Galápagos, Peru

13° 9′ S 72° 32′ W

Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in the Andes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Urubamba Valley, near Cusco, Peru, South America
ExpeditionsUi Arrow rightWild Galápagos and Peru Escape | Lindblad Expeditions

Wild Galápagos and Peru Escape

Skip to

Highlights

Close-up image of a Galapagos Giant Tortoise on the move, Chelonoidis nigra, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
  • Soak in the scenery and culture of the Sacred Valley of the Inca

  • Journey between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu by Inca Rail

  • Remain into the late afternoon at fabled Machu Picchu, introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine

  • Maximize your time in Galápagos with options to hike, Zodiac cruise, and snorkel every day

  • Walk in a cactus forest with endemic land iguanas; wander among sea lions and admire soaring sea birds; and search for penguins on stark black lava

Day by Day

Starts at

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Ends at

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Download Itinerary

Day 1

Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Costa del Sol, connected to the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension staying at the iconic Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedition and gives you a chance to rest, relax, and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city.

Day 1

Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Costa del Sol, connected to the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension staying at the iconic Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedition and gives you a chance to rest, relax, and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city.

Day 2

Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco this morning. Drive through the Sacred Valley to Chinchero, a typical Andean village where National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa joins us for lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions. Continue to Tambo del Inka, where we stay two nights. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco this morning. Drive through the Sacred Valley to Chinchero, a typical Andean village where National Geographic Grantee Nilda Callañaupa joins us for lunch and a demonstration of Inca weaving traditions. Continue to Tambo del Inka, where we stay two nights. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Machu Picchu

Drive to Ollantaytambo, where we board our train to Machu Picchu. Perched at nearly 8,000 feet in the “eyebrow of the jungle,” the sanctuary is surrounded by tropical mountain forest with diverse birds and orchids. We linger after daytime visitors have departed, returning to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train ride back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka this evening. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Machu Picchu

Drive to Ollantaytambo, where we board our train to Machu Picchu. Perched at nearly 8,000 feet in the “eyebrow of the jungle,” the sanctuary is surrounded by tropical mountain forest with diverse birds and orchids. We linger after daytime visitors have departed, returning to Machu Picchu Pueblo for the train ride back to the Sacred Valley and Tambo del Inka this evening. Dinner is served aboard the first-class train.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Sacred Valley / Cusco

After breakfast this morning, depart for Cusco with a full day to explore. Tour the ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of this burgeoning cultural capital and center of theInca universe, where colonial buildings stand atopInca foundations. Check in at Palacio del Inka in the historic center. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore nearby celebrated restaurants or rest and relax at the hotel.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Sacred Valley / Cusco

After breakfast this morning, depart for Cusco with a full day to explore. Tour the ornate 17th-century cathedral and Plaza de Armas, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of this burgeoning cultural capital and center of theInca universe, where colonial buildings stand atopInca foundations. Check in at Palacio del Inka in the historic center. Dinner is on your own tonight to explore nearby celebrated restaurants or rest and relax at the hotel.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5

Cusco / Lima / Guayaquil, Ecuador

Bid farewell to Peru and continue to Ecuador for the second part of our expedition with flights from Cusco via Lima to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Overnight at Hotel del Parque. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Cusco / Lima / Guayaquil, Ecuador

Bid farewell to Peru and continue to Ecuador for the second part of our expedition with flights from Cusco via Lima to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Overnight at Hotel del Parque. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6-9

Guayaquil / Baltra / Embark Ship

Fly on Day 6 to Galápagos. Each day here we hike, swim, snorkel, or explore by kayak or Zodiac—all the while witnessing incredible interactions between animals in their natural habitat. Start exploring on Isla Santa Cruz with a trip over the highlands of Santa Cruz upon arrival. Over these few days, walk in a cactus forest with endemic land iguanas on Santa Fé. Wander among sea lions and admire soaring sea birds on Plaza Sur. Search for penguins on stark black lava at Sullivan Bay on Santiago. Snorkel in crystal-clear water at Sombrero Chino. And sail across the Equator and into the flooded caldera at Genovesa, a seabird paradise where we bid farewell to Darwin's Islands. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6-9

Guayaquil / Baltra / Embark Ship

Fly on Day 6 to Galápagos. Each day here we hike, swim, snorkel, or explore by kayak or Zodiac—all the while witnessing incredible interactions between animals in their natural habitat. Start exploring on Isla Santa Cruz with a trip over the highlands of Santa Cruz upon arrival. Over these few days, walk in a cactus forest with endemic land iguanas on Santa Fé. Wander among sea lions and admire soaring sea birds on Plaza Sur. Search for penguins on stark black lava at Sullivan Bay on Santiago. Snorkel in crystal-clear water at Sombrero Chino. And sail across the Equator and into the flooded caldera at Genovesa, a seabird paradise where we bid farewell to Darwin's Islands. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Baltra Island / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil

Fly to Guayaquil and transfer to the Hotel del Parque. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights. Guests may also opt for our post-cruise extension to Quito & Otavalo. Ask your Expedition Specialist for details.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10

Baltra Island / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil

Fly to Guayaquil and transfer to the Hotel del Parque. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights. Guests may also opt for our post-cruise extension to Quito & Otavalo. Ask your Expedition Specialist for details.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11

Guayaquil

Stay and relax or take an early flight home today.

Day 11

Guayaquil

Stay and relax or take an early flight home today.

Download Itinerary

Dates & Rates

Newsletter

Be the first to get intriguing travel stories, new destination alerts, tips and special offers

Ships

National Geographic Islander II Christening ceremony, October 23, 2022.

National Geographic Islander II

Guests

48

Cabins

26

A New Ship with Just 26 Spacious Staterooms and Suites

National Geographic Islander ll is an expedition vessel that feels like a private yacht. With only 26 staterooms and suites accommodating just 48 guests, she sails with a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio. Special features include teak decks, indoor-outdoor dining options, an impressive observation deck, and new amenities like a climate-controlled Marina and a dedicated Science Hub.

Book now and join us on an unforgettable journey

Make a reservation

Book now

Talk to an Expedition Specialist

Expedition Extensions

A walking path in Otavalo. A town in the Andean highlands in the Imbabura province of northern Ecuador. It’s surrounded by volcanoes including the Imbabura Volcano.

Quito & Otavalo Post-Voyage Extension

4 Days

From

$940

/ per person

Explore
Cords of brightly colored Yarn Tassels
 on display at the Indian Market in the Miraflores neighborhood of Lima, Peru.

Taste of Lima Pre-Voyage Extension

3 Days

From

$440

/ per person

Explore

Expedition Team

Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.

Captain Andrew Cook with guests and Staff on the Bridge of National Geographic Venture, Baja California, Mexico

Special Offers

Book before Jun 30

FREE AIR IN 2023

Book before Jun 30

FREE AIR IN 2024

Take advantage of our additional offers

Guests toast to the sunset on the ship National Geographic Quest/Venture

CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES

A  young traveler enjoys the sun setting and casting a spectrum of warm hues across the sky on the ship National Geographic Orion, Java Sea

BRINGING THE KIDS

Family fun!

Expedition leaders take guests to explore daily by skiff in the Amazon

TRAVELING AS A GROUP

Guests from the Lindblad Expedition ship National Geographic Explorer take the Polar Plunge off ice floe in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Southern Ocean.

COMBINING OFFERS

Combine now and save!

View our brochure for more details

Galapagos 2023-24


Discover two iconic world wonders in 11 action-filled days. Starting in Lima, fly to Cusco and journey to the Sacred Valley and fabled Machu Picchu. Then venture to Darwin's Galápagos Islands to encounter unique wildlife and landscapes on shore and under the sea. Sail aboard the newest member of our fleet, National Geographic Islander ll. With just 26 staterooms and suites, this elegant ship feels like a private yacht.

From

$10,790

/ per person

Does not include flight

Book Now
duration
11 Days
starts at
Lima, Peru
ends at
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Book before Jun 30

FREE AIR IN 2023

See all offers

View our brochure for more details

Galapagos 2023-24

Talk to an Expedition Specialist

+1.800.397.3348

From

$10,790

/ per person

Book Now
duration
11 Days
starts at
Lima, Peru
ends at
Guayaquil, Ecuador

View our brochure for more details

Galapagos 2023-24

From

$10,790

/ per person

Book Now
duration
11 Days
starts at
Lima, Peru
ends at
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Book before Jun 30

FREE AIR IN 2023

See all offers

View our brochure for more details

Galapagos 2023-24