10 Day Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu Trip

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrive Quito – Overnight at Rincon de Puembo (Casita)
Day 2: Fly to Baltra on early afternoon flight – Explore Santa Cruz Highlands – Overnight at Hotel Red Mangrove (Suite)
Day 3: Navigable Tour North Seymour – Overnight at Hotel Red Mangrove (Suite)
Day 4: Tortuga Bay + Bay Tour + Charles Darwin Station – Overnight at Hotel Red Mangrove (Suite)
Day 5: Navigable Tour Bartolome – Overnight at Hotel Red Mangrove (Suite)
Day 6: Fly to Quito | Fly to Lima – Overnight at Costa Del Sol Lima Airport
Day 7: Fly to Cusco – free afternoon (no guide) – Overnight at San Agustin Plaza
Day 8: Transfer to Ollantaytambo – Train to Machu Picchu – explore ruins with guide – Overnight at El MaPi
Day 9: Huayna Picchu Hike – Return to Cusco – Overnight at San Agustin Plaza
Day 10: Depart for Home

This morning, catch a flight from Quito to the Galapagos. Arrive Baltra Island, meet your guide and transfer to Santa Cruz Island. Check in to your hotel in Puerto Ayora and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the island on your own!

After breakfast, you will be transferred from the lodge to a yacht that will take you to one of the following islands: Bartolome, Santa Fe, Seymour, or Plazas. Enjoy a full day of exploration that allows you to get to know the island, its wildlife inhabitants, and its unique landscape!
You will have the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sea lions, and many other marine species specific to the island which you are visiting. This day will also allow plenty of time to hike among the wildlife, enjoy beautiful scenery, and lounge on the beach.

After breakfast, board a yacht to Isabela Island! Upon arriving, you will first visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where you will observe these gentle giants. You will learn about the process of breeding and raising teh giant tortoises. After lunch and some time to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Isabela and a flamingo lagoon, the journey continues to Tintoreras Islet. Watch sea lions, tortoises, marine iguanas, sharks, and rays from the calm turquoise waters of the bay. This relaxing area is the perfect place to end your day on Isabela Island.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from the lodge to a yacht that will take you to one of the following islands: Bartolome, Santa Fe, Seymour, or Plazas. Enjoy a full day of exploration that allows you to get to know the island, its wildlife inhabitants, and its unique landscape!
You will have the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sea lions, and many other marine species specific to the island which you are visiting. This day will also allow plenty of time to hike among the wildlife, enjoy beautiful scenery, and lounge on the beach.

This morning you will make a stop to see Twin Craters. These two geological depressions in the middle of a forest of scalesia, (native vegetation), are on the highest point of Santa Cruz Island. Then, you will return to Baltra and catch your flight back to the mainland. Tonight, enjoy the sights and sounds of Quito — toast your travels and the remarkable Galapagos Islands!

Arrive to Cusco, where you will be met by a driver, who will whisk you away to your hotel. Settle in after your journeys. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this vibrant city.

Follow the Urubamba River as it tumbles its way towards the Amazon and the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Ancient canals still bring water from the high mountains to the baths used by Inca priests. As visitors, you are welcomed to respectfully dip your hands in the cool water. After your tour of Machu Picchu, you’ll return to the village of Aguas Calientes (located at the base of Machu Picchu). Enjoy one of many excellent local restaurants or end your day soaking in the hot springs after exploring one of the most magical archaeological sites in the world.

Today is your chance to watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu and to listen to the spirits of the city’s past inhabitants before the hikers from the Inca Trail arrive. You can choose to book a permit to climb the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu, hike to the Sun Gate which overlooks the ruins or take a walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. In the afternoon, you’ll return by train to Cusco.

Depart from Cusco at your leisure. You transfer driver will pick you up from your hotel for your flight or bus ride.