Spirit of Peru with Amazon and Galápagos Cruises

• Day 1 Arrive Lima

  Welcome to Lima, Peru. We'll meet you on arrival and transfer you to meet the rest of your group and Tour Director at the Larco Museum. Here, savour a delicious lunch at Café del Museo before taking a guided tour of the artefacts and exhibitions of this world famous museum.

  Stay: Two nights, Country Club Lima Hotel  

  (Lunch)

• Day 2 Lima

  Discover the Peruvian capital’s World Heritage-listed historic centre with a guide today. Afterwards, enjoy a Signature Experience at a private hacienda before visiting the ruins of Pachacamac.

  Signature Experience – Peruvian Paso Horse Show
  Pay a visit to a private hacienda, which showcases the nation’s regional traditions. Sit down to a lunch of traditional South American fare and enjoy a Peruvian Paso horse show.

  (Breakfast, Lunch)

• Day 3 Lima, Sacred Valley

  After breakfast today, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your included flight to Cusco, the pre-Columbian Inca capital of Peru. From here, travel to the heart of the Sacred Valley for your Signature Experience before arriving at your hotel.

  Signature Experience – Hacienda Sarapampa LunchVisit a working corn farm where you’ll enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch. Experience the essence of local life and rich traditions of regional cuisine.

  Stay: Two Nights, Explora Sacred Valley

  (Breakfast, Lunch)

• Day 4 Sacred Valley, Maras, Moray

  Travel to a small community tucked away in the Sacred Valley hillside, where you’ll enjoy a Signature Experience. Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a guide, including another Signature Experience which takes you to the Salt Mines of Maras and Moray terraces. In the evening, savour a delectable dinner at your hotel.

  Signature Experience – Traditional Weaving Demonstration
  Be welcomed by the local Misminay community before watching a traditional weaving demonstration. Discover how Peru’s colourful textiles are created by hand as you learn about the craft, which has been passed down through generations. Then, enjoy a traditional lunch with views of the Andes mountains and surrounding valleys.

  Signature Experience – Salt Mines of Maras and Moray Terraces
  See the glistening salt pools spill over the terraced slopes at the World Heritage-listed Salt Mines of Maras. Afterwards, visit the fascinating Incan circular terraces at the Moray archaeological site. 

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 5 Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

  Today, embark on incredible rail journey to Aguas Calientes during your Signature Experience. Upon arrival, enjoy free time before dinner at the hotel.

  Signature Experience – Inca Rail First Class Machu Picchu Train
  Travel on Inca Rail’s First Class Machu Picchu Train and journey through forested landscapes to the township of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a gourmet Andean-inspired lunch on board while taking in the magnificent views that unfold before you. 

  Stay: Aguas Calientes, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel 

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 6 Machu Picchu, Cusco

  This morning, you’ll enjoy a full immersion into the natural setting and incredible heritage of Machu Picchu as you set off on a locally guided exploration of the Lost City of the Incas, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Later, board the PeruRail Vistadome Machu Picchu Train for your return trip to Sacred Valley. Here, transfer by coach to Cusco and settle into your hotel, primely located in the heart of this historic city.

  Stay: Two Nights, Cusco, JW Marriott or similar

  (Breakfast, Lunch)

• Day 7 Cusco

  A guided discovery of Cusco takes you to Plaza de Armas, situated in the historic centre of the city. This afternoon, delve into Peruvian culture with an included Freedom of Choice activity. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at MAP Café, located in the central courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

  Freedom of Choice – Peruvian Cooking Class
  Satiate your gustatory senses with a cooking class, discovering traditional Peruvian dishes and ingredients.

  Freedom of Choice – Sacsayhuamán Citadel Visit
  Explore the 15th-century dry stone archaeological site at the Incan Sacsayhuamán citadel. 

  (Breakfast, Dinner)

• Day 8 Iquitos, Amazon Cruise

  Board an early flight via Lima to Iquitos, a city located within the Peruvian Amazon. You will be met on arrival by some of the crew from Delfin III and then travel by coach from Iquitos, deeper into the rainforest region towards the river. En route, enjoy some commentary of the area as well as a boxed lunch. Reaching Nauta, a small tender boat will take you to your boutique vessel - the Delfin III. Once on board, meet the rest of your crew including the experienced Naturalist Guides who will reveal the secrets of the rainforest and its inhabitants during your daily activities. After some time to settle into your cabin, late this afternoon join a skiff exploration along the Marañón River, looking out for the forest inhabitants as dusk falls. Once back on board, be treated to a delicious three course dinner, expertly prepared by the ship's chefs.

  Stay: Three Nights, Amazon River, Delfin III

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 9 Amazon Cruise

  This morning’s plan is to learn more about life in the rainforest and how communities use the local plants for medicine, as you meet a local Shaman. Learn about the process to become a Shaman and how they develop their knowledge and experience of the rainforest. After lunch, relax on board before taking to the water by kayak, paddling along one of the calmer tributaries to experience the river and surrounds from a different perspective. As you paddle by small communities on the riverbank, nestled in the forest, keep an eye out for birds overhead, monkeys in the tree canopies and of course perhaps the elusive pink river dolphin in the nearby waters.

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 10 Amazon Cruise

  Join your naturalist guide on a skiff in Nauta Caño, for an opportunity to fish. Discover wildlife including piranha inhabiting the river before visiting a local community. Meet some of the residents as they show you how they live and make use of the various species in the forest for food and household items; from bananas used to make a sweet and nutritious drink, to the stems of palms used to weave baskets and bags. This afternoon, take a trail walk through the rainforest at Nauta Caño. Get an intimate view of the Amazon’s ecosystem and wildlife inhabiting this unique environment including frogs, snakes and insects. Close by is the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers. On your skiff, take a moment to appreciate this natural merger of waters, regarded as the point at which the Amazon River begins.

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 11 Iquitos, Lima

  This morning, disembark the Delfin III and en route to Iquitos, visit the Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for River Mammals (Amazon Forever). Here see where biologists and volunteers have cared for some of the endangered Amazon wildlife from juvenile manatees to the enigmatic sloths, macaws and toucans. Learn about the work the team is doing here to help preserve these valuable species. Finally, board your flight to Lima.

  Stay: Country Club Lima Hotel

  (Breakfast)

• Day 12 Lima, Guayaquil

  This morning, fly from Lima to Guayaquil, the gateway to the Galápagos Islands. On arrival to Guayaquil, spend time at leisure exploring Ecuador’s largest city and taking in its flagship sights. Guayaquil Heritage Cemetery is an infinite sea of opulent white marble statues and heavenly adornment, while Barrio Las Peñas is a vivacious rainbow of colourfully decorated buildings. Parque Seminario is best known for its thriving population of friendly iguanas, who roam free-range and happily coexist with human visitors.

  Stay: Guayaquil, Hotel del Parque

  (Breakfast)

• Day 13 Galápagos Islands

  This morning, transfer to the MC Hermes where you will meet your guide and settle in to your suite. Later, embark on an excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Visit a tortoise ranch and witness the striking Galápagos giant tortoise. The natural surrounding landscape boasts unique volcanic tubes and underground lava channels.

  Stay: Four nights, Galápagos Islands, MC Hermes

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 14 Galápagos Islands

  Today, you'll travel to Rábida Island and navigate through trails at a red sand beach. Marvel at scenes of saltwater lagoons, and majestic palo santo trees. Come across wildlife including pelicans and a myriad of birdlife. This afternoon, ascend to the summit of Bartolomé Island and soak in panoramic views of volcanic formations, Pinnacle Rock and other Galápagos islands in the distance. If you're feeling active, there's an opportunity to experience Pinnacle Rock from a closer perspective through swimming and snorkelling around the perimeter.

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 15 Galápagos Islands

  Immerse yourself in the diverse flora and fauna of South Plaza, one of the smallest islands of the Galápagos. Walk through a captivating cactus forest and be awed by an abundance of birds such as red-billed tropicbirds and near-endemic swallow-tailed gulls. Witness one of the largest populations of Galápagos land iguanas and sea lions. Afterwards, delve into the wilderness of the rugged northern shore, peppered with giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia).

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 16 Galápagos Islands

  Arrive in a quiet cove on San Cristóbal Island and discover Pitt Point, a remarkable location comprised of volcanic tuff substrate and known for its unique species of birds. You may be able to spot three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds as well as sea lions sunbathing on the shore. Take the opportunity to snorkel around the island and encounter marine life. Later this afternoon, see Witch Hill's lively coastline and explore on foot. Enjoy a swim and take a short stroll to see impressive flamingos at a freshwater lagoon.

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 17 Galápagos Islands, Guayaquil

  This morning, you'll visit Isla Lobos, where you’ll explore by foot and boat. Join a panga ride and spot the wildlife including a colony of blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds. Snorkel among playful sea lion pups in crystal-clear waters. Later, bid farewell to MC Hermes and make your way to San Cristóbal airport for your return flight to Guayaquil.

  Stay: Guayaquil, Hotel del Parque

  (Breakfast, Dinner)

• Day 18 Depart Guayaquil

  After breakfast, your South American adventure concludes with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

  (Breakfast)

Spirit of Peru with Amazon and Galápagos Cruises