Machu Pitchu, Cloud Forest and Galapagos Cruise

Day 1 - Arrive Quito

Touch down in Ecuador's capital and transfer from the airport to your hotel. On arrival, there will be a briefing before you settle in for the night.

Hotel: Hotel Boutique Patio Andaluz or similar

Day 2 - Quito City Tour, Middle of the World & Chocolate Experience

Quito is home to one of South America's largest and best-preserved colonial centres. The day takes you through Independence Square, known locally as Plaza Grande, and the iconic La Compania de Jesus church, considered one of the most beautiful on the continent. You will also visit the San Francisco Church and Monastery before heading up to the Virgin of the Panecillo, which looks out over the entire city.

No visit to Quito would be complete without learning about Ecuador's world famous Fine Aroma Cacao. You will stop at a local artisanal chocolate shop to discover the story behind the chocolate making process.

The afternoon takes you around 30 km north of the city to the Middle of the World, where you can stand on the equatorial line that divides the two hemispheres. The Intinan Museum marks the true equator and showcases its fascinating phenomena.

Day 3 - Mindo Cloud Forest

A two hour drive from Quito brings you into the heart of the Choco Andino, a region celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity. The morning is spent hiking along riverside trails, discovering a series of waterfalls and taking a swim in crystal clear natural pools surrounded by tropical forest.

The afternoon is dedicated to birdwatching, with Mindo being one of the top destinations in the world for it. Keep your eyes peeled for the brilliant colours of hummingbirds darting through the trees. If time allows, there is the option to visit orchid and butterfly gardens or sample some of the fine chocolate made locally before returning to Quito.

Day 4 - Fly to the Galapagos & Bachas Beach

Transfer to the airport and fly out to the Galapagos Islands, where you will board your small cruise ship. Your first stop is Bachas Beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, a beautiful stretch of sand ideal for a swim. The beach also holds one of the few remaining traces of the US presence during World War II, with the remains of a floating pier still visible along the shore. Wildlife here is abundant, with flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts and whimbrels all calling this stretch of coastline home. Just offshore, sea turtles are known to nest along the shoreline.

Day 5 - Galapagos Genovesa Island

Genovesa is one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos from a geological perspective and one of the most dramatic. After landing, a 1.5 km trail leads across volcanic rock, taking around two hours and showcasing the island's rugged terrain and fragile lava formations along the cliffs.

Later, the route continues to El Barranco, also known as Prince Philip's Steps, where a steep and rocky path climbs to a striking cliff top viewpoint with sweeping ocean views. This is a brilliant spot for wildlife, with red footed boobies, short eared owls, Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves all found here among the palo santo trees.

Day 6 - Galapagos South Plaza & Santa Fe Islands

Two very different islands make up today's adventures. South Plaza is small but teeming with life, its landscape dotted with Opuntia cacti and home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the entire archipelago. The island is also known for its land iguanas, whose yellow and reddish tones blend into the terrain. Look out for the Sesuvium plant, which shifts from green to yellow in the rainy season and turns a vivid red during the dry months from late June through January.

Santa Fe, also known as Barrington, offers a calm sheltered bay on the north east coast. From here, two walking trails lead the way, one climbing to a scenic cliff top viewpoint and another winding inland through a forest of towering prickly pear cacti.

Day 7 - Galapagos Santa Cruz Island

The morning takes you into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, where the scenery shifts from arid coast to deep green forest. Scalesia trees dominate the landscape and create an almost misty, forest like atmosphere unique to the Galápagos. A real highlight here is exploring the island's lava tubes, vast underground tunnels stretching over half a mile, offering a remarkable glimpse into the volcanic history beneath your feet.

In the afternoon, the visit continues to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre in Puerto Ayora. Established in 1965, this long running conservation programme has played a vital role in protecting the giant tortoise population. During the visit you will see tortoises at every stage of life, from tiny hatchlings through to impressive fully grown adults.

Day 8 - Galapagos Floreana Island

Floreana blends fascinating history with striking landscapes and brilliant wildlife. The day begins at the Baroness Viewing Point, where easy trails offer sweeping views across the island's flora and fauna. This spot is steeped in mystery, once home to a baroness whose story remains linked to an unsolved murder.

Inland, Asilo de la Paz rises around 450 metres and is home to a historic pirates' cave and a rare freshwater spring. Later, visit the famous Post Office Bay, where an 18th century whaling tradition lives on through a simple wooden barrel that still serves as an informal postbox. Visitors leave postcards and hand deliver any they find on their travels home.

The day also brings opportunities to explore the underwater world around Champion Islet, home to species such as the red lipped batfish and blue lobster, along with Cormorant Point, where flamingos, stilts and pintails gather around a lagoon. The contrasting beaches here are a sight in themselves, from green hued sands rich in olivine crystals to a bright white coral shoreline.

Day 9 - Galapagos Espanola Island

Espanola delivers some of the most dramatic scenery and memorable wildlife encounters of the entire cruise. The day begins at Suarez Point, where blue footed, Nazca and waved albatrosses gather, particularly during breeding season. The cliffs here serve as a natural launch point for the albatrosses, while a famous blowhole sends jets of water high into the air creating quite the spectacle.

The afternoon is spent at Gardner Bay on the island's eastern shore, where a wide sweep of white sand is home to large colonies of sea lions. A perfect spot for a swim or snorkel along the rocky edges. Nearby, Osborn Islet offers further chances to spot sea lions, parrotfish, butterfly fish, coral formations and the distinctive red lipped batfish.

Day 10 - Galapagos San Cristobal Island

The day begins with a visit to Kicker Rock, a dramatic volcanic formation that rises steeply from the ocean with twin cliffs separated by a narrow channel. There is no landing here, but the surrounding waters are ideal for snorkelling, diving or kayaking alongside an incredible variety of marine life.

Next, head to Witch Hill on the island's northern coast, where a powder soft white sand beach and clear turquoise waters create one of the most picturesque spots in the archipelago. Sea turtles, rays and booby species are commonly seen here. The day continues to Lobos Island, home to lively sea lion colonies and further snorkelling, before finishing at the Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Centre, where exhibits bring the islands' natural history, human heritage and conservation story to life.

Day 11 - Galapagos Santa Cruz to Lima

The final morning in the Galapagos begins with a peaceful visit to Black Turtle Cove on the northern coast of Santa Cruz. Accessible only by dinghy, this quiet inlet is fringed by dense mangroves and shelters an abundance of marine life. Gliding through the shallow waters, look out for black tip and white tip reef sharks, sea turtles and rays drifting beneath the surface.

After the visit, return to Baltra to disembark and fly onward to Lima, Peru, where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Hotel: Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores or similar

Day 12 - Lima

Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant.

Lima is a city where history and culture sit side by side. The day begins in the vibrant district of Miraflores with a visit to the iconic Parque del Amor, home to the famous sculpture 'The Kiss' by Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín. From there, the tour continues to Huaca Pucllana, an ancient ceremonial centre of the Lima culture.

The historic Plaza de Armas follows, home to the Government Palace and Municipal Palace, before a visit to the Cathedral and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent holds great historical and spiritual significance, its corridors once walked by Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Rose of Lima in the 17th century, and it is here where their remains rest today.

Hotel: Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores or similar

Day 13 - Lima to Cusco

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, giving you time to acclimatise to the altitude of this remarkable Andean city.

Hotel: Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels

Day 14 - Cusco & the Sacred Valley

Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant.

Today takes you to some of the most fascinating corners of the Sacred Valley. The excursion begins in Chinchero, where you can explore the archaeological site and watch a demonstration of traditional textile weaving, a craft this community is renowned for, using ancestral dyeing techniques passed down through generations.

The route continues to Moray, an impressive archaeological site featuring colossal concentric terraces resembling a vast amphitheatre. These were designed by the Inca to recreate up to 20 different microclimates for agricultural experimentation. Afterwards, the visit turns to Maras and its ancient salt mines, where the striking contrast between white salt ponds and the lush green valley below makes for one of the most spectacular views in the Sacred Valley.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant before an overnight stay in the Sacred Valley.

Hotel: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay

Day 15 - Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant.

Transfer to Ollantaytambo train station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu town. Please note that luggage will be transported separately to Cusco, so you will need to pack a small bag or backpack of no more than 8 kg for the journey.

On arrival at Aguas Calientes, shuttle transport ascends through an intricate mountain path with spectacular views of the Urubamba River far below. At the top, the Lost City of the Incas reveals itself, its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial precincts and urban areas unlike anything else in the world.

After a guided visit, a shuttle bus returns you to Machu Picchu Pueblo for a three course lunch at Cafe Inkaterra, a lovely spot right on the banks of the Vilcanota River. Dinner and overnight in Machu Picchu town.

Hotel: El Mapi Hotel by Inkaterra or similar

Please note: luggage is transported via a luggage car to Cusco. Only one small bag or backpack with a maximum weight of 8 kg and linear size of 157 cm is permitted on board the train.

Day 16 - Machu Picchu to Cusco

Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant.

An early morning return to Machu Picchu allows for a quieter, more intimate experience of the Inca citadel, with free time to explore at your own pace. At the arranged time, board the Vistadome Observatory train back, arriving at Poroy station before a private transfer of around 30 to 45 minutes into Cusco.

Hotel: Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels or similar

Day 17 - Cusco & Fly Home

Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant before checking out and transferring to the airport for your onward flight back to Lima and homeward journey.