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Galápagos Islands: Iconic Wildlife and Sublime Scenery Plus Machu Picchu
  Varies pp

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • Destinations: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Peru

Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) | 10 Days | Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador

Departures available January 2025 - March 2026

The first part of your adventure takes place on land. Setting off from Peru’s vibrant capital, Lima, you’ll fly to Cusco. At the ancient center of the Inca empire, you will discover a range of cultural and architectural wonders. Next, you travel up the Sacred Valley on a luxury train to the incredible mountain citadel of Machu Picchu before heading back to Cusco. You then fly to charming Quito, the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. After exploring Quito's historic center on a guided tour, you’ll head to the Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable sea adventure. Your expedition cruise begins after a flight from Quito to Baltra Island in Galápagos for an incredible sea adventure. In the Galápagos Islands, you’ll visit the isles of Isabela, Floreana, Fernandina and Santa Cruz islands, each a unique illustration of evolution in action. Experience an array of ecosystems within picturesque landscapes, and see famed wildlife such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, Nazca Boobies and Darwin’s iconic finches. Your ship, MS Santa Cruz II, is one of the few vessels operating in Galápagos that comes equipped with a full range of exploration tools, including panga boats, kayaks, snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards and even a glass-bottom boat.

AAA Member Benefits and Special Offers:

  • Member Benefits
    • Up to $100 USD onboard credit per person
Call to Book 1-800-529-3222
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Included With Your Trip

What's Included?

Flights

  • Flights in economy class from Lima to Cusco, and from Cusco to Quito (via Lima), including all taxes
  • Flights in economy class between Quito and Baltra, including all taxes

Hotel

  • One night in Lima, two nights in Cusco, and two nights in Quito before the expedition cruise, including breakfast. Dinner on Days 2–5.


Transfers

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel, and the hotel to the airport, in Quito before the expedition cruise
  • Transfers between the airport and the ship in Baltra

Excursions

  • Tour package: Cusco and Machu Picchu, as described, including excursions with lunch, train tickets, entrance fees, and transfers from the hotel to the airport in Lima and within Cusco before the expedition cruise
  • Full-day excursion: Historic Quito and Middle of the World, including lunch, before the expedition cruise

Included Extras

  • Galápagos Islands National Park admission fee
  • Transit Control Card for the Galápagos Islands
  • Access to the airport lounge at the Quito (or Guayaquil) airport upon return from the Galápagos Islands for guests flying internationally on the day of disembarkation

Expedition Cruise

  • A stay in a cabin of your choice
  • Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • House wine and beer served with lunch and dinner. From 1 October 2024 departures, wine, beer and spirits (excluding premium alcoholic drinks) available from the bar at any time (subject to Ecuadorean licensing laws)
  • All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
  • A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
  • A backpack or another piece of HX kit
  • Professional photos from your trip taken by their onboard photographer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
  • Use of hot tubs, fitness room, lounges and more
  • Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
  • Range of included activities

Onboard Activities

  • In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
  • Full access to the ship’s Science Corner
  • Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research 
  • Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos 
  • Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

Landing Activities 

  • Escorted and guided landings with small panga boats
  • Loan of all equipment for activities
  • Expedition photographers will be on hand to assist you
Additional Information

Day 1: Your Land Adventure Begins

Welcome to Peru, one of the most fascinating countries in South America! If you have time after your arrival in Lima before settling in at your hotel for an overnight stay, we suggest you wander historical center, which is packed with elegant Spanish colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Or why not walk along the oceanfront boardwalk in the upmarket Miraflores district. Here, you’ll find many restaurants and cafés, as well as shops if you need to purchase anything ahead of your adventure. Lima is considered the food capital of Latin America, so be sure to try local dishes like ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice with onion and chili.

Day 2: City of the Incas and a Cultural Gem

In the morning, you’ll take a flight to Cusco, the ancient seat of the Inca Empire. A local guide will take you to check in at your hotel, before inviting you on a guided tour of this enigmatic city.  

You’ll see impressive Inca structures contrasted with ornate buildings from Spanish colonial times. Visit the 15th-century ceremonial compound of Sacsayhuaman, or admire the architecture of the Spanish Santo Domingo church, a convent built on the ruins of Koricancha, the Inca Sun Temple. After your tour of the highlights of this cultural and architectural gem, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: Back in Time to a Lost World

An early morning transfer will take you to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, from where you’ll catch a train along the narrow-gauge line to Machu Picchu, passing through stunning highland scenery along the way. After around two hours, you’ll stop at the small town of Aguas Calientes and take the short bus ride to Machu Picchu – the so-called Lost City of the Incas. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of this once-hidden settlement, marveling at the stonewalls, terraces and ramps that are carved into the mountain. You’ll love the peaceful atmosphere of Machu Picchu as you gaze at the lowland jungle from this city in the clouds. 

After lunch, you’ll return to Cusco where you’ll enjoy your final night at the hotel.

Day 4: Quito - City of Eternal Spring

The day begins with breakfast at your hotel. We’ll then drive to the airport in Cusco for the morning flight via Lima to Ecuador. You´ll arrive in Quito in the afternoon. 

Your journey begins on the Equator in the lush Andean foothills. At 9,350 feet, Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world, and its main draw is the exquisite Old Town which was founded on an ancient Inca settlement. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s packed with well-preserved colonial architecture as evidenced in colorful plazas, magnificent churches and handsome monuments. Settle into your hotel, then head out to explore.

Day 5: Visit Historic Quito

Today you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Quito’s remarkable Old Town – one of the largest and best-preserved colonial-era quarters in South America. Wander through cobblestone streets as you admire the architecture – and sample some delicious chocolate made from finest Ecuadorian cacao along the way. 

Next, you’ll head to the iconic ‘Middle of the World City’, located around 16 miles north of Quito. After lunch, you’ll visit the famous monument that delineates the imaginary line of the Equator. Have your camera ready to capture the moment you stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

Day 6: Your Cruise Begins

After breakfast, a short flight will take you to Baltra Island in the spectacular Galápagos archipelago. A transfer brings you straight to the port where your comfortable expedition ship MS Santa Cruz II awaits. 

In the afternoon you’ll begin your exploration of the Galápagos Islands following the north shore of Santa Cruz towards the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón – Dragon Hill – where you’ll land. The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish lagoon that’s frequented by shorebirds and American Flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as a chance to get a first look at some land iguanas.

Day 7: Wildlife-Rich Isabela and Fernandina

You’ll start your day at Punta Vicente Roca, on the north-western tip of Isabela Island. After breakfast, you’ll explore the coast by panga boat, learning about the dramatic geology of the area from your naturalist guides.

This site is a nesting place for several bird species, so look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Penguins, and boobies. Weather permitting, you’ll get to snorkel alongside the cliffs, where you might find green sea turtles, oceanic sun fish, and fur seals. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Fernandina, an island with a unique ecology and a big population of marine iguanas. Scan the coast for sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hawks and penguins.

Day 8: Darwin's Santa Cruz

Today, you’ll explore Santa Cruz Island. In the morning, you’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. A giant tortoise breeding centre, here you can see recently hatched tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches – the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution by natural selection. There’s also an impressive forest of prickly pear cacti that’s home to many land birds. Enjoy a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises shuffle about munching on grass and wallowing in pools. 

You'll have time for another activity, including mountain biking or visiting a sugar plantation.

Day 9: Picturesque Floreana

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a panga boat ride among the channels on Floreana’s north shore, before taking in the incredible views of the island from Baroness Cove. Later on, you’ll land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. After lunch, you’ll explore the wonders around Champion Islet in a panga boat or aboard our glass-bottom boat. Here, you can snorkel in one of the best spots in the archipelago. 

From there, it’s onwards to Cormorant Point, where you’ll take a walk from an olivine-crystal beach to a brackish lagoon, where you can commonly see American Flamingos, Pintail Ducks and more.

Day 10: Back to Baltra

As your expedition cruise comes to a close, it’s time to bid farewell to the wildlife and scenery of one of the world’s most incredible nature destinations. You’ll also say farewell to your wonderful crew and naturalist guides as you disembark at Baltra Island. A transfer will take you to the airport in Baltra for your flight to Quito to connect to your international flight, or if you prefer, continue to Guayaquil for another adventure. 

Departure Dates
Start: January 1, 2025
End: March 31, 2026
Price: Varies pp


Price My Trip
Price My Trip
Product Code: AAA-HX

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Guests receive 90 euro onboard credit per person for all HX cruises, except on MS Santa Cruz II where guests receive $100 USD onboard credit per person. For cruises where the onboard credit is given in euro (EUR), the USD equivalent will fluctuate due to the exchange rate at the time of usage. The offer is valid for new bookings, and North American residents 18 years or older only. The offer is limited to two persons per cabin. The onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their purchased sailing will not be refunded the remaining credit.

Offer applies to bookings made from July 1, 2024 to November 10, 2024 (inclusive) for selected HX departures from July 3, 2024 and March 31, 2026 (inclusive). Bookings outside of these periods do not qualify. Offer applies automatically to valid Tour Codes and only to Tour Code components (including voyage and local domestic flights). Offer does not apply to optional excursions, pre/post tours, insurance, additional hotel accommodation, transfers, international arrival and departure flights, arrival and departure packages, and group bookings. Applies to new bookings only and will not be applied to any existing or held bookings. Bookings are subject to availability and the offer may be limited, amended, or withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offer is combinable with the 1893 Ambassador loyalty program and Price Promise. Amount off stated in USD represents a discount applied on the “From” price quoted in USD, based per person, and on full occupancy of cabin. Single supplements may apply. Single supplements and other restrictions may apply. “From” prices are capacity controlled, subject to availability and change, and are based on Polar Inside cabins. The following pricing and promotions are excluded from and cannot be combined with the offer: Group pricing, Tour Operator pricing and promotions (where an agent is packaging the HX cruise / components), and third-party travel agent brand promotions, special pricing, or loyalty schemes. For trade partners, discount applies to bookings made via the FIT System but excludes group bookings. HX reserves the right to withdraw or amend the offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and to change or update fares and charges at any time without prior notice. Otherwise, payment, cancellation, refund, and other terms are as per our Booking Terms & Conditions.