Your Itinerary
Fly to Lima, Peru's historical capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where you can relax or start exploring this enchanting city.
Fly to Cusco and transfer to the Urubamba, or Sacred, Valley, home to Incan citadels and beautiful scenery. Spend the afternoon in Manos de la Cominidad, learning about the traditional crafts of weaving, pottery and jewellery making from local artisans. Then, make your way to the town of Pisac, known for its hilltop Incan citadel and bustling market, to explore.
Day 3: Explore the Sacred Valley
Head to Moray to admire the impressive circular terraces curved by the Incas, then to Maras to discover the old evaporation ponds used to harvest salt. This afternoon, visit the Santuario de Colibries, a sanctuary in the cloud forest that shelters hummingbirds and other native bird species. Continue to Ollantaytambo to wander through preserved Incan houses and an old fortress.
Day 4: Train to Machu Picchu
Leaving the Sacred Valley behind, board the panoramic Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the world-famous Machu Picchu. Transfer into a bus for your journey to the ruins. One of the world's great archaeological discoveries, Machu Picchu sits on a mountain ridge; built around 1450, it was abandoned about 100 years later and left ‘undiscovered’ until 1911 when it was brought to international attention.
Enjoy a free morning in Aguas Calientes, perhaps strolling through the handicraft market. After lunch, hop on the Vistadome train for a scenic journey back to Ollantaytambo before transferring to Cusco.
Embark on a tour of Cusco, the Imperial Capital of the Incas. Start at Sacsayhuaman, the remains of a colossal citadel set above the city. Stop at the Cristo Blanco for panoramic views then browse the wares of San Pedro Market. Back in the city centre, explore Qoricancha and Cusco Cathedral.
Fly back to Lima this morning. Later, take a city tour that takes in the Plaza Mayor with its impressive, UNESCO-listed, colonial buildings and the Larco Museum, packed with fascinating Pre-Columbian artefacts.
Board a flight to Ecuador, arriving in capital city, Quito.
Today you'll be immersed in Quito's rich history and culture. Beginning at Independence Square, admire the exquisite La Compañia Church then wander through the vibrant San Francisco Square before indulging your sweet tooth at a chocolate shop. Then, pop out of Quito to find the Equator, marked by the Middle of the World Monument, and jump between hemispheres!
Day 10: Board the MS Santa Cruz II
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Baltra Island. On arrival, you'll transfer to the port to board your expedition ship. Settle into your cabin and explore the ship's facilities as you prepare for the extraordinary journey ahead.
Cast off, sailing along the northern coast of Santa Cruz, heading ashore to explore Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on a walk that reveals sweeping views of the bay and the chance to spot shorebirds, flamingos and land iguanas.
Day 11: Cruise - Isabela & Fernandina
The day begins on the remote tip of Isabela Island at Punta Vicente Roca, tracing the rugged coastline in a panga with a naturalist guide to point out dramatic volcanic formations and colonies of flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins. Continue to Fernandina, the youngest island of the archipelago, where you’ll scour the jagged, volcanic shoreline for sea lions, penguins and Galapagos hawks.
Day 12: Cruise – Santa Cruz
Disembark on Santa Cruz Island to explore. Start at the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station where you can observe just-hatched giant tortoises and Darwin’s finches, the bird that inspired his theory of evolution. Wander through a prickly pear cactus forest, home to plenty of birds and see giant tortoises roaming free in the highlands. What you get up to this afternoon is up to you – choose from activities like mountain biking or exploring a historic sugar plantation.
Day 13: Cruise – Floreana Island
Hop into a panga and cruise along the north shore of Floreana Island savouring the sights of Baroness Cave and Post Office Bay. Explore the waters of Champion Islet by panga or glass-bottom boat; for the adventurous, don a mask and snorkel for a closer look at vibrant marine environments. The day ends at Cormorant Point, with a stroll along a green beach to observe the birdlife at a brackish lagoon.
Day 14: Cruise – Baltra Island
Enjoy an easy morning onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, making use on the ship’s onboard facilities, as you anchor at Baltra Island. This afternoon, land at Las Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz, a place of pristine white sand and turquoise waters. Swim or snorkel from the beach in search of sea turtles.
Day 15: Cruise – Santiago Island
Spend the day in and around the rugged volcanic beauty of Santiago Island. In Buccaneer Cove, take part in a series of marine activities for an up-close look at striking rock formations and dramatic cliffs. Later, visit Puerto Egas, taking a guided excursion through a colony of fur seals and vibrant birdlife, or swimming and snorkelling the life-filled shoreline.
Day 16: Cruise – Rabida & Bartolome
Take a panga around the tiny Rabida Island, admiring the red-hued beach, sea lion colony and variety of birds and iguanas as you go. This afternoon, cruise to Bartolome Island to enjoy its golden beaches and view the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Swim, snorkel or ride in a glass-bottom boat to see the wildlife below the waves and spot penguins along the shore. For awe-inspiring views, hike to the island’s summit.
Day 17: Cruise – Genovesa Island
The day starts energetically with a short but steep climb up Prince Philip's steps to the flat, rocky plateau atop Genovesa Island. Here you can observe large colonies of boobies, frigatebirds and storm petrels. Take to the island's sheltered waters in a kayak for an alternative perspective. Later, discover the pristine beach at Darwin Bay, enjoying a relax on the sand, a swim, or a chance to spot hundreds of birds.
Day 18: Disembark the MS Santa Cruz II
The final morning of the adventure is spent on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, where you'll head into the lush highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, and walk among Galapagos daisies, orchids and bromeliads. Disembark the MS Santa Cruz II and transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight to Quito.
Days 19-21: Fly to Australia
Fly home to Australia from Quito, arriving two days later due to crossing the international date line.
