Andean Heartland and Galapagos

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive La Paz

Arrive in La Paz at any time.

Day 2-3 Sucre

Sucre is a fascinating, historic town with plenty of opportunity to explore a variety of museums and colonial buildings. Options include a short side trip to the site of 60 million year-old dinosaur tracks!

Day 4 Potosí

The highest city of its size in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has had a tumultuous history as a silver mining centre during colonial times. Take an option to descend into a working mine for a close-up look at methods basically unchanged in decades, if not centuries.

Day 5-8 Uyuni / Salt Flats

Travel from Potosía to Uyuni and get a glimpse of the desert environment to come. Spend a night in town before embarking on a journey through the impressive Salar de Uyuni in some of the most isolated and dramatic geography in South America. Spend three days exploring the remote flats between piercing blue skies and blinding white salt flats and surrounding area by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Day 9 Night Bus / Train To La Paz

Return to Uyuni and take a bus/train trip that brings us back to La Paz by midday the following day.

Day 10-11 La Paz

Relax and take the afternoon to explore the highest capital city in the world. Highlights include museums and widely varying local markets.

Day 12-14 Puno / Taquile (B,L,D)

Enjoy spectacular views of the Altiplano countryside on a travel day from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca and on to Puno. Take a boat trip to visit the Uros , Amantani and Taquile islands, then immerse yourself in Peruvian rural life with a homestay in a small village.

Day 15-18 Cuzco

Enjoy spectacular views on a full day of travel through the high Altiplano region as we travel from Puno to Cuzco. With a friendly, colonial atmosphere, Cuzco offers nearby Inca ruins, cobblestone streets, museums, markets and churches.

Day 19 Ollantaytambo

Travel with our local guide through the Sacred Valley to Pisac and the picturesque town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo.

Day 20-23 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (3B,3L,3D)

Begin a once in a lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas with a morning trip to km 82, where our hike starts. Local porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry-free, and fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery fill every day of the hike. On the final day, climb the steps to Intipunku, the 'Sun Gate', to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco on day 13.

Day 24 Arequipa

Fly this morning to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city. Explore its delightful colonial past or make an optional visit to the peaceful Santa Catalina Convent.

Day 25-27 Colca Canyon / Arequipa / Night bus

The Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon on the planet. Spend one night in the canyon area, with an option to relax in the thermal pools just outside of town. Return to Arequipa and visit the local cafés, go for one more night on the town or rest up before the night bus to Nazca.

Day 28 Nazca

The heart of the coastal desert and ancient Nazca culture. Take an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines then visit a fascinating Pre-Inca cemetery in the Nazca desert with 1500 year-old mummies, bones and pottery.

Day 29 Pisco

In the morning we catch a bus for Pisco and travel along the coast. Enjoy the city's renowned local cocktail, the Pisco Sour.

Day 30 Lima

There is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, site of a lively sea lion colony, pelicans, penguins and other varieties of bird life. Arrive in Lima late afternoon for one last night on the town and a final Pisco Sour.

Day 31 Lima / Quito

Fly to Quito. Spend the night in Quito.NB. Flight is unescorted, not included and must be pre-booked.

Day 32 Puerto Ayora (L, D)

Early flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival we will be transferred by ferry and bus to Puerto Ayora where we meet our naturalist guide and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we have the chance to view some of the giant sea turtles and learn more about Darwin's work.

Day 33 North Seymour (B, L, D)

Today we will visit Cerro Dragon setting of two lagoons that are at times home to flamingos and land iguanas. From there we will travel to Guy Fawkes Island before heading to Seymour Island in the late afternoon. Our first landing shows us the great bird life of the island, including magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. We may also catch a glimpse of sea lions and several species of endemic plants.

Day 34 Bartolomé (B,L,D)

Arrive at Bartolomé Island early in the morning. Disembark for a short hike and enjoy the pure air and awesome views of San Salvador Island. Learn about the geological history of Bartolomé, as our naturalist explains its dramatic volcanic features, including unusual splatter cones. Sometimes it is possible to spot rare Galapagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist.

Day 35 Baltra/Quito (B)

This morning we reach Baltra Island. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy one last night with your new friends in historic Quito.