Highlights of Galapagos and Machu Picchu Adventure

DAY 1: Arrive in Quito, transfer to a local hosteria near the airport

Upon arrival at the international airport in Quitoyou will be met by a shuttle driver from your local hotel who will transfer your local, charming hotel, where you spend the first night of your adventure.

DAY 2: Arrive in Galapagos, Kayak Itabaca Channel, Explore Private Tortoise Reserve 

Early in the morning you will be transferred to the Quito airport for the flight to the Galapagos Islands. The tiny island of Baltra was a military base during the Second World War and has been the Galapagos’ principal airport for many years. The airport has been rebuilt using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use, making it the world’s first ecological airport.

Our adventure begins right after our arrival in the Galapagos as you head to the VIP lounge in the Baltra airport to change into your swimsuit, and then head immediately to the Itabaca Channel to begin your exploration of the Galapagos by kayak, stand up paddle board and snorkeling.

The unique turquoise colored waters there are home to some of the most amazing wildlife in the Galapagos; stunning wildlife can be seen throughout the paddle including sea lions, blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, lava herons, great blue herons, white-tipped reef sharks and more. We’ll paddle our sit on top ocean kayaks (doubles or singles) through red mangrove forests and past lava rock cliffs while looking for wildlife. A support boat escorts kayakers throughout the ride to ensure safety. We’ll spend between 1 ½ hours to 2 hours depending on the activity of the wildlife and the fitness and interest of the paddlers.

From the Itabaca Channel we head to the Santa Cruz highlands to our exclusive giant tortoise reserve and tented camp. The Galapagos Magic Tented Camp will be our home for the next two nights. The camp is far from the hustle and bustle of town, with only the sounds of nature to accompany us in the evenings.

From its perch high on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean we’ll have views of the mountains and forest surrounding the lodge, and off into the ocean where on a perfect day we can spot Floreana Island in the distance. Giant tortoises will be our companions at the lodge, and starlight will guide us to our rooms after a sumptuous dinner near the crackling fire.

After dinner explore the natural lava tubes on the reserve and enjoy an after dinner glass of wine or beer in our one-of-a-kind Lava Lounge built inside a lava tube! This is a truly special and unique place to relax around the fireplace and share stories from the day’s Galapagos adventures!

Accommodation: Galapagos Magic
Accommodations are in individual tree houses or semi-permanent, raised walk-in tents reminiscent of an African safari camp – with very different wildlife! Guests share two bathhouses that have flush toilets and hot showers.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Day trip to remote South Plazas Island with snorkeling

After breakfast, we will head back to the Itabaca Channel to continue or exploration of the Galapagos Island’s with a visit to the remote island of South Plazas. For the journey we will board our yacht, the Sea Finch, carrying up to 16 guests, where we can enjoy its outdoor seating areas and its air-conditioned dining lounge while taking in the sea and island views.

The Sea Finch will first deliver us to Punta Carrion, where we will have the chance to snorkel in its beautiful, clear waters. Here we can see a variety of tropical fish and graceful rays, and if we’re lucky, we might see white-tipped reef sharks that rest on the sandy ocean floor.

In the afternoon, we will visit South Plazas Island. Just a few hundred meters from the eastern shore of Santa Cruz Island, the Plazas Islands were formed from an uplifted seabed, almost giving them a tilted tabletop quality. We will disembark via dry landing on South Plazas where we often we are greeted by a colony of sea lions.

As we make our way up the shore, we will come upon a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents. The succulents are a beautiful ground cover whose red color contrasts to the luminescent green prickly-pear cactus grove that dots the shore – it’s an incredibly unusual and memorable vista. Yellow-gray land iguanas sit beneath the cactus patiently waiting for pears to drop, and South Plazas is one of the few islands where visitors can see land iguanas in the wild.

As we make our way further along the trail, we approach the southern cliff of the island, where we will observe nesting swallow-tailed gulls and several sea birds such as tropic birds, Nazca and blue footed boobies. Here we’ll take time to relax and enjoy the beautiful views.

Lunch will be served on the yacht with a backdrop of spectacular island views before returning to Santa Cruz. Along the way, we will likely see rays, turtles and other marine life as our boat speeds through the Pacific waters. We will then head back up into the Santa Cruz highlands for another memorable night at Magic Galapagos.

Included: breakfast, transport, excursion, snorkeling fins and mask, lunch, English-speaking guide, dinner, accommodation

Overnight: Galapagos Magic
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Travel to Isabela Island to view wildlife and snorkel at Tintoreras, and mountain bike the Wetland Trail

Today we take an early morning speed boat and transfer to Isabela Island where we will check into our hotel.  Our adventure begins with a tour of the Tintoreras, a group of small islands near the village of Puerto Villamil. The islands are named after the white tipped ‘Tintoreras’ reef sharks that swim in these calm waters.

On Tintoreras we will see almost all of the archipelago’s iconic wildlife: white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays, penguins, and of course pelicans and blue footed boobies. It’s like the Galapagos in miniature! After walking on the island, we will have a chance to snorkel in the bay. Don’t be surprised if some of the penguins or sea lions jump in to play alongside you in the water!

In the afternoon, we bike the Wetlands Trail where we can see marine iguana colonies and a number of different types of mangrove trees (all four can be seen here) as well as enjoying the network of trails, beaches and historic sites. At the end of the trail is the Wall of Tears, built in the late 1940’s by Second World War prisoners held at the US base on the islands.

Our guide will explain the importance of the Wall of Tears, giving us a glimpse into the lives of the island’s previous inhabitants. On this network of trails you will catch some beautiful views of the village below and we will have the chance to see birds and, maybe even some wild giant tortoises.

After our ride, we will return to the Isabela Beach House to freshen up before heading into the heart of Puerto Villamil for dinner. Isabela Beach House.

Overnight: Isamar
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5: Hike Sierra Negra Volcano To See Amazing Geology and Views of Islands from Above

Volcanic eruptions created all of the islands in the Galapagos, and you will get to see this geologic process first-hand as we explore Isabela, one of the youngest and most volcanically active islands of the archipelago.

We have the whole day to explore the Isabela highlands, and we start by hiking up to the crater of the massive Sierra Negra volcano, and then onward to the rim of the Volcan Chico. This fascinating walk usually begins with some morning fog and drizzle which sometimes persists in the shadow of the volcano, adding to its mysterious character. Despite the drizzle, we might see Galapagos hawks, finches, flycatchers and short-eared owls en route.

When we reach the rim of the Sierra Negra crater, the second largest in the world after the Ngorongoro in Tanzania, we will see the real reward for our efforts. The crater is so large, and the views so expansive, that photos can’t do it justice, but bring your binoculars and camera anyway!

Later, as we head towards Volcan Chico, we may get the feeling we are walking on Mars due to the alien landscape. While it appears to be utterly desolate, a closer look reveals small lizards scurrying among the rocks. From its rim, we will enjoy more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles.

After Volcan Chico and its extreme landscape, we will relax under the shade of a lovely “jaboncillo” tree to enjoy a delectable picnic lunch while taking in the spectacular and expansive views over the central and northern parts of Isabela Island. In the distance, we will be able to see Fernandina, Pinzon and Santa Cruz Islands. We then head back down to complete our day of hiking (16 km in total) and relax on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.

Overnight: Isamar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: Return to Baltra, fly to Mainland Ecuador, Continue to Lima, Peru

Today we take an early morning speed boat back to Santa Cruz and then transfer by land to Baltra for our flight back to mainland Ecuador and onward to Lima, Peru.

Overnight: Lima airport hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 7: Arrive in Cusco & Local’s Tour of Cusco

This morning you fly to Cusco – touch down, collect your luggage and meet your guide, then drive twenty minutes through the colourful South American streets to your hotel.

Meet in the Coffee Museum at 1pm to enjoy a tasty lunch and learn about the story and people behind this popular drink.

After lunch step out into the Cusco streets and explore with one of our carefully chosen guides. They are not only very knowledgeable but also great fun to be with. You do not want to cram too much in on your first day at altitude, so relax and get used to being up high with a gentle walk around this old Inca capital.

Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Qoricancha temple of the sun and perhaps take in the sights, sounds and smells of San Pedro food market too. If you normally shop in supermarkets and farmers markets, you are in for a surprise. Stands full of juicy exotic fruits, counters heaving with cow heads and sheep hooves and cheerful local women selling handmade cheeses, local breads, healthy juices and even toad soup.

The evening is free to relax and wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site city center.

3 Star Hotel: Casa Esmeralda or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 8: Cusco Ruins Hike

Today you stretch your legs with a delightful hike in the hills above Cusco. First you visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman. Huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheater. Once the scene of fierce battles it now hosts the annual re-enactment of traditional Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi and Warachikuy. Sundays also see families from Cusco head up here to play, fly kites and dig the traditional huatias, a method of cooking potatoes in the ground.

Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) followed by a special picnic lunch. A trail through the fields leads you to the intricately carved Inca Temple of the Moon. From here a beautifully preserved section of royal Inca Trail leads you down into the old San Blas district, home to the city’s artists and finally into the Plaza de Armas.

3 Star Hotel: Casa Esmeralda or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9: Moray to Maras Salt Pans Hike

Leaving Cusco behind you start your journey towards Machu Picchu. The hike starts at the fascinating circular ruins of Moray. While some think it was a landing pad for alien spaceships, most agree the Incas built this as an experimental agricultural centre. Concentric circular terraces allowed them to simulate different facing slopes and different growing temperatures to see which crops would grow where. They then used this knowledge to cultivate the varied terrain of their vast empire providing abundant amounts of food to feed the people.

After exploring Moray you take a mainly downhill trail through the fields. Depending on the time of year, you may have a chance to stop and chat with local farmers digging their fields of corn or planting potatoes. Perhaps you could have a go with the hand tools that have been used for centuries.

Along the way you stop for a for a homemade picnic with marvellous views across to the snow capped Viilcanota mountains before carrying on down to the spectacular salt pans of Maras. Here you can stop and watch as local families extract the salt by hand, much as they have done for centuries. You could even buy some of the famous Maras Pink Salt as a souvenir. Finally you take the old track down to the Sacred Valley, where once llamas, then horses carried out the salt to be sent across the empire.

Your support vehicle is on hand most of the day, should anyone prefer to take a ride rather than walk at any point.

3 Star Hotel: Lizzy Wasi or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Villa Urubamba or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10: Hike the Royal Inca Trail (km 104) to Machu Picchu

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek.

First you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.

Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song.

Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Total hiking distance: 11 km / 7 mi. While walking all you need is your daypack, as your over-night luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

3 Star Hotel: Waman Hotel or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: El MaPi by Inkaterra or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11: Machu Picchu Ruins & Train to Cusco

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu.

For years it was lost to the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.

This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river. Things are slightly easier now than in the time of the Incas and so you start your day with a twenty minute bus ride up to the site.

You will arrive early, allowing you to explore the ruins in the company of your guide, before they get too busy. The guided tour takes around two hours leaving you a few hours free to wander amongst the old Inca walls and just sit and take in the scale of the place on your own. For those who want to walk a bit more, you could take the hour long trail up to the Sun Gate, or a shorter trail to visit the Inca Bridge which once spanned a sheer cliff face.

Eventually the time comes to catch the bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board your train back along the Urubamba River. The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on a wonderful week.

3 Star Hotel: Casa Esmeralda or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 12: Free Morning in Cusco & Depart

Back once more in the old Inca capital you have time to enjoy all that this city has to offer, depending on your flight schedule. Museums, chocolate making classes, souvenir hunting or even just sitting in one of the many cafes and watching the world go by. The new late flights out of Cusco allow you to really maximize your time and get the most out of this holiday of a lifetime before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.

Meals Included: Breakfast