Wonders of the Galápagos & Machu Picchu - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2021)

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

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. Continue on to Puerto Ayora and board ‘La Pinta,’ your expedition ship for your four-night cruise through the Galápagos’ northern islands. ‘La Pinta’ is built for adventure, offering spacious cabins, floor-to-ceiling windows and a comfortable atmosphere. The vessel is ecologically sound and comes equipped with pangas (rubber rafts), a glass-bottom boat and sea kayaks that allow for independent exploration. Tonight, dine on board. (Note: On select dates, your cruise follows an alternate route, visiting the Galápagos’ eastern islands). 
‘La Pinta’ | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, get fitted for your wetsuit and snorkelling gear. Then, board a panga 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: BLD

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: BLD

This morning, hike and snorkel Genovesa Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Explore Darwin Bay, snorkelling 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: BLD

Disembark ‘La Pinta’ at Baltra Island, where you transfer to the airport to fly to mainland Ecuador, and then take a connecting flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. 
Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport | Meals: BL

Fly to Cusco, located more than 3,350 metres above sea level, where you are met and transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit Awana Kancha, a centre where South American camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, are bred. Learn about the valuable fibres created from their coats, and then, visit the beautiful Hacienda Sarapampa, sitting down to lunch on site with the owner, who cordially shares his family’s history in farming, and then shows you around the farm.
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: BLD

Today, visit Moray, a fascinating archaeological site comprised of a series of concentric agricultural terraces, some almost 150 metres deep. Then, journey to a remote village seemingly frozen in time, where you experience ancient agricultural methods used for centuries in a challenging Andean mountain environment, on an A&K-exclusive experience. Afterward, stop for lunch at Rancho Wayra, where you are treated to a spectacular equestrian performance of Paso horses. Return to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing scenic sundowner before dinner.
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: BLD

Begin your day with a visit to the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes. Next, journey by train deep into the Andes towards Machu Picchu gazing out at the spectacular Peruvian countryside en route. Once on site, explore the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, guided by a local expert. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca empire. Although this “Lost City” was revealed to the rest of the world by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location was long known to locals. Its original purpose, however, remains a matter of some conjecture, as the Incas left no written records. As you wander amid the age-old stone walls, picture life as it might have been in this mystical citadel, set some 2,400 metres above sea level. Tonight, stay in the only hotel on site, designed to echo the soaring natural surroundings.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Meals: BLD

Rise with the sun and join your expert guide to walk through Machu Picchu in the early morning mist before the crowds arrive. After your explorations, bid adieu to this “Lost City of the Incas,” and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ollantaytambo by train, savouring 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. Tonight, relax or stroll this ancient Incan capital on your own. 
Belmond Hotel Monasterio | Meals: BL

This morning, discover Cusco on a city excursion 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 tonnes, the walls were cut and placed together with incredible precision and without a single drop of mortar to hold them in place. Back in Cusco, stop for lunch at a local restaurant near the main plaza. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities:

• Visit the San Blas neighbourhood, a unique, bohemian enclave where you find the workshops of artisans.
• Stroll San Pedro Market and visit the Inca Museum for a taste of local fruits and cheese, and a glimpse into history.
• 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: BLD

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: B

Internal air included: Guayaquil/Baltra/Guayaquil/Lima/Cusco; Cusco/Lima

This journey contains some active elements.

Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 9:30 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: return to Lima airport in the afternoon on Day 12.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Note: Alternate Galápagos Eastern Islands Route.
On select dates, your Galápagos cruise follows an alternate route, visiting Baltra, South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Española and Santa Cruz islands on Days 2–6. Please contact A&K for details.

Tailor-Made Travel with A&K

If scheduled departure dates don’t work for you, or you would prefer to travel privately, please talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey for you, or your own small group with family or friends.