Go Galapagos
Country Explorer
4 Star
5-99 Years
42
LHPNC
The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores.
This evening, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner. (D) Stay: SOUMA Lima, Vignette Collection
Connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro's 'City of Kings', admiring the colonial splendour of Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, with your Local Specialist. Stand in the birthplace of this ancient, yet modern city, surrounded by the Baroque façades of Cathedral of Lima and Palace of the Union. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs.
Celebrate Lima's status as the culinary capital of South America and Connect With Locals when you meet Ignacio Barrios, who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. We visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking.
Then, continue to Chef Ignacio's cooking school where we'll enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes and have an opportunity to sample some at a Be My Guest experience with lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Fly to Cusco this morning and head straight into the Sacred Valley, where your day begins with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre. You'll uncover the traditions of the Sacred Valley, called “lindaje”.
After a lunch of local flavours, check in to your Stays with Stories experience at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former 18th-century monastery set among peaceful gardens.
Later, connect with artisans working to protect Peru's textile heritage. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps fund skills training and job creation across villages like Chinchero and Parobamba. (B/L) Stay: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
The mystical empire of the Incas takes centre stage today. We visit the famous Sacred Valley stronghold of Ollantaytambo before boarding the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, admiring the 15th century stone ruins of temples, palaces and terraces perched high amidst the clouds. Join your Local Specialist for an exploration of the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. (B/D) Stay: El MaPi
The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu beckon again and you have an opportunity to re-connect with this ancient wonder. Board the train to the Sacred Valley, then head to the colonial city of Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria. Enjoy the sweet flavors of chicha as you learn how this Peruvian corn beer is brewed by the local women. (B) Stay: Novotel Cusco
Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning, admiring the 16th-century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. The afternoon is free to explore on your terms. (B)
A leisurely start to our day sees us return to Lima this afternoon. Meet a Local Specialist at the Larco Museum, which houses one of the largest private collections of pre-Columbian art in the world.
This evening we join our travel companions for dinner in the museum's garden restaurant. (B/D) Stay: SOUMA Lima, Vignette Collection
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ecuador (flight not included in holiday price). Enjoy a warm welcome in Quito where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel. (B) Stay: Sheraton
Visit the historical centre of Quito, which was the first place in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and travel to the 'Middle of the World' to stand on the Equator. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Land on Baltra Island and meet your Local Specialist who'll take you to the Galápagos Legend. After settling in, cruise towards the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island to explore Black Turtle Cove — a quiet inlet surrounded by mangroves and only accessible by water. Keep watch for green sea turtles gliding near the surface, white-tipped reef sharks just below and rays moving through the shallows. Overhead, you might spot pelicans, herons and egrets nesting in the branches. This area is a protected turtle sanctuary, offering your first chance to see the unique wildlife that makes these islands so special.
Return to the ship this evening for dinner and your first night onboard. (B/L/D) Stay: M/V Galápagos Legend
Ride by boat across the caldera at El Barranco, keeping watch for red-billed tropicbirds and Galápagos fur seals along the rugged shoreline. Step ashore with a Local Specialist and follow the trail up Prince Philip's Steps, climbing into a landscape of a palo santo tree forest and ancient lava fields. This is prime nesting ground for Nazca boobies, storm petrels and finches, with short-eared owls sometimes seen gliding low over the volcanic rock.
Later, explore the mangroves and saltbush of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. Cross a tidal lagoon and you may be lucky enough to spot one of the world's rarest birds—the elusive lava gull—hidden among the shorebirds that make this island their home. (B/L/D)
Visit South Plaza Island with a Local Specialist, home to a large sea lion colony and land iguanas that feed on the island's distinctive Opuntia cacti. You'll take a walk across the rocky terrain and along the cliff where swallow-tailed gulls and other seabirds nest.
Return to your cruise before travelling to Santa Fe Island. Go snorkelling in the bay, where you might spot turtles, reef sharks and spotted eagle rays. Then walk along the beach and through a cactus forest, keeping an eye out for Santa Fe land iguanas. The island is also a good place to look for Galápagos hawks and the rarely seen Santa Fe rice rat. (B/L/D)
Travel into the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island for the best opportunity to walk among wild Galápagos giant tortoises. These iconic reptiles can weigh over 270kg and move slowly through the grassy landscape as you follow their path. Along the way, spot other native wildlife, including several species of the finches that helped shape Darwin's theory of evolution. Continue to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Arrival into Quito is scheduled for 5pm, so please keep this in mind when booking onward travel. (B)
Be My Guest
Dive Into Culture
Iconic Experience
Make Travel Matter®
Trafalgar Difference
You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more
With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more
Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more
100
60
2002
2021
7 Cabins located across the Earth and Sea Deck. 11sqm/118sq ft.
Single and Double options
Interior Accommodations
Hair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone read more service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.
One of the most striking aspects of the ship: 10 top of the line Balcony Suites located in the Sky Deck and the Moon Deck. Including a significant redesign and general upgrades to more than satisfy customer's expectations. read more 22 sqm/ 237sq ft.Private balcony and panoramic window Double & Triple options.Top of the line amenities & bathrobeHair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.
Featuring big panoramic windows to admire the landscape, enjoy the perks of having even more space for your comfort. 15sqm/ 161sq ft.
Three meters of panoramic windows to enjoy the scenery. Double, Triple & Quadruple read more optionsHair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.
The new Legend Balcony Suite will feature plenty of space to move around freely; including a generously large balcony, perfect for sophisticated & distinguished clientele.Panoramic windows & private balconyDouble read more & Triple options.Exclusive & exquisite decorationTop of the line amenities & bathrobeHair dryer, special bedding, and updated furniture. Internal, local and international satellite telephone service is offered, Internet is accessible when anchoring in main islands. Voltage is set for 110-220 volts/60 Hz.
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