Your itinerary

Day 1: UK - Lima.

Fly to Lima where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 2: Lima.

Known as the 'City of the Kings', Lima is a fascinating blend of colonial history, Hispanic culture and modern skyscrapers. Today, enjoy a memorable tour of its colonial landmarks, including the handsome Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral housing the remains of its founder, Franciso Pizarro, and the beautiful San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th century mural-decorated cloisters. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B) (D)

Day 3: Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley.

Today, you'll fly to Cuzco, the magnificent Andean city that was once the Inca capital. Called the 'Navel of the Earth' by its Quechua-speaking peoples, this centuries-old mountain town offers bustling plazas, craft markets and historic churches. Surrounded by archaeological remains, it's also the gateway to some of Peru's best-known Inca sites. Today travel to the Sacred Valley, winding through snow-capped mountains and ancient villages, to see the Inca baths at Tambomachay, the stone-altared Kenko amphitheatre and the massive Temple of Sacsayhuaman. To this day, it remains unfathomable how this massive edifice, composed of gigantic, 350-tonne stones, was built. Next is Pisac, an aeons-old mountain village where you'll visit a family home and have time to buy souvenirs at the bustling local market selling alpaca wool sweaters, traditional blankets and hand-painted ornaments. (B) (L) (D)

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu.

This morning, marvel at the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo before boarding a train that weaves through the lush Urubamba Valley towards Machu Picchu. After disembarking, ascend to the awe-inspiring Lost City of the Incas, a phenomenal collection of ruins perched against a breathtaking mountain backdrop and framed by dense jungle. Your guided tour will reveal the secrets and stories behind this sacred site and its best-known structures, including the stupendous Temple of the Sun, Andean Cross and staggered fountains. (B) (L) (D)

Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cuzco.

Enjoy the tranquillity of Machu Picchu at your leisure this morning, wandering around the ruins as the sun climbs above the mountains. After lunch, return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue on to Cuzco. (B) (L)

Day 6: Cuzco.

Today, delve deeper into the history of the Inca civilisation and its wars with the Spaniards on a tour of Cuzco. Marvel at the imposing cathedral and romantic Santo Domingo Monastery and tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by Andean folk music. (B) (D)

Day 7: Cuzco - Quito.

Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this surprising city is an eclectic mix, with a colonial old town rubbing shoulders with a modern district of office blocks and shopping streets. (B) (D)

Day 8: Quito - Cotapaxi National Park and Chiva Express.

Begin today with a scenic ride aboard the famous Chiva Express: a colourful, one-coach train. 'Ride the roof' and take in scintillating panoramas over the Ecuadorean Andes and local villages. Enjoy a stop in the moorlands surrounding Cotopaxi National Park for a traditional lunch at a local family's hacienda and after plenty of time to horse-ride, bird-watch or simply explore by foot, return to Quito in the afternoon. (B) (L)

Day 9: Quito.

Soak up Quito's history on an included tour of the city's fascinating treasures. See the historic stone murals at the Legislative Palace, admire grand Independence Plaza, witness the 16th century San Francisco Monastery and gaze at the lavish golden altars of the Jesuits' La Compania Church before having your photo taken in front of the Equatorial Monument, which marks the centre of the world. (B)

Day 10: Quito - Baltra for embarkation - San Cristobal.

Catch a morning flight to the Galápagos Island of Baltra to board MV Santa Cruz for your three night cruise. Each day from now, you'll go ashore to different islands with an expert naturalist who will introduce you to the unique wildlife. First is San Cristobal, the island where Charles Darwin first set foot in 1835 and home to the legendary blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, San Cristobal mocking birds and Lava Lizards. (B) (L) (D)

Day 11: Española - Floreana.

Today, explore Española, otherwise known as Hood Island, with its beautiful colonies of waved albatrosses (between Apr-Dec), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, Darwin's finches and the famous blowhole. Pick your way through rock-basking marine iguanas before heading to Floreana this afternoon to see its secluded lagoon populated with pink flamingos, and perhaps even snorkel amid the coral formations of Devil's Crown. (B) (L) (D)

Day 12: Fernandina.

The youngest of the Galápagos, dome-shaped Fernandina awaits today. Here, walk among marine iguanas on the black lava rocks and watch for sea lion colonies, Sally Lightfoot crabs and hawks. This afternoon, explore and cruise around the magnificent coastal cliffs forming part of the sunken Ecuador Volcano, watching the awe-inspiring geology unfolding before you. Here, you'll see flightless cormorants, sea lions, Galápagos penguins and maybe even dolphins and whales. (B) (L) (D)

Day 13: Baltra - Quito.

Enjoy an early morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station before flying back to Quito. This evening, share your Galápagos experiences at a celebratory farewell dinner. (B) (D)

Day 14: Quito - UK.

A day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)

Day 15: Home landing in the UK.

Note: The ship's itinerary may vary according to the Galápagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions and seasonal changes. get more info » book online »

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