Click Here to View Your Vacation
Machu Picchu + the Galapagos Cruise (2026 Itinerary)
Weve uniquely combined our complete Machu Picchu experience and Quito with the Ecuadorean Highlands and our intimate Galapagos cruise. In the engaging company of our expert guides and naturalists and never more than 16 guests, youll enjoy in-depth sightseeing, unique cultural encounters and a complete program of shore discoveries. By night, youll love our 5-star hotels and your stylish Upper Deck outside stateroom aboard La Pinta.
Call to Book
1-800-529-3222
Additional Information
Day 1 - Welcome to Lima
Our 5-star hotel is wonderfully situated in the upscale seaside district of Miraflores overlooking the Pacific, from a striking cliff-top setting.
Day 2 - Discover Lima
Join our expert resident guide to discover the Colonial-era landmarks, colorful neighborhoods and vibrant city life of the capital. Begin in Plaza Mayor and admire the Cathedral; built in the 18th century, this handsome landmark is the oldest on the Square. Right next door, the Archbishop’s Palace is easily recognized by its grand wooden balcony. Just a few blocks away, the historic Church and Convent of San Francisco is perhaps the most impressive of Lima’s Colonial monuments. Behind its striking yellow and white façade, you’ll find a beautifully decorated interior with glazed ceramic tiles from Spain and carved ceilings that show a strong Moorish influence. Then tour the highly regarded Larco Museum; its superb collection of pre-Columbian artifacts is a great introduction to the many ancient sites you’ll explore in the coming days. You'll enjoy lunch here at the enchanting Cafe del Museo. Next up is a guided stroll through Barranco, a charming city neighborhood that has attracted writers and artists since the early 20th century. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural enclave with thriving studios, galleries and cafes. We’ll end our day at the Jade Rivera Museum, home to the Peruvian visual artist, muralist, technique researcher and constant apprentice. With more than 20 years of experience, he focuses his work on representing situations of daily and cultural life, through an imagery that embraces the emotions and the spiritual of the human being. Jade understands that the street is a communication tool and that the murals are codes of reflection between the passerby and the wall, with the main purpose of posing questions to the viewer but not giving answers. Motivated by the language of the mural, he supports and strengthens his graphics with a strong admiration for animals and visual poetry. Dine tonight at one of our favorite Lima restaurants. Meals: B+L+D
Day 3 - Fly to Cuzco and on to the Sacred Valley
After an early breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca. Then head to the Sacred Valley to Maras to see the salt mines; worked for generations by the same families, these remarkable terraced pools cascade down the mountainside and across the valley. Then journey across the highlands to the circular terraces of Moray, perhaps one of Peru’s most fascinating and enigmatic sights. Scholars speculate that the ancient Inca may have used these terraces a type of agricultural testing station to study the effects of temperature and wind upon their crops. Today’s lunch on the Wayra Ranch includes a lively demonstration featuring Peruvian Paso horses. Dressed in the traditional garb of the Qoriilazos (Peruvian cowboys), these skilled riders will demonstrate extraordinary passion, discipline and training. Meals B+L.
Day 4 - Through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
A two-day visit to Machu Picchu with Yaki, our expert Andean Trip Leader, begins with an unforgettable rail journey through the Urubamba River Valley, a timeless region of snow-capped Andean peaks, quiet villages and terraced fields that have been cultivated for centuries. On arrival in the beguiling town of Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a coach for the 30-minute ride up the switchback mountain road that brings you to the entrance to Machu Picchu. The fabled Lost City of the Inca is certainly the single greatest landmark in Peru – and perhaps all of South America. Indeed, little can be written here that would do justice to the breathtaking grandeur of its mountain setting, the enigmatic aura that permeate this ancient citadel, and the unforgettable experience of standing among these ancient stones. And accompanied by our Yaki’s illuminating insight, your visit will bring to life the ancient civilization that built Machu Picchu. Tonight, you’ll be one of the privileged few to stay at the singularBelmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel here on the mountaintop adjacent to the Lost City of the Inca.Meals B+L+D
Day 5 - Sunrise at Machu Picchu + Back to Cuzco by Rail
You’ll want to arise early today to take advantage of our lodge’s one-of-a-kind setting. As the only hotel next to Machu Picchu, you’ll be among the first to enter the site this morning. At this early hour, the day-visitors from Cuzco and the Sacred Valley have yet to arrive and even those who spent the night in the town below will still be making the 30-minute ascent. With fewer people and the softer light of morning just breaking over the mountain peaks, this early-morning visit to Machu Picchu is one of the most memorable travel experiences you will ever have. In the afternoon, you’ll make the return rail journey through the Sacred Valley back to Cuzco. On arrival, you’ll be escorted once again to the luxuriousBelmond Palacio Nazarenaswhere your specially oxygenated room promises a unique stay.Meals B+L
Day 6 - Discover Cuzco In Depth
This morning, you’ll begin your exploration of the city with the handsome Colonial landmarks that surround the Plaza de Armas - including the Cathedral that was completed in 1654 after nearly a century of construction. Then ascend with our expert Andean guide into the mountain peaks outside of town. Perched here overlooking the terra cotta roofs of Cuzco are the magnificent ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Built in the 1400’s by the Inca Emperor Pachacútec, the massive limestone blocks of this venerated complex were cut with such precision that they fit together without mortar like the interlocking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle! With some individual stones towering more than 10 feet tall and weighing several hundreds of tons, Sacsayhuaman is a monumental achievement of architecture and masonry. Continue on to Manos de la Comunidad. With a mission to preserve the traditional textile arts of the region, you’ll see native weavers from these different communities as they create beautiful textiles using techniques that have been passed down for generations. You’ll also see the indigenous camelids that are the source for the wool that is used for weaving: Alpacas have thick wool that is ideal for sweaters and blankets while vicunas are small and delicate creatures with very fine wool; Llamas and guanacos also roam around Manos de la Comunidad. Your sightseeing ends at the Temple of the Sun and Convent of Santo Domingo. Regarded as one of South America’s most architecturally fascinating sites, it also demonstrates the fascinating layers of history here in Cuzco - where a sacred structure of one culture, the Convent, literally sits atop and practically encloses another, the Inca-built Temple of the Sun! Meals B
Day 7 - Onward to Quito
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included international flight to Ecuador. Upon arrival in the capital, you’ll be met and escorted to theCasa Gangotena, a Relaix & Chateaux luxury hotel in the historic heart of this World Heritage city. Meals B+D
Day 8 - Excursion to Otavalo
Today’s full-day excursion starts with a magnificent morning drive along the Avenue of Volcanoes, a route that takes you north of Quito into a stunning region of towering snow-capped mountains, including the perfectly cone-shaped silhouette of Cotopaxi, an active volcano, and the equally impressive, slightly more rugged peak of Cayambe. At the Quitsato Sundial, set on the equator, you can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other one firmly planted in the Southern Hemisphere. Your journey continues to the beguiling Andean town of Otavalo. In the main square, you’ll join other visitors, local residents, and indigenous peoples who come from the surrounding mountain villages to sell, barter and shop in one of South America’s most celebrated markets. Many are dressed in traditional Andean garb and the variety of products for sale is astounding – local farm produce, woven rugs, jewelry, clothing, stone carvings, paintings, musical instruments, household products, leather goods and pottery are among the many items you’ll find! Also today, you’ll spend time on a family-run rose farm, to see and learn how the region’s mountain climate, so close to the equator, has proven ideal for the cultivation of numerous varieties of roses and hybrids. Indeed, Ecuador is one of the world’s leading exporters of roses and other cut flowers. Before making the return journey to Quito, you’ll stop at an authentic high-mountain hacienda for a delightful lunch of traditional Ecuadorean fare. Meals B+L
Day 9 - The History + Culture of Quito
Today’s expertly guided sightseeing tour through the city’s finely preserved Old Town includes the Metropolitan Cathedral that was built over the course of nearly 300 years between 1562 and the early 19thcentury. Nearby stands the Church and Convent of San Francisco; considered to be one of the oldest churches in Latin America, built just one month after the arrival of the Spanish, it stands upon the foundations of an ancient Inca temple. Inside you will admire a uniquely ornamented ceiling with Moorish design elements and a beautiful Baroque altar. With unique and personal insight from our engaging resident guide, your city tour will illuminate fascinating facets of the local culture. You’ll discover thriving studios, workshops, and boutiques. Spend time with some of the area’s resident artisans including a visit to the Shacha Warmi Gallery, a haven where art and tradition intertwine and the Loachamin Gallery, whose sculptures and paintings are inspired by nature and rooted in Ecuador’s natural and cultural heritage. Stop at a renowned artisanal Ecuadorian chocolate gallery, where you will learn about the process leading to the final tasting. Meals: B
Day 10 - Embark your Galapagos Voyage
You’ll be escorted to the airport this morning for your included flight to Baltra Island in the center of the archipelago. On arrival, cross the narrow Itabaca Channel by ferry to Santa Cruz Island and sit down to lunch at a local restaurant. Then join our expert naturalist for an exciting excursion into the Santa Cruz Highlands. Observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat, learn about the unique ecosystem of this pristine nature reserve, and discover its unusual lava tube formations. Then travel to Puerto Ayora to board our Galapagos vessel, the intimate La Pinta. You’ll have time to settle in to your Upper Deck outside stateroom before joining fellow passengers for dinner. This evening’s briefing with our expert shipboard naturalists offers an entertaining and informative introduction to your upcoming voyage. Meals B+L+D
Day 11 - Eden Islet + Chinese Hat Islet
Today’s excursions explore the diversity of two small and uninhabited isles. In the morning, a guided expedition in our maneuverable panga boats takes you along the shores of Eden Islet, where you might observe Nazca and blue footed boobies diving into the sea for food, reef sharks and frigatebirds. Conditions permitting, this is also a great place to take advantage of our free snorkeling gear and glass bottom boat. With its cinder cones, tuff cones and semi-eroded lava flows, Eden Islet also offers a chance to learn more about the volcanic origins of the Galapagos Islands. After lunch, a guided nature walk on Chinese Hat Islet offers a chance to espy marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks, sea lions and Galapagos penguins. There’s also terrific snorkeling here amongst white-tipped reef sharks and penguins, or you might choose to explore these waters by sea kayak, glass-bottom boat or panga. Meals B+L+D
Day 12 - Bartolome + Santiago Islands
After breakfast, join our naturalists ashore for an invigorating walk to the summit of Bartolomé Island. A network of wooden stairs and boardwalks protects the fragile environment, including small lava lizards and a species of cactus found only in the Galapagos. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most picturesque and memorable vistas of your Galapagos adventure! Later, a panga boat excursion around Pinnacle Rock offers a great opportunity to photograph this iconic natural formation. Before returning to La Pinta for lunch, you’ll have time to relax on the beach, snorkel or ride in the glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon, you’ll step ashore at Sullivan Bay on the southeastern coast of Santiago Island. There was a major eruption here only 100 years ago, and the sinuous Pāhoehoe lava formations look almost like still-flowing molten lava. There may not be much wildlife here, but the barren, other-worldly landscape makes for remarkable photography, and this is a great place to observe and experience the volcanic origins of the Galapagos archipelago. In addition, the lovely coral sand beach of Sullivan Bay is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Meals B+L+D
Day 13 - Two Landings on Genovesa Island
Genovesa is celebrated for its remarkable birdlife including magnificent frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, and yellow-crowned herons. This morning, you’ll step ashore with our naturalists at Darwin Bay. From the small sand and coral beach, an easy trail winds its way along a tidal lagoon, offering myriad opportunities to observe and learn about the island’s birdlife. After your guided walk, you can hike along a more challenging lava trail to a look-out point, go for a swim or snorkel in the bay. The more adventurous can paddle or snorkel along the cliffs at the edge of the bay. After lunch back onboard, you’ll explore Prince Philip’s Steps - named for Prince Philip who visited the Galapagos in 1964 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. As you approach the lava cliffs in our panga boats, keep your eyes peeled for animals using the crevices for shelter and for red-billed tropicbirds flying overhead. You’ll make landing at the base of a staircase that leads to the top of the cliffs where a mile-long path will take us to the other side of this small island. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to espy large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl. Meals B+L+D
Day 14 - Fly to the Mainland for Departure
After breakfast, you’ll disembark on Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your included flight to either Guayaquil or Quito - where you can connect to your homeward flight. Or if you wish, you can extend your stay with us in Ecuador. Meals B
Departure Dates
|
Start: January 17, 2026 End: January 30, 2026 Price: $12,999 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: February 14, 2026 End: February 27, 2026 Price: $12,999 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: March 14, 2026 End: March 27, 2026 Price: $12,999 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: April 11, 2026 End: April 24, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: May 9, 2026 End: May 22, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: June 20, 2026 End: July 3, 2026 Price: $19,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: August 15, 2026 End: August 28, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: September 12, 2026 End: September 25, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: October 10, 2026 End: October 23, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: November 7, 2026 End: November 20, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
|
Start: December 5, 2026 End: December 18, 2026 Price: $13,499 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
Price My Trip
Product Code: Alexander+Roberts-1326
All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.