Itinerary

DAYS 1 – 3

Set in a valley ringed by snowcapped volcanoes, Quito welcomes you. Explore its many colonial churches, monasteries and museums, and visit the Equatorial Monument. Tour a rose plantation and visit the owner’s family home and private chapel. Visit the famous Otavalo market to admire the handcrafted textiles of the local, indigenous people. In the small town of Peguche — Ecuador’s center of weaving — enjoy strolling through the town’s narrow streets where quaint shops abound.

Plaza Grande, Quito

DAYS 4 – 7

The M/V Galápagos Explorer II awaits you for a 5-day cruise of the living laboratory where Charles Darwin studied and collected samples of the flora and fauna. His observations on the islands’ diverse species would later become the basis for the Theory of Evolution. You’ll explore the islands by Zodiacs and find opportunities to hike along scenic pathways, swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

M/V Galápagos Explorer II

DAYS 8 & 9

Those with limited time may leave this journey on Day 8, fly to Quayaquil for an overnight stay at Hotel Oro Verde, Guayaquil and then return home on Day 9.

DAYS 8 & 9

Explore the sights of colonial Lima with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and the Plaza de Armas Square. View the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art at the Larco-Herrera Museum. Enjoy a private lunch in Casa Aliaga, the oldest private mansion in continuous use in the western hemisphere. You’ll also visit Enrico Poli’s private collection of rare Peruvian and pre-Columbian crafts.

Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima

DAYS 10 & 11

Your time in the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, helps to acclimatize with the high altitude by ascending it gradually. During your stay in the Urubamba Valley — the Sacred Valley of the Incas — you’ll visit the artisan market of Pisac and explore the lovely Andean village of Chinchero. Enjoy a visit to the Willoq community, where you can learn about their culture from the children at the local school.

Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, Urubamba Valley

DAY 12

Board the scenic Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, the last bastion of the Inca Empire. The photos of this spectacular citadel perched high in the mountains hardly convey the awe-inspiring feeling of being here. You’ll have the opportunity to witness a sunrise over the ruins — an unforgettable experience.

Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu

DAYS 13 & 14

High in the Andes, more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Cuzco was founded in the 15th century by the Incas and was later conquered by the Spanish. You’ll explore the Convent of Santo Domingo, known as Korikancha to the Incas, a temple devoted to worship of the sun, and tour the countryside to see the National Archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman.

Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco

DAYS 15 & 16

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