Ultimate Peru & Galapagos
Offering the best of Peru and the Galapagos Islands, this comprehensive tour combines Peru’s magnificent Sacred Valley and breath-taking Machu Picchu with a Galapagos Islands cruise. This exclusive trip embraces the history, culture, and wildlife of both countries, enriching the experience with stays at upscale Belmond hotels, a journey to the spectacular Inca citadel by luxury train and a cruise in the wondrous Galapagos Islands onboard a deluxe catamaran.
Journey highlights
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Discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the fabulous city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. Set against a backdrop of glorious mountain scenery and green terraced farmlands, the region is populated with Inca ruins and colourful market towns, along with the opportunity for a range of enthralling adventure activities.
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Travel to spectacular Machu Picchu aboard the luxury Belmond Hiram Bingham train and spend the night at the Sanctuary, the only accommodation close to the entrance of this monumental Inca citadel. Stay late and arrive early to explore this iconic site without the crowds.
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Visit the wildlife wonderland of the Galapagos Islands on a luxury cruise, staying onboard the upscale catamaran, Endemic. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps as you encounter giant tortoise, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, and bright pink flamingos. Swim and snorkel among the sea turtles, sea lions, hammerhead sharks and rays, for an experience you will never forget.
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End your epic journey in UNESCO-listed Quito, where you can relax amid the splendour of the Old Town’s cobbled streets, historic buildings, whitewashed buildings, handsome plazas, traditional artisan shops and treat yourself to a chocolate tasting session.
- Ultimate itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Ultimate Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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April to October is best for Peru’s Andean region. It is typically sunny in the day and cold at night due to altitude. Heavy rains December to March with January and February being the wettest months. Galapagos can be visited year round with hot and sunny days with brief showers December to June and warmer seas, the rest of year is drier but cooler and cloudier. Seas can be choppier July to September. Due to limited permits book well in advance.
Itinerary
Fly to Lima
Lima, Peru
This superlative adventure begins in Peru, a country steeped in history and great ancient civilisations. Your first night is spent in the capital Lima, staying at the Miraflores Park Plaza, which enjoys a prime location on a clifftop overlooking the ocean. A luxurious Belmond Hotel, the contemporary stylish interiors, superb fusion dining, rooftop pool, and welcoming service, make this one of the best hotels in the city. Located in Lima’s fashionable Miraflores neighbourhood, the city’s historic sites, charming plazas, cafés, and boutiques are all within easy reach.
Lima, also known as the ‘City of Kings,’ was once the most important city in Spain’s South American Empire and the city’s colonial centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Highlights include the Centro Historico de Lima, Convent of San Francisco, Plaza de Armas and pre-Inca ceremonial site, Huaca Pucllana.
Sacred Valley, Cuzco, Peru
After your night in Lima, you will fly to Cusco and enjoy a drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where Inca ruins nestle amid the dramatic mountain scenery, terraced farmlands, and colourful market towns. For the following two nights your base will be the Rio Sagrado, a luxury hotel, ideal for both exploring the Sacred Valley and relaxing before a visit to Machu Picchu. This Belmond hotel enjoys a beautiful setting on the banks of the Rio Urubamba and has been built from natural materials to resemble a traditional Andean village.
The rooms and suites have private terraces with stunning views of the Sacred Valley. The ideal place to relax, there is also a spa and heated pool to help guests unwind. The Peruvian cuisine is superb, including locally sourced ingredients and produce from the hotel’s organic garden. For those wishing to explore further, the hotel is located 4 km outside Urubamba on the route to Ollantayatambo. Guests can visit Pisac, one of the oldest settlements in the area, the Maras Salt Mines and enjoy a range of activities including horse riding, hiking, river rafting, feeding the baby alpacas in the stunning gardens, and attending a pachamanca shaman ceremony.
Accommodation: Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel ( 2 nights )
Machu Picchu, Peru
This morning is one of the highlights of the trip, when you get to tick off one of the mainstays of every bucket lists – a trip to Machu Picchu. Not only do you get to visit this majestic Inca citadel, but you also get to travel there on the Hiram Bingham luxury train and stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
The Hiram Bingham train is named after the US explorer who claimed to have discovered the ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911. Modelled on the Pullman cars of the 1920s, this exclusive Belmond train boasts an elegant dining car, bar, and observatory. Enjoy cocktails, gourmet dining and live Andean music for a memorable trip up to the citadel.
The most iconic symbol of the Inca Empire, the jaw-dropping ‘lost city,’ of Machu Picchu is set on a high mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley. Arriving by luxury train, your first sight of the ruins will stay with you long after your return home. Sitting amid forest-clad peaks and vertiginous valleys, Machu Picchu is a masterpiece of ancient architecture, a majestic and mysterious treasure that emerges from the jungle.
During the visit your guide will accompany you around the well-preserved temples, palaces, and ancient houses. Highlights include the cave-like Royal Tomb where sacrificial and burial rituals were performed and the Intihuatana Stone, a ritual stone which acted as the Inca’s astronomic clock, which can still accurately indicate the position of the sun.
After your visit, you can walk over to the Sanctuary Lodge, the only accommodation close to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The hotel has an attractive orchid garden, rooms and suites with traditional textiles, elegant furnishings, Inca-inspired décor and ensuite marble shower rooms. Deluxe Rooms have mountain views, and some enjoy private terraces. This proximity to the citadel means that guests can be among the first and last visitors of the day to experience these legendary ruins without the crowds. After breakfast the following day, guests can choose to revisit the site before boarding the train back down to Cusco.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel ( 1 night )
Cusco, Peru
The ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is rich in cultural heritage and for the next three nights you will be able to explore this historic city from your sumptuous base, the Palazio Nazarenas Hotel. Owned and operated by the exclusive Belmond hotel group, the Palazio Nazarenas is housed in a former 16th century Carmelite convent. The elegant oxygen-enriched suites are set around seven attractive cloistered courtyards and tastefully blend original Inca and colonial features with stylish contemporary design. There is a 24-hr butler service and facilities include an outdoor heated pool, spa, lounge, library, and glorious terraced gardens.
Located in a peaceful plaza, the hotel is a short stroll from Plaza de Armas, home to Cusco Cathedral, where you will find the statue of the white-robed, black-skinned El Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes), Cuzco’s patron saint, as well as La Linda (the Beautiful One), a gold-cloaked Madonna. Also in the plaza is the Iglesia de la Compañia de Jésus, containing paintings from the Cusco school, along with several old colonial homes with wooden balconies, built from stone taken from Inca palaces and temples. Close by is the former sun temple, Koricancha and a short uphill walk will take you to the cobbled street of arty San Blas, a neighbourhood popular with artisans and antique dealers.
To the north of the city is the ancient fortress, Sacsayhuaman, an archaeological complex built by the Incas between the 14th and 15th centuries, it is a wonderful historic site to learn more about the Inca’s customs and traditions. We would also recommend a visit to the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art, displaying a collection of pottery, gold and jewellery spanning nearly 3000 years; the Museo Machu Picchu to see excavated objects from the site and the Choco Museo, full of fun interactive exhibits dedicated to chocolate.
Accommodation: Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel ( 3 nights )
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Having spent three days exploring the charms of Cusco, you will be flown to Guayaquil ready for your flight to the enchanted Galapagos Islands the following morning. Your home for the night is the Hotel del Parque, a former 19th century catholic hospice and now an elegant boutique hotel located within the Parque Historico. One of Guayaquil’s finest hotels, Hotel del Parque overlooks the Daule River and botanic gardens. Guests can walk through the park’s nature trails and visit its wildlife sanctuary, even when it is closed to the public
Accommodation: Hotel del Parque ( 1 night )
Galapagos, Ecuador
This morning another highlight of this epic trip begins with the short flight to the Galapagos Islands, a land of magical wildlife and other-worldly landscapes. For the following five nights you will cruise the islands from the comfort of the upscale catamaran, Endemic. This supremely comfortable boat has a maximum of 16 passengers, a specialist naturalist guide, highly qualified crew, and dedicated cruise manager to ensure you maximise your Galapagos experience.
The comfortable suite accommodation includes floor to ceiling panoramic windows and private balconies. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, stand up paddleboards and glass-bottomed kayaks are all included, and your guide will ensure you learn all about the area’s bird, marine, wildlife and volcanic landscapes during the daily land and sea-based excursions.
The native Galapagos wildlife is notoriously tame so you can get up close and personal to waddling penguins, prehistoric iguana, lumbering giant tortoise and playful sea lions. Marvel at skies alive with Darwin’s famous finches, red-throated frigates, waved albatross and blue-footed bobbies and swim in waters brimming with over 400 species of tropical fish, manta ray, shark, and huge turtles.
Land-based excursions can include trekking the volcanic landscape, exploring the misty cloud forest, visiting the giant tortoise reserves and tours of the Charles Darwin Research Centre. While sea-based excursions might include scuba diving, kayaking, and snorkelling alongside huge sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, marine iguana and colourful reef fish.
The itinerary has been designed to be time-efficient with most travelling undertaken at night, so you awaken in a new location every morning. Cruising is a wonderful way to appreciate the ecological diversity found in the archipelago and as you sail through the water, you can spot rays, whales, and dolphins, not to mention the neon-phosphorescence glittering under star-filled skies.
Accommodation: Endemic ( 5 nights )
Quito, Ecuador
Even though it’s now time to leave the greatest wildlife show on earth, the adventure continues with a two-night stay in Ecuador’s delightful capital, Quito. Your base is the beautifully restored 18th century mansion, Casa Gangotena, a luxury boutique hotel overlooking San Francisco Plaza in the heart of Old Town. A fusion of historic charm, contemporary design and modern comforts, Casa Gangotena is a wonderful hotel from which to explore Quito’s cultural delights.
Quito’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest and best-preserved colonial quarter in South America. A stroll around the cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, historic churches, delightful markets, and charming plazas is a lovely way to soak up the atmosphere. For wonderful views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes, take a walk up to the sculpture that overlooks the city, La Virgen del Panecillo or ride the cable car El Teleférico (known locally as TelefériQo) up the slope of the dormant Volcán Pichincha to the summit, Cruz Loma.
Other highlights include enjoying a chocolate tasting session and a trip out to the Equatorial Monument where you can stand in the Middle of the World. With a latitude of 0º, you can literally stand with a foot in each hemisphere. Inside the monument you will find the Ethnographic Museum, with exhibits that focus on the different regions, geography, and peoples of this region.
Finally, after enjoying the trip of a lifetime and with some incredible memories of the sights you have seen, people you have met and experiences you have enjoyed, it is time to make the journey home.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena ( 2 nights )
Fly home (via Guayaquil)
Call us on 020 3930 4802 to start planning your holiday.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| January 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| February 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| March 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| April 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| May 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| June 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| July 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| August 2025 | GBP £12,800 | GBP £1,900 | plan your trip |
| September 2025 | GBP £11,800 | GBP £1,800 | plan your trip |
| October 2025 | GBP £11,800 | GBP £1,800 | plan your trip |
| November 2025 | GBP £11,800 | GBP £1,800 | plan your trip |
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December 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
January 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
February 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
March 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
April 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
May 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
June 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
July 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
August 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £12,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,900
-
September 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £11,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,800
-
October 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £11,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,800
-
November 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £11,800
Deposit from*GBP £1,800
- plan your trip