Galápagos by Catamaran + Machu Picchu and Peru's Land of the Inca - National Geographic Delfina Catamaran - Galapagos Cruise

We will greet you upon your arrival in Ecuador, whether it's in the capital city of Quito, located in the Andes, or in the coastal city of Guayaquil, and provide a complimentary transfer to your conveniently located hotel for an overnight stay. Both cities are well-connected by international airlines, with flights to the Galapagos originating in Quito and making a stop in Guayaquil. You have the option to extend your trip with a pre-voyage visit to Mashpi Reserve in the tropical Andes or to arrive a day early for the See Quito Pre-Voyage Extension.

Arrival Time:  Anytime. 
Arrival City: Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador

Fly to the Galápagos and board the National Geographic Delfina, a stable and stylish catamaran that accommodates 16 guests and is available for private charter. Discover the islands and their extraordinary wildlife.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Below is a selection of islands we may visit during the expedition, subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.

North Seymour: Follow coastal trails past playful Galápagos sea lions on this wildlife-rich central island. Venture inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance, and prehistoric-looking land iguanas feed on cactus.

Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Enjoy exploring, swimming, and snorkeling from the beach, and catch a glimpse of the rare Galápagos penguins.

Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals in quiet grottos of black basalt. Engage in swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding along Santiago’s spectacular coast, and discover an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.

Isabela: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, the northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Look out for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and the elusive ocean sunfish. Over two days, follow in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville and observe wildlife along the eroded volcanic shore.

Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos. Home to the flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguins, and the largest marine iguanas, it offers hikes across impressive recent lava flows.

Española: This bird paradise is home to swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, and seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross. Observe vividly colored marine iguanas, sea lions on the white sand beach, and snorkel offshore at Gardner Bay.

Floreana: Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon sometimes frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the historic mail barrel at Post Office Bay.

Santa Cruz: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George, tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals, and witness giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush highlands.

Genovesa: Sail across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos into this flooded caldera, home to over one million seabirds. Visit Prince Philip’s Steps at the top of the island, and encounter Nazca, red- and blue-footed boobies, frigates, gulls, owls, fur seals, hammerhead sharks, turtles, and manta rays.

San Cristobal: Walk along the powdery white sand at a gorgeous beach fronted by iconic Kicker Rock. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions thrive in the middle of town.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart from the Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru, with a stop in Guayaquil. Check into the Belmond Miraflores Park, located on a broad promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where we will stay for two nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, explore the World Heritage-designated colonial Lima, starting with a stroll through the Plaza Mayor. Enjoy a private welcome lunch with a special musical presentation at Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima. Then, visit the remarkable Larco Museum, dedicated to pre-Columbian art. Return to the hotel, where you'll have dinner on your own to sample local cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, take a short scenic flight to Cusco and proceed to Moray, a visually striking Inca site featuring dramatic agricultural terraces in the fertile Urubamba Valley. After lunch and a visit to a local market, check into the hotel. We will stay at Sol y Luna, a Relais & Châteaux property, in individual casitas nestled in lush greenery.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day exploring the archaeological sites and culture of the Sacred Valley with National Geographic expert Peter Frost (or a colleague), who has lived and worked in Peru for decades. He or a colleague will give a talk at the hotel and guide us through the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, located above a thriving Inca community. Enjoy lunch at a family-owned working hacienda, where we will be treated to a show of Peruvian Paso horses. National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa, founder of El Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco, will demonstrate Inca weaving traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Marvel at the dramatic scenery and river life during the morning train journey to Machu Picchu, the Inca royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. Check into the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, located next to the World Heritage site, and enjoy the freedom to explore over two days with the expert tour director and local guides. Lunch and dinner will be provided at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Awaken this morning at Machu Picchu, where the knowledgeable local guides will share their deep understanding of the site's history and cultural significance. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco, the center of the Inca universe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check into the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for a two-night stay. The hotel, occupying a monastery founded in 1592, is built atop ancient Inca stones, reflecting the blend of colonial and Inca architecture.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore Cusco's magnificent 17th-century cathedral, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun, and other local treasures. Visit the nearby Sacsayhuamán, with its impressive terrace walls offering commanding views over the city. Spend the afternoon relaxing, shopping, or visiting one of Cusco’s many churches and museums. Dinner will be on your own tonight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast and some free time in the morning, bid farewell to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima, where you will connect to your onward flights. Depending on your flight schedule, optional accommodations at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel are available. Alternatively, you can opt to spend the night in Lima and fly to Iquitos the following day to join the Upper Amazon Expedition aboard the Delfin II on Sunday.

Departure Time: Depart after 7:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Lima, Peru

Meals Included: Breakfast