Peru and the Galápagos Islands

Welcome to the City of Kings. Meet your A&K representative and transfer to your luxury accommodation in the vibrant Miraflores neighbourhood. Spend time discovering the area full of resplendent boutiques, or head down to the Pacific Ocean and watch the mighty Pacific disappearing over the western horizon.

Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel

Unlock the secrets of the city on a private walking tour led by a local expert. Get the key to one of South America’s oldest houses, Casa Aliaga, among hidden courtyards and ramshackle rooftops. Stand in Lima’s birthplace, the Plaza Mayor, and appreciate architectural masterpieces including the historic cathedral, grand presidential palace and Santo Domingo Convent. Later, lose yourself among more than 45,000 classified pre-Colombian archaeological objects in the Larco Museum.

Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: B

Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Cusco, the former ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you are met and transferred directly to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,900 metres above sea level). Once the epicentre of the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley is speckled with little-known but spectacular ruins, many of which remain unexplored. It is difficult to imagine anywhere better to soak up the tranquillity of the mountain-ringed valley than from your luxury property, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel. Take time to acclimatise the local way — with rest and coca tea.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel | Meals: BD

This morning, experience a unique visit to an Andean highland community to meet local Quechua-speaking farmers and weavers. This personal encounter introduces you to the lifestyle and traditions of these Incan descendants. Experience a complete cultural immersion as you join in the daily activities and discover how local communities live today. Learn how vibrant food is being cooked in wood-fired, mud-brick stoves and delve into the ancient agricultural methods used for centuries in this unique Andean mountain environment.

Afterward visit the dramatic salt mines of Maras. These evaporation ponds — numbering 6,000 in total — have been used to produce salt here since pre-Inca times, and the natural colour variation of the pools, staggered in terraces down the side of the canyon, make them a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Continue to Moray, where a mysterious Inca archaeological site is located. The ruins of the circular agricultural terraces are thought to have been used by the Incas to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel | Meals: BLD

Begin your pilgrimage to Machu Picchu, stopping en route at the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, where the Incas celebrated their greatest victory over the invading Spanish. Afterward, board your train and absorb the majestic Andean landscape as the train winds through the mountains and cloud forest to Aguas Calientes where a short bus ride will bring you to the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in a hidden tangle of trees, the true history of Machu Picchu will forever remain an enigma, as the Incas left no written records. Unravel its mysteries as you explore with your expert guide.

Return to your hotel, located withing an intimately styled Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls and stone pathways.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel | Meals: BLD

Spend time exploring the natural beauty of your lodge, seeking out the more than 200 species of bird, before heading back to further discover the ruins. Delve deeper into the mysteries of the ancient citadel with the opportunity to climb to the ‘Inti Punku’, the famous Sun Gate. Or, for superior views across the ruins, pre-book to climb further to the highest mountain, Huayna Picchu, or continue a leisurely tour of the rambling stone terraces. Later board the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and continue by road to Cusco, the former ancient capital of the Inca Empire.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: B

Cusco’s rich tapestry of Spanish and Quechua influences is yours to explore this morning on foot with an expert guide. The cathedral in the central Plaza de Armas is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Americas, and it will leave you breathless. Seek out the fresco of ‘The Last Supper’ with Jesus eating guinea pig, a sacred motif of Incan paganism. Later, unearth the well-preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a testament to Incan architectural skill and precision. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Stroll at your own pace along the cobblestone plazas and winding alleyways, and search for treasures in one of the fascinating markets that dot the city.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: B

Venture into Cusco’s South Valley, Peru’s hidden treasure. Gaze in wonderment at Tipón, where the Incas created an impressive hydraulic system of baths, canals and aqueducts worthy of an empire that stretched from Colombia to Chile. Journey onwards to the enormous red adobe archaeological complex of Pikillacta, the only pre-Inca site in the Cusco area. Then, step into the surprisingly vivid ‘Sistine Chapel of Peru’ in Andahuaylillas.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel | Meals: B

Fly to Guayaquil in Ecuador, gateway to the Galápagos Islands. Accompanied by your A&K representative transfer to your hotel in the exclusive Samborondón neighbourhood.

Hotel Del Parque | Meals: B

Below is a sample itinerary for five days on the luxury catamaran, M/C Elite. Your final itinerary will depend on the individual vessel and route taken. This itinerary is suggestive only.

Transfer to the airport and fly from Guayaquil to the Galápagos Islands which lie some 1000kms off the mainland. A short ferry ride from the airport will take you to your first Galápagos Island, Santa Cruz. Follow your expert naturalist into the mist-covered highlands, where giant land tortoise roam — marvel at these gargantuan creatures, some reaching 1.5 m in length and more than 220 kgs. Take a surreal walk through an extraordinary underground lava tube, before continuing to the summit of the island’s highest hill for views over the entire archipelago. Your guide will introduce you to numerous endemic plants as well as up to seven species of finch and the vermillion flycatcher.

Your next stop will be a privately owned hacienda (farm). Learn how the first settlers survived making coffee, fine aroma chocolate and sugarcane liquor, and meet more ancient tortoise. Then, arrive at the small city of Puerto Ayora, where sailboats fill the bay, sea birds cruise the air, and marine iguana dot the shore. Board your luxury catamaran M/C Elite, your home on the sea for the next four days.

M/C Elite | Meals: BLD

The morning starts with a very interesting panga ride along the remote cliffs of Genovesa Island, home to literally millions of birds belonging to many different species including red footed boobies, frigate bird, swallow-tailed gulls, and even endemic owl. Ascend up Prince Phillip’s Steps (El Barranco), a steep path (27 m) carved into rock which leads to a plateau full of forested bird life. Admire Nazca boobies, Galápagos dove, mockingbird, and storm petrel. You may even spot a short-eared lava owl.

After a BBQ lunch on the yacht’s sun deck and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, you’ll have the option to explore the cliffs up close, either by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or on a snorkelling excursion from the Zodiac.

Later in the afternoon, land at Darwin Bay, a gorgeous coral sand beach teeming with wildlife. This scenic bay is named after Charles Darwin, the famous scientist and naturalist who created the Origin of Species theory. Here, you’ll see both swallow-tailed gulls, and lava gull — one of the rarest birds in the world — gathered near the tide pools. Relax on the beach, or choose to swim with friendly, playful sea lion in these warmer northern waters.

M/C Elite | Meals: BLD

Espumilla Beach is on the northern coast of Santiago Island nestled into James Bay. An important site for nesting sea turtles, embark on a gentle walk up a small rise for a magnificent view of the bay. Spy Darwin’s finch, Galápagos hawk, mockingbird and white-checked pintail. There’s also a lagoon where flamingos can be seen occasionally. Explore the Palo Santo Forest, home to some of the tallest specimens in the entire archipelago. The beach itself is a scenic spot to relax, snorkel and kayak after the hike.

This afternoon, step onto the black sandy beach at Puerto Egas and walk along century-old lava flow at Sullivan Bay. Get up close to a variety of resident and migrant birds, including the bizarre, yellow-crowned night heron and an astounding array of marine wildlife including sea urchin, octopus, lobster, starfish, and marine iguana grazing on algae beds alongside brightly covered sally light-foot crab. Colonies of endemic fur seal swim in cool water pools formed by volcanic rocks. Choose to swim, snorkel, or kayak off the beach, alongside sea lion and reef shark.

M/C Elite | Meals: BLD

Arrive on the north side of Santa Cruz Island and search for two small flamingo ponds with iguana, black-necked stilt, whimbrel, Darwin’s finch, mockingbird, gulls, as well as interesting native and endemic vegetation, red and black mangrove, salt bush, and more. You’ll also search for nesting sea turtle.

Continue to the twin craters of Los Gemelos. The lush green scenery of the highlands is in stark contrast to the more arid lowland coasts, providing a very different Galápagos experience. Viewpoints over the crater sink holes showcase the breathtaking landscape, and there is plenty of interesting birdlife to look out for too. In addition to the forest-filled sink holes, you’ll also be able to observe a variety of flora and fauna.

M/C Elite | Meals: BLD

Spend your last morning exploring Isla Lobos, located about an hour panga ride from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island. The islet is named after its large colony of sea lion; however, the small islet offers so much more, including blue footed boobies, frigate bird, and even a glimpse of the Galápagos fur seal.

This afternoon depart Galápagos for your flight to mainland Ecuador.

Meals: B