18 Day Highlights Of Peru With Galapagos Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Lima! On arrival, make your own way to your hotel located in the chic neighbourhood of Miraflores. 

Alternatively, you can pre book a private arrival transfer where a representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. Further details can be found under the ‘Extra Services’.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you meet your local tour leader and fellow travellers for a tour briefing about the upcoming activities. Following this join your local guide for a moring walking tour around Miraflores taking you through some of the most popular sights and experiences that this area has to offer. Start your tour at Parque Kennedy, a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Take a stroll around the park and see the famous cat sculptures that are located here, then continue Avenida Jose Larco, a bustling street that's lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Continue walking down Avenida Jose Larco to see many of the major landmarks in Miraflores, including Parque del Amor and the Miraflores Boardwalk. Arrive at Larco Mar, a modern mall built into the side of a cliff that offers stunning views of the ocean. You can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore. Following our tour, return to the hotel early this afternon or continue exploring this lively area on your own.  Alternatively, you may like to join one of the optional afternoon tours  offered below.

Tonight, enjoy an Inspiring Taste with a welcome dinner at one of Lima’s best Peruvian restaurants. Relax with a welcome Pisco Sour (Peru’s national drink) and then enjoy a culinary journey through Peru’s culture with a three course meal including a glass of wine.

Note: Above itinerary may vary depending on the day of the week or at the discretion of your local guide to ensure that you are seeing the best that this area has to offer.  

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to the Peruvian jungle town of Puerto Maldonado – gateway to the Amazon.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and taken to a nearby office where your luggage will be securely stored as you take your overnight bag for your journey into the Amazon jungle. We take a 45 minute road transfer and then board a motorboat for a 30 minute ride along the warm, calm waters of the Tambopata River. Enjoy a packed lunch as you admire the incredible sites and sounds of the jungle around you before we arrive at our ecolodge.  Explorer’s Inn Tambopata Ecolodge is an award-winning eco-lodge located inside the Tambopata National Reserve, regarded by some scientists as the most biodiverse place on Earth. The lodge is 100% owned by the local community and was founded with the mission of promoting sustainability through ecotourism and conservation efforts. All staff are members of the community and all income generated goes directly to support this indigenous community in one of Peru’s most remote corners.

After an opportunity to relax and settle in, our naturalist guide will give an informative presentation about the distinct species of caiman that can be observed in the Tambopata National Reserve, in order to allow guests to learn more about this endangered species.

Following dinner at the lodge, we take a night cruise in search of caimans and other nocturnal reptiles and animals that inhabit the Tambopata River. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, learn of the conservation efforts used by the lodge to preserve this pristine ecosystem.

In order to have the best chance of observing endangered Giant River Otters, it is necessary to wake up very early to board the boat for a 20 minute ride to the Tres Chimbadas Lake. Along the way your naturalist guide will explain the principal ecosystems of the tropical forest, as well as the diverse species of fauna that we see on the way. While we keep an eye out for the River Otters, we will enjoy a snack and a short journey around the lake on small catamarans to best enjoy the variety of wildlife that can only be found in this ecosystem. Also we will do Piranha fishing, before we return to the lodge by boat to enjoy lunch. .

This afternoon, we will visit a local farm close to the lodge, which belongs to a member of the local community. This activity directly supports the economic development of the La Torre community and gives us the opportunity to see and try various natural products of the area. 

We return to the lodge in time for dinner.

Wake early and take a 40 minute walk to visit the parrot claylick - an exposed area of clay with higher concentrations of salts and other important minerals where masses of parrot species converge to eat. We will then walk back to the lodge and along the way we may see other animals in their natural habitat.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast we will transfer by boat and road back to Puerto Maldonado for our included flight to the beautiful city of Cusco. 

Welcome to Cusco! Upon your arrival, you will be met at the airport by your local guide and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city. After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this historical city on your own. 

The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Inca Empire for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Inca-built walls line the central streets and many of the elegant colonial buildings are built on or around Inca foundations. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for explorations into the Inca world or to enjoy a range of outdoor activities and incredible cuisine.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before meeting your guide for a walking tur of Cusco. Visit some of the most characteristic places in the centre of Cusco, such as the Stone of Twelve Angles at the Inca Roca Palace.  You’ll walk by the Qoricancha temple, considered the most sacred Inca building. According to archaeologists it housed over 1000 priests and attendants. It was built over an Inca palace dedicated to the worship of the Sun. 

Then, you will visit the heart of the city, the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonial arcades and four churches. Pass by the beautiful “Cathedral” of Cusco. This enormous Cathedral was built in the XVI. It contained nearly 400 colonial paintings, including many from the Cusco School, which was prominent in the 17th century. The cathedral is a fine example of colonial baroque art. 

Finally, explore the San Pedro Market where you will find vegetables, meats, local cheeses (which you should certainly try), local chocolates, herbal medicines and many local handicrafts. It’s a great place to purchase some souvenirs.

In the late afternoon, enjoy an Inspiring Taste as you learn all about one of the most traditional drinks of South America, the Pisco Sour! We’ll visit a local venue to learn about the distillation process, before learning what it takes to blend the perfect Pisco Sour – and yes, you will get to savour the frothy result of your hard work.

In the morning, travel approximately 2 hours through the Sacred Valley on the outskirts of Cusco. Known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, this lush, fertile valley has long been the main source of food for the high Andes. Maize crops can be seen surrounding the river and covering the terraces carved high into the valley walls.

Visit the Chichubamba community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle with a traditional Andean lunch and a visit to a local workshop. If our visit coincides with market day you can spend time browsing the stalls in search of hand-painted beads or warm ponchos and maybe practise some of the local language. 

Later you will continue the tour visiting the town of Ollantaytambo which has been built over an ancient Inca town. This is a magnificent example of Inca urban planning and one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. Ollantaytambo's archaeological site is located to the east of the Plaza de Armas. The upper terraces of this site offer great photo opportunities of the squared grid town below. Following the tour, we travel to Urubamba and check-in to our accommodation for the night.  The rest of the day is at leisure.

Today you will be transferred to Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the tourist train towards Aguas Calientes, a little town close to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. 

The train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys you can experience in Peru. The journey, which takes approximately two, passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, then descends gradually along the edge of the Urubamba River, before finally reaching the cloud forest. The train reaches its last stop in Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), on the foothills of Machu Picchu. 

On arrival, check into your hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Today is an early start. By 6.30am you will board a bus for the 20 minute ride to Machu Picchu - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a jewel in South America’s crown.

At 2430 metres above sea level, Machu Picchu is in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing creation of the Inca Empire at the height of their reign. The stonework has to be seen up close to truly comprehend its intricate beauty. Giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.

Upon arrival, we’ll enter the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu where your guide will show you the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the great Intiwatana (solar clock) and the Sun Temple, among others. Machu Picchu is divided into two sectors, the urban sector in the northern part and the agricultural sector on the south-east side.

After the tour, we’ll return to Machu Picchu Pueblo by bus before taking the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride to Cusco where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Today is free for you to recover from a busy day and to enjoy the stunning town of Cusco at our own pace.

If you are feeling active, perhaps consider taking an optional tour to the ever photogenic Palcoyo Mountain, commonly known as the Rainbow Mountain. Your local guide is at hand to assist you with suggested options today. 

Tonight, come together to enjoy an Inspiring Taste as we bid farewell to Peru at a dinner located in one of Cusco’s traditional eateries in the heart of the majestic Inca city of Cusco. Toast the night with a welcome Pisco Sour followed by a 3-course dinner showcasing Peruvian flavours with a glass of wine accompanied by an artistic folkloric show.

Today you are transferred to Cusco airport for your included flight via Lima to Guayaquil in Ecuador, your gateway to the Galapagos. 

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city where the rest of the day is at leisure.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.  (Flight tickets and departure time will be advised locally on your arrival in Guayaquil). Your guide will pick you up from the airport and continue on to visit the Highlands of the Island where you can observe the giant tortoise roaming in a natural habitat. Make the most of great picture opportunities with this endangered species, endemic to the Galapagos before continuing to your hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Later, head to the Charles Darwin Research Station, located in Puerto Ayora. The research station plays a crucial role in the conservation and preservation of the Galápagos Islands' delicate ecosystem. Here, you'll learn about ongoing research projects, breeding programs for endangered species, and the conservation efforts to protect the islands' biodiversity. One of the main highlights of the Charles Darwin Research Station is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. You'll have the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close and learn about the conservation efforts to protect and reintroduce them to their natural habitats.  

Note:  Please note a US$20 per person transit card is payable on departure at Guayaquil Airport.  Galapagos National Park entry fee is payable on arrival on the islands (for arrivals until 31 July 2024 the fee is US$100 per person. From 01 August 2024 the fee is US$200 per person) Both payments are made in USD cash.

After breakfast, you will embark on a full day tour to one of the beautiful uninhabited islands of Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour or Bartolomé (subject to scheduling).  Your excursion will travel by speed boat - the trip takes approximately 2 hours each way. 

Your expert naturalist guide will introduce you to the islands unique wildlife which may include endemic species such as Galapagos penguins, land iguanas, Darwin's finches, blue-footed Boobies and many more.

You will have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Discover the marine life and vibrant coral reefs.

You’ll then return to Puerto Ayora by late afternoon.

After breakfast, visit Tortuga Bay.  You will take a guided walk (45 minutes each way) to take in the scenery and wildlife.  Visitors can often encounter marine iguanas, Galápagos crabs, sea lions, and a variety of bird species such as pelicans and finches.

Once you reach Playa Brava, please be aware that swimming is not allowed here due to the presence of hazardous currents. For those wishing to swim, continue walking along the beach until you discover a trail leading through the mangrove forest. This path will take you to Playa Mansa, a sheltered bay where you can safely swim and relish the cool shade provided by the mangroves.

This afternoon, transfer to the pier and board a speed-boat to San Cristobal Island (approximately 2.5 hours ride). Upon arrival, you will enjoy a walking tour in the beautiful Puerto Baquerizo to enjoy the local life.

This morning you will visit one of the most iconic sites in the Galapagos Islands:  Kicker Rock or “Leon Dormido”, an amazing rock formation just 90 minutes from San Cristobal Island. This incredible landmark is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation with an altitude of 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean, it is considered as one of the best snorkelling sites in the Archipelago.

Erosion has given the formation its characteristic shape of a shoe (hence the name Kicker Rock) and others see a sleeping lion from above, the reason why in Spanish it is called “Leon Dormido”.

Snorkelling in the vicinity of the rock is truly an unforgettable experience! You will be able to spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos sharks, schools of colourful fish and, with some luck, hammerhead sharks. Also in the crevasses of the rock, you can encounter blue-footed boobies, masked-boobies and frigate birds.

Return to San Cristobal and your hotel for a well-deserved short resting time. In the afternoon, visit La Loberia beach, a scenic beach filled with large colonies curious sea-lions, marine iguanas, frigate birds and more.

Note: in some instances visits to Kicker Rock will be restricted.  For groups not able to visit Kicker Rock, a visit to Isla Lobos will be provided as an alternative.  Isla Lobos is named after the numerous sea lions (lobos marinos in Spanish) that inhabit the island.  You'll also have opportunities to observe a variety of bird species, including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans. Once you arrive at Isla Lobos, your naturalist guide will lead you on guided walks through the island's unique vegetation and provide opportunities for close encounters with the wildlife. You will have time to do snorkeling with unique species and then sail to an isolated beach, to relax on its sand, or swim or do some more snorkeling.  

This morning visit to the Interpretation Center, which takes you through the history and settlement of the islands. Visitors can enjoy expositions on natural history, human history and conservation. The natural history explains the different natural facts, such as the volcanic origin of the islands, the distance between the mainland, its currents, the special climate, the arrival of different species, etc. The exposition room of Human History gives a chronological overview of the discovery and colonization of the Galapagos. 

The second section describes the reality of today's Galapagos: the problems and the struggle of several institutions and individuals to conserve Galapagos. The Center also has an outdoor theater and a cinema.

At the appropriate time you will be picked up  and transferred to the airport in time to board your flight to the capital of Ecuador, Quito. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and drive to your cosy centrally located hotel.  The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the surroundings.

Today you are at leisure to enjoy the quaint city at your own pace. The Ecuador capital is constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city and is known for its well-preserved colonial centre, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. 

Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour of this fascinating city.

Your tour comes to an end today after breakfast.  At the appropriate time, make your own way to the airport.

Alternatively, you can pre book a private departure transfer to the airport.  Further details can be found under the ‘Upgrade Options’.

Check out: Check-out time is generally between 10am-12pm. If you have booked your departing flight later in the day, you are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time (extra charges may apply).