15 days Lima, The Sacred Valley, Cusco, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands
This is the chance to tour two of South America’s most famous destinations in elegance and style. The Sacred Valley in Peru is known for its ancient civilisations and the powerful presence of the Inca Dynasty with majestic Machu Picchu, a hidden citadel rising out of the jungle. The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic haven for prolific wildlife dancing in cold currents and giants roaming on ancient tracks across the highlands. This itinerary is for those who want to experience a balance of South America’s compelling cultures and have an epic up-close encounter with nature, Attenborough and Darwin style.
1 night in Lima
3 nights in The Sacred Valley at Sol y Luna
1 night at Aguas Calientes at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
2 nights in Cusco at Palacio Nazarenas
1 night in Guayaquil at Hotel Del Parque
7 nights in the Galapagos Islands on Integrity Yacht
Stay in Lima before flying over the Andes and into the Sacred Valley. Take some time to acclimatise to the altitude in the Urubamba Valley at one of our luxury hotels and experience the warmth of Peru’s colourful communities. Take part in a Pachamama ceremony overlooking the Moray Terraces and trek to Machu Picchu Inca style, through the magnificent Sun Gate. Rest, shop and relax in Cusco’s quirky city centre and experience panoramic views of the city from Sacsayhuaman’s walls dotted with herds of alpacas and llamas.
Fly to Guayaquil and stay overnight before jetting off to the Galapagos Islands the following morning. Board your luxury charter for the next 7 nights, and prepare to get to know the Islands’ inhabitants better than anyone else. A small charter with an expert naturalist guide and crew, this boat is a vessel of knowledge with no boundaries when it comes to wildlife viewing. On the archipelago you’ll encounter otherworldly species of land and sea. Sociable sea-lions, Humboldt penguins, marine and land iguanas, various reef shark species, green turtles, Darwin finches, flightless cormorants and perhaps the nesting waved albatross.
This is a year-round itinerary, but it’s worth taking note that the Inca Trail is closed in February due to downpours and Galapagos cruises are in-dock for maintenance September. Our insiders recommend travelling to the Sacred Valley and Galapagos during the shoulder seasons: from March to May and October to November.
Today you'll touch-down in Lima following an overnight flight from Madrid. Take to your suite at our hotel nearby to relax and regather before tomorrow's onward departure to the Andes.
Today you'll depart in the morning for your flight over and into the Andes. Be sure to sit on the left-hand side of the plane for epic views over Salkantay and Ausangate Glaciers - some of the most important peaks in the Andean cosmo-vision. Upon landing in Cusco, our Wayfairer representative will be waiting to escort you to your luxury hotel with a couple of pit-stops en-route.
On the way to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, you'll visit hacienda Huayoccari to enjoy a delicious lunch and experience the hospitality of a traditional Peruvian family. A visit to the only remaining town built and sustained entirely on Inca foundations, Ollantaytambo, is a must. Walk the cobblestone pathways with the sound of running water underfoot and explore the archeological complex located just overhead.
Get back in time to enjoy Sol y Luna, which is our most luxurious property in Urubamba and it's the perfect place to relax, enjoy your surroundings, and acclimatise to higher altitudes. At almost 3,000 meters above sea-level be sure to take this afternoon to relax and drink a Coca tea and make the most of the hotel's wonderful facilities and incredible restaurant.
Following an alfresco breakfast in the hotel's beautiful blooming gardens, you'll set off on a day of cultural immersion. Visit the traditional Andean community of Misminay, located in a stunning mountain setting.
As you arrive at the traditional community, the local people will offer a warm insight to real Andean culture. Take part in a traditional daily activity and learn about the Andean lifestyle from the local hosts. Following this, you'll hike to the community's lookout across the Moray Terraces. This is an entirely unadulterated view of the fascinating Inca agricultural laboratory which you can't get to from anywhere else. During the dry season from June until November the landscape is golden, and in the wet season from December to May, the valley is dressed in floral garments ad green. Partake in an offering to Pachamama and try some fermented corn beer known as chicha.
Following lunch, bid farewell to the hosts in the community and continue on to Maras, where you'll enjoy an impressive view of the terraced salt pans which vary in orange and pink hues.
Relax this afternoon back at Sol y Luna and perhaps even enjoy a spa treatment.
Today you'll be picked-up from your hotel and transferred to Ollantaytambo train station where you'll take the train to Km 104. It is here that you'll begin the first part of the 12 km trek. On your way to Wiñay Wayna soak up the outstanding views of the Sacred Valley and when you'll arrive you'll be astounded by the archaeological complex's beauty.
Along the way there'll be plenty of stops, and lunches in the Andes are particularly delicious. Hike through the high jungle scenery towards the Inti Punku - otherwise known as the Sun Gate. This announces your arrival at Machu Picchu. From here you'll be able to see the famous Inca Sanctuary from a truly unique angle, which is perhaps one of the biggest rewards for trekking in. Walk down to the complex itself and board the bus that will take you to your lodge in Aguas Calientes. Try Sumac's famous tasting menu on the way into town with sizzling ceviche, alpaca with local mushrooms, corn soup with a cheese foam all paired with wines. Amble into town to arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo by Inkaterra, where you'll stay for the night. This lodge is nestled in a hidden corner of the ramshackle town, with it's own impressive orchid collection and a opulent Andean spa.
After a healthy, energising breakfast, you‘ll board a bus for the short journey up to Machu Picchu and the start of your guided tour. This is one the Seven Wonders of the World, a truly unforgettable sight, and once inside your guide will tell you about the history, organisation and mysteries of this unique Inca complex. We’ll explore the area with its amazing ruins and terraces – an incredible example of Inca engineering skills – together with its photogenic alpacas, all of this against at the stunning backdrop of Huayna Picchu Mountain. From the area’s high point we’ll be able to take in Machu Picchu from above: quite a spectacle. Afterwards, you‘ll have free time to return and take pictures of the places that impressed you most.
After soaking up the magical energy, you’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch in a local restaurant, or a tour around the streets of this picturesque town, before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo station and the journey back to Cusco in our private vehicle.
This morning you'll wake up in Palacio Nazarenas, a heritage Belmond property on a peaceful square in Cusco. This morning you're free to explore the city with our expert guides who'll show you the secret spots for shopping and introduce you to the rich history of the city - an Incan Kingdom which became fused with the influence of the Spanish Conquistadors. The palette of whitewashed buildings and soothing blue windows and doorways make it a perfect place to relax and recuperate.
This evening you'll visit 3 different Cusco restaurants and experience a different taste sensation in each. Your Peruvian cocktail tour will take you to some of the best dining spots in the city and it's an evening out you won't forget.
This morning, you'll be escorted from your hotel to Cusco airport. You'll check your bags for your flight to Guayaquil via Lima. The journey will take up most of your day so be sure to have some films downloaded on the iPad and a good travel playlist on Spotify. Look out the airplane windows for some truly spectacular views as you fly over the Andes, the desert coastline, and the jungle.
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, our Wayfairer representative will be ready to take you to your hotel in Ecuador's largest city. Hotel Del Parque is an inner city oasis, a 19th century mansion surrounded by verdant tropical gardens. Rest here for a night of luxury before setting off for the Galapagos Archipelago tomorrow morning.
Your scenic flight over the Pacific Ocean to the Galapagos Islands will take just under an hour. Upon arrival you'll be met and taken to our VIP Lounge before boarding the Integrity Yacht for your 7 night adventure through the unseen territories of the Archipelago with entirely spectacular inhabitants.
Sadly, today marks your departure. Our Wayfairer representative will escort you to the airport for your international flight.
Talk to the team
Find out more and tailor your perfect trip with the help of
our specialist team on +44 117 313 3300
At Wayfairer we are incredibly selective about the lodges and tour providers we choose to partner with. On each journey to Ecuador and Peru, our guests will be engaging with positive and sustainable tourism which ensures that their experience will be culturally enriching and beneficial for the country that they are visiting and its inhabitants. Our partners know this destination well and are doing their utmost to protect and repair the incredibly important ecosystem here. It is integral to our work as luxury travel specialists that we support and cherish this and give back to the communities that we interact with along the way.
