Galapagos Cruise + Machu Picchu & Peru’s Land of the Inca

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Guayaquil, Ecuador

Upon arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to the Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil, a convenient locally-owned hotel, for an overnight stay. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. If you wish, you may instead fly into Quito, Ecuador’s historic capital city in the highlands, elect a pre-voyage extension to Mashpi Reserve in the tropical Andes, or arrive a day early in Guayaquil to rest and relax. Or opt for the full-day excursion from Guayaquil to Hacienda La Danesa.

Day 2 – Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship

This morning, fly to the Galápagos and board National Geographic Endeavour II. After lunch, we begin our exploration of the islands and their remarkable wildlife.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3-8 – Exploring the Galápagos Islands

Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

North Seymour: Follow coastal trails past playful Galápagos sea lions on this wildlife-rich central island. Continue inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance, and where we may also encounter prehistoric-looking land iguanas feeding on cactus.

Isabela: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye open for whales and dolphins, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish. Over two days, land in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville, and look for wildlife along the wildly eroded volcanic shore.

Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguins and the largest marine iguanas. Hikes ashore lead across impressive recent lava flows.

Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the wide sand beach, and snorkel offshore, at Gardner Bay.

Floreana: Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the famous barrel at Post Office Bay.

Santa Cruz: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George, and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. See the giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.

Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You might even see Galápagos penguins, one of world’s rarest.

Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt. Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along Santiago’s spectacular coast, and explore an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.

Genovesa: Sail across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, surrounded by warmer tropical waters.

San Cristobal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island, and dig your toes into the powdery white sand at a gorgeous beach fronted by iconic Kicker Rock. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions thrive in the middle of town.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil / Lima, Peru

Depart Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru, via Guayaquil. Check into the Belmond Miraflores Park, set on a wide promenade overlooking the Pacific, where we spend two nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 – Lima

Explore World Heritage-designated colonial Lima this morning, where we stroll the Plaza Mayor and delight in a private welcome lunch with a special musical presentation at Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima. Then visit the extraordinary Larco Museum dedicated to pre-Columbian art. Return to our hotel with dinner on your own to sample local fare.

Day 11 – Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Board a short scenic flight to Cusco this morning, and continue to Moray—a visually stunning Inca site with dramatic agricultural terraces in the heart of the fabled and fertile Urubamba Valley. After lunch and an opportunity to experience a local market, check into our hotel. In 2024, our hotel is Sol y Luna, A Relais & Chateâux property, where we stay in individual casitas set in verdant greens.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 – Sacred Valley

Spend the day exploring the archaeological sites and culture of the Sacred Valley in the company of National Geographic expert Peter Frost (or a colleague), who has lived and worked in Peru for decades. He or a colleague joins us for a talk at our hotel and a visit to the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, set above a thriving Inca community. Lunch is at a working, family-owned hacienda, where we are treated to a show of Peruvian Paso horses, and National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa, founder of El Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco, demonstrates Inca weaving traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 – Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu

Marvel at the dramatic scenery and life along the river en route this morning by train to Machu Picchu, the Inca royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. Check-in at the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, adjacent to the World Heritage site, with the leisure to explore over two days in the company of our hand-picked tour director and local guides. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 – Machu Picchu / Cusco

Awaken this morning at Machu Picchu, where our local and veteran guides share their intimate understanding of this site, focusing on the history and far-reaching cultural influence. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the center of the Inca universe, a burgeoning cultural capital, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check-in at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for two nights. Occupying a monastery founded in 1592, our hotel—like much of colonial Cusco—is built atop Inca stones.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 – Cusco

Explore the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral, sacred Inca Temple of the Sun, and other treasures of Cusco. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls, the most impressive yet, command views over the city. Relax, shop, or visit one of Cusco’s many churches and museums this afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 16 – Cusco / Lima

After breakfast and a final morning at leisure, say goodbye to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima, connecting to flights home. Depending on your flight schedule, optional rooms at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel are available, or join our Upper Amazon Expedition aboard Delfin II.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Dates & Rates

Ships

National Geographic Endeavour II

This National Geographic Endeavour II accommodates 96 guests in 52 thoughtfully appointed cabins. She is exceptionally nimble and maneuverable, with a shallow draft to get up close, great viewing from all public spaces, an expansive open-air observation deck, large windows in cabins and suites, and state-of-the-art tools for exploration.
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