Footsteps of the Incas with Quito and the Galapagos Islands

Day 1 - UK - Lima

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Hilton Garden Inn Miraflores, Lima (4-star)

Day 2 - Lima

This morning introduces the old ‘City of Kings’, Lima’s original name and once the capital of Spanish South America. The city’s historic walls and streets reveal layers of political, cultural and economic history dating back to 1535. Explore the Old Town’s striking colonial architecture, including the Government Palace and the city’s grand historic squares. Visits include the cathedral and the Larco Herrera Museum, where exquisite gold and silver treasures from ancient Peru are displayed. The afternoon is free to enjoy Lima at your own pace.

Hilton Garden Inn Miraflores, Lima (4-star)

Day 3 - Lima - Arequipa

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Arequipa.

Casa Andina Select Arequipa (3-star)

Day 4 - Arequipa

Set beneath three snow-capped volcanoes – Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu – Arequipa delivers dramatic scenery at every turn. A guided city tour highlights its remarkable architecture, much of it built from white volcanic sillar stone. Discover the historic San Lázaro quarter and the spectacular Santa Catalina Monastery, Peru’s most important religious complex and home to a rich collection of paintings and sculptures. The afternoon is free, with optional excursions available.

Casa Andina Select Arequipa (3-star)

Day 5 - Colca Canyon

Travel deep into the Colca Canyon, passing through colourful Andean valleys en route to Chivay. This small town sits in the southern Colca region and features a lively main square framed by terraced hillsides and distant snow-capped peaks.

Casa Andina Standard Colca (3-star)

Day 6 - Colca Canyon - Puno

A visit to Cruz del Condor offers the chance to watch Andean condors glide effortlessly on rising thermal currents. The vast scale of Colca Canyon is on full display here, with the summit of Ampato volcano towering more than 5,000 metres above the canyon floor. Later, continue to Puno.

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno (3-star)

Day 7 - Lake Titicaca

A full-day excursion explores Lake Titicaca, a place of striking beauty and deep legend. Revered by the Incas as the birthplace of the sun, it is South America’s largest lake. Visit the Uros villages, whose inhabitants live on floating totora-reed islands, and Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives. See a demonstration of traditional hand-weaving techniques – a snapshot of the lifestyle and culture of these Peruvian natives.

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno (3-star)

Day 8 - Puno - Cuzco

Travel from Puno to Cuzco in style, aboard the Pullman-style carriages of the Titicaca Train. This journey is about more than just getting from A to B. Windswept plains, traditional villages and soaring mountains unfold outside, while gourmet Peruvian cuisine and live music enhance the journey within.

Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco (4-star)

Day 9 - Cuzco

Once the heart of the Inca Empire, Cuzco sits high in the Peruvian Andes and remains rich in history. Enjoy a guided tour of the ‘Archaeological Capital of South America’ which includes the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco Cathedral with its star-shaped ceilings, and a remarkable collection of colonial artwork, including Marcos Zapata’s The Last Supper. There is also the chance to see the semi-circular Temple of the Sun and the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the massive Inca fortress overlooking the city.

Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco (4-star)

Day 10 - Cuzco - Sacred Valley

Travel to the Sacred Valley, stopping first in the village of Pisac. Here, Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands gather to trade in a colourful market filled with jewellery, textiles, ceramics and Andean instruments. Continue to Ollantaytambo, where ancient terraces, steps and niches are carved directly into the mountainside. Narrow cobbled streets and well-preserved ruins create the feeling of stepping back into the 13th century.

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, Sacred Valley (3-star)

Day 11 - Machu Picchu

Today delivers one of the great moments of the tour, as a scenic train ride winds through the Andes to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. Perched high above the Urubamba Valley and wrapped in cloud forest, the setting alone is unforgettable. A guided visit reveals an astonishing feat of engineering: stone temples, terraces, palaces and fountains fitted together with remarkable precision. Built at the height of the Inca Empire and hidden from the outside world for centuries, Machu Picchu remains a powerful and atmospheric place, made even more dramatic by its mountain backdrop.

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, Sacred Valley (3-star)

Day 12 - Sacred Valley - Cuzco - Lima

Transfer to the airport and fly to Lima for an overnight stay.

Hilton Garden Inn Miraflores, Lima (4-star)

Day 13 - Lima - Quito

The next stage of the adventure begins early with a flight to Quito. On arrival, lunch is served at a local restaurant, offering a first taste of Ecuadorian flavours. The afternoon includes a guided city tour of Quito, including a visit to the iconic Middle of the World monument, which straddles the equator and provides a classic photo opportunity. The evening is free to relax and recharge after a full day of travel and exploration.

Hilton Colon Quito (4-star)

Day 14 - Otavalo

Today focuses on the vibrant culture of Otavalo. En route, visit a rose plantation, renowned for its lively markets. Stalls brim with handcrafted textiles, intricate jewellery, and locally made artwork, creating a feast for the senses. After time to explore the town, lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant before returning to Quito later in the day.

Hilton Colon Quito (4-star)

Day 15 - Quito - Galapagos Islands

Fly to the Galapagos Islands to board MV Galapagos for the next four nights, staying in a Junior Suite Cabin. In the afternoon, exploration begins at Mosquera Islet. This small, sand-fringed islet is home to an array of wildlife, with sea lions often spotted along the shore and Sally Lightfoot crabs clinging to the rocks. The surrounding waters teem with marine life, making this an excellent introduction to snorkelling in the Galapagos.

MV Galapagos Legend (3-star)

Day 16 - Galapagos Islands

The day starts at Egas Port on Santiago Island, known for its dramatic coastline, sculpted lava formations, and striking black volcanic sand. Marine iguanas and sea lions are frequently seen along the shore, while the contrast between dark rock and bright blue water creates superb photo opportunities. Continue to Rabida Island, famous for its deep red sands and rich wildlife. Look out for Galapagos hawks overhead, blue-footed boobies along the coast, and finches flitting through the vegetation.

MV Galapagos Legend (3-star)

Day 17 - Galapagos Islands

Isabela Island is one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the archipelago. The first stop is Urbina Bay, where giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the rare Galapagos flightless cormorant may be seen. A short walk reveals varied plant life and frequent encounters with turtles and sea lions. Between May and December, whales are sometimes spotted offshore. In the afternoon, attention turns to Tagus Cove, a dramatic U-shaped bay surrounded by towering cliffs. The sheltered waters are alive with marine species, including penguins, turtles, and colourful fish.

MV Galapagos Legend (3-star)

Day 18 - Galapagos Islands

This morning includes an excursion to Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, an extraordinary volcanic landscape alive with wildlife. Large colonies of marine iguanas dominate the lava fields, basking in the sun after feeding in the sea — a behaviour unique to this species. The afternoon visit is to Punta Vicente Roca, an area celebrated for its marine diversity and striking geological formations. A small-boat cruise along the coastline offers close-up views of seabirds such as Nazca and blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and penguins.

MV Galapagos Legend (3-star)

Day 19 - Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil - Lima

The final morning in the Galapagos includes an excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Lush greenery replaces volcanic terrain, with endemic Scalesia trees creating an almost otherworldly setting. Galapagos giant tortoises roam freely here, offering a rare chance to observe these ancient creatures up close. Later, fly to Lima via Guayaquil, followed by an overnight stay.

Hilton Garden Inn Miraflores, Lima (4-star)

Day 20 - Lima - In flight

Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight to the UK.

Day 21 - UK

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.