15-Day Peru and Ecuador with Machu Picchu and the Galapagos
15 days
15-Day Peru and Ecuador with Machu Picchu and the Galapagos
Contact Us for Pricing Request trip informationCombine the best of Peru and Ecuador, visiting Machu Picchu in Peru and the Galapagos in Ecuador!
This special itinerary includes our top recommendations for both countries. Tours are listed in groups, but may be private tours as well.
In Peru, travel to Cusco, the heartland of ancient Inca culture. You'll discover the city of Cusco, the highlights of the Sacred Valley and the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu.
In Ecuador, visit historic Quito in the high Andes and add either a trip to the market city of Otavalo or to beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. After flying to the Galapagos, explore the islands on a first class cruise boat, led by expert naturalist guides to view seabirds, iguanas, sea lions, giant tortoises and marine life.
Your trip can run in reverse, starting in Ecuador and ending in Peru. We recommend a 5-day Galapagos cruise, but we can also arrange other options including 4- or 8-day cruises, and land-based Galapagos island hopping options.
We can also offer extensions to the Amazon (in Peru or in Ecuador), to the Ecuadorian highlands, and throughout Peru including Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon.
Feel free to inquire with us regarding international or domestic flights - we can help you book all the necessary fights for the trip.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Lima evening; welcome and assistance; overnight Lima airport hotel
Arrive Lima in the evening. You will go through immigration, get your luggage and go through customs. Enter the terminal and your agent will greet you and provide assistance for your check in to your hotel at the airport. Overnight Lima airport hotel.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Costa del Sol Lima Airport (Wyndham)
Day 2: Walk to terminal; fly to Cusco; welcome and transfer to hotel; overnight Cusco (B)
Walk to the terminal and check in for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive Cusco, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, with an orientation en route.
You will have the afternoon free to acclimatize to the altitude (3,400 meters; 11,000 feet). Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and is set high in the Andes Mountains. Here Spanish churches and mansions sit alongside Inca remains. Nearly 600 years ago, the Inca nation appeared in Southern Peru, and in a relatively short time, consolidated its power in Cuzco, before expanding north to what are now Ecuador and Colombia and south to present-day Chile. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza or similar
Day 3: Free morning; afternoon Cusco city tour and nearby ruins (in a group); overnight Cusco (B)
You have the morning free to acclimatize and wander on your own in the Plaza de Armas vicinity. In the afternoon, you will have a tour (in a group) of the city sites (Cathedral and Qoricancha) and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko and Pucapucara will educate you on the history of this astonishing center of the Inca Empire. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza or similar
Day 4: Full day tour of the Sacred Valley with lunch (in a group): Pisac & Ollantaytambo village and ruins; overnight in the Sacred Valley (BL)
Pick up at your hotel for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley: this morning continue towards Pisac, for an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture, famous for its Andean market with its interesting food and artisan stalls. Try your bargaining skills here always keeping in mind handmade artwork is worth it!
Enjoy a buffet lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you visit Ollantaytambo, a still-thriving Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning views over the valley that makes you feel as if you have stepped back into the 15th century. Admire the magnificence of this important Inca site and stroll through the quaint streets of the present town. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Pakaritampu or similar
Day 5: Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes); free afternoon; overnight Aguas Calientes (B).
We transfer you from the hotel in the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo train station in order to take the Vistadome train that brings us to the town of Aguas Calientes, near Machu Picchu.
You have the afternoon free in Aguas Calientes, to visit the local craft market, hot springs baths, local museum and gardens. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: El MaPi Hotel or similar
Day 6: Shuttle, entrance, guided tour of Machu Picchu (group); option to climb Huayna Picchu; train return to Cusco; transfer; overnight Cusco (B)
Today, you meet your guide early for the shuttle, entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu (in a group).
There is an option to climb Huayna Picchu at 7 or 10 a.m. (ticket required and not included; must order at least 90 days in advance of your travel), or hike to the sungate (Inti Punku)(ticket not required). Lunch on your own.
Return to Aguas Calientes for the late afternoon Vistadome train that takes you back to Cusco, and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza or similar
Day 7: Transfer to airport; fly to Lima; continue with flight to Quito; arrive, transfer and overnight Quito (B)
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Lima. You will continue with a flight to Quito (Guayaquil is also an option). Arrive Quito. You will be greeted and provided with a transfer to your Quito hotel. Overnight Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Dann Carlton Hotel Quito
Day 8: Colonial Quito Tour and the Equator (private); overnight Quito (B)
Today enjoy a day tour of Quito (private). In the morning. we'll visit Colonial Quito with its historic churches and government buildings. After lunch (not included, but available on request), we'll visit El Mitad Del Mundo or "The Middle of the World," a fascinating monument on the equator. Once you're through touring the highlights of Quito, we'll return to your Quito hotel where you'll overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Dann Carlton Hotel Quito
Day 9: Otavalo Market and City or Cotopaxi Park Day Tour (group or private); overnight Quito (B)
Enjoy a day tour in the Ecuadorian highlands with lunch. Tours may be private or in a group.
OPTION 1: Your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and give you a brief introduction to the hacienda, rose production, and the famous Otavalo Market. Your first stop will be the hacienda that grows some of the most beautiful roses in the world. After lunch, drive to Otavalo for an afternoon of shopping.
OPTION 2: Your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you south to the Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy easy hiking and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Return to Quito in the late afternoon/ early evening for your overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Dann Carlton Hotel Quito
Day 10: Shuttle to airport; fly to the Galapagos; arrive and transfer; excursion; overnight on board (BLD)
This morning, the shuttle will take you to the Quito airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Arrive in the Galapagos (Baltra or San Cristobal).
Travelers are picked up at the airport and transferred to your vessel. After your welcome cocktail and a chance to get situated on board the board, we'll enjoy our first activity of the trip. The excursions vary from land and dinghy rides, with wet and dry landings. You will be assured of seeing the signature Galapagos wildlife during your cruise.
Each cruise ship has specific itineraries, that are set by the National Park, and they vary from week to week. We will be able to give you the itinerary for the cruise ship and that cruise, when we have talke with you about your dates.
Overnight on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Standard Plus Cabin
Day 11: Explore the Galapagos Islands; overnight on board (BLD)
There will be two excursions today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch will be served on the boat. Again, the itinerary is determined by the cruise ship and dates.
There will be opportunities to snorkel and swim, with many of the excursions. In the evening, there are lectures and programs on the Galapagos, as well as a briefing for the next day's activities. Overnight on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Standard Plus Cabin
Day 12: Explore the Galapagos Islands; overnight on board (BLD)
There will be two excursions today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch is served on the boat. Again, the itinerary is determined by the cruise ship and dates.
There will be opportunities to snorkel and swim, with many of the excursions. In the evening, there are lectures and programs on the Galapagos, as well as a briefing for the next day's activities. Overnight on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Standard Plus Cabin
Day 13: Explore the Galapagos Islands; overnight on board (BLD)
There will be two excursions today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch is served on the boat. Again, the itinerary is determined by the cruise ship and dates.
There will be opportunities to snorkel and swim, with many of the excursions. In the evening, there are lectures and programs on the Galapagos, as well as a briefing for the next day's activities. Overnight on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Standard Plus Cabin
Day 14: Morning excursion; transfer to airport; fly to Quito; overnight Quito airport hotel (B)
This morning will include a final excursion and you will transfer to the airport (Baltra or San Cristobal), for your flight to Quito.
When you arrive Quito, you may take the shuttle on your own to a hotel near the airport. Overnight Quito airport hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Wyndham Quito Airport
Day 15: Hotel shuttle to airport; depart for home (B)
Depending on your departure flight, you may have the morning free. Then, take the hotel shuttle on your own to the airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
15-Day Peru and Ecuador with Machu Picchu and the GalapagosContact Us for Pricing
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
INCLUDES:
PERU
ECUADOR
|
EXCLUDES:
PERU
ECUADOR
|