Active & Discovery Cruise, The Galapagos & Peru (Lima to Quito) 15D14N

Welcome to the colorful city of Lima where today you have a chance to explore the magical city in your style.

Located on the bank of the Rímac River, Lima is the largest and capital city of Peru. Take a stroll around the beautiful city streets to unearth the iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Explore Lima Main Square, Larco Museum, and Cathedral of Lima. Tantalise your tastebuds and sample local flavours with a variety of markets and restaurants you’ll stumble during your city adventure.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast before a day worth of adventures uncovering Lima with a selection of excursions.

Classic: Embark on a Guided Walking Tour of Lima and unearth its historical wonders. Discover the colonial Old Quarter, Plaza de Armas, the presidential Government Palace, and the ornate Cathedral founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Pay a visit to the San Francisco Monastery and marvel at its famous catacombs.

Discovery: This evening, join a Guided Tour of Lima’s Larco Herrera Museum nestled on the site of a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid. With the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvianart, step back in time and admire 5,000 years of art, artifacts, and archaeological treasures.

This evening, come together and be treated to a welcome dinner in a beautiful Peruvian restaurant boasting local flavours.

Today, take a scenic flight to the ancient Andean city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, as you make your way to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Discovery: Venture on a Guided Tour of Awanakancha traversing llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos. Gain insight to their vital role in Peruvian culture before exploring the old mountain village of Pisac. Meander the local market and colourful stalls showcasing alpaca sweaters, woven blankets and handmade jewellery.

This evening, tantalise your tastebuds as you savour a dining affair boasting Andean and Western dishes paired with wine.

Savour a delicious breakfast before a day of adventure with a selection of excursions to fit your style.

Classic: Explore the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo and tap into its rich history as you admire the ruins including the Sun Temple and Princess Baths Fountain on a guided excursion.

Discovery: Experience a cultural immersion with an escorted visit to a native Incan home in a village of Ollantaytambo. Gain a glimpse in their way of life enduring since the 13th century and hear their stories and traditions.

Journey to a seven wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. Uncover its hidden secrets and mysteries of the Inca’s Lost City with a choice of adventures.

Classic: Embark on a thrilling train ride to Aguas Calientes as you savour 360 degree views of lush countryside of the breath-taking Urubamba Valley from the panoramic windows or the open-air carriage. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, journey the winding road to the ethereal Machu Picchu.

Active: Venture on a Guided Walk of Machu Picchu to unveil the "Lost City of the Incas" high a top the Andes. Get up close insights to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land by your local guide.

Discovery: Enjoy your overnight stay at the foot of the mountain and be treated with a gourmet dinner paired with wine.

Classic: Delve deeper into the secrets, mysteries and stories of Machu Picchu on a guided excursion. Set out early to witness a breathtaking sight of sunrise over the spectacular ruins; a sight to behold. Admire the impressive ruins as you meander amongst perfectly assembled stonewalls and terraces over a natural landscape as a hidden sanctuary. Enjoy a delicious lunch before a scenic train ride back to the Sacred Valley and onto Cusco.

Today, you have a chance to explore the hidden gems of ancient Cusco. You can join both classic and discovery excursions with your Adventure Host. Have an excellent breakfast and get ready to start today’s activity.

Classic: Enrich your knowledge as you learn the history of Cusco on a Guided Walking Tour highlighting the struggle between the Incas and the invading Spaniards. Explore the imposing Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Monastery. Marvel at the semi- circular Kenko Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages and the ancient site of Puca Pucara. Journey to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. Admire this fortress of gigantic stones as you comprehend how these blocks weighing more than 350 tons was built.

Discovery: Tonight, be treated to a dining affair inspired by Peru’s eclectic mix of cultures.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast before bidding adieu to the colorful city of Cusco as you fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Begin your Ecuadorian adventure! Spend time exploring this splendid city in your own style. Stroll around its historic centre and admire the colonial buildings, quaint cafes and presidential palace at Plaza Grande. Enjoy a birds eye view from the top of Mitad del Mundo Monument or ride the Teleferiqo for panoramic views of the city.

Discovery: This evening, be treated to an authentic dining experience boasting delicious regional cuisine.

Classic: Ignite your senses on a guided excursion to Otavalo’s Indian market filled with colourful woven textiles, traditional Ecuadorean apparel, produce and craftwork. An ideal opportunity to buy souvenirs.

Discovery:
Option 1: Explore the quaint town of Peguche, famous for its intricate handcrafted weavings. Engage in a cultural immersion with an escorted tour of local homes to witness their handiwork in making woven blankets and clothing that are vital to life in the Andean highlands.

Option 2: Delight your tastebuds to an authentic Andean dining experience over a lunch affair served in a local hacienda.

Classic: Venture on a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Quito unveiling the its historic highlights including the impressive Legislative Palace with its enormous sculpted mural of Ecuadorean history. Explore the Independence Plaza, the 16th-century San Francisco Monastery and La Compania Church-the exquisite Jesuit cathedral with its impressive Spanish baroque architecture that is more than 160 years in the making.

Discovery: Embark on a Guided Walk down Calle La Ronda, one of the oldest streets of this historic city. The special thing about this street is the artist’s workshops and galleries. Stroll around through this amazing street and discover the local culture and heritage of this country. Visit a local chocolate factory and indulge in some chocolate tasting to see why Ecuador is one of the best chocolate producers in the world.

Classic: Stand in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time at the exact location of the Earth’s Equator on a guided excursion to the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo-the "Middle of the World." This is the place that highlights the exact location of the Earth’s Ecuador.

This morning, take a scenic flight to the remote Galapagos Island of San Cristobal where you’ll board your floating home for the next few days, the Treasure of Galapagos.

Classic: Take a Naturalist-Led Excursion to the highlands of San Cristobal to visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve. Learn about the island’s endangered giant tortoise population and the reserve’s conservation efforts.

Discovery: Experience the wildlife wonders of this island with your Naturalist Guide. Keep your eyes peeled for an array of wildlife including songbirds like the yellow warbler, Galapagos large-billed flycatchers, and the Chatham mockingbird (unique to this island), that put Darwin on track of his evolution theory.

This evening, gather together for a Captain’s welcome dinner onboard as you meet your fellow travelers and crew members.

NOTE: The ship’s itinerary may vary according to Galapagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited.

Classic: Discover the south-eastern part of the archipelago on a guided excursion with your expert Naturalist traversing pristine white coral beaches of Gardner Bay. A wildlife paradise, keep a lookout for Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, seabirds and hawks. In particular, keep eyes peeled for three species of Darwin finches, a hallmark of his research.

Discovery: Discover an underwater paradise on a prime snorkelling location in Garden Bay’s pristine waters. Marvel at multi-coloured reef fish and reef sharks and Pacific green turtles.

Active: Join an Exclusive Hike this afternoon with your Naturalist Guide to the cliffs of Punta Suarez, the oldest island of the Archipelago. Marvel at the outstanding spray that comes out from the ocean’s blowhole and admire a birdlife haven including blue-footed and Nazca boobies and waved albatrosses. Keep your eyes peeled for the unique male Christmas iguana that turns green and red during the mating season.

Unwind back onboard a the Observation Deck or laze by the pool bar. This evening savour another delicious rainforest-to-table dinner affair boasting Peruvian flavours.

Classic: Join a Naturalist-Led Excursion to Floreana’s Post Office Bay-with its historic 18th-century whalers’ postal service-consisting of a barrel-to drop mail with the hopes that future travellers will carry it back to the mainland.

Active: Explore the island’s channels by panga boat, or venture on an unforgettable swim with playful sea lions. This afternoon, embark on an easy hike with your Naturalist Guide to Cormorant Point in search of greater flamingos, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles. Alternatively, snorkel with reef fish, turtles, and rays gliding through the crystal shallows.

Active: Embark on a hike with your Naturalist Guide to discover Barrington Bay where one of the most ancient volcanoes in the Galapagos lies. Collide and get up close encounters with animal species found nowhere else in the world. Explore a prickly cactus forest, home to the land iguana and endemic only to Santa Fe Island. Be in search for other spectacular species exclusive to the island including the Galapagos hawk, snake, and mockingbird. Spend time snorkelling with sea lions and a kaleidoscope of colourful fish in the pristine waters of Barrington Bay.

Discovery: Uncover the nesting place of the Pacific green turtle, marine iguanas, and the giant Galapagos tortoise on a Naturalist Guided Adventure to Santa Cruz Island at Tortuga Bay.

Retreat back onboard, spend time unwinding in the lounge bar or observation deck reliving the amazing journey you have had by far. Tonight, savour an exquisite dinner served especially for your final night onboard.

Enjoy your final moments onboard over a delightful breakfast.

Discovery: Take a Naturalist Guided Excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve. You’ll have the opportunity to observe Galapagos tortoises in the wild and learn how these gentle giants are studied and protected across the archipelago.

Bid farewell to your crew members as you disembark your ship. Journey to the airport for your return flight to Quito.

Savour a leisurely breakfast this morning, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey, before making your own arrangements for your onward travel.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.