Amazon to the Andes & Galápagos South & Central Islands
21 days
From
$ 8049
Duration21 days
Experience the iconic highlights of South America in one incredible adventure. Hike the Inca Trail to the Lost City of Machu Picchu, explore the steamy Amazon from the comfort of our intimate G Lodge Amazon, spend seven nights exploring the Galápagos aboard the Xavier III and snorkel the waters of the Galápagos. Our exclusively operated fleet of yachts offers great value and in Peru, we run our own treks, ensuring the fair treatment of our porters and the quality of food and equipment as you follow the Inca Trail to majestic Machu Picchu.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Demanding
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Ends in: QuitoAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive in Lima at any time. There are no planned activities so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. There is a welcome meeting in the evening.
Arrive at any time.
If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Cusco
Take a transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.
Hop on a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day of shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.
Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 3: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at the Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Inca Trail
Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins.
A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Inca Trail
Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the site and enjoy free time to explore until noon as permitted by the tourist ticket. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge, if time allows. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes to meet any non-hiking members of your group. Eat and relax before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Meals: B
Day 8: Cusco
Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Continue to explore Cusco on a free day in the city.
Meals: B
Day 9: Cusco/Amazon Jungle
Fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the lowlands of the Amazon Jungle.
After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. En route, spot bird species typical of the river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.
After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. En route, spot bird species typical of the river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized boat to the comfortable and intimate G Lodge Amazon.
The lodge itself combines native architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, showers (with solar-heated hot water), and candles for lighting (no electricity). Please note in periods of high demand you may be accommodated in a nearby Amazon lodge.
Enjoy a tasty boxed lunch aboard the boat en route to the lodge.
Meals at the lodge are typically buffet-style and a mix of local and international dishes. As much food as possible is locally sourced – and it's absolutely delicious.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Amazon Jungle
Head out early to catch the jungle at its wildest (and coolest). Walk slowly through the forest searching for wildlife before heading out on an oxbow lake by canoe. Search for anaconda, the elusive giant river otter, or black caiman. Even if you don't spot these shy creatures, there are plenty of other birds, interesting plants, and other animals about.
Enjoy guided excursions led by expert naturalists to spot wildlife at nearby oxbow lakes and along jungle trails. Spend some time relaxing in a hammock, enjoying the local swimming hole, or visiting a nearby plantation. Go on a caiman-spotting cruise after dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Amazon Jungle/Lima
Enjoy a delicious Amazonian breakfast before heading back to the airport by motorized boat and van. Fly to Lima and opt for a final night out for dinner or Pisco Sours.
Fly back to Lima for an optional final dinner and night out.
Meals: B
Day 12: Lima/Quito
Your transfer to the airport and your flight to Quito are included in this trip. Please note that this flight is unescorted and your transfer will be waiting for you at the Quito airport and will bring you to your hotel.
Fly to Quito. Flight is unescorted and included in the price of the tour.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 13: Quito/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Start place: Quito
In the afternoon, transfer to the boat. Continue to Isla Lobos, a small island home a friendly population of sea lions. While snorkelling in the calm clear waters watch as the curious pups blow bubbles, swim in circles and frolic in the waves.
Fly to San Cristóbal Island. Meet the guide and transfer to the boat. Visit Isla Lobos in the afternoon to spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and sea lions.
Flights from Quito to Baltra depart between 6:40am and 9:40am depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into the Galápagos between 9:30am and 12:30pm with a short refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane).
Please note: The National Park charges a visitor fee of USD100, payable on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galápagos, as well as ecological study, conservation, and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the national park system are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.
Please note: The National Park charges a visitor fee of USD100, payable on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galápagos, as well as ecological study, conservation, and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the national park system are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.
End place: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: North Seymour/Mosquera Islet
Start place: Isla Seymour Norte
Explore two tiny islands that are big on wildlife. North Seymour offers great views of nesting seabirds, including frigatebirds and Mosquera is home to large colonies of sea lions.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Santiago Island/Bartolomé Island
Start place: Isla San Salvador
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral sand beach. Continue to Bartolomé Island for a guided tour to see the dramatic volcanic features before hiking to a panoramic viewpoint.
End place: Isla Bartolome
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Puerto Ayora
Start place: Puerto Ayora
In the morning, arrive in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second biggest island in the Galápagos, and has the largest population. Puerto Ayora is its main town. In the afternoon, there may be the opportunity to visit the highlands and see giant land tortoises in the wild.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises and go on an excursion to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Free time for shopping or exploration of Puerto Ayora.
End place: Puerto Ayora
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: Rábida Island/Bachas Beach
In the morning, go on an excursion to Rábida Island, and land on a red sand beach.
Afternoon excursion to Bachas Beach to see the sea lions and plentiful bird life.
Afternoon excursion to Bachas Beach to see the sea lions and plentiful bird life.
Land at Rábida Island for a visit to a saltwater lagoon and sea lion colony. Afternoon excursion to Bachas Beach for walks to observe the bird and wildlife as well as free time for swimming and snorkelling.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Floreana Island
Start place: Floreana Island
Morning visit to Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. This is a perfect spot to go snorkelling, as the waters are home to a multitude of colourful fish and sea lions. Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer, the water here can be rough and the currents are strong.
In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, which has an older and less mysterious history. A short hike up past the post barrel takes you to an interesting lava cave.
In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, which has an older and less mysterious history. A short hike up past the post barrel takes you to an interesting lava cave.
Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Visit Post Office Bay in the afternoon. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet.
End place: Floreana Island
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Punta Suárez/Bahía Gardner
Start place: Punta Suarez
Visit Punta Suárez and Gardner Bay on Española Island. Enjoy guided walks to observe wildlife and free time for swimming or snorkelling.
End place: Bahia Gardner
Meals: B, L, D
Day 20: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/Quito
Start place: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Reach San Cristóbal in the morning. Disembark after breakfast then visit the Interpretation Centre, and transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Transfer to the group hotel upon arrival, and enjoy one last night on the town.
Visit the Interpretation Centre on San Cristóbal Island before flying back to Quito.
Flights from San Cristobal to Quito depart between 11:30am and 1:30pm depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into Quito between 4:00pm and 5:40pm with a refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will arrive back at the hotel in the early evening in time for dinner.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 21: Quito
Start place: Quito
Depart at any time.
Post nights in Quito are recommended to take advantage of the many activities available.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products Your Discover Moment: Cusco
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Inca Trail guided hike with cook and porters (4-day)
- Machu Picchu guided tour
- Amazon Jungle stay at the exclusive G Lodge Amazon (3-day)
- Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Xavier (7 nts)
- Snorkelling at Isla Lobos, North Seymour, Sullivan Bay, Bartolomé and Champion Islet
- Hike to the Bartolomé Island viewpoint overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock
- Highlands and wild tortoise excursion (Santa Cruz Island)
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Visit to Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
- Visit to a wildlife interpretation centre (San Cristóbal Island)
- All landings and excursions
- Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits while aboard the Xavier
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Public bus, Plane, Train, Boat, Canoe, Hiking, Motorized yacht (Xavier), Panga -
Accommodation
Hotels/guest houses (8 nts), Camping (3 nts), G Lodge Amazon (2 nts), Aboard the Xavier in twin-share cabins (7 nts) -
Meals
20 breakfasts,
13 lunches,
12 dinners