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- Day 1 Arrive Lima The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores. This evening, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner. Locations Visited: Lima PE.
- Day 2 Experience the Sights and Flavors of Lima Connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro’s 'City of Kings', admiring the colonial splendor of Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Center, with your Local Specialist. Stand in the birthplace of this ancient, yet modern city, surrounded by the Baroque façades of Cathedral of Lima and Palace of the Union. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima’s status as the culinary capital of South America and Connect With Locals when you meet Ignacio Barrios, who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. We visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then, continue to Chef Ignacio's cooking school where we’ll enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes and have an opportunity to sample some at a Be My Guest experience with lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Locations Visited: Lima PE.
- Day 3 Journey to the Sacred Valley Fly to Cusco this morning and head straight into the Sacred Valley, where your day begins with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Manos de la Comunidad weaving center. You’ll uncover the traditions of the Sacred Valley, called “lindaje”. After a lunch of local flavors, check in to your Stays with Stories experience at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former 18th-century monastery set among peaceful gardens. Later, connect with artisans working to protect Peru’s textile heritage. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps fund skills training and job creation across villages like Chinchero and Parobamba. Locations Visited: Lima PE, Cusco PE, Sacred Valley PE.
- Day 4 Explore iconic Machu Picchu The mystical empire of the Incas takes center stage today. We visit the famous Sacred Valley stronghold of Ollantaytambo before boarding the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, admiring the 15th century stone ruins of temples, palaces and terraces perched high amidst the clouds. Join your Local Specialist for an exploration of the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. Locations Visited: Sacred Valley PE, Machu Picchu PE.
- Day 5 The Sites of Machu Picchu and Cusco The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu beckon again and you have an opportunity to re-connect with this ancient wonder. Board the train to the Sacred Valley, then head to the colonial city of Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria. Enjoy the sweet flavors of chicha as you learn how this Peruvian corn beer is brewed by the local women. Locations Visited: Machu Picchu PE, Sacred Valley PE, Cusco PE.
- Day 6 Step Back in Time in Cusco Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning, admiring the 16th-century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. The afternoon is free to explore on your terms. Locations Visited: Cusco PE.
- Day 7 Delve into Pre-Columbian Art in Lima A leisurely start to our day sees us return to Lima this afternoon. Meet a Local Specialist at the Larco Museum, which houses one of the largest private collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. This evening we join our travel companions for dinner in the museum's garden restaurant. Locations Visited: Cusco PE, Lima PE.
- Day 8 Travel to Quito Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ecuador (flight not included in holiday price). Enjoy a warm welcome in Quito where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel. Locations Visited: Lima PE, Quito EC.
- Day 9 Uncover Historic Quito Visit the historical center of Quito, which was the first place in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and travel to the 'Middle of the World' to stand on the Equator. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Locations Visited: Quito EC.
- Day 10 Embark on your East Galápagos Cruise Fly from Quito to Baltra Island where you’ll transfer to your Galápagos cruise for the next three nights. After settling in and having lunch on board, travel to North Seymour Island. Take a guided walk with a Local Specialist across the rocky terrain where you’ll spot frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Sea lions are often seen resting along the shore, and there’s a clear view across to the Daphne Islands. There’s also time to snorkel in the surrounding waters before returning to your cruise. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and relax as you begin your journey through the Galápagos. Locations Visited: Baltra Island EC, North Seymour Island EC.
- Day 11 Explore the Landscapes of Bartolomé and Santiago Island Travel to Bartolomé Island with your Local Specialist, where a short hike takes you to a lookout with views across the volcanic landscape and the iconic Pinnacle Rock, with Santiago Island in the distance. There’s time for a snorkel where you might spot Galápagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and sea lions. In the afternoon, visit Sullivan Bay for a walk across its distinctive pahoehoe lava flows. This solidified lava landscape shows clear patterns of past eruptions, making it one of the most geologically interesting sites in the Galápagos. After the hike, enjoy some time on the beach for a swim or snorkel before returning to your cruise for dinner. Locations Visited: Bartolomé Island EC, Santiago Island EC.
- Day 12 Discover the Wildlife and Terrain of San Cristóbal Island Arrive at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island where a hike up the eroded tuff cone brings panoramic views and the chance to spot all three booby species—blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca. There’s also the opportunity to snorkel or kayak along the coast, keeping watch for sea lions and marine birds. In the afternoon, visit Cerro Brujo, a wide stretch of beach backed by lava formations with a Local Specialist. You can snorkel or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where black-necked stilts, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails are sometimes seen. Later, return to your cruise for a final evening on board. Locations Visited: San Cristobal Island EC.
- Day 13 Visit the Tortoise Reserve and Farewell Galápagos Visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal Island, home to the breeding center of La Galapaguera. Here you’ll learn about efforts to restore the population of the San Cristóbal tortoise and see these iconic creatures at different stages of life. Before heading to the airport, there’s time to visit the town for any last-minute souvenirs. Then it’s off to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to Quito, where your Galápagos journey comes to an end. Locations Visited: San Cristobal Island EC, Quito EC.
Name: Highlights of Peru with Galápagos Legend East Cruise
Brand: Trafalgar
Quality: First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Lima
End City: Quito
Location Summary: Lima, PE
Cusco, PE
Sacred Valley, PE
Machu Picchu, PE
Quito, EC
Baltra Island, EC
North Seymour Island, EC
Bartolomé Island, EC
Santiago Island, EC
San Cristobal Island, EC
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Highlights
- Dining Summary - 6 Dinner (D). 12 Breakfast (B). 5 Lunch (L).
- Must-see Highlights - Explore Lima, Machu Picchu and Larco Museum. Visit San Francisco Monastery, Ollantaytambo Ruins, Historic Sacsayhuaman, Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha. Scenic Drive through the Sacred Valley, Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu. Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome train.
- Be My Guest - Lima: Explore a local market with Chef Ignacio, then enjoy lunch at his cooking school where you'll learn to cook lomo saltado and craft the perfect Chilcano..
- Iconic Experience - Lima: Take in the highlights of Lima, the 'City of the Kings,' including a panoramic view of the ancient districts. Join a local specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Center. Learn how before it was destroyed by earthquakes in the mid-18th century, observing how the historic buildings display a collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World. Then drive along the coastline as you learn more about the fascinating history of Peru's capital city. . Cusco: Visit the mystical Incan stronghold of Ollantaytambo. These famous ruins are a massive Inca fortress made of large stone terraces stretching out across a hillside. Walk among the stone platforms, the sun temple of six monoliths and the Princess Baths fountain ― the Baño de la Nusta at the base of the ruins flowing from carved stone into a pool. Over your exploration, learn how the old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.. Machu Picchu: Soak in every moment of your Machu Picchu tour in style as you descend to the Lost City in the clouds aboard the Vistadome train. Traveling the Inca Trail, you’ll traverse dramatic landscapes with a panoramic view of the soaring peaks, river, and ruins. Sit back and relax as you enjoy this multi-sensory journey complete with background music, an informative audio commentary highlighting interesting sites, and an included light snack.. Machu Picchu: Take a shuttle to the top of the mountain where you’ll meet your local specialist for a guided hike of Machu Picchu. You’ll learn about Machu Picchu’s history and the use of each section of including ceremonial, storage, agriculture, temples, astronomical, and observatory as well as the possible reasons why the Incas left Machu Picchu.. Cusco: Enjoy the flavors of chicha, a Peruvian corn beer. Hear about how chicha is brewed by the local indigenous women and its history dating back to the time of the Incas as a favorite drink of the Andes. Learn about the two types of chicha, alcoholic sour chicha de jora made from fermented jora corn and the non-alcoholic, sweet chicha morada.. Machu Picchu: The ruins of Machu Picchu beckon yet again and we enjoy one final opportunity to reconnect with its story. Journey to take in the ruins at sunrise spending some time on your own to explore the hill-top fortress. Soak in every moment at this iconic site, making stops at points of interest while your guide shares their insights on the archaeological sites.. Cusco: Join your Local Specialist for a guided walk through Cusco's colonial center, including the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Koricancha. Here in Cusco’s Golden Temple of the Sun dedicated to the Sun God Inti, view the trapezoidal and irregular shapes and rounded edges. Note how the stones fit together and were built simply by placing them on top of each other without using any mortar. This staggered placement also enables them to withstand earthquakes.. Cusco: Begin your day at the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking Cusco. With zig zagging walls and ruins of giant stones, see how the shape and harmony of the landscape is similar to Machu Picchu. Stroll through this Incan architecture of sacred buildings such as residential buildings, towers, shrines, warehouses, roads and aqueducts. And while you may not be able to take in the grand scale, the complex design is based on the shape of the head of a puma, a sacred animal in Inca spirituality.. Lima: Join a local specialist for a tour of the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world. You'll also explore the extensive collection of Peruvian gold and silver from ancient times. Learn the history of the museum founded by Rafael Larco on July 28th, 1926 in Trujillo followed by in 1958 when Larco moved his collection to Lima to a unique colonial residence built on top of a VIII century pyramid..
- Dive into Culture - Lima: You’re treated to a lesson on how to pour the perfect sour, Peru’s native drink. In the good hands of professional chef Ignacio, the results are sure to be delicious. Ignacio will explain the history of Pisco – a type pf wine, the typical Pisco Sour, and an internationally less known but locally more popular drink called “Chilcano”. This cocktail of pisco, lime juice, Ginger ale and bitters is a refreshing twist on the pisco sour that will have you eager to share the recipe with your friends..
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® - Cusco: Visit Manos de la Comunidad weaving center to learn about artistic traditions and the four Andean camels: Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos. Then step inside a private area to discover one of the traditions of the Sacred Valley called “linderaje”. This typical tradition of several communities reinforces the borders of each community and involves several customs, one of which is man dancing in typical women’s clothes. Then enjoy an exclusive lunch at a beautiful outdoor space near the Weaving Center. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.. Sacred Valley: Meet the artisans working to preserve Peru’s textile heritage through a social project led by Nely Uscapi Levita and José Carlos Sallo Huallpayunca. With a focus on economic empowerment and education, this initiative supports women across Chinchero and beyond, helping them pass down ancestral weaving techniques while improving their livelihoods through sustainable craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities..
- Trafalgar Difference - Sacred Valley: Admire your idyllic setting within the Sacred Valley and take in the 18th-century colonial-style features of Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former monastery complete with plazas and cobbled streets..
