Wonders of the Galápagos & Machu Picchu - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2024)

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 tortoise. 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.

'La Pinta' | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, get fitted for your wetsuit and snorkelling gear. Then, Ride Like a Local, boarding a panga for a shore excursion to Eden Islet, a secluded, biodiverse enclave off Santa Cruz. Here, observe the island’s iconic bluefooted booby. 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 shark and Galápagos penguin.

'La Pinta' | Meals: BLD

Disembark on Bartolomé Island to hike up to the volcano’s summit and take in the views. After a panga ride to visit the penguin 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 Philip’s Steps. Your ascent leads to a clifftop frequented by Nazca booby, frigate bird, storm petrel 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 board 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 3,352 metres above sea level, where you are met and transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit a sanctuary to interact with the South American camelid species living there — such as llama and alpaca — and learn about the valuable fibres created from their coats. Then, visit the beautiful Hacienda Sarapampa for a Chef’s Table experience. Enjoy lunch with the owner, who cordially shares his family’s history in farming and shows you around the farm.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: BLD

Today, visit Moray, a fascinating archaeological site comprising a series of concentric agricultural terraces, some almost 152 metres deep. Then, journey to a remote mountain village, where you experience ancient agricultural methods used for centuries, on an A&K-exclusive experience. Continue to the Children of the Rainbow school, a project supported by A&K Philanthropy, where you enjoy lunch and take in an equestrian performance featuring Paso Fino horses. Return to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing Scenic Sundowner before dinner.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba | Meals: BLD

Visit the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its massive stone terraces, and then Ride Like a Local by train, journeying deep into the Andes toward Machu Picchu. Alternatively (at an additional cost), start toward Machu Picchu by train, stopping at KM 104 to disembark and hike to the Sun Gate above the Incan citadel. 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 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 here as it might have been. Tonight, stay in the only hotel on site, just steps from the entrance.

Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu | 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, 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.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco | Meals: BL

This morning, discover Cusco on a city excursion that includes the Gothic Renaissance-style Cathedral Basilica 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 from colossal stones, its 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 plaza. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax or shop. Tonight, join your fellow guests for a farewell dinner at an elegant Cusco restaurant.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco | Meals: BLD

This morning, 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.

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 6:15 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.

A Medical Waiver signed by your doctor is required if you choose the option to hike the Inca Trail from KM 104 available on select dates. This full-day high-altitude hike is challenging and over steep and uneven terrain. A good level of physical fitness and appropriate footwear is necessary.

Please note: ‘La Pinta’ is a stylish expedition vessel ideal for small-group exploration. The ship and its shore excursions are shared with other passengers.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke Tailor-Made Journey based on this itinerary.