Self-Launched Amazon to the Andes & Galápagos: Lima to Quito

Fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport and make your way to the Miraflores or Barranco district by taxi or the Airport Express Lima bus (~£4). Check into a well-rated hostel and spend the evening exploring Lima's buzzing food scene — ceviche and pisco sours are mandatory. Barranco's cliff-top views and nightlife are a great introduction to the city.

🚌Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores (~£4) or taxi (~£12)

🛏Hostel in Miraflores or Barranco (e.g. The Point Lima or Pariwana Hostel Lima) — ~£12-18/night

• →Explore Miraflores seafront (Malecón)
• →Visit the Larco Museum (£10, book via website)
• →Try ceviche at a local cevichería in Barranco

Fly from Lima to Cusco (book in advance with LATAM or Sky Airline for best prices, ~£50-70 one way). Arriving at ~3,400m, take it easy today to acclimatise — coca tea is your friend. Wander the San Blas neighbourhood, browse artisan markets, and soak up the Plaza de Armas. An early night sets you up well for the days ahead.

🚌Domestic flight Lima to Cusco with LATAM/Sky Airline (~£55)

🛏Hostel in central Cusco (e.g. Loki Hostel or Pariwana Cusco) — ~£12-16/night

• →Acclimatise with a gentle walk around Plaza de Armas
• →Visit San Blas neighbourhood and artisan workshops
• →Try local chicha morada and alpaca dishes

Join a shared day tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco (~£20-30 via local agencies on Procuradores Street). Visit the Pisac market and ruins, then head to the Ccaccaccollo community weaving co-op — many Sacred Valley day tours include this stop, or you can arrange a direct community visit via Planeterra-connected local guides. End at the Parwa Community Restaurant for a farm-to-table lunch (budget ~£8).

🚌Shared Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco (~£20-25) or local combi buses (~£3-5 each leg)

🛏Hostel in Ollantaytambo or return to Cusco — ~£12-16/night

• →Pisac Inca ruins and artisan market
• →Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op visit (arrange via local Sacred Valley tour agency)
• →Lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant, Sacred Valley (~£8)

The Inca Trail requires a permit booked well in advance (permits sell out months ahead — book through a licensed operator at www.camino-inca.com or similar, ~£250-320 pp including porters, camping, and guide as required by Peruvian law). Today you start at Km 82 and trek through Andean farmland and cloud forest to Wayllabamba camp (~12km). Pack light — porters carry the heavy gear.

🚌Transfer from Ollantaytambo/Cusco to Km 82 trailhead (included in most Inca Trail packages)

🛏Camping on the Inca Trail (included in permit/operator package)

• →Trek Km 82 to Wayllabamba (~12km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Pass Inca ruins of Llactapata
• →Evening briefing with licensed guide at camp

The toughest day on the trail. Trek from Wayllabamba up to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m — the highest point of the entire trail. The views are jaw-dropping and the sense of achievement immense. Descend to Pacaymayo camp for a well-earned rest. Start early and pace yourself.

🚌On foot

🛏Camping on the Inca Trail (included in permit package)

• →Summit Dead Woman's Pass (4,198m)
• →Trek ~16km over challenging high-altitude terrain
• →Spot Andean condors and mountain flora

A more varied day passing through cloud forest and spectacular Inca ruins including Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. Descend into lush cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna camp, one of the most scenic spots on the trail, where an impressive Inca site sits above terraced hillsides.

🚌On foot

🛏Camping at Wiñay Wayna (included in permit package)

• →Pass ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna
• →Trek through cloud forest (~16km)
• →Optional guided commentary from trail-licensed guide

Rise at 3:30am to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at dawn for a first magical view of Machu Picchu emerging from the mist. Descend into the citadel for a guided tour. After the group tour portion, you're free to explore independently. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for the night (~£5 each way).

🚌Bus from Machu Picchu ruins to Aguas Calientes (~£5)

🛏Hostel in Aguas Calientes (e.g. Hostal Presidente or similar) — ~£14-20/night

• →Sunrise at Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
• →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (included in Inca Trail package)
• →Optional hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (~£12 extra, pre-book)

Morning is yours to revisit Machu Picchu (entrance included if on multi-day pass) or relax in Aguas Calientes. Take the PeruRail or Inca Rail train back to Ollantaytambo (~£35-60 depending on service), then a shared colectivo or taxi to Cusco (~£4). Spend the evening celebrating in Cusco's bars and restaurants.

🚌Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£35-50), colectivo to Cusco (~£4)

🛏Hostel in Cusco — ~£12-16/night

• →Optional second visit to Machu Picchu or soak in Aguas Calientes hot springs (~£4)
• →Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (PeruRail Expedition ~£35)
• →Evening in Cusco — celebrate completing the trail

Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado with LATAM (~£50-70). This is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. A boat transfer takes you upriver to your jungle lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve. The G Lodge Amazon (used by G Adventures) can be booked independently — alternatively, well-rated budget options like Posada Amazonas or Tambopata Research Center offer similar wildlife access. Settle in and enjoy your first jungle sounds at nightfall.

🚌Domestic flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (~£60), boat transfer to lodge (~included in lodge package)

🛏Jungle lodge in Tambopata (e.g. Posada Amazonas or Refugio Amazonas) — ~£50-80/night including meals and guided activities

• →Boat transfer up the Tambopata River to lodge (~1-2 hours)
• →Arrival orientation walk with naturalist guide
• →First jungle sounds and night wildlife spotting around lodge

Full day of Amazon immersion. Morning excursion to an oxbow lake to spot giant river otters, caimans, and hundreds of bird species. Learn about medicinal plants from your naturalist guide. After dark, head out by canoe for a caiman-spotting cruise on the river — a highlight of any Amazon stay. Expert guides use flashlights to spot the telltale eye-glow on the riverbanks.

🚌Canoe transfers (included in lodge package)

🛏Jungle lodge (as Day 9) — meals and guided activities included

• →Oxbow lake excursion by canoe — giant otters, macaws, hoatzins
• →Medicinal plant walk with naturalist guide
• →Night caiman-spotting cruise by motorised canoe

Morning canopy tower visit for spectacular bird watching at dawn — macaw clay licks are a famous Tambopata spectacle. Afternoon free time to swim (where safe) or relax in hammocks. As night falls, join a guided night walk around the lodge grounds to spot tarantulas, poison dart frogs, snakes, and owls with the help of your expert naturalist guide.

🚌Boat/foot (included)

🛏Jungle lodge (as Day 9)

• →Dawn visit to macaw clay lick (seasonal)
• →Canopy tower bird watching
• →Guided night wildlife walk — tarantulas, frogs, owls, snakes

Morning boat transfer back to Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Lima, then connect to Quito, Ecuador (book as two separate domestic/international tickets — LATAM often has good deals, ~£100-140 total). Arrive in Quito and check into a hostel in the lively La Mariscal district or the charming colonial Old Town. Quito sits at 2,850m so take it steady.

🚌Flights Puerto Maldonado–Lima–Quito (~£120-140 total)

🛏Hostel in Quito La Mariscal or Old Town (e.g. Community Hostel or Blue House Hostel) — ~£12-18/night

• →Morning transfer and flight to Lima (~£60 Puerto Maldonado–Lima)
• →Connecting flight Lima to Quito (~£60-80)
• →Evening stroll in Quito's colonial Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Fly from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galápagos (book with LATAM or Avianca, ~£180-220 return from Quito). You'll need to pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee on arrival (~£80). Transfer by bus and ferry to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. This is the best base for finding last-minute cruise berths at discounted rates from local agencies on Charles Darwin Avenue — savings of 30-50% vs. advance booking are common. Alternatively, pre-book a budget cruise berth (see Days 13-19).

🚌Flight Quito–Baltra (~£200 return), bus + ferry transfer to Puerto Ayora (~£5)

🛏Hostel in Puerto Ayora while arranging cruise (e.g. Hostal Galápagos or similar) — ~£18-25/night, OR first night aboard your booked cruise vessel

• →Fly Quito to Baltra, Galápagos (~£200 return)
• →Pay Galápagos National Park fee (~£80)
• →Explore Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (free)

Board your Galápagos cruise vessel (budget/mid-range 8-day cruises range from ~£800-1,400pp — look for last-minute deals via Galápagos agencies in Puerto Ayora or sites like Galápagos.com). Today visits Isla Lobos, a small islet teeming with sea lions and their curious pups. Snorkel alongside them in gin-clear water, spot blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nesting on the shore. All snorkel gear is provided on cruise vessels.

🚌Aboard cruise vessel

🛏Aboard Galápagos cruise vessel (budget/mid-range berth ~£800-1,200pp for 7 nights, all-inclusive)

• →Snorkelling at Isla Lobos — sea lions, reef fish, rays
• →Blue-footed booby and frigatebird observation
• →Naturalist guide briefing on Galápagos ecosystem

Española is home to the largest waved albatross colony on Earth (seasonal, April-December) and spectacular blowhole cliffs. Walk among fearless marine iguanas, Nazca boobies, and sea lions on Punta Suárez. Snorkel Gardner Bay's pristine white-sand beach with sea lions and green sea turtles. Wildlife here shows virtually no fear of humans — extraordinary encounters.

🚌Panga (inflatable dinghy) shore landings

🛏Aboard cruise vessel

• →Punta Suárez wildlife walk — waved albatross, Nazca boobies, marine iguanas
• →Snorkel at Gardner Bay with sea lions and turtles
• →Beach time at one of the Galápagos' most beautiful white-sand beaches

Floreana has one of the most intriguing histories in the Galápagos — visit the famous Post Office Bay barrel, a tradition dating to the 18th century where sailors left letters for passing ships. Snorkel at Champion Islet for the chance to see the rare Floreana (Charles) mockingbird and swim with sea turtles and hammerhead sharks.

🚌Panga shore landings

🛏Aboard cruise vessel

• →Post Office Bay — add your postcard to the barrel and hand-deliver others
• →Snorkel at Champion Islet — sea turtles, reef sharks, sea lions
• →Learn about Floreana's eccentric early settler history

Isabela is the largest island in the Galápagos, shaped like a seahorse. Visit the Urbina Bay for giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and marine iguanas. Snorkel at Tagus Cove, where Darwin himself anchored in 1835, for penguins, sea turtles, and rays. The volcanic scenery here is stunning — ancient lava flows meet turquoise sea.

🚌Panga shore landings

🛏Aboard cruise vessel

• →Urbina Bay — giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, land iguanas
• →Snorkel at Tagus Cove — Galápagos penguins, sea turtles
• →Hike to volcanic crater rim viewpoint

Fernandina is one of the most pristine islands on Earth — no invasive species, no human settlement. Visit Punta Espinoza for the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos, plus flightless cormorants drying their wings on lava rocks. Snorkel with Galápagos penguins and playful sea lions. An utterly wild and unforgettable experience.

🚌Panga shore landings

🛏Aboard cruise vessel

• →Punta Espinoza — marine iguana colony, flightless cormorants
• →Snorkel with Galápagos penguins and sea lions
• →Witness active volcanic landscape — youngest island in the archipelago

Final cruise morning visits North Seymour, a small uplifted island famous for its enormous frigatebird colonies — watch males inflate their scarlet throat pouches to attract mates in a truly bizarre courtship display. Blue-footed boobies perform their iconic mating dance here too. Disembark back at Baltra in the afternoon with memories to last a lifetime.

🚌Bus + ferry to Puerto Ayora (~£5) or direct to Baltra airport

🛏Return to Puerto Ayora hostel — ~£18-25/night, or fly directly to Quito

• →North Seymour — frigatebird colony and blue-footed booby mating dances
• →Final snorkel in crystal-clear Galápagos waters
• →Disembark Baltra and transfer to Puerto Ayora or airport

Fly back from Baltra/San Cristóbal to Quito (~£80-120 one-way, already included in your return ticket). Spend the afternoon exploring Quito's extraordinary colonial Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved in Latin America. Visit La Compañía de Jesús church (the 'Baroque jewel of the Americas'), the Presidential Palace, and ride the TelefériQo cable car up to the slopes of Pichincha volcano for panoramic city views (~£6).

🚌Return flight Galápagos to Quito (included in return ticket)

🛏Hostel in Quito Old Town (e.g. El Vagabundo or Secret Garden Quito) — ~£14-20/night

• →La Compañía de Jesús church and colonial Old Town walking tour
• →TelefériQo cable car to Pichincha volcano (~£6)
• →Sunset views over Quito from El Panecillo hill (free)

Final morning — visit the Mitad del Mundo monument (~30 mins from Quito, local bus ~£1.50 or taxi ~£10) to stand on the Equator. The nearby Intiñan Solar Museum (~£4) is actually right on the GPS equatorial line and has fun science demonstrations. Head back to Quito for your international departure from Mariscal Sucre Airport. Safe travels!

🚌Local bus or taxi to Mitad del Mundo (~£1.50-10), taxi to airport (~£15)

🛏Check out / airport

• →Mitad del Mundo monument — stand on the Equator (~£2 entry)
• →Intiñan Solar Museum — equatorial science experiments (~£4)
• →Last Ecuadorian lunch — try llapingachos and seco de pollo