Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps Plus Machu Picchu

The port of Lima is a vibrant gateway to Peru's rich history and culinary excellence, making it a must-visit destination for travelers. Savor local delicacies like ceviche and explore nearby attractions such as the coastal district of Callao and the breathtaking landscapes of Puno. The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September, when the weather is ideal for exploration.

Cusco is the ancient Inca capital at 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, where massive pre-Columbian stonework supports Spanish colonial churches in a UNESCO World Heritage cityscape. Must-dos include exploring the Plaza de Armas and its cathedral, tasting cuy and alpaca at the San Pedro Market, and visiting Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley. May through October's dry season offers clear skies and the best conditions for trekking and exploration.

Machu Picchu is a fifteenth-century Incan citadel set high in Peru's Andes Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary archaeological and spiritual significance. Visitors should not miss the sunrise panorama from the Sun Gate and a guided exploration of the Intihuatana stone and Temple of the Sun, followed by a journey to Lake Titicaca near Puno. The optimal season to visit is May through September — Peru's dry winter — when clear skies unveil the full drama of the surrounding peaks and cloud forest.

Cusco is the ancient Inca capital at 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, where massive pre-Columbian stonework supports Spanish colonial churches in a UNESCO World Heritage cityscape. Must-dos include exploring the Plaza de Armas and its cathedral, tasting cuy and alpaca at the San Pedro Market, and visiting Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley. May through October's dry season offers clear skies and the best conditions for trekking and exploration.

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its colonial architecture and rich history. Visitors must savor local dishes like locro de papa and hornado while exploring vibrant markets. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is ideal for discovering nearby attractions like Isabela Island and Cajas National Park.

The Galápagos Islands remain the ultimate destination for those who believe travel can still deliver genuine wonder: a volcanic archipelago one thousand kilometres off the Ecuadorian coast where evolution proceeded in isolation, producing wildlife of astonishing tameness and diversity that shaped Darwin's theory of natural selection. Blue-footed boobies perform courtship dances unperturbed by observers; giant tortoises lumber through highland mist; marine iguanas bask on black lava like prehistoric sentinels. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled within the UNESCO-protected reserve. The cool, nutrient-rich Garúa season (June–November) and the warm season (December–May) each offer distinct wildlife spectacles.

San Cristóbal Island, a historic gateway to the Galápagos, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich culture. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like ceviche de mero and visiting the stunning Las Tintoreras Islet. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to November, when the weather is cooler and wildlife is particularly active.

Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest geological formations in the Galápagos archipelago, renowned for its endemic land iguanas, towering giant prickly pear cacti, and a sheltered bay teeming with sea lions. A wet landing and nature trail through the cactus forest ranks among the most memorable wildlife encounters in the islands, best experienced during the warm season from December to May when seas are calmer and snorkelling visibility peaks. HX Expeditions and Tauck offer expertly guided itineraries that include this uninhabited gem.

Santa Cruz Island, a key destination in the Galápagos archipelago, is celebrated for its rich history and vibrant port town of Puerto Ayora. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes such as ceviche de mero and exploring nearby attractions like Isabela Island and Las Tintoreras Islet. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to November when wildlife viewing is particularly rewarding.

The Galápagos Islands remain the ultimate destination for those who believe travel can still deliver genuine wonder: a volcanic archipelago one thousand kilometres off the Ecuadorian coast where evolution proceeded in isolation, producing wildlife of astonishing tameness and diversity that shaped Darwin's theory of natural selection. Blue-footed boobies perform courtship dances unperturbed by observers; giant tortoises lumber through highland mist; marine iguanas bask on black lava like prehistoric sentinels. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled within the UNESCO-protected reserve. The cool, nutrient-rich Garúa season (June–November) and the warm season (December–May) each offer distinct wildlife spectacles.

Eden is a small Australian town on the Sapphire Coast famous for its extraordinary history of orca-whalers cooperation, preserved in the Killer Whale Museum with Old Tom's skeleton as its centerpiece. Visit from October through April for humpback whale watching, pristine coastal wilderness in Ben Boyd National Park, and some of Australia's finest oysters and seafood.

Ecuador's largest city and Pacific gateway, Guayaquil has reinvented its historic waterfront with the celebrated Malecón 2000, a sweeping riverside promenade where museums, gardens, and spectacular views of the Guayas River coexist with the energy of a genuinely ambitious city. The historic Las Peñas neighbourhood, its painted wooden houses climbing a hillside crowned by the Cerro Santa Ana lighthouse, offers the most atmospheric corner of the old city. As the embarkation point for most Galápagos expeditions, Guayaquil rewards a day or two of exploration before the archipelago's more famous wonders. The dry season — May through December — is the preferred window for visiting the coast.