In a nutshell

Answer the call of the wild and go on an adventure lasting six days and five nights in Ecuador and Peru. Accompanied by local guides, you'll venture on foot and by sea amid the animal and plant species of the Galapagos Islands, where the theory of evolution by natural selection was developed, and then you'll explore the ancient life of the Inca in Cusco and on Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Main stops

Day 1 * Panoramic shuttle and boat tours from Manta to Santa Cruz Island, via Guayaquil and Baltra Island * Exploration of the hinterland of Santa Cruz amid giant tortoises * Lunch in a local farm * Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to discover indigenous flora and fauna * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 2 * Sea adventure to one of the Galapagos Islands to see native animal species * Lunch on the boat * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Santa Cruz

Days 3 and 4 * Flight to Lima * Walking tour of Cusco: Baroque cathedral; Koricancha sacred site * Lunch in a local restaurant * Overnight stays in exclusive hotels in Lima and Cusco

Days 5 and 6 * Visit to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress * Walking tour of Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun; Intihuatana, “The Hitching Post of the Sun” * Lunch on board the train to Ollantaytambo * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Cusco * Flight from Lima to Tacna and reboarding at the port of Arica

The programme

Day 1 – Flora and fauna of Santa Cruz Island * The Ecuadorian hinterland and the flight to Baltra Island are spectacular, but the best part is Santa Cruz, in the Galapagos Islands, one of the places featuring the most amazing biodiversity in the world. * Your first experience will be with the wild giant tortoises. Then, after lunch at a local farm in the largest collection of native plants in the archipelago, you'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. * So many discoveries call for some rest: You'll be able to relax every night in an exclusive hotel.

Day 2 – The Galapagos seen from the water * Today, you'll see the other inhabitants of the Galapagos from the water, on a boat skirting one of the islands to show you sea lions, land iguanas, penguins and brightly colored birds. All you need is lunch on board, like a real sailor!

Days 3 and 4 – Flight to Peru and visit to Cusco * Just when you think you've seen it all, Peru and its UNESCO World Heritage sites will change your mind: Get ready to reach Cusco, the ancient mystical center, and its cathedrals built over still visible Inca temples.

Days 5 and 6 – On top of Machu Picchu and flight to Lima * A distinctive train will take you to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. This “lost city” is symbol of the sophisticated Inca architecture, with its terraces, the Temple of the Sun and an astronomical observatory built ahead of its time, all at 2,430 meters of altitude! You'll have a lot to ponder on your flight from Lima to the ship.

Good to know

All meals are included.
To best experience these territories, remember to bring along a backpack with hat, sun lotion and a light waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Wear appropriate sports shoes and clothing for the trail.
Please take your passport with you: It is a mandatory requirement to take part in this experience.
The experience may be canceled up to 90 days before the land excursion's starting date.
Locations and order of visits are subject to change depending on weather conditions or other operational factors.
The coach transfer from Manta to Guayaquil lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
We cannot guarantee that the Costa Tour Expert will be present for the whole duration of the experience.
In order to offer you an exclusive experience, the number of places is limited: Book early.