Machu Picchu and Hotel based Galapagos Islands Tour

Day 1

After your arrival in Lima we will meet you and transfer to your chosen hotel.  For our 3 or 4 star passengers this could be the Casa Andina Classic or similar and for luxury travellers it may be the 5* Miraflores Park Hotel or Casa Andina Private Collection. Enjoy the rest of the day as free time in this bustelling capital city.

Day 2

In the morning you will be transfered back to Lima airport for your short flight to Cusco.  Upon arrival in Cusco we will meet you and transfer you to you chosen hotel.  For some clients this could be the boutique hotel Casa San Blas or one of the Casa Andina hotels and for luxury clients maybe the fabulous Monasterio Hotel or the Libertador, subject to space of course.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a Cusco city tour visiting the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the Cusco cathedral and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. In the evening you will be free to enjoy the famous nightlife of this Inca city.

Day 3

After collection from your hotel for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley, we will be visiting the Inca ruins of Pisac (if on a private tour) and Ollayantambo also the Market at Pisac, a great place to buy souvenirs. You will have an English speaking guide all day and a great buffet lunch in Yucay included in the sunny valley. You will then spend the night down in the valley to take advantage of a change of scene, more oxygen (as you are 800 meters lower), and a shorter journey tomorrow on the train to Machu Picchu.

We recommend these 2 hotels but there are many more that we use in all price ranges. Casa Andina PC Valley and Sol y Luna are our favorites.

Day 4

Today you will have an early start to catch your chosen train to Machu Picchu which will be either the standard service (called thje "Backpacker", but that is a misleading name we feel), the Vistadome or the luxury Hiram Bingham service. The advantage you have is that you have stayed in the valley overnight and therefore don´t have to get up as early as you would in Cusco to catch the train. A taxi will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the station or if you are staying in one of the hotels really close to the station you can walk there.

Comparison of the Trains to Machu Picchu

After being met in Aguas Calientes by your guide you can drop off your overnight bags at your hotel and then take your bus transfer to the Machu Picchu site to enjoy a private tour with a qualified English speaking guide. Take the rest of the day as free time to enjoy this incredible site.  In the late afternoon you will return to your chosen hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town that nestles in the valley below Machu Picchu. 

For some travellers we recommend the Inti Inn or similar.  For luxury travellers we recommend the Pueblo Hotel or the Sumaq Hotel, both excellent high end hotels down in the village. If you prefer to stay right at the gate of Machu Picchu you could choose the Sanctuary Lodge as its location cannot be beaten.

Day 5

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Cusco and taken to the airport for the short flight to Lima. In the afternoon after checking in you will have a half day Colonial and Modern Lima city tour. You will visit the Lima Cathedral and the Church and Convent of San Francisco amongst other sites before going back to your hotel in the Miraflores area of the city.  

Day 6

In the morning we will transfer you to Lima airport for your 3 hour flight to Quito in Ecuador the starting point for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.  You will transfer to your chosen hotel and enjoy the rest of the day as free time.  Our hotels include the Hotel Quito for our classic level clients and the Patio Andaluz hotel for our luxury tours. 

Day 7

Enjoy a full day Tour of Quito visiting the fabulous colonial old city centre and the "Middle of the World" Monument, which sits directly on the Equator.  Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Day 8 - 12

In the morning we will transfer you to Quito airport for your 2 hour flight to the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival in this unique location you will be transfered to your chosen hotel on the Islands. We have a wide selection of hotels for most budgets including the Finch Bay with its beach front location, the Red Mangrove and Sol y Mar on the harbour and the superb Royal Palm, the only 5* Hotel in the Galapagos an one of the finest Hotels in South America. From your hotel you will be able to enjoy a programme of Wildlife Tours, Scuba Diving and Snorkelling etc.

There is also the option of "Island Hopping", staying on land on several islands. This type of tour is becoming more popular and we work with the Red Mangrove lodges to provide this tour.

Day 12 (Day 13 for Finch Bay Tours)

In the morning you will transfer back to the airport for your flights back to Quito (or Guayaquil if you wish) to continue on tour with us, or to sadly reach the end of your superb vacation.

There are a number of ways of extending this tour including additional days at the Royal Palm, further tours in Ecuador or of course extending your time in Peru to include, for example, the Nazca Lines, Ballestas Islands and the Colca Canyon. Please ask for further details.

To see our entire range of Peru tours please CLICK HERE.