Ecuador and Peru

Everyone’s perfect trip looks a little different.

We’ll design your itinerary around you (learn about our process), but to whet your appetite here’s a sample of what you can experience on a bespoke trip to Ecuador and Peru with us.

Sample Trip: Mountains of Peru and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

Day 1. Arrive in Lima and private transfer to your accommodations, housed in a former mansion in the lively Barranco neighborhood (Hotel B).

Day 2. Private half-day tour of Lima, a historic city and one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals, including the Plaza de Armas, a colorful crafts market, a forward-thinking art gallery, culminating in an incredible seafood lunch. End the day with cocktails on your hotel’s rooftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon. Transfer to your boat for the journey on the Madre de Dios River to your eco-chic accommodations. This evening witness the transformation as diurnal animals and birds give way to the area’s nocturnal species on a twilight boat ride (Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica).

Day 4. Enjoy a morning canoe ride across Lake Sandoval, home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. After lunch, walk through the rainforest canopy to see bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth; walk along a wooden bridge over the aguajales swamps to see various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, flowers, and trees; or enjoy a guided walk through the Amazon basin.

Day 5. Return to Puerto Maldonado, with a visit to the Butterfly House en route to the airport. Flight to Cusco and private transfer to the beautiful (and lower-elevation) Sacred Valley, with a visit to Pisac ruins and lunch en route. Relax and ease into the region’s high altitude (Sol y Luna Hotel).

Day 6. Private ATV adventure through the Andes, to experience the Urubamba Valley off-the-beaten-path, including magnificent gorges, ruins, and picturesque farming villages. Retire early this evening in anticipation of your early start tomorrow (you may also spend the night in Cusco this evening).

Day 7. Embark on the 7-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, staying in mountain lodges along the way. Private early-morning transfer to Cusco to meet your trekking party. Today’s trek to Soraypampa takes about 6 hours and ends at Salkantay Lodge. Each day of your trek ends at a lovely lodge, with wonderful food and wine, complemented by a massage or dip in an outdoor jacuzzi (Salkantay Lodge).

Day 8. Acclimatization hike of about 4 hours to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mount Humantay. This afternoon ride on horseback and enjoy stunning views of the valley.

Day 9. Hike up the Rio Blanco Valley and cross the Salkantay Pass (about 4,600 meters or 15,000 feet), a hike of about 6-8 hours, with incredible views of Salkantay and the snow-capped Vilcabamba Range (Wayra Lodge).

Day 10. Descend into the cloud forest, a hike of about 3-4 hours through increasingly lush scenery, with the chance to see beautiful butterflies and orchids. This afternoon explore a nearby orchid trail or soak in the outdoor jacuzzi with panoramic mountain views (Colpa Lodge).

Day 11. Today you will hike about 5-6 hours past coffee plantations, fruit orchards, and small small towns in the Santa Teresa River Valley, including a short transfer by vehicle to where you will begin hiking on the Llactapata Inca Trail (Lucma Lodge).

Day 12. Ascend the Llactapata Pass for your first spectacular views of Machu Picchu. After lunch with an incredible view, your trek (about 5-6 hours today) concludes with the descent past bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations to the Rio Aobamba, where you will catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu (Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel).

Day 13. Morning visit to Machu Picchu, with guided exploration and free time to wander the otherworldly ruins. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb the precarious Huayna Picchu Mountain. This afternoon travel by rail to Ollantaytambo, and onward to Cusco by road. Evening celebration with your trekking party (El Mercado Tunqui).

Day 14. Private half-day walking tour of Cusco, including a carefully-chosen combination of the small-but-fascinating city’s highlights and hidden gems.

Day 15. Today you will travel from Peru to neighboring Ecuador. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you will connect with your international flight to Quito. Private transfer to your accommodations (Casa Gangotena).

Day 16. Private half-day tour of Quito, including a stroll in the World Heritage city’s historic district, and a visit to one of the city’s best and oldest traditional markets, where you can learn about and sample some of the local specialties.

Day 17. Fly to the Galapagos Islands. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to the cruise’s starting point. For the next several days you’ll call the small and luxurious 16-passenger Sea Star Journey yacht home. On arrival in the Galapagos Islands (depending on your travel dates, you will fly into either Baltra  Island or San Cristobal Island), you will settle into your cabin, meet your naturalist guide and fellow passengers, and embark on a wildlife walk this afternoon (Sea Star Journey).

Day 18. While in the Galapagos Islands, your exact itinerary will depend highly on your travel dates (cruise itineraries begin at about 4 nights or more). Regardless of your travel dates, you will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit various of the legendary archipelago’s islands, with a variety of immersive nature walks, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and swimming amongst the Galapagos’ unique flora and fauna. Non-cruise options are also available.

Day 19. At the conclusion of your multi-day cruise (see above), you will recover your land legs at Galapagos Safari Camp, located on Santa Cruz Island overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Relax in the infinity pool, enjoy farm-to-table cuisine, and stroll the wildlife-filled property at leisure before retiring to your luxury tent, which features custom-made furniture, en-suite facilities, and private balconies with ocean views (Galapagos Safari Camp).

Day 20. Free day to relax, explore the property, or enjoy one final excursion elsewhere on the island.

Day 21. Private transfer to Baltra for your flight to Quito and connecting flight home.

Unique accommodations.

When it comes to accommodations there is no “one size fits all.”

We typically suggest small, boutique properties with tasteful style and great service, though sometimes it makes sense to stay at a larger luxury hotel (or a cozy lodge)!

For your bespoke trip, we’ll make personalized suggestions based on your unique taste and priorities.