Galápagos with National Geographic + Peru's Land of the Inca

Arrive in Lima, meet your guide and transfer to Belmond Miraflores Park, where you'll spend two nights. Set on a green promenade overlooking the Pacific in fashionable Miraflores, this much-loved hotel is the perfect base to explore.

Arrival Time: Anytime after 12:00 p.m.
Arrival City: Lima, Peru

After breakfast, explore World Heritage-designated colonial Lima. Visit the extraordinary Larco Museum, dedicated to pre-Columbian art. Then stroll the Plaza Mayor and delight in a private welcome lunch with a special musical presentation at Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima. Tonight, dinner is on your own to sample Lima’s amazing award-winning fare.

Begin your day with breakfast, then board a short scenic flight to Cusco this morning and continue to Moray—a visually stunning Inca site with dramatic agricultural terraces in the heart of the fabled and fertile Urubamba Valley. After lunch, check into your hotel: Sol y Luna, an independently owned Relais & Châteaux property, where you'll stay in individual casitas set in verdant gardens. Unwind with dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then spend the day exploring the archaeological sites and culture of the Sacred Valley in the company of National Geographic expert Peter Frost, who has lived and worked in Peru for decades. He or a colleague will join you for a talk at the hotel and a visit to the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, set above a thriving Inca community. Lunch is at a working, family-owned hacienda, where you'll be treated to a show of Peruvian Paso horses, and National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa, founder of El Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco, demonstrates Inca weaving traditions. Dinner is at the hotel. Don't forget to pack your duffel bag (bags will be provided) for your 2-day trip to Machu Picchu.

Start your day with breakfast and get ready to discover marvelous Machu Picchu. Marvel at the dramatic scenery and life along the river during your morning journey by train to this legendary Inca royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. Check into the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, a luxury riverside retreat that blends Andean culture with upscale comfort. Over the next two days you will explore Machu Picchu in the company of your handpicked tour director and local guides. Enjoy lunch in town and dinner at hotel.

Awaken this morning and return to Machu Picchu, where you’ll explore with your guides. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the center of the Inca universe, a burgeoning cultural capital and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Check in at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for two nights. Occupying a monastery founded in 1592, the hotel—like much of colonial Cusco—is built atop Inca stones. Enjoy dinner amid this atmospheric setting.

Explore the ornate 17th-century cathedral, the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun and other treasures of Cusco. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls—the most impressive yet—command views over the city. Relax, shop or visit one of Cusco's many churches and museums this afternoon. Breakfast and lunch are at the hotel, while dinner is on your own tonight.

After breakfast and a final morning at leisure, say goodbye to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima, connecting to flights home. Depending on your flight schedule, optional rooms at the Wyndham Grand Lima Airport Hotel are available, or join the Upper Amazon Expedition aboard Delfin II.

Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Lima, Peru

Awaken this morning at Machu Picchu, where options include an early hike to the Sun Gate, the ancient final checkpoint to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the center of the Inca universe and a burgeoning cultural capital. Check-in at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for two nights. Occupying a monastery founded in 1592, our hotel—like much of colonial Cusco—is built atop Inca stones.(B,L,D)

Explore the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral, sacred Inca Temple of the Sun, and other treasures of Cusco. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls, the most impressive yet, command views over the city. Relax, shop, or visit one of Cusco’s many churches and museums this afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B,L)

After breakfast and a final morning at leisure, say goodbye to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima. (B,L)

Itineraries are subject to change.

Vessel Type: Expedition Ship

Length: 73 metres

Passenger Capacity: 96 guests (in 53 outside cabins)

Built: 2005; Newly Launched: 2016

Purpose-built for expedition travel, National Geographic Endeavour II is a nimble and elegant vessel, perfectly suited for exploring the Galápagos Islands. Accommodating just 96 guests, she offers a relaxed yet immersive experience, with spacious public areas, large windows throughout, and an expansive open-air observation deck ideal for wildlife spotting and stargazing. Her shallow draught allows close access to remote coastlines, creating extraordinary opportunities for up-close discovery.

Aboard Endeavour II, guests enjoy a blend of comfort and adventure. The ship carries a fleet of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Zodiacs, and a glass-bottom boat, along with exploration tools like underwater cameras and a video microscope. Public spaces include a lounge and bar for evening Recaps, a library, and an “open bridge” where visitors can observe navigation and chat with the crew. Dining is sociable and unpretentious, with Ecuadorian flavours and options to eat outdoors when weather permits. Whether travelling solo, with family, or as a group, Endeavour II offers an unforgettable basecamp in the enchanted isles.

Vessel Type: Small Ship

Passenger Capacity: 48

National Geographic Gemini is the newest addition to the Lindblad Expeditions Galápagos fleet, designed to offer an immersive and authentic small-ship experience. Built with a shallow draught and exceptional manoeuvrability, she is purpose-designed for navigating the remote shores and vibrant marine life of the Galápagos Islands. With space for only 48 guests in 28 well-appointed cabins—including balcony suites, doubles, triples, and solo options—Gemini blends intimacy with comfort, and benefits from decades of Lindblad’s deep connections with local conservationists and communities.

Life on board Gemini is designed to maximise exploration and engagement. She carries a full complement of adventure gear, including fast-deploying Mark VI Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, a glass-bottom boat, and snorkelling equipment with shortie wetsuits. Guests can unwind on the Upper Deck with a hot tub and a windowed fitness centre and spa, or enjoy dining in the outdoor café or Marina Deck restaurant, both featuring open seating. Presentations and Recaps take place in the panoramic lounge, which also houses a bar, reception area, and well-stocked library—providing the perfect setting to reflect on each day’s discoveries.

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition

Length: 49 metres

Passenger Capacity: 48 guests (in 26 cabins)

Sleek, elegant, and purpose-built for exploration, National Geographic Islander II redefines expedition travel in the Galápagos Islands. With space for just 48 guests in 26 beautifully appointed cabins and suites, this refined vessel offers the atmosphere of a private yacht paired with the immersive spirit of an expedition. A 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio ensures personalised service, while amenities such as teak decks, a climate-controlled marina, a dedicated Science Hub, and expansive observation areas provide comfort and connection to the surroundings at every turn.

Sailing year-round in the Galápagos, Islander II features a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat, alongside full snorkelling gear and scientific equipment including a video microscope. Ecuadorian staff, regionally inspired cuisine, and artisan spa elements ensure an authentic and culturally rich onboard experience. Public spaces like The Cove lounge, the Global Gallery, a plunge pool, and indoor-outdoor dining areas further enhance life at sea. Whether relaxing on the teak viewing deck or learning from naturalists during Recap, guests are immersed in the unique landscapes, wildlife, and culture of Ecuador’s enchanted isles.