Active Galápagos & Machu Picchu

Arrive at any time.

Located 2850m (9348ft) above sea level, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito enjoys a wonderful spring-like climate, despite the fact that it is only 22km (14 mi) south of the Equator.



On a clear day, several snow-capped volcanoes, including nearby Pichincha, are visible from the centre of this city nestled in a mountain-flanked valley. Add a rich history and a well-preserved colonial district to its beautiful location, and you can begin to understand why Quito appeals to thousands of tourists every year.

Additional Information: Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available.



Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.

ACTIVITY: The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.

Catch an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. On arrival, head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch on your own, and to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat before continuing to Puerto Ayora.

Fly to Santa Cruz. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. From this elevation, the panoramic views of the other islands are stunning.

ACTIVITY: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife.

Walk from Puerto Ayora along a 2.5 km raised causeway to the stunning white sand and beach of Tortuga Bay for a kayak excursion with time for snorkelling and swimming before returning to town for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to two hundred years. This is a great opportunity to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back from the brink of extinction.

ACTIVITY: Jump in and explore the underwater world where schools of yellowtail surgeonfish, king angelfish and parrotfish dance in the gentle waves. Spot turtles, friendly sea lions pups and small, docile, whitetip reef sharks.

ACTIVITY: Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

ACTIVITY: Kayak in Tortuga Bay, a dreamy stretch of white coral sand with clear turquoise waters on the south side of Santa Cruz Island. Keep an eye out for nearby pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds.

Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana Island. Get settled at the G Adventures-supported community guesthouse and opt to swim or snorkel at Black Beach.

After a free morning, depart Santa Cruz and head to Floreana Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way. Opt for an introduction to snorkelling directly off Black Beach on the island.

Additional Information: Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.

TRANSPORT: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

FREE TIME: MORNING Get out and explore.

ACTIVITY: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

ACTIVITY: Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.

In the morning, head on a visit to Loberia, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel. Opt to explore the area around Black Beach. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the seldom visited highlands of Floreana.

Walk along the black sand beach to Loberia to enjoy beach snorkelling or swimming. Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer. The water here can be rough and the currents are strong.

ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Snorkel straight off the beach at Loberia, and get up close to the diverse wildlife in the waters around the Galápagos. Please be sure you are a strong swimmer; the water here can be rough and the currents are strong.

ACTIVITY: Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.

ACTIVITY: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

ACTIVITY: Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.

Travel to Isabela Island. Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano to see the second-largest crater in the world and enjoy a downhill bike excursion. Once back in town, opt to take surfing lessons on the nearby beach.

Take a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Enjoy a full day on Isabela Island that includes a trek up the Sierra Negra Volcano—one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos—boasting the second largest crater in the world. Hike to the summit to experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape.

TRANSPORT: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

ACTIVITY: Lace up your hiking boots to explore Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.

ACTIVITY: After the hike the group will hop on a bicycle and travel downhill for about 12km by bike with the group. Feel the wind on your skin and the fresh air in your lungs as you coast to the town of Puerto Villamil. This ride will be all downhill along a semi-paved road with beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding countryside. Please note that it is not a physically demanding ride.

Spend a free morning trying the optional activities in the area. Maybe hit the waves for surf lessons on the nearby beach. Then, enjoy a kayak and snorkel excursion near Tintoreras.

Visit Tintoreras to kayak and observe the whitetip reef sharks found swimming in the channels between the rocks. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist

Additional Information: Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.

FREE TIME: MORNING Get out and explore this morning. Opt to try some surf lessons at the nearby beach.

ACTIVITY: Tour the "Tintoreras" to watch manta rays and whitetip reef sharks swim in the channels between the rocks. Get up close to pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies, and keep an eye out for rare Galápagos penguins, the only species found in Galápagos and north of the Equator.

ACTIVITY: Go snorkelling near Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Look out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and if you're lucky some Galápagos penguins.

This morning stop by the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre before traveling back to the island of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Santa Cruz.

Around midday, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.

ACTIVITY: Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.

TRANSPORT: MORNING Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

FREE TIME: Get out and explore! Or maybe try out an optional activitiy available in the area.

FREE TIME: Get out and explore! Or maybe try out an optional activity available in the area.

Transfer across Santa Cruz Island to Baltra. Fly back to Quito.

After a transfer over the island of Santa Cruz, arrive at Baltra Island for the return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel for one last night on the town. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise on and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito.

Additional Information: G Adventures strongly recommends not booking departure flights on the day the group returns to Quito. Local flight times are often subject to change and could potentially cause issues if delayed. We recommend booking flights on the last day of the tour as noted on the Full itinerary page.

TRANSPORT: Take a private van to the ferry terminal on Santa Cruz island, before taking a short ferry to Baltra. Once there, a short ride on a public bus will take you to the airport.

TRANSPORT: Once arriving back in Quito, a private van will transfer you to the hotel for the evening.

Explore Quito before flying to Lima in the evening.

Your transfer to the airport and your flight to Lima are included in this trip. Please note that this flight is unescorted and your transfer will be waiting for you at the Lima airport and will bring you to your hotel.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: On Day 1 of the tour, a G Adventures representative will meet you at the hotel to go over the details of the tour, providing a schedule, documentation/vouchers, and pick-up times for all included activities. The representative can also answer any questions about the tour or the general area.

Hop on a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day of shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.

Take a transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.

Additional Information: Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Spend the day exploring.

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

TRANSPORT: FULL DAY Make stops along the way as you pass through this gorgeous valley – the elevation descends the whole way.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management.

ACTIVITY: In the rural village of Cuyo Chico in the Sacred Valley, a group of families joined together to create a small business based on their traditional adobe ceramic crafts. Using clay from their surroundings, they mold bowls, plates, and all manner of decorations. Learn about the ceramics process as well as the traditional adobe brick-making that forms the basis of houses throughout the valley, all while taking in a spectacular view of the Pisac Ruins. After the demonstration, peruse the items for sale directly from the artisans in their shop.

ACTIVITY: Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins.

Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.

Additional Information: A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Get your blood pumping on this first day of hiking the Inca trail. The trekking is fairly easy and serves as good training for the next few days. Pass rambling rivers and a small village, and enjoy scenic mountain views; it’s just a taste of what’s to come.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This G Adventures for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.

Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.

ACTIVITY: Trek over progressively spectacular and steeper terrain on your way to Warmiwañusca (aka Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769ft). Be prepared to face strong Andean weather (blazing sun or cold winds) around the pass. Take the hike slow, and drink lots of water along the way – amazing views are waiting as a reward. Enjoy some ample time to rest and relax after reaching the camp; most campers arrive around early afternoon.

Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

ACTIVITY: Cross two passes and more ruins along the Inca Trail on the last full day of hiking. Traverse Runquraway at 3,950m (13,113 ft), and then reach the second pass at 3,700m (12,136 ft). Spot the gorgeous Cordillera Vilcabamba and the Urubamba Valley in the distance on a clear day. Camp at either the Phuyupatamarca ruins or the Wiñay Wayna ruins.

The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the ruins, before your train back towards Cusco.

ACTIVITY: Wake around 03:30 to reach the Sun Gate as early as possible. Head to the checkpoint and join the lineup to wait for the gate to open. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu (fingers crossed for a clear day). Hike down to Machu Picchu (about 45 mins) for a 1.5 hr guided tour of the site, and free time to explore. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge (a 15-min walk one way) for no additional charge, if time allows.



Catch the bus outside the Machu Picchu gate after your visit for a 25-min downhill ride to Aguas Calientes. Eat and relax before the train ride back to Cusco this evening.

ACTIVITY: MORNING Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Depart at any time.