Ecuador & Peru Highlights (15 Days)

Arrival in the historic city of Quito. Upon arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International airport, our driver and a local guide will be waiting for you to assist you with your private transfer to your hotel in Quito city. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Quito is Ecuador’s historic capital, renowned for its well-preserved colonial centre and dramatic mountain backdrop. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city offers a unique blend of baroque architecture, vibrant culture, and a welcoming atmosphere, all just a stone’s throw from the Equator.

Today, after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to explore the charm of Quito, home to one of the largest and best-preserved colonial centres in South America. This guided tour will take you through the heart of the historic centre, you will visit the Plaza Grande (Independence Square), La Compañía de Jesús Church, regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in South America Baroque style, and the San Francisco Church and Monastery. You will also be taken to the iconic Virgin of El Panecillo to enjoy Panoramic views over the city of Quito. Then, you will continue to the Middle of the World, located approximately 18 miles (18km) north of Quito, to have the opportunity to stand with one foot in each hemisphere on the equatorial line. Finally, you will stop at an artisanal chocolate shop, where you will learn more about Ecuadorian Fine Aroma Cacao and the chocolate-making process.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal via Guayaquil, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos Archipelago. Upon arrival, you will be met and begin your introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Today’s tour includes a visit to the Interpretation Centre, where you will learn about the fascinating wildlife, volcanic origins, and human history. Afterwards, head to Frigate Hill, a scenic viewpoint that is home to a large colony of Magnificent Frigatebirds. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

After breakfast, you will be taken from your hotel to one of the two main highlights being Kicker Rock (known locally as León Dormido) and Lobos Island (Isla Lobos). Each of them offers a unique natural environment and distinctive wildlife.

Kicker Rock is one of the most interesting destinations for snorkelling and diving in the Galapagos, thanks to its striking vertical rock formations and rich underwater ecosystem, home to many endemic species. Due to the open-water conditions, some prior snorkelling experience is recommended.

Lobos Island, on the other hand, is good for bird enthusiasts and those hoping to see a large colony of sea lions up close, for which the islet is named.

Please note: Island visits are subject to availability and weather conditions at the time of booking. Specific islands cannot be chosen in advance.

Today, you will be transferred from your hotel in Santa Cruz Island to your next hotel via public speedboat. Upon arrival, private transport will pick you up and assist with your transfer. This island is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the archipelago. This region is famous for its wild population of Giant Tortoises, which roam freely in their natural habitat.

After an early breakfast, our local representative will pick you up from your hotel to enjoy a day boat tour to some of the most iconic islands surrounding Santa Cruz. Each destination offers unique landscapes and wildlife encounters:

These navigable tours may be to Bartolome Island (with its recognizable Pinnacle Rock), North Seymour Island (a birdwatcher’s paradise with all of the well-known species), South Plazas Island (with its contrasting landscapes and large colony of land iguanas) or Santa Fe Island (with its towering Opuntia cacti and colonies of sea lions).

Please note: Island visits are subject to availability and weather conditions at the time of booking. Specific islands cannot be chosen in advance.

After breakfast, our local representative will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to Baltra Airport for your flight to Lima, the colonial capital of Peru, via Guayaquil or Quito. Upon arrival at Lima airport, you will stay in a hotel located at the airport.

Arriving in the historic city of Lima known as the “City of Kings”, Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and today offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and gastronomy. Elegant colonial facades line the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where grand plazas, ornate churches, and stately government buildings reflect the city's storied past.

Today, you will take your flight to the charming city of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, you will be welcomed, and then you will be transferred to your hotel located in the Sacred Valley. Along the way, enjoy a scenic drive with a stop at a traditional textile centre in Chinchero. After your visit, you will continue to your nice hotel located in the Sacred Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure for you to relax and enjoy the hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide and driver will pick you up to start your Sacred Valley tour. This immersive full-day tour will take you through picturesque villages that have preserved their ancestral customs and rich cultural heritage. Along the way, explore an ancient agricultural site featuring remarkable circular terraces called Moray, ingeniously designed to create distinct microclimates for cultivating a variety of crops. Then you will continue to Maras, which is a small town, to make a panoramic view of the Salt Mines “Salineras de Maras” at an altitude of 3,200 masl approximately. It has approximately 3000 salt wells, exploited by 360 families or partners, people who came from Maras Ayllu and Pichingoto. Afterwards, savour a delicious traditional lunch made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering an authentic taste of Andean cuisine. After a relaxed meal, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important archaeological sites in the valley. You will visit the Temple of the Sun, the Inca Terraces, and the water channels. At the end of your tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

After an early breakfast at your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the train to Machu Picchu town, also known as Aguas Calientes town, the closest town to the Machu Picchu citadel. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes train station, you will be picked up and taken by foot to the bus station to take the 25-minute bus up to Machu Picchu citadel, where your local tour guide will be waiting for you to start your amazing journey through the citadel of Machu Picchu. During your tour, you will be able to visit important places such as the Sun Temple, the Sun Stone, and the Three Windows room. After your tour, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town and will have some free time to explore Aguas Calientes, have lunch, shop for souvenirs or simply relax before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our team will be waiting for you to transfer you back to Cusco city. After check-in at your hotel, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Today is a free day to explore Cusco at your leisure. You may wish to go shopping, or visit Instagrammable spots that are located close to the historic centre, such as Siete Borreguitos, or the charming San Blas neighbourhood, take amazing photos, or enjoy Peruvian traditional cuisine at one of the city’s best restaurants.

Today, after breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel to be taken to the traditional Market of San Pedro. Where you will see how locals buy and see a variety of local products, you will also find nice souvenirs at a good price. Your next stop will be the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), one of the most important religious centres in the Inca Empire. Then enjoy a nice lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a vast ceremonial complex, and Qenqo, an ancient site known for its mysterious rock carvings. Afterwards, visit the Sulca Textile Museum, where you will see how people recreate traditional fabrics and garments using ancestral techniques inspired by the different pre-Columbian, Inca and contemporary cultures. Return to your hotel for a restful evening.

At the set-up time, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to transfer you to the airport to board your flight to Lima city, Peru's Capital, where there are world-renowned restaurants such as Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Lima. After check-in, you will have some time to relax before embarking on a nice Lima walking food tour. On this tour, you will taste around 14 Peruvian flavours in one of Lima's nicest neighbourhoods, called Barranco. You will also learn the historical and cultural details behind each Peruvian dish. After the tour, you will return to your hotel.

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel to discover the vibrant capital of Peru with the Lima City Tour. Start by exploring Lima's historic centre, where you will start with a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, considered an important ceremonial centre belonging to the pre-Inca Lima culture. Then you will head towards the historic centre of Lima, passing through important districts of San Isidro, Lince, and Cercado de Lima. En-route you will see notable landmarks such as the Palacio de Justicia (Justice Palace), the Lima Art Museum, the French Palace, and the Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square). In Lima downtown, you will have a walking tour starting at the Plaza de Armas, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and the Archbishop’s Palace. Then you will visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, one of the most iconic religious complexes in Lima. Finally, you will enjoy a panoramic drive along the coast, stopping at Parque del Amor, with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

As your unforgettable journey comes to a close, we will transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your flight home. We wish you a smooth return and a safe arrival back home.