Getting around
JetBlue 1796 & LATAM LA1411: JFK to Baltra (GPS)
11:06 pm – 12 pm
Overnight outbound flights from JFK to Baltra.
Galapagos & Machu Picchu
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador & more…
Must go!$$$$$AdultsAdventureCultureHistory
Aug
Cynthia Morgan12 daysDay 1
Day 2
Getting around
Transfer to Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
12 pm
Public bus, ferry across Itabaca Channel, drive across Santa Cruz Island, aqua taxi, and short walk to the hotel.
Stay
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
1:45 pm
3 nights
Beachfront luxury hotel on Santa Cruz Island with sea-facing terrace, pool, spa, and restaurant using ingredients from its garden. I would say this hotel was nice, definitely higher end for Galapagos. There aren’t many luxury options on the island, as it’s much more common to travel Galapagos by boat. This one and Pikaia lodge were both recommended by Michelin. I think the concept (eco hotel, beautiful design) was cool, but the rooms were really really small. I like that the hotel arranged all activities, and had their own private boat to explore other islands. If I were going back, I’d try pikaia next
Explore
Tortuga Bay
2 pm
White-sand beach reached by a marked, cobblestoned two-kilometer path.
Trip highlight
Explore
Las Grietas
5 pm
Snorkeling site with clear waters, flora, fauna, and marine life.
Trip highlight
dinner
Finch Bay Galapagos Restaurant
7 pm
Ecuadorian and international cooking using organic herbs and vegetables from the hotel's garden.
Day 3
Explore
Puerto Ayora: Tortoise Trail and Charles Darwin Research Center
10 am
Tortoise-focused trail with boardwalks and exhibits, plus a conservation and research center.
Trip highlight
lunch
Isla Grill
12 pm
Family-friendly grill known for grilled seafood and an alternative to seafood-heavy menus.
Explore
El Chato Tortoise Reserve
2 pm
Santa Cruz rural sanctuary where giant tortoises roam freely.
dinner
Finch Bay Galapagos Restaurant
6:30 pm
Ecuadorian and international cooking using organic herbs and vegetables from the hotel's garden.
Day 4
Explore
Bartolomé Island & Sullivan Bay Yacht Day Tour
7 am – 5:55 pm
Yacht excursion featuring a Bartolomé viewpoint, Sullivan Bay walk, coastal exploration, snorkeling, and lunch aboard Sea Lion Yacht.
Trip highlight
dinner
Finch Bay Galapagos Resort
7 pm
Day 5
Getting around
Transfer to Baltra Airport
10:45 am
Public bus, ferry across Itabaca Channel, drive across Santa Cruz Island, aqua taxi, and short walk.
Getting around
LATAM LA1382 & LA1437: Baltra (GPS) to Lima (LIM)
1:35 pm – 10:35 pm
Flights from Baltra to Lima.
Stay
Lima Airport Holiday Inn
11 pm
1 night
We stayed here during a layover at Lima airport, it was close to the airport with shuttle service.
Day 6
Getting around
LATAM LA2007: Lima (LIM) to Cusco (CUS)
9:10 am – 10:35 am
Flight from Lima to Cusco.
Stay
Tambo del Inka
10:35 am
2 nights
One MICHELIN Key Sacred Valley hotel with a private train station for Machu Picchu, Andean design, spa, indoor pool, and river-and-mountain setting. This was a nice option to acclimate to the altitude in the sacred valley.
Getting around
Transfer to Tambo del Inka
10:35 am
Transfer from Cusco to Urubamba.
lunch
La Cerveceria
2 pm
Craft beers from across Peru in a setting focused on local brewing traditions.
dinner
Hawa
6:30 pm
Hotel restaurant serving innovative dishes with organic ingredients from its garden.
Day 7
breakfast
Hawa
9 am
Hotel restaurant serving innovative dishes with organic ingredients from its garden.
lunch
Kiri Bar
1 pm
Terrace bar overlooking the Sacred Valley, with gin and pisco drinks plus appetizers.
dinner
El Huacatay
6 pm
Garden-set gourmet dining room known for Sacred Valley ingredients, including trout, alpaca, and coca sours. We figured it’d be good to eat somewhere other than the hotel, but since we were both still acclimating to the altitude we probably would’ve been better off just eating at the hotel restaurants again. It was fine but not worth it for us
Day 8
Getting around
Hiram Bingham 11: Poroy to Machu Picchu
9:05 am – 12:24 pm
Luxury train journey with open-air views, Peruvian cuisine, cocktail bar, and guided citadel visit. This and the Bartolomé island tour were the highlights of the trip. If you want to save a little bit of $ you can do the Hiram Bingham train on the way to Machu Picchu, and the vista dome on the way back. Highly recommend taking the Hiram Bingham on the way up since 1. It’s during the day, so you get amazing views from the train. 2. The transfer, tickets and guided tour of Machu Picchu are all included and handled by Belmond. 3. Afternoon tea at Belmond was included and very nice. Also, the live band is amazing. They ask where everyone is from and play a song about your hometown. Was very lovely and social!
Trip highlight
Explore
Tour of Machu Picchu Ruins
1 pm
Guided visit to the Inca citadel in its dramatic Andean and Amazon Basin setting. This was arranged by the Hiram Bingham train, and it was incredible. We got very lucky with the weather (it was thunder storming all week)
drinks
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel
4 pm
Afternoon tea at the hotel by the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Stay
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
5 pm
1 night
One MICHELIN Key, carbon-neutral eco-lodge on 12 acres of high-mountain forest near Machu Picchu Pueblo, with orchids, birdlife, Andean dining, and a spa. Beautiful hotel in a local, luxury Peruvian hotel chain. They have beautiful amenities if you plan to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes. We loved the nature tours.
Must stay
dinner
Inkaterra Dining Room
6 pm
Dinner is included with the room rate. After a long day of travel and Machu Picchu, it was nice to eat at the hotel.
Day 9
lunch
Cafe Inkaterra
1 pm
Getting around
Vistadome Observatory 34: Machu Picchu to Poroy
3:20 pm – 7:05 pm
Panoramic train journey through the Sacred Valley with wide windows, live music, and traditional dances.
Stay
Inkaterra La Casona Relais & Châteaux
7:30 pm
1 night
Two MICHELIN Keys boutique hotel in a restored Spanish colonial manor in Cusco's old town, with just 11 suites and a residential atmosphere. Very small hotel next to both Belmond options in Cusco. Really boutique feel, love the courtyard and rooms were gorgeous.
Must stay
dinner
KION Peruvian Chinese
8 pm
Peruvian Chinese cuisine blending sweet and savory flavors, designed for sharing.
Day 10
Explore
Cusco Sightseeing
9 am
Sightseeing of Plaza de Armas, La Catedral, and Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), highlighting Inca and colonial architecture.
lunch
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
12 pm
Modern, bright Cusco restaurant featuring Peruvian flavors from the coast, Amazon, and Andes.
Getting around
LATAM LA2026: Cusco (CUS) to Lima (LIM)
6:10 pm – 7:50 pm
Flight from Cusco to Lima.
Day 11
Getting around
Delta DL6066: Lima (LIM) to JFK
12:05 am – 9:15 am
Overnight return flight from Lima to JFK.
Have a question about this trip?
Message Cynthia Morgan privatelyTrip photos
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Tour of Machu Picchu Ruins
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