninhabited Island Excursion
Boat ride (1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on sea conditions) takes you to one of four uninhabited islands: Bartolomé, North Seymour, Santa Fe, or South Plazas. Each has different landscapes and wildlife depending on where the boat goes that day. A warm meal gets served on board. You'll snorkel on nearby beaches, swim with sea lions, see various fish schools, and maybe spot Whitetip Reef Sharks and Galapagos Penguins. Return to Puerto Ayora around 4-5 p.m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Warm meal served on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Boat ride to uninhabited island
- Island exploration with unique landscapes and wildlife
- Meal served on board
- Snorkeling experience
Landmarks Bartolomé Island North Seymour Island Santa Fe Island South Plaza Island - Day 10
San Cristobal Island
Speedboat ride (2-2.5 hours depending on sea conditions) takes you to San Cristobal Island. Once there, you'll visit the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center to learn about Galapagos history and ecology. Later, head to nearby Tijeretas Hill for views and a chance to see frigatebirds, known locally as Tijeretas, with their distinctive red chests and black feathers perched around the cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Public speedboat ride to San Cristobal Island
- Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center visit
- Tijeretas Hill visit
- Frigatebird observation
Landmarks Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center Tijeretas Hill 
- Day 11
360° Tour
Full 360-degree tour of San Cristobal Island with four main stops throughout the day. Start at Bahía Rosa Blanca, a white sand beach where you can snorkel. Move to Punta Pitt known for lots of wildlife. Continue to Bahía Sardina for more water activities and spotting. Finish at León Dormido (Kicker Rock), one of the best snorkeling spots here. Each location gives you different experiences and chances to see the island's marine life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunchbox)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-Star Hotel)
Included Activities
- Bahía Rosa Blanca visit and snorkeling
- Punta Pitt visit with wildlife observation
- Bahía Sardina visit with water activities
- León Dormido (Kicker Rock) snorkeling
Landmarks Bahía Rosa Blanca Punta Pitt Bahía Sardina León Dormido (Kicker Rock) 
- Day 12
San Cristobal Island Departure
Last day on the Galapagos before heading out. A transport will pick you up from your hotel and take you to San Cristóbal Airport for your departure flight. This gives you time to take in the final moments of the islands before flying out.
- End point
- Avenida Alsacio Northia, San Cristóbal - Galápagos, 2001, Ecuador (Drop-off at San Cristobal airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Last glimpse of Galapagos Islands
