PERU & THE GALAPAGOS IN LUXURY

Day 1 Arrive in Lima

Arrive in Peru's capital city today where you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Lima is a fascinating blend of colonial heritage, world-renowned gastronomy, and a lively contemporary arts scene. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after your journey or begin exploring the city’s diverse neighbourhoods and thriving restaurant scene.

Overnight: Hotel B

Day 2 Lima highlights & culinary tour

Today you’ll set out on a private guided tour introducing Lima’s rich cultural and culinary traditions. Begin the day with a visit to a colourful local market, learning about the country's culinary heritage with your expert guide. Round off the morning with a delicious lunch showcasing regional flavours. This afternoon, discover the historic heart of Lima on a guided exploration of the city’s colonial centre. Wander through atmospheric streets and plazas before reaching Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest continuously inhabited colonial residences in the Americas. Still owned by the same family nearly five centuries after its construction, the house delivers an intriguing glimpse into Peru's colonial past.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to enjoy Lima. Your hotel is located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco, one of Lima’s most colourful and fascinating districts.

Overnight: Hotel B

Day 3 To the Sacred Valley of the Incas

You’ll be transferred to the airport this morning for your short flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, a private transfer takes you into the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a region of dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages, and ancient archaeological treasures. Along the way you will stop for a private tour of the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose monumental stone walls stand as one of the finest examples of Inca engineering. Continue to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, a peaceful hideaway surrounded by spectacular views of the Sacred Valley.

Overnight: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

Day 4 Maras & Moray e-biking tour

Experience the Sacred Valley from a unique perspective today as you explore some of its most fascinating archaeological and cultural sites by e-bike. Led by your private guide, you’ll cycle through spectacular Andean scenery to Moray, a series of circular terraces believed to have been used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. Continue to the salt pans of Maras, where thousands of pools cascade down the mountainside in a striking display of traditional salt production that continues to this day. Your tour today will also include a traditional ‘Tribute to Mother Earth’ ceremony. Important in Andean spirituality, these ceremonies represent the enduring connection between local communities and the natural world.

Overnight: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

Day 5 Relaxation or further activities in the Sacred Valley

Today is free to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the Sacred Valley at your own pace. You may choose to relax within the grounds of your luxurious hotel, explore nearby villages, or simply absorb the magnificent mountain scenery that surrounds you. Your lodge has a wonderful spa, and the wider region is also renowned for riding, hiking, and visits to traditional markets.

Overnight: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

Day 6 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Set out today with a private guide to follow the final section of the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The first section of your trek ascends towards the strikingly terraced ruins of Wiñay Wayna, a remarkable Inca site accessible only on foot. Pause nearby for a scenic picnic lunch, surrounded by the high Andean landscape, before rejoining the main Inca Trail. Taking the walk at your own pace, you will eventually arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. Here you’ll gain your first memorable glimpse of Machu Picchu, rising above the valley below. After time to absorb the view, descend to your hotel in Machu Picchu town for the evening and a well-earned rest before exploring the Inca citadel in depth the following day. Your base for the night, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, is set in peaceful grounds surrounded by orchid gardens and cloud forest trails.

Overnight: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

Day 7 Machu Picchu & Cusco

Rise early for a private guided tour of Machu Picchu, one of the world's most celebrated archaeological treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your expert guide will bring to life the intriguing history, architecture, and mysteries of the remarkable Inca citadel. After your private tour, you will have the option to scale Huayna Picchu. This dramatic peak towers above Machu Picchu, rewarding those who reach the summit with spectacular views across the site and surrounding mountains.

After your morning at Machu Picchu, you will take the scenic journey by Vistadome train back through the Sacred Valley and on to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Your accommodation for the next two nights is the elegant Inkaterra La Casona.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 8 Cusco private tour

After breakfast at your hotel, set out on a private guided tour of Cusco’s highlights. Wander through atmospheric cobbled streets lined with colonial buildings constructed atop ancient Inca foundations. Explore bustling squares and hidden corners that reveal the city's unique blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. A visit to the colourful Mercado San Pedro provides a wonderful opportunity to browse traditional produce and handicrafts, and observe the hustle and bustle of this lively market. The afternoon is free for you to further explore Cusco’s pretty squares, museums, and handicraft shops at your own pace.

Overnight: Inkaterra La Casona

Day 9 Travel to Ecuador

Bidding farewell to Peru you’ll transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Lima and onwards to Quito. Upon arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. Set high in the Andes and surrounded by dramatic volcanic peaks, Ecuador's capital is an atmospheric city steeped in history. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax after your journey, or begin exploring your surroundings.

Overnight: Casa Gangotena

Day 10 Quito & the Middle of the World

You will be met by your private guide this morning for a comprehensive tour of Quito. Begin in the city’s beautifully preserved Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where carved balconies, baroque church façades and handsome plazas tell the story of one of Latin America’s great colonial capitals. Wander through atmospheric streets and into a traditional local market, where the stalls are piled high with exotic fruits, fresh herbs, and Andean grains. The morning continues with a tasting of Ecuador’s exceptional cacao, widely regarded among the finest in the world.

Later, travel north of the city to the Middle of the World Monument where you’ll have the opportunity to stand between two hemispheres. Round off the afternoon with an introduction to Ecuador’s artisanal agave spirits. Learn more about this emerging craft industry and settle in for a guided tasting.

Overnight: Casa Gangotena

Day 11 To the Galapagos Islands, Bachas Beach

This morning, transfer to Quito Airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in Baltra, you will be welcomed and transferred to your supremely comfortable catamaran. After time to settle in and a first lunch on board, set out on a first expedition with your expert naturalist guide. Explore the pristine white sands of Bachas Beach, an important nesting site for green sea turtles and one of the most picturesque beaches in the archipelago. The surrounding lagoon attracts flamingos and a variety of birdlife, while the shoreline is home to colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs and hermit crabs. You can also sample your first taste of snorkelling in the Galapagos, paddling through the calm waters in search of sea turtles and other marine species. Return to the boat and maybe enjoy a soak in the Jacuzzi before dinner.

Overnight: Elite Galapagos

Day 12 Genovesa Island – Prince Philip’s Steps & Darwin Bay

Overnight, the ship will have sailed to the northern island of Genovesa where an exciting morning of exploration awaits. You’ll first visit Prince Philip's Steps, a dramatic rocky staircase leading to a plateau of ancient lava. As you ascend, encounter nesting colonies of Nazca and red-footed boobies. After taking in the views, return to the water for an excursion by Zodiac, kayak or paddle board, tracing the coastline and looking for Galapagos fur seals wedged in the rocks. The surrounding waters are also perfect for snorkelling, with the possibility of encountering reef sharks and a variety of marine life.

Return to the vessel for lunch and time to relax on deck before your afternoon visit to Darwin Bay, a picturesque crescent-shaped bay formed by the collapse of an ancient volcanic crater. Calm waters provide ideal conditions for snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding, while the shoreline supports an abundance of birdlife. A gentle walk leads past mangroves, tidal lagoons and nesting sites for red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Reaching the summit, you can take in spectacular views of the bay and surrounding cliffs.

Overnight: Elite Galapagos

Day 13 Highlights of Santiago Island

Wake up to the new surroundings of Santiago, a diverse island in the central Galapagos. This morning you can choose to visit Espumilla Beach, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Galápagos. Its soft white sands, surrounded by tropical vegetation and volcanic landscapes, provide an idyllic setting for wildlife observation and marine activities. Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant along the shore, attracting herons, hawks, and pelicans in a fascinating display of predator and prey. The crystal-clear waters are ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding, with opportunities to encounter reef fish, octopus, moray eels and sharks. An alternative morning visit takes you to Buccaneer Cove, one-time refuge for pirates, sailors and whalers navigating the Pacific. A Zodiac excursion along the coastline reveals sea caves, towering cliffs and sculpted volcanic formations that provide nesting sites for boobies, pelicans and gulls.

After another relaxing lunch onboard, you’ll disembark once more to visit Puerto Egas, a striking black-sand beach rich in wildlife and volcanic scenery. A walk along the shoreline reveals marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, shorebirds, and tidal pools, while the surrounding lava formations provide shelter for Galápagos fur seals.

Overnight: Elite Galapagos

Day 14 Santa Cruz Island

By morning, the ship will have arrived at the northern shores of Santa Cruz Island. Here you can explore some of the compelling wildlife and geological sites that others may pass by. At Black Turtle Cove, travel by Zodiac through mangrove-fringed channels where sea turtles surface beside the boat and herons patrol the shoreline. Watch for reef sharks beneath the water and schools of golden rays gliding through the shallows. Continue into the highlands of Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises roam freely across the landscape. The island’s volcanic origins are evident in the sinkholes and vast lava tunnels that have been carved by historic eruptions.

Later this afternoon you will be able to visit another highlight of Santa Cruz, the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre (Charles Darwin Research Station). Here, giant tortoises from different subspecies are raised and prepared for reintroduction to their native islands as part of one of the Galapagos’ most important conservation programmes. Return to the ship this evening in plenty of time for a farewell dinner to mark the last night of your Galapagos cruise.

Overnight: Elite Galapagos

Day 15 Lobos Island & Departure

After breakfast, set out for a final Galapagos excursion exploring Lobos Island, a small islet off the shore of San Cristobal island. Named after the large colonies of sea lions that inhabit its shores, Lobos offers wonderful opportunities for close wildlife encounters. Snorkelling in the calm waters frequently brings sightings of playful sea lions, rays, and green sea turtles. A walking trail inland leads past nesting sites for blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds, providing a fitting final wildlife experience before you leave the archipelago. Following your visit, transfer to San Cristobal Airport in time for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Here, check-in for your flight home or continue your adventures in South America.