Enchanted Isles and the Inca Empire
Ecuador: Quito, Galapagos Islands
Peru: Lima, Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu & Cuzco
Daily Departures From $2375
Print/Download Itineraries I & II (300K pdf)

Itinerary I - 13 Days Itinerary II - 14 Days Cruise nature's laboratory, the Galapagos Islands. Climb through the mysterious Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. View Spanish colonial balconies, art and architecture. This two-week EcoAdventure combines the unique flora and fauna of remote islands, colonial art and the massive, ancient stone temples of the Incas to make one of the most thrilling vacations of a lifetime. Select a 20-passenger yacht or a 100-passenger ship for a voyage through the ecological wonder of the Galapagos Islands. Extend your trip to the Peruvian or Ecuadorian Rainforests. And don't forget to check out EcoAdventures' optional archaeological tour extensions to the Plains of Nazca or to the Lord of Sipan.

Day One: Home City to Quito Arrive Quito, colonial capital of Ecuador. Meeting service at the airport and transfer to your choice of hotel.

Day Two: Quito City Tour See the colonial center of Quito this morning including the carved facade of the House of Congress, the Presidential Palace and the Baroque style Church of La Compania with its gilded altars. Final stop is the art and crafts gallery of Tianquez. (B)

Day Three: Quito to the Galapagos Islands Fly 600 miles across the Pacific to the Galapagos Islands, and board your selected ship for a four-night adventure cruise. (Note: Galapagos cruises, airfare from Quito, air taxes and park fees are NOT included in the quoted tour rates. The cruise rates are additional, based on cruise, category and season. Click here to see EcoAdventures Custom Excursions to the Galapagos Islands for cruise options, itineraries, dates, rates and ship specifications.) (B)

Day Four to Day Six: Galapagos Cruise Cruising the enchanted Galapagos Islands (B, L, D Daily)

Day Seven: Galapagos Islands to Lima Return flight to the Ecuador mainland and assistance with your air connection to Lima, Peru. Transfer to your choice of hotel (B)

Day Eight: In Lima Enjoy a tour of Lima, the City of Kings, combining the modern and colonial highlights and a visit to the world famous Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, which will enhance your appreciation of pre-Inca and Inca cultures. (B)

Day Nine: Lima/Cuzco/Urubamba Valley An hour flight will transfer you to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, at an altitude of 11,300 feet. You will be met upon arrival to commence your tour into the scenic Urubamba Valley. The valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is at a much more comfortable 8,500 feet, and you will immediately feel the difference. If you arrive Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you will stop at Pisac for a colorful Indian market. Stalls overflow with weavings, handicrafts and pottery, enticing everyone to bargain! Later, climb the ruins at Ollantaitambo, another sacred site which the Incas fiercely defended from the Spaniards. Overnight at your choice of charming country inns. (B, L)

Day Ten: Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu Morning transfer to Ollantaitambo to board the train* for Machu Picchu, where you will have a guided walking tour of the ruins. You and the lucky few who will spend the night here will have a few more hours to explore the site after the crowds have returned to Cuzco. Those who select the Deluxe or Deluxe Plus category hotels will enjoy an additional dinner. The Sanctuary Lodge (Deluxe Plus) is located just outside the gate to Machu Picchu at the top of the mountain.The other hotels are located in the quaint village of Aguas Calientes at the base of the ruins. (B, L)

Day Twelve: Cuzco Tour This afternoon board your motorcoach for a tour of Colonial Cuzco, including the Temple of the Sun, Cathedral and Plaza de Armas. Visit Koricancha, the Inca Sun Temple, and the church built right on top of the intact temple. Next, ascend the hills surrounding Cuzco to visit the Inca ruins of K'Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambo Machay and the great stone fortress, Sacsayhuaman. (B)

Day Thirteen: Cuzco to Lima Morning transfer to the airport, train or bus station for the continuation of your tour. Note: The tour may be extended to Lake Titicaca and Bolivia. (B)

Itinerary II - 14 Days - Rates - Hotels

Day One: Arrive Lima Start your adventure into the Land of the Incas. Transfer to your selected hotel.

Day Two: In Lima Familiarize yourself with Lima on this half-day tour of the colonial highlights, followed by a visit to the Archaeological Museum for a chronological presentation of the many civilizations that flourished in Peru. Displays include important collections from the Chavin, Mochica, Chimu, and Nazca cultures. At the very end of the exhibit is a plaster-of-paris model of Machu Picchu, depicting it as it would have looked in Inca times. This is a great preparation for your trip. (B)

Day Three: Lima/Cuzco/Urubamba Valley An hour flight will transfer you to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, at an altitude of 11,300 feet. You will be met upon arrival to commence your tour into the scenic Urubamba Valley. The valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is at a much more comfortable 8,500 feet, and you will immediately feel the difference. If you arrive Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you will stop at Pisac for a colorful Indian market. Stalls overflow with weavings, handicrafts and pottery, enticing everyone to bargain! Later, climb the ruins at Ollantaitambo, another sacred site which the Incas fiercely defended from the Spaniards. Overnight at your choice of charming country inns. (B, L)

Day Four: Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu Morning transfer to Ollantaitambo to board the train* for Machu Picchu, where you will have a guided walking tour of the ruins. You and the lucky few who will spend the night here will have a few more hours to explore the site after the crowds have returned to Cuzco. Those who select the Deluxe or Deluxe Plus category hotels will enjoy an additional dinner. The Sanctuary Lodge (Deluxe Plus) is located just outside the gate to Machu Picchu at the top of the mountain. The other hotels are located in the quaint village of Aguas Calientes at the base of the ruins. (B, L)

Day Five: Machu Picchu to Cuzco This morning you can revisit Machu Picchu on your own before the afternoon return train to Cuzco. Note: Transfers from Aguas Calientes to/from Machu Picchu and entrance fees are NOT included this day. (B)

Day Six: In Cuzco Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, tour Cuzco, including the recently restored Cathedral and the Inca Sun Temple, Koricancha. Then ascend into the hills overlooking Cuzco to visit the massive stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman. You'll wonder how the Incas built this massive structure. Nearby, visit K'kenko, sacred Pucapucara and the temple of Tambo Machay. (B)

Day Seven: Cuzco/Lima Quito Morning flight to Lima, where you will be met and assisted with checking in for your connection flight to Quito, Ecuador. Meeting service upon arrival in Quito and transfer to your selected hotel. (B)

Day Eight: Quito City Tour See the colonial center of Quito this morning including the carved facade of the House of Congress, the Presidential Palace and the Baroque style Church of La Compania with its gilded altars. Final stop is the art and crafts gallery of Tianquez. (B)

Day Nine: Quito to the Galapagos Islands Fly 600 miles across the Pacific to the Galapagos Islands, and board your selected ship for a four-night adventure cruise. (Note: Galapagos cruises, airfare from Quito, air taxes and park fees are NOT included in the quoted tour rates. The cruise rates are additional, based on cruise, category and season. Click here to see EcoAdventures Excursions to the Galapagos Islands for cruise options, itineraries, dates, rates and ship specifications.) (B)

Day Ten to Day Twelve: Galapagos Cruise Cruising the enchanted Galapagos Islands (B, L, D Daily)

Day Thirteen: Galapagos Islands Quito Return flight to Quito and transfer to your selected hotel. (B)

Day Fourteen: Homeward bound Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. (B) Or extend your trip to the Peruvian or Ecuadorian Rainforests. And don't forget to check out EcoAdventures' optional archaeological tour extensions to the Plains of Nazca or to the Lord of Sipan for exciting pre-trip extensions in Peru.

Tour Rates Per Person
One-way airfare Quito/Lima and Lima/Cuzco is included in the rate and is subject to change without notice. The return airfare from Cuzco to Lima is NOT included. Airfares from/to North America are NOT included. Call 800-326-5025 for airfares from major US cities.

Note: This itinerary can be reversed for the same price.