The Best of Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands

About this package

Start this ideal travel package at Quito’s fantastic Historic Quarter for well-conserved colonial sites, then continue with the one and only Middle of the World for a tour of the place where both hemispheres meet. You will then set sail on our recently refurbished, state-of-the-art Yacht La Pinta for an unforgettable 5-day cruise in the Galapagos Islands. Next, Peru! The captivating Machu Picchu will bring you closer to one of the most intriguing ancient civilizations of this side of the world. With it, a series of historic cities welcome you: The capital, Lima, Sacred Valley, and Peru’s other top archaeological site, Cuzco.

What's Included

Your Itinerary

Ecuador is so diverse, there’s plenty of amazing places to visit. In Quito, you’ll stay at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel, the former family residence of one of Ecuador’s most prominent writers, located at the center of the Historic Quarter. Then head on over to the Middle of the World for a private tour. Galapagos follows. Board our recently renovated Yacht La Pinta, with modern accommodations and every facility, for enriching tours, hiking, wildlife observation, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, or glass-bottom boat and panga rides. Next, wondrous Peru! Tour a string of extremely special cities: Lima, Sacred Valley, Cuzco, and, of course, the crown jewel: Machu Picchu. The best trip of your life is waiting for you!

Quito and Middle of the World tour

Casa Gangotena’s Rooftop Terrace provides the best view of Quito’s Historic Quarter

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

A member of our team greets arriving visitors at the airport and assists them with their luggage. Then, it’s off to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito’s historic quarter. On the ride over, the guide will provide a brief overview with lots of useful information about Quito and Ecuador.

Day 2: Old Town Quito + Middle of the World

The Historic Center of Quito is full of gems worth visiting. As the most well-preserved old town in all of Latin America, Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! After exploring this part of the city, it’s time to head over to the Middle of the World and learn all about the equator.

Galapagos Tour

See endemic species unique to the Galapagos archipelago!

Day 3 – Arrive in Galapagos / Transfer to Boat / South Plaza Island

Baltra Airport

This morning you’re transferred to Quito’s airport to board your flight to Baltra Island, where your next transfer takes you to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There’s an introductory briefing and emergency boat drill, you’re assigned to your cabin, and then, lunch. We raise anchor and start sailing to South Plaza Island for the first afternoon outing.

South Plaza Island

The shoreline of this small but spectacular island is made up of turquoise waters, white sand beach and volcanic rocks, where we will walk right by sea lion colonies. A carpet of scarlet-colored sesuvium succulents sits at the base of a large cluster of luminescent-green prickly-pear cacti. The yellow-greyish land iguanas crawl around while seabirds play along the cliffs.

Day 4 – Santa Fe & San Cristobal Islands

Santa Fe Island

This idyllic island is the only place in the world where you can find the bright yellow Santa Fe land iguana. We take the dinghy from Yacht La Pinta over to its white-sand beach, populated with colonies of sea lions, for a walk. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed here, typically found sitting perched atop the salt bushes. Afterward, you can either swim and snorkel along a natural wave barrier. You can also ride aboard Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat!

Cerro Colorado & Tortoise Breeding Center (San Cristobal Island)

After lunch, we will disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the archipelago’s capital city. Following this, we will take a 40-minute drive over to the island’s southern shore. Once there, at Cerro Colorado, we will visit the Breeding Center for the highly-endangered giant tortoises that amble around a fantastic deciduous forest. This forest is also home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird and the San Cristobal lava lizard.

Day 5 – San Cristobal Island

Punta Pitt

On this morning, we land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline, allowing guests to observe frigatebirds plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, you will have the chance to swim along the beach and snorkel, weather permitting.

Cerro Brujo

After lunch, a dinghy ride along the shores will take us over to Cerro Brujo’s expansive, white coral beach. This is a great site for walking, with rewarding birdwatching opportunities that feature plenty of seabirds and shorebirds. Galapagos sea lions will also be present. History Fact: These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked along back in September of 1835.

Day 6 – Española Island

Punta Suarez

The morning outing at Punta Suárez provides an exciting walk across lava terrain to visit the unique seabird colonies that populate this area. Waved albatrosses (visible from April until January), boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and the famous “blowhole” geological formation await! Also, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the red-green-black marine iguanas! Many regard this site as one of the best in all Galapagos. Afterwards, we will head back onboard for lunch.

Gardner Bay

In the afternoon, we will disembark at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. You can also choose to simply enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area. Alternatively, you can opt to kayak or take a ride aboard our glass-bottom boat.

Day 7 – Santa Cruz & Baltra Islands / Transfer to Airport / Arrive in Lima / Transfer to Hotel

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)/Baltra Airport

We disembark at the Puerto Ayora docks in the morning for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to check out the breeding program for giant tortoises. This gives you a good sense of the Foundation and the National Park’s progress regarding conservation. We take a bus to the opposite coast of Santa Cruz Island for a short ferry ride across the channel to Baltra Island and the airport, to fly back to the mainland.

Guayaquil

Arrive in Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport for a brief layover, then fly to Lima.

Lima

One of our team members will be there to meet you at Lima International Airport. Transfer to Double Tree El Pardo Hotel, check-in and get all the information and vouchers needed for your time in Peru. Overnight in Lima.

Peru Tour

The Machu Picchu ruins provide a glimpse into the way of life in Inca Empire.

Day 8: Lima City Tour

Today, tour Lima’s historic center for half a day! Visit Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, the Santo Domingo Convent, and the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank, for a view of the different stages of Peruvian art. Then we go to Pueblo Libre District, to a sacred site of the time before the Incas, to Larco Herrera Museum and Hacienda. It holds one of Peru’s best pre-Columbian art collections. Have lunch at the museum’s café and transfer to your hotel!

Overnight in Lima.

Day 9: Sacred Valley Tour

We’ll meet you at the hotel lobby to go to the airport and fly to Cuzco. Upon arrival, we’ll begin touring the Sacred Valley. First up, Awanacancha, the Andean textile center, properly named “the palace of weaving”. Later, see artisans in their natural element at the Pisac Market. Our last stop is Pablo Seminario’s Ceramic Workshop, where you can see ceramics being made. Today is perfect for buying souvenirs and gifts! You’ll have every traditional handicraft on hand. Have a box lunch before transferring to Tambo del Inka Hotel.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Day 10: Sacred Valley Tour

Today starts at Chinchero Town, for impressive views of the Peruvian Andes, and an artisan hub at its main plaza. Maras Salt Pans follows, where the extraction and crystalization of salt from nearby springs makes for colorful terraces everywhere you see! After a buffet lunch at Sacred Valley’s Tunupa Restaurant, we visit Ollantaytambo Fortress, the guardian of the valley, which protected the Incas from tribal invasions. Next, we’ll reach majestic Machu Picchu by train! Arrive at Aguas Calientes, the citadel’s town, and transfer to Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 11: Machu Picchu

This morning we’ll take a bus to get to Machu Picchu in 20 minutes, to begin your private tour. Visit Citadel’s Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, and Temple of the Three Windows. Have a buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant in Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. We’ll take a shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes by the afternoon for the return train to Cuzco. At the station, one of our team members will greet you transfer you to Cuzco Palacio del Inka hotel.

Overnight in Cuzco.

Day 12: Cuzco City Tour / Transfer to Airport / Farewell!

This incredible combined tour ends with a guided tour of Cuzco. Start with the Imperial City, for some more stunning Inca architecture! Regarded as the archaeological capital of South America, you can discover more of this ancient Empire’s history along Cuzco’s stone streets. Meet our representative at the hotel lobby by afternoon to check out and they’ll take you to the Cuzco Airport to board your flight back home.

Safe travels!

At a glance

You can enjoy kayaking in the Galapagos Islands!

The Galapagos Islands are the only place in the world where you can hug a cactus!

There are many endemic animals in the Galapagos Islands like the marine iguana

Española Island is a great place if you're interested in getting a look at the three boobies of the Galapagos Islands!

Albatross can only be seen in Español Island in the Galapagos archipelago

Get ready to snorkel next to sea lions, sea turtles, fish and more!

Quito's Old Town is a well preserved historic center in the middle of a bustling city!

The terrace at Casa Gangotena allows you to view some of the most iconic landmarks of Quito

The iconic San Francisco Plaza is located right next to Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel

Cuzco Skyline

Island Lake Titicaca tour in Peru

Machu Picchu a Peru destination

Machu Picchu skyline

Travel and visit Machu Picchu

A boat in Lake Titicaca

Conditions

• Subject to availability
• Not valid for Labor Day, National and Religious Holidays.
• Not valid for blackout dates.
• Invalid dates may have special rates. Please verify with your Destination Expert.
• A minimal deposit per person required.
• Credit card payments are exempt from additional fees.
• Rates listed are for adults. For rates for children younger than 12, please ask your Destination Expert.
• Galapagos itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions, logistical reasons, guests’ safety, and/or Galapagos National Park Regulations.
• Restrictions may apply.
• Does not apply to other promotions.
• Breakfasts and taxes are included for cruise and Quito hotel.
• International flights to and from Quito, Ecuador are not included.
• Rate based on double occupancy. For a single quote, please contact your destination expert.
• Solo travelers may incur a single supplement charge.
• All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Not Included

• International flights to Quito and Lima, nor from Cuzco
• Domestic flights in Peru (Lima-Cuzco-Lima)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses (late checkout, laundry, gifts, etc)
• Meals not described in the program
• Fuel surcharge*

*ETICA Empresa Turistica Internacional C.A. reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $70 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, ETICA Empresa Turistica Internacional C.A. will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $25.00 per passenger per day.