Peru Galapagos Adventure

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel, where your tour guide will be ready to welcome you. No scheduled events are planned for today, so take this time to unwind and get comfortable.

Meals Included: None

Meet your fellow travellers at the morning trip briefing. Then join our insightful Lima reality city tour which takes you to the historical centre for half a day and visit a local community project in a colourful shanty this afternoon. These culturally sensitive tours let you see the real life of locals and give back to the communities visited. This evening, you’ll be treated to a welcome dinner of delicious Peruvian regional cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner 

Today, we’re in for another captivating experience in Lima. We’ll visit La Victoria, one of the most popular districts for locals in Lima, characterised for its street vendors, street food and the huge clothing industry. The highlight here is the witches market, a market full of mysteries.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel to the second-largest city of Peru, beneath the imposing “El Misti” volcano. Exploring this charming city is a delightful experience, as you wander through its streets. The objective is to embrace a leisurely pace, allowing for gradual acclimatisation at an elevation of 2200 metres.

The local gastronomy in this region stands out as some of the finest in Peru, and tonight, we have the opportunity to savour an array of traditional dishes from the province, further enhancing our experience.

Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts

Colca Canyon, home to the famous Andean Condor. View these birds close up as they soar above us while on the edge of the canyon. Visit local villages, soak in thermal baths and sample the life, music and spectacular scenery.

Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts

We continue through to the city of Puno on Day 8. From the shores of magnificent “Lake Titicaca”, we board a boat bound for the floating islands of Uros and a local homestay in a less touristed community, along the way learning of the legends and the ways of the lake and its people where life has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries. An overnight home stay will allow us to live with a family on the islands. On Day 10, we return to Puno.

Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner

Today we bid farewell to Puno and embark on a road journey traversing the expansive Altiplano towards Cuzco. Subsequently, we venture into the captivating Urubamba Valley, famously known as the “Sacred Valley of the Incas.”

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, we will delve into the history of the old town and the Inca site of Ollantaytambo.  Then we will journey through countryside villages en route to Pisac. A remarkable opportunity awaits as we visit a local farming community, where a ceremonial homage to Pacha Mama (mother earth) will greet us. This is a special privilege. Immerse yourself in discovering the time-honoured customs and practices, ranging from the utilisation of medicinal herbs to the intricacies of wool dyeing, and even contributing to ongoing farming initiatives.

Later on, we will explore the Inca site and partake in the vibrant ambiance of the Pisac market.

Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Lunch

Take an early train to Aguas Calientes (now known as Machu Picchu village) where we’ll check in to our hotel and make our way to Machu Picchu. You’ll have free time until mid afternoon to wander around this amazing site, then join our guided tour once the crowds have subsided. Relax at your own pace for the rest of the day in Machu Picchu, head down to the village or soak in the hot springs.

Meals Included: Breakfast

***Inca Trail Option: If you still prefer to do the trail, we can book it for you as an independent tour. You will be with another group and have to advise us early, so that trail permits can be obtained. You would then stay in Cusco on day 11 and meet the group back in Cusco on day 15. Inca trail supplement will be approximately USD500 on a twin share basis.

***The Local farming community as of 2023 are not inviting tourists back into the community. If this is still the case in 2024 we will replace it with another Local experience.

An early morning train and bus takes us to the imperial city of the Incas, Cusco, visiting some interesting sites on the way such as Maras and Morray. Arrive in Cusco early evening on day 15.

Rich in history and surrounded by ancient Inca sites, churches and museums and markets, there is plenty for all to do and see. Enjoy a half day city tour on day 16, then free time to enjoy the city, before taking part in a unique cooking class overlooking the city.

Meals Included: 2 Breakfast and 1 Dinner

Enjoy the liberty to wander through this exquisite city, indulging in exceptional shopping, captivating markets, or simply unwinding at one of the numerous cafés while immersing yourself in the distinctive ambiance that renders Cusco an unmistakably unparalleled destination. As the day unfolds, we conclude our Peruvian journey with a farewell dinner, commemorating the remarkable experience we’ve shared.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Farewell dinner

An early morning flight takes us from Cusco via Lima to Quito for your Ecuador adventure. Head north to South America’s most famous market, Otavalo. We will spend the night in an ancient hacienda over 400 years old and have plenty of time to look around the market and enjoy the sites and sounds. The world famous Saturday crafts market in Otavalo is one of the most well known throughout the Andes.

On the way back to Quito is the “Mitad del Mundo” (Equator) located 45 minutes from the city. Here we’ll visit the Inti, a local museum with different experiments showing that we’re right on the Equator. Tonight we include a dinner at an authentic Ecuadorian fine dining restaurant.

Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner

Embark on a new day with a flight to Santa Cruz, specifically Baltra Island. Here, your guide eagerly awaits, marking the commencement of your thrilling adventure. As you journey towards Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz’s capital, your initial activity unfolds with a pause in the highlands. This unique stop introduces you to a private reserve dedicated to giant tortoises. An added bonus awaits as you delve into nearby lava tunnels, deepening your understanding of the geological forces that shaped these islands.

Next on the agenda is Puerto Ayora, where you’ll set out to explore the town. This evening, your guide will lead you to Calle de los Kioskos (Kiosks Street). This charming alley transforms each night into an open-air dining haven, as small stall restaurants set up tables and chairs right in the middle of the street. For an authentic local dining experience, this is the ultimate destination.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning we’ll take a short walk that ends in white sand and luscious waves. Tortuga Bay is a gorgeous beach accessible only by foot and laden with choices. A leisurely 45-minute path leads to the beach area and along the way you may spot lava lizards and birds in the surrounding trees.

We’ll head back to town at any time. For those interested, an optional visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is suggested. We’ll learn about the stations successes in repopulating the islands with the once endangered land iguana and several species of giant tortoise. From the collection of the eggs to the age of release, we’ll observe how the giant tortoises are raised and readied for life on their own.

After lunch, we’ll hop on board for our boat ride to Isabela Island – the largest island in the Archipelago. After check-in, we’ll go for a stroll through the picturesque town of Puerto Villamil. Along its white sand beach we’re sure to find the perfect spot to toast in our first Isabela sunset, arguably the most beautiful of all the islands.

SURFING: Sometimes it’s possible to surf or boogie board at Tortuga Bay. Please tell your guide ahead of time if this is something you’d like to do.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Lace up your hiking boots – we’re hiking up a volcano! Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos. Once we reach the rim, we’ll be met with a 9km view that stretches across one of the most active calderas in the world.

We’ll continue around the rim, stopping at various lookouts along the way, en route to Volcan Chico.  We’ll cross fields of lava and small lava tunnels until we reach a lookout that boasts breathtaking views reaching to the north of Isabela.

After enjoying a hearty sense of accomplishment, we’ll make our way back to town in early afternoon. You are free to take is easy or partake in an optional activity. Return to town just in time for a sunset dip before your independent dinner. As always, your guide will be more than happy to help you find a local spot to dine.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll head off for a leisurely walk through a coastal lagoon. This mangrove-lined path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre where we’ll see giant tortoises in all stages of development. The centre has almost one thousand giant tortoises training for life on their own!

This afternoon, you’ll take an early flight to the island of San Cristobal, the oldest and eastern-most island of the Galapagos archipelago. You’ll arrive just in time for lunch before you head out for your first activity: a visit to La Loberia.

La “Loberia” is an area frequented by sea lions. In other words, it’s a sea lion hang out! There we’ll be able to watch sea lions sunbathing and vying for our attention. They play, they nap and sometimes, they pose for pictures! If you’re keen for a swim, hop on in.

On the way back to town, your guide will point out their favourite spots to dine.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Today we’ll cruise along the coast in our boat identifying shore birds like the great frigate and famous blue-footed booby. Then we’ll drop anchor for an introductory snorkel where we’ll get our fins wet in search of damselfish, puffer fish, and, hopefully, curious sea lion pups.

Next, we’ll continue to Kicker Rock, or Leon Dormido as it’s known by the locals, to explore the final remains of a tuff cone rising over 143 meters out of the ocean.

A beautiful beach accessible only by boat will be our final stop. After lunch on board, feel free to spend your time swimming in the turquoise water or snapping photos of Kicker Rock in the distance.

We’ll head back to town late afternoon and have some time to explore town. Perhaps you’ll want to grab a sunset beer or cocktail by the waterfront and watch the spectacular sunset. Alternatively you could  grab a bike and explore town.

Tonight, we head to one of our favourite spots for some open air dining. It’s a well-deserved farewell feast as this is the last night in the Enchanted Islands!

DIVING: Occasionally, the option to dive is available. Please inquire in advance.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today is your last day on the islands. Squeeze in some souvenir shopping, head to the beach from one final swim at the beach, or visit the Interpretation Centre to learn about the history and mystery of the archipelago. For those interested, a brief hike to Tijeretas awaits, leading to a panoramic vantage point overlooking the town and Kicker Rock.

This afternoon, you’ll fly back to Quito. Tonight, we include a farewell dinner at an authentic Ecuadorian fine dining restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Today is the last day of the tour and we’ll be sure to get you to the airport if you have a flight out before noon. If you just can’t bear to leave, our representative will be able to advise you and help with some of the many tours available in and around Quito.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SPECIAL NOTE. S.E.T. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ITINERARY DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND/OR GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK REGULATION CHANGES