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Day 1: Welcome to Peru's capital city, Lima
Your Peru tour and Galápagos cruise begins at the Miraflores Park Hotel. A transfer is included from Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport to the five-star Miraflores Park Hotel, located in an oceanfront section of Lima.
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru
Day 2: Discover colonial Lima
In Lima, sightseeing highlights include a visit to a ranch for an impressive performance by Peruvian prancing horses, followed by lunch – definitely a highlight on Tauck's Peru tour. Enjoy welcome cocktails and dinner at Casa Aliaga, a 66-room home built in 1535 that has remained in the same family for generations.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Peru
Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Fly to Cusco, and enjoy lunch at a traditional farm on your way to El Valle Sagrado, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the great fortress of Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved Inca settlement and a National Archaeological Park. Dating to the 15th century, it features an intricate walled complex.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sol & Luna Lodge & Spa, Yucay Valley, Peru
Day 4: Machu Picchu, Peru tour inspiration
Journey by rail to the spectacular, mystical ruins of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Join a local guide for in-depth exploration, climbing up to the well-preserved remains. Explore the extensive terracing and intricate stonework found on nearly vertical terrain, surrounded by soaring jungle peaks and the Andes Mountains. Your hotel enjoys stunning views of the Andes Mountains and is located at the entrance to the ruins – which means you can visit the Inca citadel when you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Aguas Calientes, Peru
Day 5: Sunrise over Machu Picchu
Take the opportunity to experience the spiritual complex of Machu Picchu at sunrise – a highlight of any Peru tour – before the day-trippers arrive. The morning mist adds to the mystery of the site’s origins and why it was abandoned. Depart for Aguas Calientes, and then journey by train to Cusco, where your lodgings are in a lavishly restored monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru
Day 6: Curious Cusco, a Peru tour gem
Continue your Peru tour with sightseeing in Cusco, once the powerful capital of the ancient, sophisticated Inca empire. See Plaza de Armas, a large square that was the center of the ancient city; the Cathedral; and colonial buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. A guided walking tour of Sacsayhuaman scales steep steps to explore the ruins of this Inca military fortress, providing great views of the city below.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru
Day 7: Journey to Ecuador
Your Peru tour ends and your Ecuador/Galápagos cruise adventure begins! Fly to Lima and take a connecting flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. It’s renowned as a major port and enjoys a pleasant tropical climate.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Day 8: Greetings Galápagos
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast and home to wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy a seven-night cruise aboard Tauck’s exclusive expeditionary-style yacht, topped by an observation deck. The cruise itinerary is flexible, allowing the ship to access many remote islands, choosing beaches that are full of wildlife. Landings are made in a panga, a Zodiac-style raft, and may require wading ashore in shallow water.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 9: Explore Hood Island on landings wet and dry
Both wet and dry landings by panga take you to Hood Island to visit with its friendly sea lions and observe finches, mockingbirds and other birdlife. Ride a glass-bottom boat in Gardner Bay, walk across volcanic landscapes to check out unique seabird colonies at Punta Suárez, or spend some time snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 10: Flamingos and more on Floreana Island
On Floreana Island, join your expert naturalist guide on an easy nature hike to a lovely lagoon, where you'll see flamingos in their pristine habitat. Explore Post Office Bay, where a primitive island "post office" has been in use for hundreds of years, and land by panga to visit turtles, rays and other wildlife up close.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 11: In Darwin's footsteps on Santa Cruz Island
Head for the inland highlands on Santa Cruz Island, as well as the craters of Los Gemelos and a Scalesia forest. Meet giant tortoises and observe a wide variety of flora – such as the giant prickly-pear cactus – and fauna at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll also learn about the history of the islands.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 12: Birds galore on Tower Island
Land by panga in a lovely natural habor on Tower Island to view thousands of incredible birds – including large colonies of frigate birds, storm petrels, Nazca boobies and many more. In most cases, the birds and animals of the Galápagos are unafraid of humans, so you can get right up close to them.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 13: Cross the Equator to Isabela and Fernandina
Get up early and take a good look at the Ecuador Volcano as you cross the Equator aboard Isabela II today en route to Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápgos Islands (they're only about 5 to 10 million years old). Arrive at Isabela's Tagus Cove to see Darwin Crater; you'll also have an opportunity to do some snorkeling, as well as view Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas and sea lions on Fernandina.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
• Day 14: More wonders on James and Bartolomé Islands
Stroll across the ancient lava flows of James Island and spot marine iguanas, fur seals and myriad birds. There are even more wonders in store – on a climb to the top of Bartolomé Island, and a panga ride around Pinnacle Rock for memorable views of Galápagos penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Isabela II, Galápagos Islands
Day 15: Explore Guayaquil
Disembark Isabela II, and fly to Guayaquil. A tour of the city precedes some free time, perhaps to stroll the waterfront promenade, El Malecon. Share favorite experiences from your Galápagos and Peru tour at the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 16: Goodbye Galápagos
Tour ends in Guayaquil. A transfer is included from Hilton Colon Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport; allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
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