galapagos and inca trail

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

Sitting at an altitude of 2,850 m under the gaze of Volcan Pichincha, Quito is longg and thin, winding its way down a valley that drops down to the Amazon Basin. The historic Old Town has charming narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful buildings and some great penas where you can try delicious local food and practice your Spanish with the friendly locals.

Day 2 Baltra/Santa Cruz

Fly to the Galapagos Islands, located approximately 1000 km off the Pacific Coast. Long before Darwin arrived the islands had already developed a reputation among mariners as strange and wonderful lands. Teeming with wonderful wildlife, the islands of the Galapagos are sure to delight. Cruise through the untouched waters on a yacht and learning about the unique animal life in this part of the world from the onboard naturalist.

Day 3 Floreana

Discover Post Office Bay, where seafarers would drop mail and collect any letters destined for ports on their itineraries, a system that is still working today. Cruise around Floreana to reach the Devil's Crown, a fantastic place to snorkel among the colourful fish and playful sea lions.

Day 4 Espanola

Watch spectacular waves crash onto jagged cliffs in Punta Suarez, home to large bird colonies. The dense colonies will most likely include blue-footed boobies and red-billed tropical birds. The island is also home to fierce-looking iguanas and is a great spot to spot eagle rays swimming in the turquoise waters.

Day 5 San Cristobal/Santa Fe

Call into the San Cristobal Island Interpretation Centre before heading to Santa Fe, where there are many walking trails to explore. Hang out at a sea lion bachelor pad and learn how mangrove trees survive in such a harsh environment. Head into a forest of prickly pear cactus to explore or simply chill out on the beach.

Day 6 North Seymour/Baltra/Quito

With a bit of luck, see the flamboyant mating rituals of frigate birds at Seymour Island before returning to quirky Quito.

Day 7 Lima

Get a feel for Peru's colonial past on a guided walk around churches, museums and streets with carved balconies. For a taste of cosmopolitan coastal lifestyles, head to seaside Miraflores or Barranco to dine in local cafes. Don't go past the ceviche, a traditional seafood specialty.

Day 8 Cuzco

Possibly the most charming city in the Andes, Cuzco overflows with Spanish colonial buildings and the ruins of ancient temples.

Day 9 Sacred Valley

Stop in at the rural town of Pisac before travelling through the farming land and small villages of the Sacred Valley. The fertile region is filled with maize crops and terraces are carved high into the valley walls.

Days 10-14 Inca Trail/Cuzco

Follow the ancient paths of the Inca Empire on a trek that takes in ruins, mountain scenery, rich subtropical jungle and dreamy cloud forests. On the final day, hike to Machu Picchu in the early morning for an unforgettable South American experience.