Sacred Valley Trekking to Machu Picchu and Galapagos Land, Sea, and Underwater Adventure

DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco & Local’s Tour of Cusco

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and escorted to your hotel. After some time to check in we introduce you to our city with the “Locals’ guide to Cusco.” This short walking tour is a great way to get your bearings and also helps you get used to the altitude. The beautiful historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 with Inca and colonial architecture evident all around. Later in the day your guide will give you a full briefing for the adventure ahead.

3 Star Hotel: Casa Esmeraldas or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Casa Andina Classic San Blas or similar
4 Star Hotel: Hotel Picoaga or similar

DAY 2: 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 Esmeraldas or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Casa Andina Classic San Blas or similar
4 Star Hotel: Hotel Picoaga or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3: 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: Villa Urubamba or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: San Agustin Monasterio or similar
4 Star Hotel: Sol y Luna or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: Hike Chinchero to Huayllabamba & Pisac Ruins

Today (Tuesday for group departures) is market day in Chinchero. The local women are very proud of their weaving heritage and dress in some of the finest traditional clothing of the whole Cusco region. You can visit a weaving demonstration and explore this very local market before heading into Chinchero ruins.

Chinchero is thought to have been the country palace of the Inca Tupac Yupanqui. The impressive walls and terracing that remain lie in the shadow of a small colonial church full of beautiful frescos. It is sited on and partly built from the ruins of the Inca palace.

You then take the old Inca trail connecting Chinchero to the Sacred Valley. In its time this would have been a very important trail, but these days you will probably have it to yourself. This path is all downhill and has some very finely preserved sections.

Your driver will be waiting at the bottom and after stopping for lunch you continue to the spectacularly located Inca citadel of Pisac. Located high above the modern day town a series of easy trails allows you to explore the various parts in the company of your guide.

You then head down to your hotel for the night.

3 Star Hotel: Villa Urubamba or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: San Agustin Monasterio or similar
4 Star Hotel: Sol y Luna or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5: 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

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: Killa Inn or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Hotel Sanctuario or similar
4 Star Hotel: Hotel Taypikala or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: 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. (Breakfast)

3 Star Hotel: Casa Esmeraldas or similar
3 Star Plus Hotel: Casa Andina Classic San Blas or similar
4 Star Hotel: Hotel Picoaga or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 7: Depart Cusco, Fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador

Today, you are transferred from your hotel to the Cusco airport for your flights to Ecuador. You will fly Cusco – Lima – Guayaquil (flights are not included but can be arranged for you). Upon arrival in the Guayaquil airport, you will pass through immigration and be driven to your hotel in downtown Guayaquil.

Accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 8: Arrive in Galapagos, Kayak Itabaca Channel, Explore Private Tortoise Reserve 

Early in the morning you board the flight from mainland Ecuador (depart from either Quito or Guayaquil) 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 9: Day Trip to Remote Bartolome Island with Snorkeling

Today we will continue our National Park and Marine Reserve exploration with a day trip to remote Bartolome Island, which offers one of the most dramatic views, and some of the best snorkeling, in the Galapagos Islands. Bartolome is considered a highlight of any visit to the Galapagos, and permits to visit the island are limited by the Galapagos National Park. 

We’ll travel in one of the nicest and most comfortable boats used for day tours in the Galapagos, the 16 passenger Sea Finch. The Sea Finch is fast and comfortable with an air-conditioned dining lounge as well as various outdoor sitting areas to enhance the experience of cruising in the Islands.

We’ll leave the Sea Finch by dinghy, and after a wet landing on a sandy beach (no dock) with see sea lions and wading birds, we will walk the 600-meter pathway to the highest point of the island for a great, and iconic, view of the islands. The overview will allows our  our expert naturalist guide to explain the volcanic origins of the Galapagos.

After returning to the beach, we’ll snorkel in the calm clear water that makes for easy swimming and great underwater viewing, and you can see tropical fish, sea stars and perhaps even penguins as they dart about under the water.

Finally we’ll climb back in the dingy for a ride along the coastline to see the Galapagos penguins that nest in the fissured lava flows and that fish in the crystal-clear waters before re-boarding the Sea Finch for the return to the Itabaca Channel and the drive back to the Santa Cruz.

Optional: Late afternoon visit to Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos Capital of Puerto Ayora
For those who are interested we can make a late visit to the Charles Darwin Research Center after our return from Bartolome where you will learn about the Darwin Foundation´s conservation efforts in the Galapagos National Park. This is where the world famous Lonesome George used to live. We’ll also spend some time in town, with time for a drink and a walk along Puerto Ayora’s main road to visit the cute boutique shops.

Accommodation: Galapagos Magic

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10: Travel to Floreana Island, Kayak and Stand Up Paddle and Snorkel with Sea Turtles

In the morning a speed boat will be waiting to take you on the two-hour ride to the peaceful island of Floreana. Floreana is home to the Galapagos’ smallest population, fewer than 150 people, and it is also the least developed and most natural of the four inhabited islands.  Once a pirates’ lair, Floreana was the first inhabited island in the Galapagos and descendants of the original population still live there amid the mysterious tales and legends that surround their ancestors and that are documented in the movie “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden.”

On Floreana you will see unique Galapagos wildlife such as giant tortoises, frigate birds, Darwin’s finches, sea lions, and petrels, and you’ll learn about the fascinating history of the local people.

Upon arrival to Floreana you will check in at the Lava Lodge, a quiet set of cabins along a boardwalk on the edge of town overlooking a beautiful and secluded rocky beach and bay. After getting settled, we can walk or paddle (kayaks or SUPs) to nearby Black Beach for some snorkeling.

Lunch is at a local restaurant that is part of a community tourism initiative Tropic has helped develop and has been working with since 2012, whose goal is to provide incomes to local residents in place of fishing and other industries that damage the natural state of the Galapagos.

In the afternoon, we set out on the kayaks or SUPs (you can also hike if you prefer) and cross the bay in front of the lodge to explore La Loberia, a sea lion breeding ground and a secluded bay. The calm clear water here is perfect for snorkeling and we often see numerous sea turtles, sea lions, spectacular rays and shimmering fish.

In the late afternoon you return to the lodge for a nice warm shower, and you can enjoy the sun setting over the ocean from the boardwalk outside your cabin. Later we will walk into the village for dinner at a local restaurant.

Night Activity (weather permitting): star gazing

Accommodation: Private cabins at the Lava Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11: Explore the Highlands of Floreana Island

Today we will explore the wildlife and colorful human history of Floreana’s highlands, departing after breakfast in a fun, colorful open-air bus, known locally as a china. On the way, our naturalist guide will point out the wildlife and give us an idea of the colorful history of some of Floreana’s first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers (whose descendants still live on the Island), the ‘Baroness,’ and the pirates that once visited here. They will also tell you about the “Enigma of Floreana,” involving the mysterious deaths of several of the Island´s inhabitants, a riddle from the 1930’s that has never been solved and was featured in the film “The Galapagos Affair.”

Our first stop will be the Asilo de la Paz, Peace Haven, where we leave the china behind to begin hiking, first  through a tortoise corral where numerous giant tortoises live, and then on to explore the human history of pirate caves and early settlers. We’ll see the spring that provides fresh water for all of the island’s inhabitants, and that made farming possible for the first settlers.

We leave Asilo de Paz walking down towards the coast, past local small-scale farms and pastures. We will stop at a local farm, La Primavera, where there is a small pond where you will be able to watch the extraordinary behavior of the Magnificent Frigate birds who “dance” as they wash their salty wings in the fresh water. With luck you’ll get to see males puffing up the huge red pouches on their chests in an attempt to attract females.

From La Primavera farm, we continue by chiva down towards Cerro Allieri and the best view point on the island, and then to Las Palmas, home of the Island’s first permanent settler, the eccentric Dr. Ritter. Arriving in 1926, the German physician believed that with a combination of exercise and the right vegetarian diet he would live to be 150 years old. We’ll see his grave and learn the story of his mysterious death.

Back at the lodge we will enjoy a special barbecue lunch featuring local lemonade made with lemon grass. After lunch, you can choose to take a kayak or SUP out for a paddle, go snorkeling at La Loberia, or simply relax and take in the beautiful Galapagos views and relaxing pace of life from the Lava Lodge.

Accommodation: Private cabins at the Lava Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12: Return to Santa Cruz and Transfer to Baltra for the Flight Back to Mainland Ecuador

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, or extend your journey in the Galapagos, exploring Isabela or San Cristobal Islands. Once on the mainland you can continue home or spend some more time in Ecuador to visit the spectacular peaks of the Andes or the lush jungle of the Amazon region.

Meals Included: Breakfast