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Day 1
Journey begins
Fly to Quito and begin your journey towards the Galapagos and Machu Picchu. As you travel, anticipation builds for the remarkable wildlife, ancient cultures, and breathtaking landscapes that lie ahead, setting the tone for an unforgettable South American adventure.
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Day 2
Quito, Ecuador
On arrival at Quito airport, you are warmly welcomed by a member of our team who assists with your luggage and escorts you to the elegant Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel. During the drive, enjoy an introduction to Quito and Ecuador, with insights into the city’s history, culture, and what awaits during your stay in this Andean capital.
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Day 3
Quito, Ecuador
Discover Quito’s historic centre, the largest and best-preserved colonial quarter in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through Independence Plaza, framed by the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building, and Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the magnificent Church of La Compania de Jesus, famed for its richly gilded interior, then continue to the vast San Francisco Church and Convent, an architectural landmark of the Americas with an impressive baroque interior. The day concludes at the Middle of the World, where you stand with one foot in each hemisphere, a memorable moment at the equator.
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Day 4-7
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
Fly from Quito to the Galapagos and arrive on Baltra Island, crossing the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz. Journey into the lush highlands to visit Los Gemelos craters and a giant tortoise sanctuary, where lunch is shared among these gentle giants. Settle into the beachfront Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, your base for the next three days. Enjoy all-inclusive guided excursions exploring Garrapatero Beach, Tortuga Bay, and Las Grietas, alongside kayaking in Divine Bay, island hopping within the Galapagos National Park in the company of certified naturalist guides, and guided hikes across volcanic landscapes. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters with sea turtles and sea lions, observe iconic wildlife at close range, and learn about conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station, fully immersing yourself in the spirit of the islands.
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Day 8
Lima, Peru
After breakfast, bid farewell to Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. Connect via Guayaquil before continuing on to Lima. On arrival, meet our representative and transfer to the DoubleTree El Pardo Hotel, where you settle in and receive details for your time in Peru.
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Day 9
Lima, Peru
Discover Lima, the City of Kings, on a guided tour through its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass Plaza San Martín and Plaza Mayor, with views of the Government Palace, City Hall, and the Santo Domingo Convent, before visiting the Banco Central de Reserva Museum, tracing Peruvian art from ancient times to the present. Continue to the renowned Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre, set within a former hacienda built over a pre-Incan sacred site. Explore its remarkable collection of ceramics, textiles, and precious metals, including rarely seen storerooms. Enjoy lunch at Café del Museo, celebrating Peru’s rich flavours. The afternoon is free to stroll Miraflores or explore bohemian Barranco at your own pace.
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Day 10
Sacred Valley, Peru
This morning, meet our representative and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, begin your journey into the heart of the Sacred Valley. Visit Awanacancha, the renowned Andean textile centre, where ancient weaving and natural dyeing techniques are still practiced today. Continue to the colourful Pisac Market, a lively gathering place for local artisans offering traditional handicrafts—perfect for browsing and bartering. Conclude the day at Pablo Seminario’s Ceramic Workshop, where you’ll gain insight into contemporary Andean ceramics and, if he is in residence, meet the master artist himself in his working studio.
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Day 11
Machu Picchu, Peru
After breakfast, transfer to the station for a scenic journey aboard the Vistadome Observatory train to Aguas Calientes, travelling through dramatic Andean landscapes as the highlands give way to lush cloud forest. From here, take a short shuttle ride up to the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
With your private guide, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Discover its most iconic features, including the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Sun Dial, royal quarters and ceremonial areas, all set against a breathtaking mountain backdrop above the Urubamba River.
Following your guided visit, enjoy a refined buffet lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, ideally located at the entrance to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, return by shuttle to Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome Observatory train back to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met and transferred privately to your hotel for the evening.
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Day 12
Cusco, Peru
Today explore the remarkable Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the Sacred Valley and protect it from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. This site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. Continue to the charming Andean village of Chinchero, where a colonial church houses a rich collection from the Cusquenan School of Art. Journey onward to the Maras Saltpans, a stunning landscape of endless terraces where salt has been harvested for generations and admire the ever-changing hues reflecting the sun’s rays. Visit the Moray terraces, where circular depressions reveal the Incas’ advanced agricultural experimentation across microclimates. Enjoy lunch at Rancho Wayra, accompanied by a graceful Peruvian Paso Horse demonstration, celebrating the elegance and cultural heritage of these iconic horses.
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Day 13
Cusco, Peru
Explore the spectacular ruins surrounding Cusco before your departure. Begin at Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a ceremonial compound offering panoramic views and a striking example of Inca military power. Visit the Qenqo Amphitheatre with its subterranean galleries, the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara, and the terraced Inca Baths of Tambomachay with flowing aqueducts and waterfalls. Return to Cusco to admire the city’s rich history, including the Main Square, Cathedral, and Santo Domingo Church built atop the Inca temple of Koricancha. Stroll the bohemian streets of San Blas, home to artisan workshops and local crafts. In the afternoon, transfer to Cusco Airport for your return flight to the UK, carrying unforgettable memories of Peru, the Galapagos, and Colombia’s rich landscapes and cultures.
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Day 14
Arrive home
