Experience Overview
Combine the awe-inspiring wonders of the Incas with the extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos on this unforgettable 17-day adventure through Peru and Ecuador. Glide through the Sacred Valley by rail en route to the legendary Machu Picchu, savour the culinary magic of Lima, and set sail aboard the Yolita to explore the hidden gems of the Galápagos. From the untouched beauty of Genovesa in the north to the volcanic landscapes of Isabela in the west, every stop offers something extraordinary. Hike to the crater rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, relax on pristine white-sand beaches, and snorkel alongside playful sea lions. Experience the best of both worlds in two of South America’s most enchanting countries.
Highlights
- Travel by train through the beautiful Urubamba Valley to the misty town of Aguas Calientes
- Witness the majestic mountains surrounding Machu Picchu
- Learn about the deep history of the Incas
- Spend seven nights cruising in the Galápagos Islands aboard the Yolita
- Explore the least visited islands of Isabela and Genovesa to see massive bird colonies and impressive volcanoes
- Hike to the top of the Sierra Negra volcano
- Go snorkelling with sea lions and search for turtles and rays
Trip Details
Product Code: 29451
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Public bus, train, private van, plane. motorized yacht (Yolita), panga
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: SPM10YA
Starts: Lima, Peru
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 17 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Cusco
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Train to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu guided tour
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
- Highlands and wild tortoise excursion
- Kayak and snorkel excursion
- Snorkelling at Black Beach and Loberia (Floreana Island)
- Biking excursion (Isabela Island)
- Sierra Negra Volcano hike
- Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre visit
- Isabela Municipal Tax
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (9 nts), aboard the Yolita in twin-share cabins (7 nts).
- 16 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
- Public bus, train, private van, plane. motorized yacht (Yolita), panga
Group Leader
- G Adventures Representatives in Lima, Cusco and Quito, specialist Inca Trail CEO (Chief Experience Officer) for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu., CEO (Chief Experience Officer)/Naturalist Guide while in the Galápagos Islands (certified by the Galápagos National Park Authority)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $11,899 ($700 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Lima/Cusco
Fly to Cusco. Free time to shop and explore. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class, or try out a city tour, and visit museums and archaeological sites.
Travel to the airport for the early morning flight to Cusco. Spend the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city.
Our best advice for exploring Cusco is to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, arm yourself with a city map, and set out to explore.
Day 3: Cusco/Sacred Valley
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Perhaps choose to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.
Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Day 4: Sacred Valley/Aguas Calientes
Journey to the beautiful town of Aguas Calientes and perhaps enjoy a visit to the local hot springs or explore the market.
Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. Enjoy the rest of the day taking advantage of the hikes and hot springs in the area.
Day 5: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Start early to visit the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins with an expert guide before returning back to Cusco.
Start early to catch the sunrise at the top. Take the bus up to the historic spiritual centre of the Incas, the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins with an expert guide then explore on your own.
Later, return by train to Ollantaytambo and meet a private vehicle to head back to Cusco.
Day 6: Cusco
Enjoy a free day in Cusco. Opt to visit the local market, a nearby archaeological site, or get a massage.
With plenty of free time you can choose to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain. Pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 7: Cusco/Lima
Head to the airport and fly back to Lima where you will enjoy free time to explore the city at your leisure.
Day 8: Lima/Quito
Fly to Quito. Flight is unescorted and included in the price of the tour.
Your transfer to the airport and your flight to Quito are included in this trip. Please note that this flight is unescorted and your transfer will be waiting for you at the Quito airport and will bring you to your hotel.
Day 9: Mariscal Sucre International Airport/Seymour Airport
Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, flamingos and marine iguanas.
Day 10: Genovesa Island
Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.
Day 11: Bartolomé Island/Sullivan Bay
Visit Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the island's dramatic volcanic features. Continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach.
Day 12: Isabela Island
Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, explore the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.
Day 13: Elizabeth Bay/Urbina Bay
Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. Visit Urbina Bay, located at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail for a chance to see land tortoises in the wild, watching for land iguanas along the way.
Day 14: Tagus Cove/Punta Espinoza
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.
Day 15: Rábida Island/Santiago Island
Enjoy a morning panga ride in Buccaneer Cove, watch for sea lions, shorebirds, and interesting lava formations. Take an afternoon excursion to the red sand beaches of Rábida to see a lagoon and sea lion colony. Enjoy snorkelling nearby with schools of tropical fish and sea lions.
Day 16: Islas Daphne/Quito
View Daphne from the boat, the tiny conical island is home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and Darwin's finches, after, fly back to Quito. Enjoy an evening in Quito.
Day 17: Quito
Depart at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
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