INCA TRAIL & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Day 1
The group flights leave London this evening.

Day 2
The group flights arrive in Cuzco this morning. Those on the group flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the start hotel. The afternoon has been left free for relaxation after the long flight.

Day 3
Today has been left free day for acclimatisation. There will the option to take a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Pisac ruins (which can also be combined with a visit to the Rainbow Centre - see Responsible Tourism section below), or a river-rafting trip (Grade III) can be arranged on the Urubamba River (river conditions vary throughout the season).

Day 4
Transfer by bus to trailhead at Piscacucho, on the Vilcanota River. Hike along the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive snowcapped Nevado Veronica through cactus gardens and fields of corn to the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, then continue up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba.

Day 5
This is the longest and most strenuous day. A long climb takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) pass, at 4,234m the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic valley of the Pacamayo river (3600m).

Day 6
Another easier climb, past the ruins of Runquracay, takes us over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter rainforest; the Trail passes at one point through an Inca tunnel. We camp on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (4000m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise.

Day 7
From the ridge we start on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayña, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Inca Gate of the Sun. From here we get our sudden first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Pichu rising behind. Passing around the ruins, we descend to the river and camp at Puente Ruinas for a well-earned rest, dinner, and possibility of a shower. For those who would prefer to stay in a hotel tonight in the nearby village of Aguas Calientes, this can usually be arranged locally for a supplement - please speak to your leader early in the tour.

Day 8
We return early to the citadel for a tour of the ruins at their quietest and most evocative (before the day trippers arrive from Cuzco). After free time to explore individually, we then board the train in the afternoon (though its timings are somewhat erratic and the journey may be partly in the dark). The ride follows the rapids of the Urubamba River, enters the Sacred Valley, then climbs onto the altiplano to Cuzco.

Day 9
Today has been left free for relaxation, further exploration of Cuzco or for optional excursions in and around the city.

Day 10
We return to Lima in the morning and have the rest of the day free for shopping and sightseeing, including an optional visit to the Gold Museum.

Day 11
This morning we fly to Quito where we will enjoy a tour of the modern and colonial city. One of the smaller and more attractive of the capitals of South America; at 2,850m in the western cordillera of the Andes, Quito is the second highest capital in the world, and it is a good idea not to do anything too strenuous!

Day 12
We return to Quito airport for the flight to Galapagos and the island of Baltra via Guayaquil. Our luggage will be taken to the boat, whilst we will take a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island where we drive to the highlands to look for wild tortoises. We follow this with a visit to the Charles Darwin Centre, where we can learn about the ecology of the islands and visit the centre's turtle hatchery. After this visit, we board the boat at Puerto Ayora, the island's main town. As we won't see our luggage after landing on Baltra until this evening, please make sure that you bring your camera, sun cream and appropriate clothing: comfortable footwear for some short walks (possibly amongst grass), light clothes, a hat/cap and a light waterproof in case of a shower or mist.

Day 13
Our Galapagos Cruise alternates between two itineraries and so for the next seven days, your specific itinerary in the Galapagos depends on the departure date of the trip (please ask your sales consultant if unsure). Itinerary A: Walk on the tiny Plazas Islands to see a cactus forest, land iguanas and seabirds, then cruise to the white sand beaches of Santa Fe . Itinerary B: A short walk on the tiny island of Chinese Hat before snorkelling with sea lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark red beach of Isla Rabida to walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

Day 14
Itinerary A: A day at San Cristobal Island: the white sand beach, Blue-footed boobys and old cone of Cerro Brujo, giant tortoise at Galapaguera and crystal clear waters around the striking spear of Kicker Rock. Itinerary B: We start three days exploring the largest island of Isabela with an exploration of the mangroves at Los Tintoreras and walk to the huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra volcano.

Day 15
Itinerary A: Swim with sea lions and marine iguanas at the paradisiacal beach at Gardener Bay on Espanola (Hood) Island. In the afternoon, walk amongst Nazca and Blue-footed boobies and nesting Waved albatross (in season) next to pounding surf at Punta Suarez. Itinerary B: Cruising round Isabela's west side, we're likely to see whales and dolphins. We land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava flows and also explore the islets of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos.

Day 16
Itinerary A: At Floreana Island snorkel in the spectacular sunken crater of Devil's Crown amongst thousands of fish. We wil then visit the lagoon at Punta Cormorant (often with flamingos) and Post Office Bay, the mailbox used by 18th Century whalers. Itinerary B: In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres and we walk here amongst exposed coral heads, wandering giant tortoises and huge land iguanas. We'll then make an afternoon visit to Tagus Cove and Darwin Lake, directly opposite recently active Fernandina Volcano.

Day 17
Itinerary A: To Dragon Hill, a nesting site for land iguanas with a large lagoon; dramatic Sullivan Bay with a walk on a huge lava flow only 100 years old before swimming from the white-sand beach in crystal clear waters. Itinerary B: Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst of a huge colony of Marine iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and supports a large sea lion and fur seal colony. We then cross the straights and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela.

Day 18
Itinerary A: Less-visited Genovesa (also called Tower) Island is home to an abundance of Red-footed boobies, Fur seals, Storm petrels and Short-eared Owls. Here, we look for tropicbirds at Prince William Steps before snorkelling, whilst at Darwin Bay, Galapagos mockingbirds also await. Itinerary B: Excellent birding on Santiago (James) Island at Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon snorkel and a walk amongst incredible volcanic scenery up little Bartolome Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle Rock.

Day 19
Itinerary A: We explore the mangroves of Turtle Cove at dawn watching marine turtles rising for air; rays and herons fishing from the trees. Itinerary B: An early morning walk on North Seymour amidst Palo Santo trees and Blue-footed booby colonies. Both itineraries: After a late breakfast we disembark for the journey back to Baltra to transfer to the airport and the flight back to the mainland. A short stop at Guayaquil is followed by what is often an exciting flight over the volcanoes of the Andes to Quito.

Day 20
Those on group flights will be transferred to the airport for the return journey to London via Madrid.

Day 21
The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.