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Inca Trail & Galapagos

World-famous trekking to Machu Picchu followed by an expedition cruise around the Galapagos Islands.

Overview

Explore the most famous sites of South America with the 14-day Inca Trail and Galapagos adventure tour, perfect for those seeking adventure, history, culture, and nature without having to give up comfort. Trek along the world-famous Inca Trail, explore Machu Picchu, visit the incredible Sacred Valley, and cruise among the gorgeous Galapagos Islands for an experience unlike any other.

Arrival and Adventure in Peru

After arriving in the capital city of Lima, you’ll be transferred to the historical and cultural landscape of the Sacred Valley, the past center of the Inca Empire. In the days ahead, you’ll visit the fortress city of Ollantaytambo, the Maras salt mines, the terraced site of Moray, and the ancient ruins of Chinchero.

You’ll have plenty of exciting opportunities to stop along the way and roam through colorful markets, taste local and regional cuisine, and get to know the people and culture of the region as well while staying at your choice of the best 4-star or 5-star hotels available.

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Trekking on the Inca Trail, the most famous trail in all of South America, is a highlight of the tour and one you’re not likely to forget. You may even feel like the Incas who traversed this trail during religious and ceremonial pilgrimages so long ago.

Take in the stunning mystery and beauty of mountains, cloud forests, and ruins during the day. Each night you’ll arrive at camp, already set up and ready for you to relax and enjoy an evening meal.

At the end of your 4-day journey, you’ll arrive at the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu for a guided tour. Once home to the Incas, this ancient archaeological site will amaze and surprise around every corner.

Before leaving Peru, you’ll spend time getting to know the historical city of Cusco, once known as the capital of the Inca Empire. Explore its archaeological remains along with its Spanish colonial architecture before saying farewell.

Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise

The second half of your Galapagos and Inca Trail adventure begins with a flight to the Ecuadorian city of Quito. This enchanting colonial city is filled with cobblestone streets, historic churches, and much more to explore before catching another short flight to the famous Galapagos Islands. Home to extreme biodiversity and beauty, these remote islands will fill you with awe at the sight of beautiful waters and fascinating wildlife everywhere you look.

Comfortable accommodations await you aboard the M/T Camila, a luxury 125-foot yacht. Each island-inspired stateroom comes with its own ensuite living room, panoramic window, private balcony, and private bathroom for you to enjoy. And with only eight cabins onboard, you’re assured an experience free of crowds and offering specialized attention from staff.

Various excursions provide you with opportunities to see even more of the islands, starting with Lobos Island and its residing sea lions. Stop for a hike on the volcanic island of San Cristobal, spotting blue-footed and red-footed boobies, before relaxing on the gorgeous white sandy beach. Slow down as you stroll along Española Island and enjoy views of Waved Albatross, Galapagos hawks, and other unique wildlife.

In between excursions, spend time relaxing on the sundeck, soaking in the onboard jacuzzi, or gathering in the indoor lounge. You’ll also be served exquisite chef-prepared international and local cuisine in the comfortable dining room.

As your Inca Trail and Galapagos tour comes to an end, a flight will take you back to the mainland, full of memories to take along with you.

Itinerary & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

14 Day - Inca Trail & Galapagos
itinerary map

Welcome to Lima!

Upon arrival, a representative will welcome you and take you to your convenient hotel located at the airport for a good night’s rest before your early onward flight tomorrow to Cusco.

Meals (X)

Location
Lima
Day
1 / 14

Lima, Cusco & Sacred Valley

Upon arrival to Cusco you will be transferred to the Sacred Valley where lunch will be served at local restaurant.

In the afternoon you will go on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most representative building complexes of the Inca Empire and site of one of the Spanish Conquistadors’ rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and also a religious center.

Overnight at selected hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Meals (B, L)

Location
Sacred Valley
Day
2 / 14

Maras, Moray & Chinchero

You will enjoy a panoramic visit of the Maras salt mines, where the finest salt in the world is extracted. Then, you will head to Moray, a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will visit its huge concentric terraces, which the Incas used as a botanical laboratory.

Afterwards, you will head to Chinchero to enjoy a traditional lunch. Continue to a panoramic view of Chinchero’s Church, which was built by the Spanish in 1607 and remains standing until today. Continue with the visit to the Chinchero ruins, where you will find an important Inca center in which terraces and aqueducts were built.

Overnight at selected hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Meals (B, L)

Location
Sacred Valley
Day
3 / 14

Your Inca Trail Begins

You will be picked up from your hotel in and transferred to Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to do some last-minute shopping before starting your trek. You will then head to Piscacucho community, at Km. 82, where you will find the starting point of your trek.

You will take the course and walk about 3 hours along the Urubamba River, enjoying unparalleled landscapes and beautiful wildlife along the route. You will arrive to Willca Racay at the archaeological complex of Llaqtapata, where you will have some time to enjoy and appreciate the ruins have lunch and rest before continuing with your walk. You will resume the journey to ascend to the community of Huayllabamba, where the camp will be established,

Overnight in tent.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Cusco & Huayllabamba
Day
4 / 14

Inca Trail

After a healthy breakfast, you will begin to ascend towards the first and highest pass of the Warmiwañusca route (4215 m.a.s.l.), from where you will have a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges. This ascent will take you almost all morning, arriving at Lllulluchapata at lunchtime.

After having time to rest and eat, you will continue your walk to Pacaymayo, where the camp will be set up at 3600 masl, basically the most challenging day of the walk.

Overnight in tent.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Huayllabamba & Pacaymayo
Day
5 / 14

Inca Trail

Your third day of trekking will begin with an ascent to the second step, Runcuracay, which is a little lower than the first one (4000 m.a.s.l.). Then, you will descend for a couple of hours to Phuyupatamarca, where you can rest and have lunch surrounded by the beauty of the place. At the end of your lunch, you will continue your journey to Wiñaywayna, enjoying the view of the snowy mountains and the valley as you go.

Finally, you will arrive at the area where you will camp, This day is the longest of the entire walk, passing through cloud forests and visiting a few archeological sites built by The Incas.

Overnight in tent.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Pacaymayo & Wiñaywayna
Day
6 / 14

Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Your last day of the Inca Trail will also start very early and with an energetic breakfast. The journey will start towards Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, from where you will have an impressive view of Machu Picchu. You will walk a little more and you will find yourself inside Machu Picchu, where – after a short break – your guide will explain the history, organization and mysteries of the place.

At the end of the almost 2-hour tour, you will board the bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have the option of walking around town or having lunch, as you prefer.

Then, you will board the train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo station, from where you will be taken back to your hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Wiñaywayna, Machu Picchu & Cusco
Day
7 / 14

San Pedro Market & Sacsayhuaman

Today you will explore the city of Cusco, also known as the Imperial City and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will walk its streets where time seems to have stopped, where every corner tells a story.

You will visit the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and center of worship to the Sun God, on which the Dominican order built a church, which remains standing to this day. You will continue ascending to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Afterwards, you will visit the picturesque San Pedro Market.

The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure.

Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco.

Meals (B)

Location
Cusco
Day
8 / 14

Welcome to Ecuador!

Goodbye Peru, hello Ecuador! At the scheduled time, you will be transferred from your Cusco hotel to the airport, for your flight from Cusco to Quito.

Once you arrive in Quito, you’ll be met and transferred to your  selected hotel where you will spend the night.

Meals (B)

Location
Quito
Day
9 / 14

Colonial Quito

The place to start exploring Ecuador is Colonial Quito: a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city’s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all South America, and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site.

We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace, La Compañía, and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries, including the San Francisco Monastery which was started 5 days after the founding of the city in 1534. Then we will visit the city’s famous La Ronda street, where we will learn about traditional work in Colonial Quito.

For our last stop, we will also be visiting the ‘Panecillo’, the hill that dominates the South of the city, and where we will be able to admire the famous statue of Our Lady of the Panecillo and enjoy spectacular views of Quito.

The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure.

Overnight at selected hotel in Quito.

Meals (B)

Location
Quito
Day
10 / 14

Quito & Embarkation

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred from your Quito hotel to the airport for your flight to Galapagos.

AM: After passing through the baggage claim, you will be met by a Horizon staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

PM: This site is part of an environmental project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as discovery and colonization of the islands.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Galapagos Horizon Cruise
Day
11 / 14

San Cristobal Island

AM: Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

PM: This striking rock formation is located a couple of hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, circumnavigation and dinghy rides allow visitors to spot a variety of marine life.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Galapagos Horizon Cruise
Day
12 / 14

Española Island

AM: On the trail to Suarez Point you will have the chance to spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. You will also visit a beautiful site on the oceanfront where there is a cliff that the large albatrosses use as a launching pad! You will have the chance to see the famous blowhole that spurts sea water into the air. The landscape is great for photography.

PM: This excursion takes you to the spectacular Gardner Bay. After landing, you can walk across a lovely white-sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony or dive into the water to swim with sea lion pups. You may also see curious mockingbirds on the beach.

Meals (B, L, D)

Location
Galapagos Horizon Cruise
Day
13 / 14

Disembarkation

AM: Bachas Beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz and is a beach for swimming. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach.

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Meals (B)

Location
Santa Cruz
Day
14 / 14
1 / 14

Accommodations

Cruises & Lodges

Galapagos Horizon

A luxury trimaran offering cabins with balconies and one of the smoothest rides in the Galapagos.
16 Guests
8 Cabins
View

Hotel Options

4 Star

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport

Lima
5 Star

Tambo del Inka

Sacred Valley
4 Star

Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay - Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley
Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay
5 Star

Palacio del Inka

Cusco
4 Star

Wyndham Quito

Quito
5 Star

Swissotel Quito

Quito
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