Lima's UNESCO treasures

Your South American adventure begins

Your expedition cruise starts on land in Peru, one of the most fascinating countries in South America. Landing at Jorge Chávez International Airport, your transfer will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel in Lima.

Lima's historical centre is a jewel of Spanish architecture, from colonial churches and monasteries to elegant mansions. You'll quickly see why it's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Known as the food capital of South America, choose from gourmet restaurants to unmissable street food. We recommend trying Peru's national dish ceviche, fish marinated in lime juice, onion and chilli.

Cusco, City of the Incas

Heart of the Incan empire

Few places in South America can compete with Cusco for sheer magical allure. You'll fly there this morning to take an included tour of this enigmatic city.

Remnants of Inca civilisation and culture are all around, including their Sun temple Koricancha – Cusco’s spiritual heart – forming the foundations of the impressive Santa Domingo Church.

Explore a 15th century ceremonial compound at Sacsayhuamán, the Qenqo Amphitheatre, and the Inca Baths and water worship centre of Tambomachay. After your tour, relax back at your hotel with a pisco sour, the Peruvian national drink.

Mystical Machu Picchu

Discover the Lost City of the Incas

Start your day in the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. You'll then hop aboard a classic train to Machu Picchu, passing breathtaking Andean scenery on the way.

From Aguas Calientes, it's a short bus ride to Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca stronghold was hidden by jungle for centuries, only to be rediscovered in 1911. The Incas left no written records, so mystery surrounds this magnificent stronghold.

Enjoy an included tour of Machu Picchu and this fascinating ancient empire. Take the trails around the city, admiring the precision Incan stonework and maybe meet friendly local llamas. This is a one-of-a-kind day at a truly special destination.

Vibrant Quito

Explore this equatorial 'city of eternal spring'

In Quito, the mountain air makes it feel like spring all year round. At 9,350 feet, this is the world's second highest capital city.

Built on the foundations of an ancient Inca settlement, today you'll find a bustling, modern capital. Its well-preserved historic centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blends Spanish colonial architecture, with Moorish and indigenous influences.

Stroll down Calle La Ronda, a street steeped in the history of the poets and artists who have lived here, or explore the city's abundance of museums and churches. As night falls, see the sparkling city lights spread up the surrounding hills and mountains.

Climb Cotopaxi Volcano

Visit one of Ecuador's natural wonders

Your first stop is the bustling Sangolqui open-air market, where you can sample Andean specialities and buy handicrafts from friendly stallholders.

Spot wild llamas, Andean Gulls, and maybe the majestic condor on your drive through Andean moorlands to Cotopaxi National Park. We’ll take a walk to the beautiful Limpiopungo Lagoon.

The day's main highlight is Cotopaxi Volcano. You'll walk to a height of almost 12,800 ft up this stunning active volcano. Almost perfectly conical, it features one of the world's only equatorial glaciers. For lunch, you'll enjoy some fantastic regional cooking before returning to the hotel.

Your cruise begins

Get ready to explore spectacular Galápagos

We fly to Baltra Island, where you'll board MS Santa Cruz II, meet your Expedition Team, and settle in for your Galápagos Islands cruise. From the airport to your ship and tour, every effort is made to protect the delicate environment.

You'll get your first glimpse of the islands' incredible diversity on Mosquera Islet, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. We'll take small expedition boats ashore to get a closer look.

As you stroll across flat and sandy dunes, look out for Blue-footed Boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs. And learn about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems from your guides.

San Cristobal's tortoises

Meet and learn about the giant tortoise

You'll visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, a breeding centre for the highly endangered giant tortoise. It's also home to other endemic species including the San Cristobal Mockingbird and lava lizard.

The giant tortoise is probably the most iconic of all Galápagos wildlife, with a lifespan of over 100 years. Here, they thrive, ambling around forests similar to their natural habitat.

Our small expedition boats will then take you to Punta Pitt, the only site in the Galápagos where you might see three species of boobies. Enjoy a nature walk, explore the coastline by boat, or snorkel and swim in the crystal clear water.

Santa Fe and South Plaza

Spot wildlife against idyllic backdrops

We start the day with a scenic nature walk on the blissful beaches of Santa Fe, home to the endemic Barrington land iguana and a colony of sea lions.

You can go swimming or snorkelling from our expedition boats, take our kayaks for a paddle around the island, or join a trip in our glass-bottomed boat and observe the marine life below. After lunch, prepared by our onboard chefs, we head to South Plaza Island.

Spot frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Galápagos Shearwaters gliding on the breeze. Here, among a dazzling array of flora, land iguanas laze by the shore while marine iguanas slip in and out of the water.

Explore Santa Cruz Island

Learn about local conservation on Santa Cruz Island

Today you'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where a team of 200 work to conserve the local wildlife. Here you can see baby tortoises and Darwin’s famous finches - the birds he used as a basis for his theory of evolution.

Experience a cooler climate over lunch in the lush highlands, where giant tortoises roam, munching on grass and wallowing in pools.

Then there's time for an optional activity, including mountain biking or kayaking in beautiful Tortuga Bay. Or hike to the snow-white beach of Playa Brava and the secluded mangrove cove at Playa Mansa.

Dramatic Española

Lava lizards and incredible birdlife

Your Galápagos cruise reaches Española, the archipelago's most southerly island. Birdlife here is truly extraordinary - look out for Waved Albatrosses, Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

It’s also a chance to spot red Española lava lizards and marine iguanas, as well as see the famous blowhole, El Soplador, blasting water 75 ft into the air.

After lunch on board the ship, we'll head to the picturesque coral beach of Gardner Bay and nearby Osborn Islet, to seek out sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. If you're feeling active, you can go snorkelling or join an optional kayaking excursion.

Reef life at Eden Islet

Green turtles, sharks and rare bird colonies

The wealth of wildlife-watching opportunities continues at Eden Islet, where we hope to see Galápagos green turtles, rays and friendly reef sharks. On the shore, look out for distinctive frigatebirds with their rubbery, red throats.

You can swim or snorkel to explore the reefs. Or you may also have a chance to see the reefs from our glass-bottomed boat or by kayak. After lunch, we'll sail to North Seymour.

The island is a great site for spotting colonies of Blue-footed Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Sea lions and marine iguanas also congregate here, attracted by the bountiful sea life in its waters.

Back to Guayaquil

The end of an incredible South American adventure

Your expedition to Machu Picchu and around the Galápagos Islands draws to a close as you disembark at Baltra Island. From here, you'll fly to Guayaquil, where a friendly representative will help you connect to your international flight.

As you leave this fascinating region, you'll take with you incredible memories of amazing wildlife and ancient civilisations in a unique part of the world.

Arrival in the UK

Flight arrival in the UK.