Enjoy a family adventure in the Galapagos Islands and encounter Peru's magnificent Machu Picchu

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

Itinerary highlights

  • Snorkelling in the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands
  • Wildlife excursions with an expert naturalist
  • Walking in the footsteps of the ancient Incas around Machu Picchu
  • Mountain biking around the Sacred Valley sites of Maras and Moray
  • Live like a local during exploration of Quito

What's included

  • Luxury Galapagos cruise and excursions lead by naturalist experts
  • Private tour options in Quito, Guayaquil, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Lima
  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Meet and greet airport service
  • Full support from your Travel Designer and Concierge before, during and after your trip
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

A South American adventure you will be talking about for years, this is a trip that takes you and your family to discover both the natural and man-made wonders of the Galapagos Islands and Peru in style and comfort.

After an introduction to the vibrant and fascinating cultures and history of Latin America through Ecuador’s bustling capital, Quito, you will spend four days exploring one of the world’s most phenomenal natural wonders, as you take to a memorable cruise of the Galapagos. Defined by up-close encounters with its wildlife and adventure activities, this is the perfect way to spend the first week of this family holiday in South America.

From there it’s onto Peru and the heartland of the ancient Incan civilisation. You will relax and unwind for a couple of days in the tranquil Sacred Valley, before journeying to the ruins of Machu Picchu and Cusco, the ‘archaeological capital of the Americas’. Your memorable moments here will see you step back in time, allowing you and your family to retrace the footsteps of ancient peoples.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-4

Quito

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Meet and greet at Quito airport

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Quito

Accommodation in Quito

Three nights in Quito Three nights in Quito

Enjoy Ecuador's capital, the first ever UNESCO World Heritage city. You'll have our list of recommendations as well as private guides on hand to enjoy the best of this historical city and contemporary hub. We can arrange a number of private, interest-led tours as well as book restaurants. Talk to your travel designer about how you would like to spend your time here.

Full day Live Quito Like a Local tour Full day Live Quito Like a Local tour

This brings alive the capital’s historic quarter, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, to go beyond the mere ‘bricks and mortar’ and allow guests to get a true feel for quiteños and the lives that make it such a fascinating place.

The first part of the tour includes a neighbourhood walk in the company of a local guide who will share their first-hand insights into the history, livelihoods, traditions, stories, beliefs and cuisine of their city. Experience the lively market of San Francisco and wander down to the restored and revitalised street of La Ronda, meeting artisans at work and find out more about the art of chocolate-making from a Swiss-Ecuadorian confectioner family.

A lunch of Ecuadorian specialities is served inside the elegant Casa Gangotena hotel dining room. The afternoon is divided between a visit to the Casa del Alabado archaeological museum and a trip up to one of the city’s viewpoints to fully appreciate its Andean setting from on high.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer to Quito airport

Flight

Flight to the Galapagos Islands (via Guayaquil)

Days 4-8

Galapagos

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer and check into your yacht in the Galapagos

Galapagos cruise vessels

Four night Galapagos Cruise Four night Galapagos Cruise

Spend your time cruising and exploring the Galapagos Islands on your choice of Jacada's selected luxury expedition cruises. The exact itinerary will depend on which you choose - our travel designer will help you pick the best for you and your family.

Nature walks on the Islands Nature walks on the Islands

There will be a number of varied nature trails with your guides to the different islands on your itinerary to explore both the wildlife up close and the astonishing geology of the islands.

snorkelling-galapagos-islands-ecuador
Panga rides and snorkelling Panga rides and snorkelling

Small group excursions by inflatable 'panga' zodiac boats to snorkel and see the dense marine wildlife.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer to the airport

Flight

Flight to Guayaquil

Days 8-9

Guayaquil

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Guayaquil

Accommodation in Guayaquil

Overnight in Guayaquil Overnight in Guayaquil

The largest city in Ecuador and located on the Pacific coast, Guayaquil is the country's economic hub. With a good selection of fine restaurants and cultural establishments, we can help you make the most of your short time here.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Guayaquil airport

Flight

Flight from Guayaquil to Lima

Flight

Flight from Lima to Cusco

Days 9-12

Sacred Valley

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley

Accommodation in Sacred Valley

urubamba-river-sacred-valley-peru
Three nights in the Sacred Valley Three nights in the Sacred Valley

Spend your days relaxing and exploring the incredible scenery of the Sacred Valley. It's a great place to experience the beautiful scenery and culture of Peru.

cycling-moras
Mountain biking in Maras and Moray Mountain biking in Maras and Moray

You will be collected from your hotel in the Sacred Valley and driven to the Paucarbamba bridge. Here you will receive a safety briefing and will adjust your bikes for the ride. You will follow a trail that runs alongside the Urubamba river, the sacred river of the Incas, until you reach the town of Pachar. From here you'll take an easy descent through an ancient Inca trail that passes through farming fields and Inca terraces until you get to the Inca bridge.

cusco-rafting-peru
Rafting on the Urubamba River Rafting on the Urubamba River

A great expedition for those looking to combine the wild beauty of the Sacred Valley with a bit of adventure and thrill. You will be collected from your hotel for an early morning transfer through the Andes to Pachar. Here you will receive a safety talk and your equipment, and after a brief period practising on the flatter parts of the Urubamba river, your rafting experience, led by trained professionals, will begin.

First you will past the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, through class II and III rapids. Once through these you will go onto the final leg of the journey with ‘El Resbaladero’ (The Slippery One) which has strong class III rapids, waves and whirlpools. After this there will be time to go ashore, dry off, change your clothes and then sit down for a tented picnic lunch on the river bank.

Days 12-13

Machu Picchu

Vistadome train to Machu Picchu Vistadome train to Machu Picchu

The Vistadome train takes you to the magnificent ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in superb modern comfort. As its name suggests, the train has wide glass windows built into the roof and sides of the carriages so you really do get to see the rich Peruvian countryside rushing by. Large leather seats, air conditioning, heating, and good service reflects all the contemporary efficiency and standards of Peru Rail too.

machu-picchu
Machu Picchu private tour with overnight stay Machu Picchu private tour with overnight stay

Your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, really bringing it to life by detailing the history, significance and myths surrounding it as well as taking you to the hidden corners and best viewpoints. Then after your guided tour, you'll descend to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch at the rustically elegant Inkaterra hotel, before an afternoon at your leisure: you can explore the areas around Machu Picchu or carry on exploring the ruins.

Return in the evening to overnight at your chosen hotel in the Machu Picchu area.

Accommodation in Machu Picchu

Time at leisure to explore Machu Picchu Time at leisure to explore Machu Picchu
Vistadome train to Cusco Vistadome train to Cusco

Catch the afternoon Vistadome train from Machu Picchu town to Ollanta station.

Days 13-15

Cusco

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from Ollanta Station to your hotel in Cusco

Accommodation in Cusco

cusco-skyline-peru
Two nights in Cusco Two nights in Cusco

Enjoy this beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll have our list of recommendations as well as private guides on hand to enjoy the best of this beautiful city. We can arrange a number of private, interest-led tours to booking fine restaurants for you. Your personal travel designer will be able to recommend activities that are most suitable to your interests.

cusco-cobbled-streets
Treasure hunt through Cusco Treasure hunt through Cusco

Get ready to explore Cusco and its cobblestone streets with a treasure hunt that takes you to some of the most famous sights and challenges the entire family to get a deeper understanding of the city, its people and incredible history.

Your guide will provide you with a map, a budget for purchases and a list of challenges that will need to be completed within a specific time frame. Each challenge will bring you to different sights or places in Cusco and may involve finding a specific location on the city map, communicating with the locals in Spanish (or Quechua), or solving a trick question about Cusco’s history to get to the next location. Your guide will be with you during the treasure hunt and provide useful hints as well as additional information on the places you visit – but beware, every hint they give might cost you points!

chocolate-making
ChocoMuseo tour ChocoMuseo tour

Head to the ChocoMuseo to learn about the history of cacao and its production but also about the role it plays for the city and Peru. Enjoy a workshop that includes the preparation and tasting of your own chocolate. Definitely a fun experience for kids!

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Cusco airport

Flight

Flight to Lima

 
Private 'in-transit' tour of Lima Private 'in-transit' tour of Lima

For those that have a couple of hours to a day's layover in Lima we've created this little private tour to show you around the best that this city has to offer starting at (or finishing) at the airport. Collected either from the airport or your hotel in the city by your personal guide, your first stop is the historical city centre, a declared World Heritage site by UNESCO, filled with the majestic buildings of the country's colonial past. Arriving here at the Plaza Mayor, you'll see the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Lima, as well as the San Francisco Church, which stores an enviable collection of ancient books and has a network of catacombs open to the public. Then it's onto the upmarket neighbourhood of Miraflores making a brief stop at the Love Park, before choosing a spot for lunch : your guide will give you some recommendations and show you to places where you can do some shopping after, perhaps picking up a souvenir or two. You'll then be driven to your hotel for the evening or the airport in time to catch your flight.

What's your dream trip?

We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.

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Family Galapagos and Machu Picchu Adventure

15-Day Example Trip
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How we work

We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.

Every trip helps support Conservation.

From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.

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