Day 1
Arrival in Lima
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel to rest before tomorrow’s flight to Cusco.
Trip Map
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2-Week South America Journey — Machu Picchu, Uyuni & Galápagos
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Ancient Empires & Galápagos packs three of South America’s greatest experiences into a 2-week, 15-day journey. Fly from Lima to Cusco, tour the Inca capital and take the scenic train to Machu Picchu. Then fly from Cusco to La Paz for a 3-day 4x4 expedition on the Salar de Uyuni and the flamingo lagoons of the Altiplano, with time to see La Paz’s Valley of the Moon. Finally, fly to Guayaquil and on to the Galápagos to meet giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay, before ending in Quito. It is the fastest way to combine Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
Your 2-week journey at a glance: Machu Picchu in Peru, Uyuni in Bolivia and the Galápagos in Ecuador. Tap any day to see the details.
Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.
Day 1
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel to rest before tomorrow’s flight to Cusco.
Day 2
Fly to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) and rest until the afternoon, when your guide takes you to the Koricancha, the Cathedral and the Inca sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
Day 3
Travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and take the morning train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes. The afternoon is free.
Day 4
Explore Machu Picchu with your guide at the start of the day, then return by train and road to Cusco.
Day 5
Fly over the Andes from Cusco to La Paz (approx. 3,640 m), Bolivia’s seat of government. Rest and acclimatize, then take a gentle walk to Plaza Murillo and the colonial Calle Jaén.
Day 6
Fly to Uyuni and start your 4x4 adventure across the world’s largest salt flat, with the train cemetery, Colchani and Incahuasi Island. Overnight in a salt hotel.
Day 7
A day among volcanoes and colored lagoons where flamingos feed, with the Stone Tree and Laguna Colorada. Night in a simple lodge.
Day 8
Sunrise at the Sol de Mañana geysers, a bath in the Polques hot springs and the drive back to Uyuni.
Day 9
Fly back to La Paz and spend a free afternoon. A short drive from the center, the Valley of the Moon is a maze of eroded clay spires; ride the Mi Teleférico cable cars for views of the city and Illimani.
Day 10
Fly back to Lima and enjoy a free afternoon in the historic center or in Miraflores.
Day 11
Fly from Lima to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and the main gateway to the Galápagos. After the transfer to your hotel, walk along the Malecón 2000, the riverside promenade on the Guayas River, and climb the 444 steps of the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood to the lighthouse on Santa Ana Hill for views over the city.
Day 12
Fly from Guayaquil to Baltra and cross the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz. Stop in the highlands at Rancho Primicias, where giant tortoises wander freely, and explore its lava tunnels before reaching Puerto Ayora.
Day 13
Learn about Galápagos conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station, then walk the paved path to Tortuga Bay, one of the finest beaches in the islands, where marine iguanas rest on the rocks.
Day 14
Fly from Baltra to Quito (approx. 2,850 m) and spend a free afternoon in the colonial old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, around Plaza Grande and the Church of La Compañía.
Day 15
At the agreed time, transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your flight home. End of services.
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Yes. This 15-day journey uses flights to connect them efficiently: three days in Cusco and Machu Picchu, five days in La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni, and three days in the Galápagos, with the last night in Quito.
This version is land-based: you stay in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz and explore the island with guided visits. If you prefer to see more islands from the sea, we can replace the Galápagos days with a 4- or 5-day cruise — just ask for it in the request form and we will quote the upgrade.
Direct flights between Cusco and La Paz operate on some days of the week, depending on the airline’s schedule; otherwise the connection is via Lima. We confirm the best option when we quote your flights.
The 3-day Uyuni expedition runs by 4x4 with a driver-guide. Day 1: the train cemetery, Colchani and the salt flat with Incahuasi Island, night in a salt hotel. Day 2: the flamingo lagoons, the Stone Tree and Laguna Colorada, night in a simple lodge. Day 3: the Sol de Mañana geysers and the Polques hot springs, then back across the Altiplano to Uyuni. All meals and park fees are included.
Every visitor to the Galápagos pays two fees on top of the tour price: the Transit Control Card (TCT), bought at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before your flight, and the Galápagos National Park entrance fee, paid in cash on arrival. At the time of writing the park fee is US$200 per foreign adult and the TCT US$20, but both are set by the Ecuadorian authorities and can change, so please confirm before you travel.
Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) comes first, Machu Picchu (approx. 2,430 m) is lower, and La Paz (approx. 3,640 m) gets a free afternoon before the Uyuni expedition, which reaches approx. 4,900 m at the geysers. Drink plenty of water and consult your doctor before travel.
Entry requirements for Bolivia depend on your nationality: many passports enter visa-free, while others need a tourist visa, which in some cases can be obtained in advance or on arrival. Rules change, so please check with the Bolivian consulate or your government’s travel advice before booking. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. For Peru and Ecuador, most nationalities — including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and the EU — do not need a tourist visa, but please confirm the rules for your passport.
The price depends on the hotel category you choose (Essential 2★, Comfort 3★, Superior 4★ or Deluxe 5★) and on the number of travelers. Open the Rates tab for the current price per person, based on double or twin accommodation. Domestic and international flights, the Galápagos National Park fee and the Transit Control Card are not included.