Legacy of the Incas with Peru's Amazon & Galapagos Cruise

Welcome to Lima!

Upon arrival, you will meet your Globus representative.

Back to Nature

Fly to Puerto Maldonado, capital of Madre de Dios and the entry to Peru's Amazon Jungle. Embark on a motorboat ride up the Madre de Dios River to view the exotic wildlife. Arrive at your Amazon Jungle lodge and meet your Naturalist. After settling in, head out with your Naturalist for a walk along nature trails to learn about primary and secondary rainforest. At dusk, take a canoe ride to learn about the Amazonia River ecosystems, nocturnal animals' activity, and the southern constellations. (B/L/D)

NOTE: activities and itinerary timing in the Amazon is subject to change and dependent on weather conditions. When changes occur, alternative activities will be provided.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: Deep within the heart of the Amazon lays Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, located between the Tambopata National Reserve and the shores of the Madre de Dios River and is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Built on a former cacao and rubber plantation in the Southern Peruvian rainforest near the Bolivian and Brazilian borders, Hacienda Concepcion covers 819 hectares of 819 hectares primary rainforest, with a natural oxbow lake making it home to diverse ecosystems, tropical plants, and wildlife.

Guests will live an Amazonian experience surrounded by an array of wildlife and native flora. Each guestroom has a private bathroom with hot water, electricity, ceiling fan, picture windows with views of the forest, and mosquito-netted beds.

All Creatures Great & Small

This morning, take a nature walk with your Naturalist through Tambopata National Reserve and a dugout canoe ride around Lake Sandoval in search of native flora and fauna. Learn about the reserve's conservation efforts and the animals that inhabit this lake, such as the endangered giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans.

This afternoon, explore the rainforest on a canopy walkway consisting of seven suspension bridges hanging more than 100 feet from the ground. From the treetops, keep an eye out for white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth. After night falls, your Naturalist introduces you to the nocturnal animals of the Amazon. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NIGHT MOVES: Enter the forest this evening and witness the enchanting transformation of the rainforest from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment on a guided night walk, as animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. Keep an eye out for nocturnal monkeys, armadillos, frogs, insects and even snakes!

A Cultivating Culture

A short boat ride brings you to a native farm where farmers use ancient methods to grow crops. Learn about local cultivation techniques, intriguing medicinal uses by local communities, and taste some of the produce. This afternoon, you can fish for piranha (weather dependent) like the local indigenous communities do and visit an Inland Clay Lick to observe wildlife from a blind to observe the normal routine of the fauna without disrupting the environment. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WILD WONDERS: Inland Clay Licks, is an area of clay deposits in fallen trees and raised roots along the banks of small ravines, natural holes, and is a place where birds and animals come to eat the clay for the minerals.

Peruvian Pleasures

Return to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Lima where you will be met by your Globus representative. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: Take in your last views of the Amazon rainforest when you cruise through the waterways back to Puerto Maldonado. Spot monkeys, birds, reptiles, and other fauna on your cruise back to the city.

Legendary Lima

Today, your Local Guide focuses on the city's colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. For a special treat, Globus Local Favourite stop at a local food market to get a real taste of life for the local people. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelling companions at one of Lima's finest historic homes, Casa Garcia Alvarado. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Stop for a real taste of Peru at a local market. Sample some of the local fruits and vegetable that aren't found in other parts of the world. You can also find spices, meats, seafood, and even a souvenir or two. And you'll definitely want to take some photos of the beautiful, brightly hued displays.

Empire of the Andes

Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you will enjoy a special lunch prepared exclusively for Globus guests at a private location. Here, experience an Globus Local Favourite El Pago a la Tierra, or Mother Earth Ceremony, performed by a local shaman.

Continue to Pisaq, an old mountain village, where you will have free time to shop for local wares, such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or Hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases at its famous market. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - CULTURE & TRADITION: Feel the earth, smell the coca leaves, and taste the chicha today as you make payment to Mother Earth. Participate in an El Pago a la Tierra, an ancient ceremony led by a shaman thanking Mother Earth and asking for good health, wealth, and safe travels. These mystical ceremonies have been practiced in Peru since before the arrival of the Incas.

Mystery on the Mountain

This morning, visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by Globus Local Favourite a visit to a local home, meet some of the area's families, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley.

Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour at a Peruvian cooking demonstration before your included dinner. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - TIMELESS TRADITIONS: Today, you are invited into a local family's home in the Sacred Valley. Learn about their traditions like weaving that has been passed down for centuries from ancestors. See how they cook, live, sleep, work, and maybe ask about the cuy (guinea pigs), they keep in their house.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: The Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, named one of South America's best hotels and the recipient of the Rainforest Alliance sustainability certification is located at the foot of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu near the beautiful Vilcanota River, and offers impressive views of the mountains and landscapes. A hotel with a contemporary Andean style inspired by the ancient Peruvian cultures, offering personalised luxury service and innovative Peruvian cuisine.

Offering regional gastronomy experiences, the Sumaq uses local ingredients in partnership with communities located high in the Andes, such as Quishuarcancha, Parcaraqui, and Huatata in Chinchero, as well as the small community of Ccorca that is home to fewer than 200 people.

Here Comes the Sun

A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue to Cusco. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORY & MYSTERY: Staying overnight in Machu Picchu allows you to get up early and experience the ruins at their most pristine before the crowds arrive. Watch as the mist slowly burns off and the sun rays illuminate the ruins. While you are there, you may even want to try and get a selfie with one of the local llamas or alpacas!

Sun Worship & Spanish Conquests

On your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing Cathedral, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later. During your city tour, you will be greeted by an Inca king, so have your cameras ready!

Continue to Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Monastery, where the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold-until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple's foundations.

Also visit the semi-circular Kenko Temple with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. See the ancient site of Puca Pucara before the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LEGENDARY LIVES: Built in the 15th century by the Incas, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman complex is considered to be one of the Inca's greatest architectural creation. It is believed the site was originally constructed as a ceremonial site and later a fortress when the Spanish invaded. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. During your guided tour, learn some of the theories on how the massive stones used were carved, carried, and placed.

Ruins & Real Life in Peru

Board a flight to Juliaca, where you will continue to the ruins of Sillustani en route. At this pre-Incan burial ground, see where the ancient Aymaras buried their high priests in chullpas-above-ground, cylinder-shaped tombs dating back to the 1400s. While here, Globus Local Favourite spend some time with the Locals at home and gain a better understanding of their lives. Continue to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet and is located in both Peru and Bolivia. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - CULTURE & TRADITION: Get an authentic look at the lives of locals in Juliaca. Visit a family home where they share traditions in cooking, working, and living in the tradition of Peruvian generations.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - TIMELESS TRADITIONS: Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500 feet and is located in both Peru and Bolivia. The indigenous people who live here still practice ancient ways of life.

Life on the Lake

Today, take a motorboat trip to some of the more unique islands of Lake Titicaca. Start with Taquile Island, which was once part of the Inca Empire and was one of the last areas of Peru to be conquered by Spain in the 16th century. The Spanish banned traditional dress on the island, which is why the Spanish peasant dress can still be found today. Next, travel to the fascinating Uros Islands, home to the Uros Indians, who were forced to live on the lake as the Inca Indians pushed farther into their territory. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURAL GEMS: The manmade Uros Islands are found floating in the middle of the lake are completely made by totora reeds and are continually added to as they disintegrate to the bottom of the lake. During your visit here, see the locals' boats and homes which are also made from reed. Over 1000 Uros still live on the 100 plus islands that remain to this day.

Hasta Luego, Lake Titicaca

Depart for Juliaca this morning for a return flight to Lima. (B)

Islands & Enigmas

Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the Bay of Paracas. Embark on a cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore.

Continue to the town of Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains, which can only be appreciated by air. Dating back to 500 BC, these geoglyphs etched into the ground consist of over 10,000 lines depicting plants and animals Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LEGENDS & LORE: Take a flight above the plains for a bird's-eye-view of the Nazca Lines. Your pilot will point out these mysterious markings, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil-some up to 1,000 feet long! Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the "astronomical calendar" of the ancient Peruvians.

Fond Farewells

After some free time in Paracas, return to Lima today. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a memorable farewell dinner with your travel companions at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Quintessential Quito

Fly to Quito, capital of Ecuador, and have some free time this evening. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: Centrally located across from the nightly craft market in El Ejido Park and near the Casa de la Cultura Museum, the Hilton Colon Quito is the ideal spot for your time in Quito. Amenities include a fitness facility, spa, pool, 3 restaurants and bars.

Imaginary Lines

On an included city tour, see Independence Square with its Cathedral and San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: Ecuador's capital city of San Francisco de Quito stands on the ruins of an Inca city as one of the largest and best-preserved historic landmarks in the Americas. Here, a monument marks "Mitad del Mundo" (the middle of the world) - very fitting as Ecuador is Spanish for equator and the country straddles this invisible line on the west coast of South America. You'll be in the middle of it all in Independence Square, called Plaza Grande by the locals, in the historic city reaching an altitude of 2,850m in the foothills of the Andes.

Adventure on the Horizon

Fly to San Cristobal and embark the Seaman Journey for a 4-night cruise. This afternoon, visit the Galapagos Darwin Interpretation centre with your expert Naturalist and learn about ongoing conservation of the archipelago, its history, ecosystems, flora, and fauna. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SHIP SPOTLIGHT: The boutique Seaman Journey catamaran offers an intimate experience with space for 16 passengers. Relax on the spacious sundecks, explore the waters by kayak, or sit back in the lounge with a cool drink during a Naturalist lecture. Each of the air-conditioned cabins feature private baths, free use of snorkel equipment, and all meals.

Gentle Giants

Visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and learn about the island's giant tortoise population and the measures taken to help preserve and breed these endangered species. The reserve includes a large corral, breeding facility, and interpretative trail, where it is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well as birds, such as the San Cristobal mockingbird, yellow warblers, many species of finch, and the Galapagos flycatcher. This afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo, offering beautiful views of Kicker Rock and famous for being the first place Charles Darwin visited in the archipelago. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WONDERS OF NATURE: On the lava landscape of Cerro Brujo where Charles Darwin first explored the islands, you'll find the remarkable blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, herons, frigate birds, and other shore birds. Visit a lagoon, home to many migratory bird species, such as black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails. Feel free to don a snorkel and swim with the sea lions, turtles, and other beautiful marine life here.

Survival of the Fittest

Join your Naturalist guide for excursions to Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. At Gardner Bay, this is the one place you can see three species of Darwin finches. It's also a great spot to snorkel or kayak. At Punta Suarez, you will see the famous blowhole, as well as unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April-December), Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Darwin's finches. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WONDERS OF NATURE: Espanola Island is an ecological laboratory all its own as one of the oldest of the Galapagos islands - some 400 million years old. In addition to the endangered wave Albatross and boobies, Espanola is home to a variety of Darwin's finches here - an inspiration for Darwin's research into evolution. Nearly identical to mainland finches in every way but their beaks, these tiny birds played an enormous role in Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, concluding their unique assortments of beaks had adapted over time to survive in this strange landscape.

Kaleidoscope of Life

Visit Cormorant Point to see a brackish lagoon, which usually holds one of the largest flamingo populations in the Galapagos. The trail continues to a beautiful white-sand beach, one of the most important nesting sites of green Pacific sea turtles. Enjoy a chance to snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions, and even white-tipped reef sharks.

This afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, named for the wooden barrel that served as an informal post office for sailors passing through. Here, you may also encounter Darwin's finches, yellow warblers, and lava lizards, and take advantage of another great place to snorkel. (B/L/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL ATTRACTION: Pink flamingos, blue-footed boobies, red-breasted frigate birds, great blue herons, and green sea turtle are just a few of the creatures that make up a kaleidoscope of life along the white and green sands of Floreana's Cormorant Point. Hike, snorkel, or simply gaze upon this extraordinary island sanctuary.

Hatching a Plan

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to visit the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding facility at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Fly to Guayaquil. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CONSERVATION HEROES: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home of the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program. Here, these magnificent creatures are nurtured from eggs retrieved from the nearby Galapagos Islands, artificially incubated, and born as galapaguitos (little turtles). At the age of five, these future giants are released to their native habitats in an effort to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment.

Safe travels until we meet again!

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)