Overview
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Peru
How deep is your love of adventure? Is it deep enough to follow the course of Charles Darwin to discover your own love affair with the wildlife paradise of the Galápagos Islands? And then to delve further south to soar higher in the Andes and the heart of Peru? If so, this Globus Independent tour in South America is pointing you in the right direction. Begin by exploring the historic heart of Quito and depart for parts unknown where blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and diving iguanas of the Galápagos give new meaning to mind-blowing discoveries. Cruise in luxury on the Galápagos Legend and explore the archipelago in the company of a naturalist guide. Sail upon pristine waters to discover the perfectly evolved creatures who thrive on this volcanic archipelago. Stroll the sand where sea lions bask and albatross brace against the updrafts above the cliffs. Sail, snorkel, and simply stay in a state of astonishment through the islands of Santa Cruz, South Plaza Island, and other island sanctuaries of spectacular species. Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve where conservationists work to protect the gentle giants for which the islands are named. Then, set your compass to the heart of Peru to ignite your independent spirit in Lima, Cusco, and magnificent Machu Picchu to find the “Lost City of the Incas.” Explore ancient ruins that defy explanation and encounter the captivating cultures that live on in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. Timeless temples, textiles, and tantalizing dishes are all on the menu on this free-spirited sojourn in South America. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time, me time, and optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
Highlights of Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with Peru
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary and includes private airport transfers to/from intra-vacation flights. Internal flights to/from the Galápagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon (only) are included. Local Guide service is provided in Quito, Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu. A naturalist in the Galápagos is also provided. Intra-vacation flights to and within Peru are not included but can be added.In the Galápagos, there will be “wet landings” meaning guests will need to be able to jump in the water, out of the boats/zodiacs, and walk a couple of meters to the beaches. Terrain is rocky and uneven. Itinerary in the Galápagos is subject to change. Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is 12,200 ft.This vacation includes the following intra-vacation air segments in the vacation price: Quito/Galápagos & Galápagos/Guayaquil. Galápagos package includes Galápagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour:
- Private guided sightseeing of Quito’s colonial center, including Independence Square and the Basilica
- 3-night Galápagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend with naturalist-led excursions
- Landing at North Seymour Island to view blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions
- Hike to the summit of Bartolomé Island with panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock
- Landing at Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay for a guided hike and snorkeling
- Visit to San Cristobal’s Pitt Islet and Cerro Brujo lagoon for seabird viewing and snorkeling
- Guided visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristobal Island
- Roundtrip internal flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
- Private guided sightseeing in Cusco including Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery
- Visit Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, and Puca Pucara ruins
- Guided tour of Sacred Valley with stops in Pisaq and Ollantaytambo
- Scenic round trip train ride through the Andes to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu with second-day entrance included
Product Group
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
UNESCO Sites
City of Cusco|City of Quito|Galapagos Islands|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 three-course dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2
QUITO Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows. (B)
Day 3
QUITO–BALTRA (EMBARKATION)–GALÁPAGOS CRUISING: NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND Transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, where you’ll meet your expert naturalist and transfer to board the Galápagos Legend for an unforgettable three-night cruise. Set sail to North Seymour Island, a dramatic landmass formed by ancient underwater volcanic eruptions that layered lava across the ocean floor. Take a guided walk among impressive nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls, while gaining insight into the remarkable breeding cycles of Galápagos seabirds. Along the way, encounter playful sea lions, land iguanas, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive endemic Galápagos snake.(B,L,D)
Day 4
CRUISING: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND & SANTIAGO ISLANDAwake at Bartolomé Island to explore a striking moonscape shaped by volcanic parasitic cones. Hike to the summit for sweeping views of the surrounding islands and iconic Pinnacle Rock, while keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies along the way. Bartolomé also boasts some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos, with crystal-clear waters revealing sea turtles, white‑tipped reef sharks, and—on occasion—Galápagos penguins. This afternoon, sail to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island and walk across young pahoehoe lava flows formed in the late 19th century, where reddish‑yellow tuff cones are dotted with emerging plant life. The otherworldly terrain feels like stepping onto another planet. After your guided walk, enjoy snorkeling from a white-sand beach, where you may encounter penguins, sea lions, sharks, and rays gliding through the water. (B,L,D)
Day 5
CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND Arrive at Pitt Islet on San Cristóbal and walk to the summit of a volcanic tuff cone, where multiple breathtaking viewpoints reward your climb. This remarkable site is one of the few places in the Galápagos where all three booby species—blue‑footed, red‑footed, and Nazca—can be seen together, along with two species of frigate birds and a lively sea lion colony. The surrounding waters are ideal for dinghy rides to observe seabirds up close and offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. Continue to Cerro Brujo, where a coastal lagoon attracts migratory birds such as black‑necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, sandpipers, and white‑cheeked pintails. Enjoy stunning views of Kicker Rock, southern San Cristóbal, and the island’s rugged coastline, with time included to swim alongside sea lions and other marine life in the clear waters. (B,L,D)
Day 6
CRUISING: SAN CRISTOBAL (DISEMBARKATION)–QUITO–LIMA, PERU After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal, where you’ll learn about the national park’s important conservation and breeding programs dedicated to protecting these endangered icons of the Galápagos. Return to the port village for a final opportunity to browse for souvenirs before bidding farewell to the enchanted islands. Later, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight to Peru, where you’ll be taken to your hotel for a free evening.(B)
Day 7
LIMA Your included city tour focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin, and the Santo Domingo Convent to see the relics of three famous Peruvian saints—Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres, and San Juan Macias. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration.(B) INSIDER PICKSThis evening, you may choose to head over to a nearby park to witness the largest electronic water fountain complex in the world, certified by the Guinness Book of Records. You will enjoy a wonderful show of water, lights, music, and images.
Day 8
LIMA–CUSCO Transfer to the Lima airport and fly to Cusco, high in the Andes, where you will be met by your Local Guide. Your private guided tour visits the cathedral in Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo Monastery, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Take a short drive outside the city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons. This is followed by the amphitheater of Kenko, and the red fortress of Puca Pucara. (B)
Day 9
CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY Today, enjoy a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, you’ll discover the cultural significance of the alpaca and learn about the ancient weaving traditions that are still practiced today. Continue on to the lively market town of Pisaq, where you can browse colorful stalls offering handmade rugs, cozy alpaca sweaters, and locally crafted jewelry. At the far end of the valley, explore Ollantaytambo, renowned for its remarkably preserved Inca ruins and some of the finest stone masonry of the ancient empire. (B,L)
Day 10
SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU Journey by train through the heart of the Sacred Valley en route to Machu Picchu, the legendary “Lost City of the Incas,” brought to global attention by American explorer, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. Enjoy a guided tour of this remarkably preserved citadel, where you’ll explore ancient temples, sacred dwellings, and an impressive mile‑long aqueduct system. (B,L,D)
Day 11
MACHU PICCHU–SACRED VALLEY–CUSCO A morning at leisure allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. Return to Cusco by train, where the remainder of the day is free.(B)
Day 12
CUSCO–LIMA After a transfer to the airport, fly back to Lima today and be transferred to your hotel for a free evening. (B)
Day 13
LIMA Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Hilton Colon Quito (SAT) | The Hilton Colon Quito hotel is 10 minute walk from the colonial Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This modern hotel enjoys spectacular views of the city. Amenities include a fitness center, spa, outdoor heated pool, 5 restaurants/lounges, laundry service, concierge, florist, barber shop, and gift shop. | Quito | Ave Amazonas N 1914 Y Patria Avenida 1 | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Hotel Pullman Miraflores | The Pullman Miraflores hotel combins lifestyle and design for business and leisure. Located in the exclusive Miraflores district, near the Pacific Ocean, this hotel is not far from Larcomar shopping center. With over 236 rooms, Plural lounge restaurant, gym, pool and a spectacular Rooftop Bar the Pullman Miraflores offers an amazing place to stay and relax. | Lima | C. Juan Fanning 515 - 525 | Superior First-Class |
| 3 | Novotel Cusco | Novotel Cusco, located in the historic city center of Cusco, is in the perfect spot for discovering the Inca civilization. The hotel is in a 16th century building, and is an ideal starting point for visiting the cathedral and other hotspots of Cusco. Guests can enjoy international and local cuisine in La Cave Restaurant, or on the heated patio covered with a spectacular glass ceiling. The bar serves a wide variety of drinks and snacks, and you'll enjoy modern en suite furnishings with simple lines and restful amenities. | Cusco | San Augustin 239 - Esquina | |
| 4 | Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay | Bursting with character, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca hotel is the leader in boutique hotels in the Sacred Valley. Featuring a rustic ambiance with modern comforts, dynamite local cuisine, and friendly service, it makes for a memorable stay in one of the most remarkable places in the world. The colonial-style former monastery is surrounded by views of the Andes and beautiful gardens - a leisurely and soothing escape. | Sacred Valley | Plaza Manco 11 De Yucay 123 | First-Class |
| 5 | Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel | The Sumaq Hotel is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu ruins and boasts an Andean health spa, bar, restaurant, gift shop, and business center. | Machu Picchu | Av Hermanos Ayar Mz 1 Lote 3 | Moderate Deluxe |
