Machu Picchu & Galápagos Islands Custom Combo Tour

In the morning, transfer back to the airport for a short flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Meet your guide at the airport and begin a day-long excursion through snowcapped mountains to the Incas’ legendary Sacred Valley. The first stop is Pisac’s hilltop citadel, featuring the civilization’s agricultural terracing along the steep valley walls, panoramic views of jagged granite peaks and the temple ruins. Descend down to the town of Pisac, known for one of the best Andean textile markets in Peru. After taking in some of the local culture and enjoying a traditional lunch, depart for Ollantaytambo (9,185 feet), a small town with an impressive Inca fortress. Stay overnight at a hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B,L)

Spend another day exploring the well preserved archaeological sites and dramatic landscapes of the Sacred Valley. This morning, pass small farms situated in the fertile Urubamba Valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains to reach Moray. This mysterious site includes three circular terraces, thought to have been used by the Incas as an open-air crop experimentation station. Continue past the small village and pre-Inca settlement of Maras. At this photogenic spot, a geo-thermally heated stream feeds hundreds of small salt terraces which create a striking white-on-brown landscape that has been used for salt mining since well before the Incas. Return to your Ollantaytambo hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: PACHAMANCA LUNCH

In the afternoon, gather for a special Pachamanca lunch where meat, several varieties of potatoes, corn, beans and other produce are cooked in the ground under hot stones. This traditional cooking practice has existed since the time of the Inca Empire. Enjoy your meal al fresco, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley. Return to your Sacred Valley hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Start the day off with a refreshing walking tour of the Ollantayambo ruins. Next, head to the train station, where you’ll board the Vistadome train for the first leg of today’s unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu! Enjoy the panoramic views as the train follows the Urubamba River into the lush cloud forest, before arriving at the Aguas Caliente train station. Stop for lunch in town and then  board a bus that will take you to the gates of Machu Picchu (7,875 feet). Spend the afternoon exploring the famous ruins with your guide. Return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time to relax and enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Machu Picchu during the early morning hours. Explore the numerous ruins including an optional climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu. By midday, you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and an early afternoon train ride back to Ollantaytambo. Your private vehicle will be waiting at the station to deliver you to the Chinchero textile market, where members of the local weavers’ collective will explain the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley. Continue on to your Cusco hotel for the evening. (10,856 feet) (B)

Huayna Picchu Hiking Details: 1.25 miles; approximately 2-3 hours hiking, the trail is narrow and very steep

Altitude min/max: from 7,875 ft to 8,835 ft.

Today begins with a guided walking tour through Cusco to see the colorful markets, the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a lunch of regional cuisine, you tour the remaining prominent Inca sights in and around Cusco. These include the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; Puka Pukara the small fortress that once protected the royal capital; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to the comfort of your hotel to relax or continue to explore Cusco on your own. (B)

In the morning, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight back to Lima and your connecting international flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon your arrival, a Southern Explorations’ representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel.

Morning transfer to the Quito Airport. Upon arriving in the Islands, you’ll be transferred to your vessel to begin your Galápagos wildlife adventure. Depending on the Galápagos cruise you’ve selected, you’ll be spending five to eight glorious days in this magical archipelago. Not into cruising? We also offer land based tours! (B,L,D)

The next few days are spent exploring the fascinating Galápagos Islands. Each of the Galápagos Islands has its own particular topography, ecology and wildlife. For those on cruises, you’ll visit two landing sites each day, led by your naturalist guide, and have hiking and snorkeling opportunities, an evening briefing, and time to relax onboard. For those opting for land based tours, you’ll enjoy an array of daily excursions with options for more active adventures and opportunities to interact with local communities. No matter what itinerary you choose, cruise or land-based,  you’ll be blown away by the wildlife you’ll encounter. For general information, please check out our cruise and land tour itineraries on this website. Contact us to determine what the right kind of Galápagos tour is for you! (B,L,D)

Alas, Galápagos tours don’t last forever. Some tours squeeze in one last short excursion before heading to the airport for your return flight to Quito. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy your final night in Quito, Ecuador. (B)

Today you depart Quito, marking the end of your trip to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands. (B)