Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Peru - Ecuador
100% customisable for you
Your South American adventure begins with an overnight flight to Lima, a twelve-and-a-half-hour journey from the UK. Head to the airport, breeze through security and settle in for the journey ahead – whether you spend the flight watching films, attempting sleep or planning your first ceviche order, Peru awaits on the other side of the Atlantic.
Touch down in Peru’s lively capital the following morning, where you’ll be met and privately transferred to your hotel in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods. You’ll be staying here for the next two nights, close to the Pacific coastline, leafy parks and some seriously good restaurants.
After checking in, ease into the city’s rhythm however you like. You could spend the afternoon visiting the Huaca Pucllana ruins or simply finding a sunny terrace for your first pisco sour.
Today, discover Lima’s most characterful neighbourhood alongside a private guide. Once a fashionable seaside resort for the wealthy, Barranco is now the city’s creative heart, filled with colourful mansions, independent galleries, coffee shops and live music venues.
Stroll across the famous Bridge of Sighs, browse local artisan stories and hop aboard the old tram as your guide shares stories about the district’s artistic past and present. There’s no rigid route – the day flows according to your interests, whether that means hunting down the best street art or lingering over coffee in a tucked-away courtyard.
Later, continue exploring at your own pace. The Feria de Barranco is well worth a browse for locally made crafts, clothing and street food, while evening concerts spill music into the streets long after sunset.
Swap city streets for rainforest this morning as you board the one-hour-and-45-minute flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. From here, a 20-minute boat journey along the Madre de Dios River brings you to your jungle lodge, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.
Once settled in, head out on a guided nature walk for your first taste of the Amazon. Keep your eyes peeled – wildlife sightings begin surprisingly quickly here, with bright parrots flashing overhead, monkeys rustling in the trees and sly caimans watching from the riverbank.
Today is all about immersing yourself in the Amazon rainforest. Begin with a boat ride and guided walk through the Tambopata National Reserve before reaching Lake Sandoval, where canoes allow you to glide quietly across the water in search of wildlife.
After lunch back at the lodge, head up to the canopy for a walk. Suspension bridges and viewing towers high among the treetops reveal the rainforest from above, with sweeping views across the jungle everywhere you like. It’s thrilling and slightly surreal – what better way to get acquainted with the Amazon?
Another day, another side of the Amazon. This morning, visit a local chacra (farm) to learn about traditional farming techniques and the medicinal plants used by communities living in the rainforest.
Later, head out by canoe again to explore the lagoon at Hacienda Concepcion, where birdlife flourishes among the reeds and waterways. One of the more unusual residents here is the hoatzin, a prehistoric-looking bird with a spiky crest and a talent for standing out.
As darkness falls, the jungle changes character entirely. From specially designed observation hides, watch as nocturnal wildlife emerges – the sounds alone are enough to remind you that the rainforest never really sleeps.
Leave the jungle behind today with a 45-minute flight to Cusco, followed by a scenic hour-and-a-half transfer into the Sacred Valley. As you drive, the landscape changes dramatically as rainforest gives way to mountain peaks, terraced hillsides and traditional Andean villages.
Your base for the next two nights is a charming lodge near Urubamba. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to unwind and acclimatise to the altitude. Wander through Urubamba’s lively market, sip coca tea in the garden or simply sit back and admire the scenery.
Today, set out to explore some of the Sacred Valley’s most fascinating sites alongside a private guide. Begin at the hilltop ruins of Pisac, where ancient agricultural terraces tumble down the mountainside overlooking the valley below.
Back in the main village of Pisac, two markets are in full swing – one selling food, the other handicrafts. Local communities arrive dressed in traditional clothing to sell textiles, ceramics and produce, creating some of the liveliest scenes in the region.
Later, continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca settlements in Peru. Its vast stone terraces and fortress walls still dominate the valley, while narrow cobbled streets reveal traces of daily Inca life that somehow survived centuries of change.
This morning, board the train at Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes, a scenic journey of around 90 minutes through dazzling mountain scenery. Along the way, watch as the Urubamba River twists alongside the tracks and cloud forest begins to replace the drier valley landscapes.
Aguas Calientes itself is more functional than beautiful, but its location beneath Machu Picchu more than makes up for it. After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon relaxing before tomorrow’s big adventure.
You may want an early night tonight – sunrise at Machu Picchu waits for no one.
Some places really do live up to their name, and Machu Picchu, one of the legendary Seven Wonders of the World, is one of them.
Rise early this morning for a guided visit to the legendary Inca citadel, perched dramatically among mist-covered peaks high above the valley. As the clouds lift and the sprawling terraces slowly appear, it’s easy to understand why this is on so many travel bucket lists.
Your private guide brings the site to life, explaining the extraordinary engineering, spiritual significance and history behind the stone temples and terraces. Afterwards, adventurous travellers can tackle the two-and-a-half-hour climb up Huayna Picchu, the towering peak that backdrops Machu Picchu. It’s a steep hike, but once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views back over the ruins.
Later this afternoon, return by train to Cusco, where you’ll check into your hotel in the artistic San Blas district for the next two nights.
Spend today exploring Cusco with your private guide. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, the city layers Inca foundations beneath Spanish colonial churches and grand plazas, creating one of South America’s most fascinating historic centres.
Visit the Plaza de Armas, admire the cathedral and wander through San Blas, where narrow streets are lined with workshops, galleries and hidden courtyards. Your guide will also point out surviving Inca stonework throughout the city – some of it so perfectly fitted that not even a blade of grass can slide between the stones.
If you’re still raring to go, the nearby Sacsayhuaman citadel is well worth the climb. Its enormous zigzagging walls remain one of the great feats of Inca engineering, offering sweeping views over Cusco below.
Today, say goodbye to Peru and hello to Ecuador as you head to the airport for the flight to Quito, the country’s capital. With a quick stopover, the journey will take around six hours in total, touching down this afternoon.
When you arrive, a private transfer will whisk you to your hotel in the lively Mariscal district, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Quito sits at around 9,350ft above sea level beneath the slopes of the Guagua Pichincha volcano, so take things easy this afternoon while you acclimatise to the altitude. Come evening, enjoy dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants – the perfect introduction to Ecuadorian cuisine.
It’s time to explore Quito. After breakfast, meet a local guide for a private tour of the city – they’ll tailor the experience to your interests, revealing hidden corners and everyday rhythms that visitors often miss.
Quito combines colonial architecture with lively markets, modern cafes and dramatic mountain views stretching in almost every direction. You might browse colourful food stalls, duck into hidden courtyards, discover independent galleries or stop for coffee in tucked-away neighbourhood spots.
Of course, the city’s grand colonial landmarks still make appearances too, from ornate churches to lively plazas framed by volcanic peaks. Along the way, your guide will share insights into daily life in Ecuador and the stories behind the city’s constantly shifting character.
This morning, fly two hours west to the Galapagos Islands. After landing, you’ll be privately transferred by boat and car to Santa Cruz Island, where you’ll check in for three nights in Puerto Ayora.
The Galapagos Islands can feel strangely familiar, despite being unlike anywhere else on Earth – perhaps because so many nature documentaries begin here. Keep an eye out for sea lions lounging beside fishing boats, marine iguanas sprawling across volcanic rocks and frigatebirds circling overhead.
After settling in, spend the afternoon wandering along Charles Darwin Avenue or visiting the famous Charles Darwin Research Station nearby.
Today, venture to Floreana Island, one of the smallest and most mysterious islands in the archipelago. Rich in pirate legends, strange disappearances and eccentric settlers, it has a history almost as fascinating as its wildlife.
Begin at Loberia, home to sea lions, turtles and marine iguanas, before continuing to Asilo de la Paz, where caves once sheltered pirates and early inhabitants. Later, snorkel at Playa Negra and around Devil’s Crown, watching as rays, turtles and colourful tropical fish drift through the clear waters.
We’ve left today free for you to explore Santa Cruz at your own pace. If you’re after a sun-soaked spot, head to Tortuga Bay, where white sand beaches meet turquoise water and marine iguanas bask lazily along the shore.
You could also take the short boat ride to Las Grietas, a saltwater canal perfect for swimming and snorkelling between volcanic cliffs. The water here is astonishingly clear – ideal for spotting fish gliding beneath the surface.
Travelling with a wildlife enthusiast? Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the conservation work protecting the islands’ extraordinary ecosystems.
If you like, we can also arrange a tour of Seymour Island, a small volcanic island home to unusual flora and fauna.
This morning, travel just under three hours by boat to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos. After checking into your beachfront hotel in Puerto Villamil, spend the afternoon discovering the island alongside a local guide.
Today’s tour unfolds organically according to your interests, the weather and your guide’s expert recommendations. You might stumble across hidden snorkelling spots, stop for fresh seafood beside the beach or hear fascinating stories about life on one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands.
One thing’s for sure, though: there will almost certainly be sea lions involved somewhere along the way.
Today’s boat excursion is all about exploring the lava landscapes around Cabo Rosa. Formed when volcanic lava met the sea and cooled suddenly, the tunnels and rock formations create one of the Galapagos’ most striking coastal environments.
As if that wasn’t enough, birdlife thrives here, too. Blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and masked boobies all gather with sea lions among the rocks, while beneath the surface, snorkelling reveals another world entirely.
If you’re feeling up to it, there’s also the option to hike around the Sierra Negra volcanoes.
Sadly, the adventure comes to an end today. This morning, transfer to Baltra Airport for your international overnight flight home. With a few quick connections, the journey will take around 20 hours, touching down in the UK the next day.
As you settle back into your seat and scroll through (approximately) several thousand wildlife photos, expect memories of misty mountains, rainforest sounds and sea lions on park benches to keep replaying long after you land.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
