Peru Galapagos Adventure
Join us for the ultimate combination of Andes and Animals! Start with an exciting week of acclimatization in Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca. Then it’s off on the ancient Inca stronghold of Machu Picchu. Add to this an amazing immersion into the wildlife heaven of the Galapagos Islands. This all makes for a truly remarkable journey
25 Day Itinerary | ||
Departure: | 10th July 2025 | (Thursday to Sunday) |
---|---|---|
Price: | USD$6967 |
Day 1 - arrive Lima Arrival day (no activities planned). We will have a group meeting this evening Day 2 - Lima Join our insightful Lima reality city tour where take you to the historical centre for half a day and then visit a local community project in a colourful shanty in the afternoon. These culturally sensitive tours let you see the real life of locals and gives back to the communities visited Days 3 & 4 - Lima to Arequipa A morning flight to arguably Peru’s most beautiful city. Arequipa exhibits delightful colonial past and a visit to the colourful Santa Catalina Convent is a must. Situated under the volcano “El Misti”, stroll around the city enjoying the local museums, churches and sample some of the many superb regional dishes Days 5-7 - Arequipa to Colca Canyon and Puno 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. We continue through to the city of Puno on Day 6 Days 8 & 9 - Puno and Lake Titicaca 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 a remote peninsula on the lake Days 10 & 11 - Puno to Sacred Valley Today we depart Puno and travel by road across the Altiplano to Cuzco and then we head out to the beautiful Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley of the Inca’s) where we’ll spend the next two nights. The following morning we will explore the ancient township and Ollyantaytambo Inca site, then drive through rural villages to Pisac Inca site and vibrant Pisac market Day 12 - Machu Picchu 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 Days 13 & 14 - Machu Picchu to Cusco An early morning train and bus takes us to the imperial city of the Incas, Cusco, visiting some interesting sites on the way. 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 14, then free time to enjoy the city Day 15 - Cusco Free time to explore this beautiful city with great shopping, fascinating markets, or just relax in one of the many cafes and soak up the special atmosphere, which makes Cusco a truly unique place Days 16 & 17 - Otavalo (Hacienda Stay) & Quito We fly from Cusco to Quito for our 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. We are here for the world famous Saturday crafts market and have plenty of time to enjoy. The local indigenous weavers are the most talented in Ecuador and have won international recognition. Returning to Quito we stop at the “Mitad del Mundo” (Equator) located close to the city. Here we will visit the Inti, a local museum with different experiments showing that we’re right on the Equator. Tonight we enjoy a dinner at an authentic Ecuadorian fine dining restaurant Day 18 - Quito to Santa Cruz (Galapagos) Fly to Santa Cruz to begin our first Galapagos activity at a private giant tortoise reserve. We see these massive creatures in their natural habitat cooling off in a waterhole. We explore nearby lava tunnels to learn more of the natural forces that created these islands. Santa Cruz is a bustling port and vibrant centre of Galapagos. We continue on to Puerto Ayora where we dine in the ‘Calle de los Kioskos’ which is a little back street where small stall restaurants set up table and chairs in the middle of the street. This is truly where the locals eat Day 19 - Tortuga Bay & Isabela We head to beautiful Tortuga Bay which is a gorgeous beach accessible only by foot. Along the way we may spot lava lizards and birds. We reach Tortuga Bay, sheltered by mangroves and ideal for swimming. We walk through a cactus forest, trying to spot nesting blue-footed boobies or massive marine iguanas. Back in town we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about efforts to repopulate the islands with some of the once endangered species such as land iguana and giant tortoise. Take a boat to Isabela Island and a stroll through the picturesque town of Puerto Villamil. On its white sandy beach we enjoy the perfect spot for our first Isabela sunset Day 20 - Sierra Negra Volcano hike Today you can enjoy a guided hike up the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos. It is the second largest crater in the world and we hike to the perimeter of the caldera. We are on the lookout for bird species such as the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher. We continue on to traverse the vast lava fields of ‘Volcan Chico’ and stunning views. Back in town you can relax or perhaps rent a kayak to look for Galapagos penguins (only penguin found north of the equator), sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and pelicans. You can also rent a bike and head to the Wall of Tears Day 21 - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre & San Cristobal We take a leisurely walk to a coastal lagoon hopefully spotting some pink flamingos along the way. We visit Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre to see these creatures in all stages of development. Later a flight to the island of San Cristobal and a visit to ‘La Loberia’. This area is frequented by sea lions and we can enjoy sea lions sunbathing and vying for our attention. They play, nap and sometimes even pose for pictures! If you wish to swim then hop on in Day 22 - Kicker Rock Snorkelling A short boat ride takes us to Kicker Rock and we observe the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way we stop at Isla de Lobos to see nesting Frigate birds and Blue Footed Boobies. Kicker Rock is the remnants of an underwater volcano rising vertically 150m out of the sea. Snorkelling here we are looking for Sea Turtles, Manta Rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Time to relax at one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands swimming in the turquoise water. Returning to town late afternoon we have a special place in mind for our final meal in these Enchanted Islands! Day 23 - San Cristobal to Quito Free time today on our last day in the Galapagos. You can shop, head to the beach for a final swim or visit the Interpretation Centre to learn about the history of the archipelago and Charles Darwin’s visit. Perhaps a short hike to Tijeretas for a panoramic lookout. This afternoon we fly back for our last night in Quito Day 24 - Quito We enjoy a half day tour of the city, including the historical centre and La Compania church as well as the Panecillo lookout over the city. Tonight, we include a farewell dinner at an authentic Ecuadorian fine dining restaurant Day 25 - depart Quito Today you are free to depart at your convenience |
Trip Options
Single Travellers: | USD$980 | Details |
---|---|---|
Extra Accommodation: | Single USD$80 | Details |
Double USD$110 | ||
Arrival Airport Transfer: | USD$25 | Details |
Extra accommodation rates apply for Lima only
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
For tours where the start and finish points are different w can assist you with your arrangements in both locations.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement. This also applies to single travellers who we are not able to match up.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.