Galápagos MultiSport & Active Machu Picchu

In the morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for a quick flight to Cusco (10,856 ft.), center of the Inca Empire. After checking in at your hotel, today’s Peru travel begins with a guided walking tour through Cusco to see the colorful markets, the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a lunch of regional cuisine, you tour the remaining prominent Inca sights in and around Cusco. These include the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; Puka Pukara the small fortress that once protected the royal capital; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to the comfort of your hotel to relax or continue to explore Cusco on your own. (B)

After an early breakfast, you transfer to the put-in spot for today’s Peru rafting adventure about one hour from your hotel. Following a safety briefing, the trip begins with a stretch of small rapids and calmer waters to practice the basics of river-running technique, passing spectacular Inca ruins and terraces. Along the way, the guide will explain the remarkable history of these Inca architectural feats. While enjoying the canyon and scenic views, you pass under an ancient Inca bridge. The rapids continue to increase in difficulty and size, eventually progressing to Class IV. Before taking on the challenge of the final and largest rapid, you will disembark to scout this one with your guides. Once a safe line has been chosen, you will return to your rafts to run this adrenaline-filled finale to your Peru river rafting journey. After lunch, the next stop is Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with an impressive Inca fortress, before returning to your Cusco hotel. (B,L)

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private van to the start of today’s Peru trek that includes an old Inca road and impressive views, as well as an opportunity to learn about local farming techniques and explore some rarely visited Inca ruins. The route travels high above Cusco and the outlying town of Cora, ending at an elevation of 13,780 feet, where Lake Qoricocha is located. The slowly contouring trail climbs to an elevation of 14,107 feet where some ancient Inca platforms in the hillside are believed to mark the boundary and entrance to the Huchuy Cusco Inca Estate. The rest of the day’s terrain is flat or downhill, passing herds of llamas and alpacas. The hike travels through the rustic village of Pucamarca, past an Inca bridge in a narrow canyon and offers spectacular views of the Incas’ Sacred Valley. You will arrive at a particularly scenic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. Continuing on, the contour on the high ridge brings you to the entrance gates of Huchuy Cusco and the extensive ruins themselves. Little is known about this mysterious site which translates to “little Cusco” in the Quechua language of the Incas and may have been the country retreat of one of the first Incas. Explore the various features of this site including the three-story storage houses, trapezoid-niched walls, large main square and ten foot terraced walls. Afterwards you will hike the rest of the way down to where the van will be waiting to return you to Cusco for a relaxing evening on your own. (B,L)

Hike Details: Approx – 8.2 miles | 6+ Hours

Altitude: from 11,385 ft to 14,110 ft.

Depart your Cusco hotel for today’s journey to the Incas’ legendary Sacred Valley. After a scenic two hour drive, you will rendezvous with your local expert guides for the unique experience ahead. The Via Ferrata is a system of cables and steel ladders drilled into the mountain that gives visitors without climbing experience the thrill of ascending a 984-ft rock face protected by a waist and chest harness with double-carabineer system for maximum safety. Within the Via Ferrata are several zip lines consisting of six connected cables ranging in length from 300 feet to 1,650 feet, totaling 6,560 feet. Take in the beautiful mountain scenery and extraordinary views of the Sacred Valley as you complete this exhilarating challenge. Transfer to your Ollantaytambo hotel for the evening. (B,L)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel to fuel you up for today’s exciting mountain biking adventure. After a short drive and safety briefing, don your biking gear and get pedaling! Today’s ride starts out along mild, undulating dirt roads offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Ride through the indigenous communities of Chequereq, Cruz Pata and then have the opportunity for some bigger downhill tracks. Your guide will advise you on the best options based on skill level. Time permitting, explore the ruins of Moray and the salt mines of Maras. Your journey ends back in Ollantaytambo, where you are free to wander the cobblestone streets of this picturesque Incan town. Overnight in Ollantaytambo. (B,L)

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: PACHAMANCA LUNCH

In the afternoon, gather for a special Pachamanca lunch where meat, several varieties of potatoes, corn, beans and other produce are cooked in the ground under hot stones. This traditional cooking practice has existed since the time of the Inca Empire. Enjoy your meal al fresco, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley. Return to your Sacred Valley hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)

In the afternoon, gather for a special Pachamanca lunch where meat, several varieties of potatoes, corn, beans and other produce are cooked in the ground under hot stones. This traditional cooking practice has existed since the time of the Inca Empire. Enjoy your meal al fresco, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley. Return to your Sacred Valley hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Start the day off with a refreshing walking tour of the Ollantayambo ruins. Next, head to the train station, where you’ll board the Vistadome train for the first leg of today’s unforgettable journey to Machu Picchu! Enjoy the panoramic views as the train follows the Urubamba River into the lush cloud forest, before arriving at the Aguas Calientes train station. Stop for lunch in town and then  board a bus that will take you to the gates of Machu Picchu (7,875 feet). Spend the afternoon exploring the famous ruins with your guide. Return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time to relax and enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

OPTION: INCA TRAIL HIKE KM 104 UPGRADE (please inquire for availability and cost)
For travelers who wish to reach Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, but can’t commit to the entire trek, you can access the final leg of the trail via KM 104. Depart from the Ollantaytambo train station at 7 am and arrive at station KM 104 at 8:30. After registering at the checkpoint, you’ll hike for around 3 hours during which time you will see ruins, waterfalls and many varieties of flora and fauna. Three hours into the hike, you reach Wiñay Wayna, an Inca ruin built into a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River. From here, it is another two hour trek to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. Pass through the famed Sun Gate and arrive to the impressive ruins in the late afternoon when there are few visitors. After a brief Machu Picchu tour, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and walk to your hotel, where you’ll have time to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner. (B,L,D)

Hike Details: Approx. – 9.94 miles | 5 + Hours

Altitude: from 6,890 ft. (Km104) to 9,022 ft. (WinaWayna) to 7,875 ft. (Machu Picchu)

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Machu Picchu during the early morning hours. Spend the morning exploring the ruins with your guide or enjoy an optional hike to Machu Picchu Mountain for a breathtaking view of the complex that most travelers never get to experience. By midday, you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and an early afternoon train ride back to Ollantaytambo. Your private vehicle will be waiting at the station to deliver you to the Chinchero textile market, where members of the local weavers’ collective will explain the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley. Continue on to your Cusco hotel for the evening. (B)

Hike Details: Approx – 5.8 miles | 3-4 Hours

Altitude: from 7,875 ft to 10,055 ft.

In the morning, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight back to Lima and your connecting international flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon your arrival, a Southern Explorations’ representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel.

Quito’s year-round mild weather, rich colonial history and dramatic mountain setting makes it a desirable place to visit. Enjoy an expertly guided tour of well-preserved Old Town Quito. Here, visit an area filled with churches, museums and monuments grand enough to be named a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Visit La Compania, the church and Museum of San Francisco and the cathedral. From the Plaza de la Independencia, learn about the monumental buildings that border it including the Presidential Palace. Stop at a lookout point for a panoramic view of the city and its nearby volcanoes. “El Panecillo,” a 200-meter-high hill of volcanic origin, offers breathtaking views overlooking Quito’s magnificent churches, colonial-style homes and the surrounding valleys. This is a great introduction to Ecuador! (B)

In the morning, an SE representative picks you up at your hotel and transfers you to the airport for your flight to Baltra Island. From there, you’ll connect with a small plane ride to Isabela Island, the largest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos. Hop on mountain bikes and ride through the town’s sandy streets toward the Wall of Tears. Along the scenic coastal path, take in gorgeous views of white sand beaches and the sparkling ocean beyond. Stop at a brackish lagoon for an opportunity to spot flamingos before turning inland. Hop off your bike and walk up the steps to the lookout tower offering expansive views of historic lava fields, Puerto Villamil town, beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Continue along a rolling track with mild ups and downs until you reach the final climb that takes you up to the Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Your guide will explain the history of this lava rock wall built by prisoners between 1946 and 1959, when Isabela was used as a penal colony. Afterwards, return to town and settle into your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight.  (B,L,D)

Biking Details: 8 miles, mostly flat with some hills. Multiple stops along the way at places of interest. Not into biking? No problem! Tell us and we’ll arrange an alternative activity.

After breakfast, head to the highlands for a drive towards Sierra Negra, the highest point in the Galápagos. Continue on foot for a trek through the geologically magical landscape of the island’s highlands. Hike through vibrantly colored mountaintops full of sulfur deposits, fumaroles and lava formations. Experience unparalleled views of the area’s many volcanoes on your way to the rim of the Sierra Negra. At 6 miles in diameter, this crater is second largest active caldera in the world. Enjoy a walk along the crater’s rim or opt for more exploration along the smaller Volcán Chico if you’re feeling energetic. After the hike, you’ll have time to relax on the beautiful white sand beaches, strolling around in search of wildlife. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening. (B,L)

Hiking Details: 10 miles, approximately 5 hours. This hike is easily adaptable if you prefer a shorter hike.

Alternate Option: Los Tunnels instead of Sierra Negra (Subject to availability, additional cost). Today, set out by small boat to Los Tunnels, an extraordinary snorkeling location consisting of lava tunnels and arches, both above and underwater.  Snorkel with sea turtles, rays, white tipped reef sharks, and other exciting marine life. After the excursion, return to town for some leisure time. Stroll the gorgeous, long white sand beach of Puerto Villamil in search of wildlife, walk around town, or visit the flamingo lagoon.

After breakfast, it’s time to enjoy some time on the water! You’ll slip into ocean kayaks and paddle through a maze of rocky mangrove areas at a place called Tintoreras, a group of small islets south of the town of Puerto Villamil. Here you will see one of the smallest penguin in the world, also endemic to Galápagos. Watch as they perch ashore and whiz by you in the water! Paddle in company of playful sea lions, spotted eagle rays, turtles, iguanas, as well as blue footed boobies and other marine birds, all from your kayak. This afternoon, pass through a manzanillo forest surrounded by wetlands, home to the famous giant pink flamingos! The path leads you to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where you’ll have the opportunity to see hatchlings and adolescent tortoises up close. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening. (B,L)

After bidding a very early morning farewell to Isabela, you’ll board a public speed boat for a scenic ride to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, you’ll head inland to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a misty forested land perfect for giant tortoises. Your first stop is at El Chato Natural Reserve, where you hike in search of the iconic giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Spot them taking mud baths in the ponds and slowly traversing the forest through the lush vegetation. This is a healthy native forest area that hosts the unique orchid of the islands among other endemic vegetation.  Next, had to a highland farm for a locally prepared lunch with the people of Galápagos and learn what life is like for people who were born and raised in this land we consider a wildlife paradise. After lunch, drive back to town and set off on a short hike through a distinctive dry cacti forest to the stunning, pristine beach of Tortuga Bay. Along the way, you will see many native birds, lizards, and plants. Emerge from the forest onto the spectacular Tortuga Bay, home of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos. Soft, white, fine sand and pristine turquoise waters welcome you for a perfect and relaxed day.  Tonight, enjoy a culinary delight as you embark on our Galapagos culinary tour! This experience is a fantastic way to bid farewell to the Enchanted Islands. (B,L,D)

Galápagos Food Tour: Cuisine is likely the last thing you are thinking about when planning a trip to the Galápagos Islands. Most people spend their time researching wildlife and few people realize that there are inhabited islands. This is an exciting way to learn about what it is like to grow up in such a unique place, all while sampling incredible dishes and local beverages. Your host, a Galápagos native, and takes you to several establishments where you will taste delicious food from sustainable menus. From your host, you will learn about the food you are eating, where it came from, and tales of life in the Galápagos Islands. This is a very unique culinary experience that you will not regret!

This tour can be adapted for your dietary requirements as long as you notify us in advance. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or have any food allergies or restrictions, please advise us at the time of booking

After breakfast you are transferred to Baltra Island, where you bid farewell to the Galápagos and board your return flight to Quito, where you will spend your final night in Ecuador. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. We can arrange trip extensions to other regions for those with more time! (B)