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Ecuador & Peru: The Galápagos, Cuzco & Machu Picchu

15 days  |  18 days with Lima & the Amazon Region extension

Group size
15–35 travelers
Activity level

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Now departing: your bucket list trip to South America.

A cruise of the Galápagos Islands, complete with wildlife walks and snorkeling? A stop at the citadel of Machu Picchu, heart of the Inca Empire? An optional journey into the wilds of the Peruvian Amazon? From Ecuador to Peru, this tour showcases South America at its tropical and mountainous best. And to see the continent at its most lush, indulge your inner explorer by adding the extension to Puerto Maldonado, Peru’s ecotourism hub and the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

Your tour package includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 3 nights aboard the M/V Galápagos Legend cruise ship
  • 13 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 6 dinners
  • 1 wine tasting
  • 3 food tastings
  • 14 sightseeing tours
  • Expert Tour Director & local guides
  • Private deluxe motor coach
  • 4 on-tour flights
  • 2 train rides

Included highlights

  • Cerro Panecillo viewpoint
  • Quito’s historic center
  • Giant tortoise nature reserve
  • Genovesa Island & Darwin Bay
  • South Plaza & Santa Fe Island
  • Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island
  • Sacsayhuamán archaeological site
  • Ollantaytambo ruins
  • Machu Picchu
  • Urubamba tile workshop
  • Sacred Valley of the Incas
  • Huaca Pucllana in Lima

Itinerary

Quito

Day 1: Flight & late-night arrival in Quito

Welcome to Ecuador! After arriving in Quito, make the short transfer with your groupmates to your hotel. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use the rest of your day to settle into your room, grab a bite to eat at your hotel, catch up on sleep, and look forward to the rest of your journey.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Quito

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome lunch

The highest capital on the planet. The closest capital to the equator. The oldest capital in South America, and one of the very first World Heritage Sites inscribed by UNESCO. There’s no place quite like Quito, and today, you’ll embark on a guided sightseeing tour of it with your Tour Director.

  • Start by driving up El Panecillo, a cerro—or hill—topped by a 135-foot-tall aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary. Pause to appreciate a panorama of the volcano-rimmed city before descending into town.
  • Sit down to enjoy an included welcome lunch, then forge into the 16th-century historic center. Your first stop: the Basilica of the National Vow. Get a good look at the largest neo-Gothic church in the Americas, then continue on your way.
  • Keep walking through the historic center, passing Carondelet Palace, the seat of the Ecuadorean government; Independence Square, the vast public space locally known as Plaza Grande; and the Quito Metropolitan Cathedral, the most important Catholic church in the city.
  • Enter the Church of the Society of Jesus. Known simply as La Compañía, this Spanish Baroque house of worship boasts an opulent, gold leaf-lined interior, made more striking by mesmerizing geometric carvings.
  • Step inside the sprawling Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, yet another immaculately preserved piece of Ecuador’s colonial past.

Afterward, return to your hotel, unwind, and pack. This time tomorrow, you’ll be cruising the Galápagos Islands.

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Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

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Mercure Alameda Quito

This contemporary hotel is located in La Mariscal district of Quito. Guests enjoy two restaurants, a wine bar, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find the Basilica of the National Vow, Parque El Ejido, and the...

Galapagos Legend

This boutique cruise ship sails in the waters around the Galápagos Islands. Guests enjoy a pool and jacuzzi, gym, and stargazing area. Nearby, you’ll find snorkeling equipment to use, an auditorium, and a dolphin observation deck.

Hilton Garden Inn Cusco

This contemporary hotel is located in Santa Ana. Guests enjoy courtyard yoga, Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour market. Nearby, you'll find Plaza de Armas, Quirikancha, and Sacsayhuaman.

El MaPi by Inkaterra

This contemporary hotel is located in Aguas Calientes. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a bar, and laundry service. Nearby, you'll find Machu Picchu, Phuyupatamarca, and the Urubamba River.

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado

This chalet-style hotel is located in Urubamba, Peru with panoramic views of the surrounding Sacred Valley. Guests enjoy the on-site planetarium, full-service spa, and garden with hammocks. Nearby you’ll find downtown Urubamba,...

Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

This luxury hotel is located in Lima's Miraflores neighborhood. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, sauna, and the hotel's fine collection of Peruvian art and colonial antiques. Nearby you'll find Huaca Pucllana, Malecón de...

Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción

This hacienda-style lodge is located in the Amazon Rainforest on the shores on the Madre de Dios river. Guests enjoy the spa, binoculars for rent, and access to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. Nearby, you’ll...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

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