9 DAYS ECUADOR AND PERU 2X1 EXPEDITION

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Considered the Cultural Capital of South America, it’s located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the old town of Quito and surrounding areas.
ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help organize a day trip (please request in advance).
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel lobby at 18:00 for a welcome briefing.
We’ll go over all the adventure details and answer your questions.
This day is for acclimatization and information.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands.
Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, crossing the narrow Itabaca Channel by ferry.
From there, we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. You will visit a private ranch where lunch will be served before heading out for a walk in search of these gentle giants.
During the visit, you will also explore lava tubes—natural formations created by flowing lava beneath hardened surfaces.
After this tour, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel.
Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure as you settle into this incredible island environment.

Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip.
Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions.
These playful animals are very curious and often swim right next to you underwater.
You may also have the opportunity to see the iconic blue-footed boobies.
Afterwards, climb to a nearby viewpoint where, with some luck, you can spot white-tipped reef sharks swimming below.
Next, take a walk along Playa de los Perros, home to many sea iguanas basking in the sun.
The enormous cacti, the deep red rocks, and the turquoise ocean create a perfect setting for memorable photos.

Today after breakfast, you will be met and transferred to a nearby dock where you will board a short boat ride to Isla Lobos.
During the navigation, keep an eye out for marine wildlife, as it is common to spot animals even before reaching the island.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided visit where you will have the opportunity to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta rays, sea lions, and occasionally sharks that inhabit the island and its surrounding waters.
The white coral beaches of San Cristóbal offer the perfect setting to walk around, relax, and swim before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Enjoy some free time this morning before transferring to the San Cristóbal airport.
From here, you will take your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Upon arrival, you will connect with your onward flight to Lima, continuing your journey to your next destination.

Upon arrival in Cusco, our representative will be waiting at the airport to pick you up and transfer you in private transportation to your hotel, where you will spend the night. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the beauty of Cusco and its surroundings.

Private Excursion | Half-Day Cusco City Tour

Your Cusco day trip begins in the afternoon with a visit to the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, located on a hill overlooking Cusco. Here, you will discover some of the finest examples of Inca stonework, featuring massive boulders precisely cut and seamlessly fitted together.

After exploring Sacsayhuamán, the tour continues uphill to Qenqo, one of the most intriguing archaeological sites of the Inca civilization. This sanctuary—whose name in Quechua means “labyrinth” or “zigzag”—combines history, spirituality, and remarkable carved rock formations. From here, enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Cusco.

Next, you will visit Tambomachay, known for its sophisticated Incan hydraulic engineering. A series of aqueducts, channels, and waterfalls run through the terraced rocks, giving rise to the belief that this may have functioned as an Inca spa or ceremonial water site.

The tour continues to the magnificent Koricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire. Chroniclers from the post-conquest period describe its walls as being covered in sheets of gold, with gardens full of life-size golden and silver figures representing plants and animals. While the wealth was removed by the Spanish, its grandeur remains, and your guide will highlight details you might otherwise miss.

Afterwards, visit the Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1654 on top of an Inca temple, it houses exquisite artworks from the Cusco School. Its main altar and pulpit feature stunning gold and silver reliefs. Look closely and you will notice indigenous symbolism integrated by the native artisans, such as the carved jaguar head on the doors.

Your guide will then offer restaurant recommendations (meals not included) or directions back to your hotel.

Note: City tours begin at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on coordination with the office.

Total trekking distance: 3 km (approx. 1 hour).
Highest altitude: 3,750 m (12,303 ft).
Lowest altitude: 3,400 m (11,154 ft).

Private Package | 2 Days & 1 Night Sacred Valley Tour + Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 08h00 and begin our journey toward the Sacred Valley. Leaving the city, we pass by Saqsaywaman and travel over the mountains before descending 450 meters (1,500 ft) to the valley floor. Here, we arrive at the charming village of Pisac, located beside the sacred Urubamba River.

In Pisac, we will visit the colorful traditional market, where you will have time to browse through a variety of local artisan crafts and souvenirs. After exploring the market for about 30 minutes, we head up to the Pisac archaeological site, perched dramatically above the valley.

At the ruins of Pisac, enjoy a guided tour through ancient homes, storage areas, temples, carved stone altars, tunnels, and the famous Intihuatana, the “hitching post of the sun.” The panoramic views from this site are truly unforgettable. If you prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, you can coordinate this with your guide and meet the group later as we pass through the market again.

We continue toward Urubamba, where we will stop for approximately 45 minutes for lunch (meal not included). Afterward, a 30-minute drive brings us to the remarkable Inca town of Ollantaytambo.

In Ollantaytambo, you will explore one of the last remaining Inca cities still inhabited today. The archaeological site features the impressive Temple of the Sun, terraces designed for advanced agricultural experimentation, and an intricate system of fountains and water channels—examples of the finest Inca hydraulic engineering.

After your guided visit, we return to the town where you can observe the still-functioning Inca-built water channels and admire the granaries carved high into the surrounding mountains. From here, you will walk to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). The train typically departs around 16h30, although schedules may vary slightly.

During the scenic one-and-a-half-hour train ride, enjoy views of river canyons, forests, and towering mountains. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, your guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel (not included).

Aguas Calientes sits at the base of the mountain that houses Machu Picchu. The town offers a blend of traditional Andean life and modern tourism, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and markets to explore. Surrounded by lush green cliffs and the roaring Urubamba River, it is the perfect place to prepare for your early visit to Machu Picchu the following morning.

To fully appreciate Machu Picchu, we will wake up early in the morning and head to the citadel at the best possible time. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel at approximately 5:40 a.m. and accompany you on a short walk to the bus station. The bus ride to the entrance of Machu Picchu takes about 45 minutes.

Upon arrival, we pass through the main gates and begin our guided tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological complex. Your expert guide will lead a two-hour visit through the most iconic and remarkable sectors of the citadel, including the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and various ceremonial and residential areas. (Access to specific sites may depend on the circuit assigned by the Ministry of Culture.)

As we explore the site, you will enjoy dramatic views of the agricultural terraces, steep green mountain peaks, and deep surrounding gorges—making this one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

After the tour, we take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch (not included) or to explore the town before boarding the train back to Poroy and Cusco.

Upon arrival at Poroy Station, our representative will meet you and assist with the 30- to 40-minute transfer (13 km / 8 miles) to your hotel in Cusco. This comfortable private transfer ensures a smooth end to your unforgettable visit to one of the world’s most iconic wonders.

Today marks the end of your incredible journey. At the scheduled time, our team will transfer you to the airport for your international departure. Take with you unforgettable memories, breathtaking photos, and the essence of the magical places you explored.

As you leave, you may find that a piece of your heart stays behind—Ecuador has that effect. We hope you will return soon to discover even more of this enchanted land.

We wish you a smooth journey home and a heartfelt “buen viaje”.