After the Galápagos

Ecuador and Peru

Two lengths: Ecuador alone, or on to Machu Picchu.

Choose a direction
Length4 nights, or 9
SeasonThe islands decide
StaysEcuador: Casa Gangotena; Hacienda Zuleta or Cusín

Peru: Belmond and Inkaterra

BudgetEcuador: $450 – $790 USD per day per person

Peru: $700 – $1,300 USD per day per person

Why this page exists

Galápagos cruises end at Baltra or San Cristóbal with a flight to Quito, and most passengers are home the next day. Two continuations: Ecuador alone, or Ecuador and then Peru — three more flights, and Machu Picchu.

First-hand

Sacred Valley before Cusco — the altitude the right way round

Machu Picchu tickets and train booked months out

Illustrated route map of Ecuador and Peru: Quito, Otavalo, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Two lengths

Four nights, or nine.

  • Horses on the drive of a highland hacienda in Ecuador

    Short · Quito and the highlands

    4 nights. Colonial Quito, then a working hacienda two hours north: riding, the Otavalo market, condors, and nothing you have to do.

    See the days
  • Inca terraces and the village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley

    Long · Add Peru

    9 nights. Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu twice, and Cusco. Worth it, and not a rest.

    See the days

The routes, day by day

ShortQuito and the highlands4 nights
Day1QuitoArrive in the capital and check into Casa Gangotena, a stunning restored mansion right on the historic Plaza San Francisco. Spend your day exploring the cobblestone streets, gold-leaf churches, and hidden squares of the old town on foot.
Days2–4A highland haciendaDrive two hours north into the dramatic Andean highlands to settle into a historic country estate like Hacienda Zuleta. Fill your days with horseback riding, browsing the vibrant Otavalo market (if the Saturday timing lines up), tracking wild condors, or simply doing absolutely nothing at all.
Day5Fly homeHead back to Quito’s airport for your afternoon flight home.
LongAdd Peru9 nights
Days1–3Quito and the highlandsAs above, one night less.
Day4LimaFly from the Galápagos to Lima and check into a boutique oasis in the stylish Miraflores or artistic Barranco districts. Spend your evening diving into Peru’s world-class culinary scene with dinner at Maido or Central.
Days5–6The Sacred ValleyFly to Cusco and head straight down into the Sacred Valley. Staying at 2,800 metres makes acclimatising much easier than staying in Cusco. Explore the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo, the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, and the terraced salt pans of Maras.
Day7Machu PicchuTake the morning train from Ollantaytambo. Step into the ancient citadel in the afternoon just as the massive crowds of day-trippers head for the exits. Stay overnight right at the park gates at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge or down in the valley village.
Days8–9Sunrise Citadel to CuscoReturn to the ruins at dawn for the morning light, then catch the train up to Cusco. Spend your time wandering the artisan alleyways of San Blas, visiting the cathedral, and exploring the Inca foundations of Qorikancha—all while sipping hot coca tea to adjust to the 3,400-metre altitude.
Day10Fly Cusco–Lima and homeFly from Cusco back to Lima to connect with your international flight home.

The long route is worth it and it is not a rest. Machu Picchu tickets and the train are booked months out.

“Go with Ecuador for a relaxed wind-down—I love Hacienda Zuleta for its cosy ranch vibe and horse trails. But if you want an epic finale, choose Peru; staying at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge lets you see Machu Picchu without the crowds, and hitting Maido in Lima is the ultimate finish.”
— Marc Vitria · Expeditioner Travel

Ready when you are

Tell Marc where the ship starts and where it stops.

He’ll take it from there.

Plan this with Marc
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