DAY 1 GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

Arrive in tropical Guayaquil, gateway to the Galápagos, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel del Parque

DAY 2 GUAYAQUIL | B ALTRA, THE GALÁPAGOS

Fly to the remote Galápagos island of Baltra, where you join your naturalist guide for the ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. Disembark and drive up into the island’s mist-shrouded highlands in search of giant tortoises. Next, traverse the lava tubes that run beneath this volcanic archipelago. Continue on to Puerto Ayora and board ‘La Pinta,’ your Galápagos expedition ship for the next four nights. After settling in, attend an introductory briefing. Dinner on board this evening is followed by a summary of the next day’s shore excursions. Because weather, water and wildlife conditions are subject to constant change, your islands itinerary is not fixed, but two daily excursions are planned to the top sites and islands.

‘La Pinta’ | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 CRUISING THE GALÁPAGOS | EDEN & SOMBRERO CHINO ISLETS

After breakfast, get fitted for your wetsuit and snorkeling gear before boarding a panga (small open boat) for a shore excursion to Eden Islet, a biodiverse enclave secluded off Santa Cruz. Here, observe the island’s iconic blue-footed boobies. Take this opportunity to snorkel the reef or view marine life aboard a glass-bottom boat. Back aboard ‘La Pinta,’ cruise onward to Sombrero Chino, yet another secluded islet of the Galápagos archipelago. Disembark your panga to hike wilderness trails, swim in a sandy cove, and snorkel among white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.

‘La Pinta’ | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 CRUISING THE GALÁPAGOS | BARTOLOMÉ & SANTIAGO ISLANDS

Disembark on Bartolomé Island to hike the volcanic terrain leading to its summit. After a panga ride to visit the penguins of Pinnacle Rock, snorkel the reef, relax on the beach or take in the local marine life aboard a glass-bottom boat. Later, swim or snorkel along the white coral sand beach of Sullivan Bay.

‘La Pinta’ | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 CRUISING THE GALÁPAGOS | GENOVESA ISLAND

This morning, hike and snorkel Genovesa Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Explore Darwin Bay, snorkeling along the cliffs or paddling out in sea kayaks. View the island’s cliffs before disembarking to climb the steep, rocky pass of Prince Phillip’s Steps. Your ascent leads to a clifftop frequented by Nazca boobies, frigate birds, storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl.

‘La Pinta’ | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 GUAYAQUIL/LIM A, PERU | BEGIN A PERUVIAN ADVENTURE

Disembark ‘La Pinta’ at Baltra Island, where you transfer to the airport for the flight back to mainland Ecuador, and then board another flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, you are met and assisted to your hotel.

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 CUSCO | SACRED VALLEY

Fly to Cusco, located more than 11,000 feet above sea level, where you are met and transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit Awana Kancha, a center where South American camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, are bred. Learn about the valuable fibers created from their coats, and perhaps take the opportunity to feed these iconic animals. Then, visit the beautiful Hacienda Sarapampa to learn how the Incas developed unique varieties of corn, how their ancestral techniques survive along with the modern production methods, and the importance of corn to the local economy.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 SACRED VALLEY | LIKE A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME

Today, visit a remote village seemingly frozen in time, where you experience ancient agricultural methods used for centuries in a challenging Andean mountain environment. Then, visit Moray, a fascinating archaeological site comprised of a series of concentric agricultural terraces, some almost 500 feet deep. Stop for lunch at Rancho Wayra, where you are treated to a spectacular equestrian performance of Paso horses and marvel at the graceful gait of these elegant animals.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 MACHU PICCHU | BINGHAM ’S STUNNING FIND

En route to the train station, visit the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, a formidable structure of massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes. Next, journey deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu by train, gazing out at the spectacular Peruvian countryside. Once on site, explore the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, guided by a local expert. Overlooking the Urubamba River and discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu forever holds the secret of its passing — its Incan inhabitants left no written records of its purpose. Built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca empire, it was most likely the estate of an emperor. Curiously, excavations here have revealed skeletons, artifacts and woolen clothing, but no gold. As you wander amid the age-old stone walls, picture life as it might have been in this majestic citadel, set some 8,000 feet above sea level. Tonight, stay in the only hotel on site, designed to echo the soaring natural surroundings.

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO | WALK THE SPECTACULAR RUINS

Rise with the sun and join your expert guide to walk through Machu Picchu in the early morning mist before the crowds arrive. You may opt for a hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), entry point to the ruins from the Inca Trail, or steep Huayna Picchu. After your explorations, bid adieu to this ‘Lost City of the Incas,’ and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Cusco by train, savoring incomparable views of the mountain scenery that surrounds you. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cusco, a 400-year-old architectural treasure that was once a monastery. Spend an evening at leisure, free to relax or stroll this ancient Incan capital on your own.

Belmond Hotel Monasterio | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11 CUSCO | DESIGN YOUR DAY

Discover Cusco on a city tour this morning that includes the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Temple, a Dominican church built on the foundations of the Koricancha, the Incas’ principal religious building. Later, visit the well-preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a testament to Incan architectural skill. Compiled of colossal stones, the largest of which may weigh as much as 200 tons, the walls were cut and placed together with incredible precision and without a single drop of mortar to hold them in place. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities: Visit the San Blas Neighborhood, an art district where styles are handed down through generations of artisans. Stroll San Pedro Market, tasting the local flavors of Cusco at this vibrant open-air venue. Join a Photographer in Cusco, who helps you capture authentic images of the city’s architecture and people. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the elegant MAP Café.

Belmond Hotel Monasterio | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12 DEPART LIMA

Relax with a morning at leisure in Cusco. Later today, fly to Lima and connect with your homebound flight.

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport (dayroom) | Meals: Breakfast