Machu Picchu to the Galapagos

You’re invited to travel with alumni and friends from May 3-19, 2027, on a special seventeen-day small-group tour to Peru and Ecuador. Explore two of South America’s treasures: the enigmatic ruins at Machu Picchu and the fascinating Galápagos Islands.

Begin with a tour of Lima. Next, fly to Cuzco and explore the beautiful Sacred Valley. Enjoy a captivating train ride to Machu Picchu, and stay overnight at the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, with two opportunities to visit the stunning ruins. In the Galápagos Islands, spend four nights in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, your base for exploring North Seymour, South Plaza and Santa Cruz Islands, and embark on day excursions on a privately chartered yacht. Conclude your journey in Quito and enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure. Guests may also start the tour early on the four-day/four-night Amazon Rainforest pre-tour option.

This small group experience is limited to just 24 participants and will be shared with a cosponsoring alumni association. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu  for more details or request a reservation today!

 

Dates and Rates:

Dates:  May 3 – 19, 2027

Destination(s): Peru, Ecuador

Trip Type: Land & Air

Date Range: May 3 – 19, 2027

Countries: Peru, Ecuador

Price Range:

• Land/tour only  from $9,645 per person based upon double occupancy
• air-inclusive packages from $10,343* per person based upon double occupancy total price from Miami ($9,445 air & land inclusive plus $898 airline taxes and departure fees).
• Single travelers please add $2,495. Single space is limited. Please contact us to verify availability prior to forwarding your reservation and deposit.

Please see brochure or contact us for rates* from other cities.

(*Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $898, which are subject  to change until final payment is made.)

Trip Type: Land and Air

Trip Status: Open for Reservations –   Request a reservation today, or contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details.

Itinerary

Monday, May 3, 2027
DAY 1: Depart the U.S. for Lima, Peru
We depart today for Lima, the capital of Peru, where our hotel rooms are ready for any late-evening arrivals.
Accommodations: The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center

Tuesday, May 4, 2027
DAY 2: Lima
Depending on the airline carrier, guests may arrive either late on Day 1 or early this morning. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, this morning is at leisure to rest and relax prior to our midday meeting with our Peruvian tour director, who gives us a briefing about the journey ahead. We then set out to discover the treasures of this historic capital city. Originally founded by famed Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Lima has grown into one of the largest cities in the Americas and is home to nearly one third of Peru’s population and a multitude of cultural, educational, and religious sites.
We first visit the Museo de Arte de Lima, usually shortened to MALI, a prominent art museum in Lima. The MALI covers 3,000 years of Peruvian history, with exhibits and collections showcasing time periods ranging from the earliest Andean civilizations to modern times. Then, we take a mid-afternoon tour of the city and get an introduction to the highlights of both colonial and contemporary Lima, including Plaza de Armas, the bustling main square; Government Palace, occupying the site of the palace built by Pizarro; the Cathedral, rebuilt in 1758 after an earthquake destroyed the original building; and Santo Domingo Church, which dates to the 16th century. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner together at our hotel.
Accommodations: The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wednesday, May 5, 2027
DAY 3: Lima/Cuzco/Sacred Valley
A morning flight brings us to Cuzco, a city nestled into the central Andes at over 11,000 feet above sea level. Here we visit Sacsayhuamán, the most impressive Inca ruins near Cuzco. Its ashlar ramparts tower some 33 feet high and weigh 360 tons. According to Incan legend, Cuzco was known as the “lion city,” with its two rivers as the tail, the main center as the body, and Sacsayhuamán forming the head. Commanding a wide view across Cuzco and the valley below, this citadel complex makes for a memorable visit.
After our visit here, we enjoy lunch together before continuing north by coach into the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado de los Incas) and the town of Pisac, once the largest fortress-city complex of the Incas. Designed with its terraced fields in the shape of a partridge (or pisaca), Pisac was destroyed by the conquistador Pizarro in the 1530s; the current town was built some 40 years later. We stop at a colorful Quechua market set amid the mountains in Pisac, where we are free to explore at our own pace. This bustling market always attracts a crowd of tourists and locals from nearby Cuzco and the surrounding area; we have ample time here to admire (and bargain for) the many handicrafts on offer. From here, we depart for our hotel, arriving late this afternoon with time to rest and relax before dinner.
Accommodations: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thursday, May 6, 2027
DAY 4: Sacred Valley
We begin our day by attending an Indigenous “Offering to the Earth” ceremony. Led by a shaman, this ancient ritual embodies an offering of various elements to Mother Earth in exchange for her life-giving provision. Then, we embark on a full-day exploration of the Sacred Valley, a fascinating region of Inca sites and Indigenous villages. Our first stop is the massive ruins at Ollantaytambo, both a temple and a fortress. This is where the Inca emperor Pachacuti built his personal estate after conquering the land in the mid-1400s. A century later, the site came under attack from Spanish conquistadors, and despite repelling the advance, Inca leader Manco Inca abandoned the site in 1536. Ollantaytambo is also known as the staging point for hikers tackling the famed Inca Trail, a protected hiking trail that winds past some of Peru’s most storied archaeological sites and ends at Machu Picchu. After touring Ollantaytambo, we have lunch at a local restaurant and continue on to the Quechua village of Chinchero on the road between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Here, residents live much as their ancestors did, weaving colorful textiles and keeping ancient Incan traditions alive. We watch a weaving demonstration that gives us an opportunity to see villagers practicing their traditional craft. Tonight, we dine at our hotel.
Accommodations: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Friday, May 7, 2027
DAY 5: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes
Early this morning, we take a 1½-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, where after lunch we board a shuttle bus for the 20-minute ride to Machu Picchu. Dubbed by explorer Hiram Bingham III as the “Lost City of the Incas,” this ancient city in the clouds defies imagination – and seemingly the laws of gravity, physics, and architecture. Perched in a high saddle surrounded by Andean peaks, it was virtually intact when Bingham, an American scholar, lecturer, and adventurer, stumbled upon it in 1911 during a research expedition.
Because the Inca did not have a written language, Machu Picchu’s origins are shrouded in speculation. Most archaeologists agree that it wasn’t a city at all, but rather a royal and religious retreat built by Emperor Pachacuti (the same man responsible for Ollantaytambo) and likely abandoned a century later due to war and smallpox. Regardless, the precise masonry here is astounding and the setting is breathtaking. Our guided tour introduces us to the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which encompasses five square miles of terraced stonework linked by 3,000 steps. This afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes, where we have some time at leisure to relax or explore this interesting town. Dinner is at our hotel.
Accommodations: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Saturday, May 8, 2027
DAY 6: Machu Picchu/Cuzco
Before the tourist-filled trains arrive from Cuzco today, we take a second guided tour of the ruins, with time to admire the play of early morning shadows on the surrounding peaks. A wish list destination for many travelers, Machu Picchu was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide poll in 2007.
After reluctantly bidding farewell to this Inca site, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch – and perhaps to buy woven blankets or alpaca sweaters – and then board our mid-afternoon train for Ollanta station. We continue the journey to Cuzco via coach, arriving early this evening. Dinner is on our own tonight. Known for its culinary scene, Cuzco offers everything from casual alfresco dining to upscale restaurants fusing modern cooking techniques with traditional Andean ingredients.
Accommodations: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sunday, May 9, 2027
DAY 7: Cuzco
The Inca Empire’s former capital and the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Cuzco bears the marks of its mixed Spanish-Incan heritage. In this archaeological hub of the Americas, colonial and modern buildings incorporate Inca walls, arches, and doorways; charming houses surround elegant squares; and Inca descendants speak Quechua, the Indigenous tongue.
Our morning tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site introduces us to grand Plaza de Armas, the main square surrounded by arcades and lovely houses with ornate wood-carved balconies and terracotta roofs. Presiding over the plaza is the 16th-century cathedral and its churches, boasting gold- and silver-plated altars; a 1958 silver-plated truck that carries statues in an annual procession; perhaps the finest carved wood choir stalls in Peru; and famous paintings including La Ultima Cena (The Last Supper) by Zapata.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Here’s our chance to wander Cuzco’s beautiful streets and admire its craft stalls (wonderful places to buy jewelry, blankets, and other handicrafts). This evening is free to dine where we wish.
Accommodations: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Monday, May 10, 2027
DAY 8: Cuzco/Lima
Today, we depart Cuzco for a one-hour flight to Lima, where we stay overnight en route to Quito. Upon arrival in Lima, we check in at our hotel and have the afternoon at leisure to relax. We gather for dinner tonight at our hotel.
Accommodations: Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol Lima Airport
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Tuesday, May 11, 2027
DAY 9: Lima/Quito
We fly to Quito today. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and are free for lunch on our own and an afternoon at leisure. This evening, we gather for a briefing on our Galapagos adventure and then enjoy dinner together.
Accommodations: Swissotel Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wednesday, May 12, 2027
DAY 10: Quito
Nestled in a valley surrounded by Andes volcanoes, Ecuador’s capital sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level and is said to be one of South America’s most beautiful cities, as we discover on our tour today. The city’s mixture of pre-Columbian, Baroque, Spanish, Moorish, and Flemish architecture prompted UNESCO to declare colonial Quito a World Heritage Site in 1978, the first city (rather than individual site) to be accorded this distinction. Highlights include Plaza la Independencia in the Old City; La Compañía, Ecuador’s most ornate church (some say the gilding here required seven tons of gold); Carondelet Presidential Palace, with iron balconies from Les Tuilleries gardens in Paris; San Agustín Church, burial site of many of Ecuador’s war heroes; and the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco, Ecuador’s oldest church.
After lunch together, we set out to visit the Middle of the World Monument at latitude 0° 00′ 00″. This is the spot where an 18th-century French expedition determined the exact location of the equatorial line to be and where we have the opportunity to straddle two hemispheres. Dinner is on our own tonight.
Please note: The order of sightseeing in Quito on Days 10 and 16 may be adjusted to allow for better pacing during our visit.
Accommodations: Swissotel Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Thursday, May 13, 2027
DAY 11: Quito/Baltra/Santa Cruz Island
This morning, we take the three-hour flight from Quito to the small island of Baltra. Here we board a bus and then a boat for the short ride to Santa Cruz Island, our home base for exploring the Galapagos. We transfer by bus to our well-appointed hotel set on 370 lush, unspoiled, and secluded acres in the Santa Cruz highlands.
We enjoy lunch at our hotel and then head out on our first excursion, which takes us to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center. Here we see and learn about the iconic Galapagos giant tortoises being bred here for later release into the wild. These celebrated Galapagos inhabitants can weigh up to 900 pounds and live to more than 150 years old; the famous Pinta Island tortoise Lonesome George – last of his subspecies and, for a time, the world’s rarest creature – lived here until his death in 2012. We also have a chance to see Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, great blue herons, and yellow warblers.
After our visit to the Research Station, we have some free time to enjoy the town of Puerto Ayora, the beating heart of the Galapagos with over 12,000 residents. We also may wish to head to Academy Bay to spot brown pelicans, golden rays, Galapagos sea lions, and boats of all shapes and sizes. After a chance to freshen up at our hotel, we gather for a briefing on tomorrow’s excursion, followed by dinner together at our hotel.
Accommodations: Royal Palm Galapagos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Friday, May 14, 2027
DAY 12: North Seymour Island/Bachas Beach
We transfer this morning to the port where we board the Santa Fe, our privately chartered yacht for exploring the Galapagos. We cruise to North Seymour, a flat, low-lying island covering 1.9 square miles just north of Santa Cruz. A true “deserted island,” North Seymour’s only inhabitants are the marine birds, land iguanas, lava lizards, and other wildlife we encounter today. On our naturalist-led walk, we see the Galapagos’ largest colony of frigate birds, a nesting colony of blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, among other birdlife.
After lunch aboard the Santa Fe, we head back to Santa Cruz Island and weigh anchor in the calm waters off Bachas Beach, one of the Galapagos’ primary sea turtle nesting sites. The beach’s floating pier serves as one of the few lasting reminders of the United States’ presence during World War II; here, we find the remains of a U.S. Navy barge that sank many years ago. We make a wet landing to see flamingo ponds, iguanas, coastal birds, Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, and gulls, as well as both native and endemic vegetation.
Late this afternoon, we return to our comfortable hotel with time to relax and refresh. Enjoy a dip in the pool, sip a glass of wine from the wine cellar, or relax with friends in the bar prior to dinner at the hotel tonight.
Accommodations: Royal Palm Galapagos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Saturday, May 15, 2027
DAY 13: South Plaza Island/Punta Carrion
Today’s destination is small in size but rich in flora and fauna: the island of South Plaza, lying approximately 90 minutes off the coast of Santa Cruz. Boasting abundant wildlife, carpeted with colorful Sesuvium ground cover, surrounded by turquoise waters, and edged with black lava-rimmed beaches, South Plaza ranks as one of the most popular (and colorful) of the Galapagos Islands. During our walk, we are on the lookout for residents like land and marine iguanas, bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs, red-billed tropic birds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and a colony of male sea lions (“the bachelors”).
After lunch aboard the Santa Fe, we cruise to Punta Carrion, where we have the opportunity to snorkel in the calm waters of a shallow cove teeming with puffers, yellow-tailed surgeonfish, damselfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. White-tipped sharks and a variety of rays may also join the throng of sea life here in the cove. Following our excursion, we again return to the comfort of our beautiful hotel, where we have time to relax before dinner together tonight.
Accommodations: Royal Palm Galapagos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sunday, May 16, 2027
DAY 14: Santa Cruz Island
We embark this morning on a full-day exploration of Santa Cruz itself, the second largest of the Galapagos Islands. Our excursion begins in the lush highlands with a trip to see the Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, as they wallow in mud pools and chomp on vegetation. We also see Los Gemelos (“The Twins”), the two huge sinkhole craters formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, and Garrapatero, a secluded white-sand beach ringed by mangrove trees and volcanic rock formations. Here, we may see reef fish, sea turtles, rays, marine iguanas, and flamingos, among other marine and terrestrial wildlife. Finally, we have a chance to explore the lava tunnels at our hotel and walk inside the naturally formed tubes through which lava flowed eons ago. We enjoy both lunch and dinner today at our hotel.
Accommodations: Royal Palm Galapagos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monday, May 17, 2027
DAY 15: Santa Cruz Island/Baltra/Quito
This morning, we transfer to Baltra for the return flight to Quito, arriving in the mid-afternoon. We have some time to relax and repack and to enjoy the amenities at our hotel upon arrival. Tonight, we celebrate our remarkable adventure over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Swissotel Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Tuesday, May 18, 2027
DAY 16: Quito/Depart for U.S.
This morning, we enjoy a tour of Quito’s Botanical Gardens. These gardens offer a glimpse of Ecuador’s stunning biodiversity; the nation boasts more than 16,000 endemic plant species (more than all of Europe) and over 6,000 native species of butterfly. Moving on, we visit the Iñaquito Market, a covered market spanning an entire city block and offering every fruit, vegetable, meat, and seafood option imaginable. We then return to our hotel where our rooms are reserved for late check-out. Later this evening, we depart on our overnight flight to the U.S.
Please note: The order of sightseeing in Quito on Days 10 and 16 may be adjusted to allow for better pacing during our visit.
For Land Only Guests: Please note that morning touring is included on Day 16; for this reason, we recommend that your return flight to the U.S. depart in the late evening.
Meals: Breakfast

Wednesday, May 19, 2027
DAY 17: Arrive U.S.
We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our return flights home.

Physical Activity Level – Moderate/Challenging

Substantial amount of walking most days, up to 4-6 miles on average per day during scheduled activities and 1-3 miles of walking at one time. These trips feature long touring days and may include travel via various modes of transportation. Travelers are expected to board transportation without assistance as well as stand and walk over uneven terrain including cobblestones for extended periods of time. Some tours may include activities and travel at higher altitudes. Elevators are not always available at sights and all hotels.

Local Conditions
We will do our best to adhere to our printed itinerary. Occasionally though, unexpected obstacles – or opportunities – may arise that will force us to deviate from the itinerary as written. This includes our Galapagos cruising; the islands visited are dictated by the Galapagos National Park and on occasion may change. We would ask you to be open-minded and flexible should we vary the itinerary slightly. In addition, please note that airline schedules are subject to change. We will provide you with updated flight information closer to your departure.

Elevation
The high altitude of Quito (9,350 feet) and Cuzco (11,150 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. If you have any concerns, please consult your physician.

A Note on Naturalists
The naturalists in the Galapagos receive training from the Charles Darwin Research Station and are licensed by the Galapagos National Park. During visits to the islands, guests must be accompanied at all times by a naturalist, who knows each site intimately and will share their knowledge during our excursions. Per Galapagos National Park regulations, there must be one naturalist per 16 guests. Depending on the size of your group, either one or two naturalists will accompany you.

 

Tour Price Includes:

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities for air-inclusive participants
• 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels
• 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of a Professional Tour Director
• Private motor-coach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

What’s not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; excess baggage charges on aircraft; International airfare if you have booked as a “land only” participant; transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day of arrival and/or departure if you have booked as a “land only” participant or if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.