Origins & Empires: The Galápagos and the Sacred Valley

Your South American adventure begins in Ecuador. Arrive in either the high-altitude Andean capital of Quito or the tropical coastal hub of Guayaquil. Upon arrival, you will be met for a private transfer to your hotel. This first evening is designed for relaxation and acclimation; both cities serve as vibrant gateways to the archipelago. Enjoy a quiet night at your hotel before the expedition officially kicks off tomorrow with our flight to the islands.

Fly to the Galápagos and step aboard the National Geographic Delfina, a sleek and stable 16-guest catamaran designed for intimate exploration. After settling into your air-conditioned cabin, meet the expedition team—naturalists and photo instructors who will be your conduits to the wild for the next week. As the ship gets underway, we begin our immersion into one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth, where the wildlife has no fear of man and every landing offers a new chapter in the story of evolution.

Land at North Seymour to follow coastal trails past nesting frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. The island is a hub of activity, where sea lions pup in the shade of palo santo trees and prehistoric land iguanas roam the brush. This is your first true introduction to the fearlessness of Galápagos wildlife. Spend the afternoon snorkeling in the nutrient-rich central waters, looking for reef sharks, sea turtles, and the first of many colorful schools of fish that define the archipelago’s undersea realm.

Climb the wooden steps to the summit of Bartolomé for the most iconic view in the Galápagos: Pinnacle Rock framed by volcanic craters. Catch a glimpse of the rare Galápagos penguin before heading to Santiago. Here, explore the tide pools of Puerto Egas, where fur seals shelter in grottos of black basalt. The contrast between the stark, lunar-like landscapes and the vibrant life in the grottoes is breathtaking. In the afternoon, kayak or paddleboard along the coast where Darwin once walked, exploring an enchanting coastal forest that teems with shorebirds.

Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, the northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. The sheer scale of this island is evident as we land in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville. This is a day for the giants; look for whales and dolphins in the deeper channels and sea turtles in the coves. Along the wildly eroded volcanic shore, we’ll search for the elusive ocean sunfish. The geology here is a masterclass in volcanic force, with recent flows and massive craters defining the horizon as we navigate the archipelago’s western edge.

Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in the Galápagos, a raw landscape of active volcanism. We land at Punta Espinosa, home to the largest colonies of marine iguanas in the world. Watch these prehistoric ‘dragons’ basking on the obsidian rock or feeding on algae underwater. This is also a stronghold for the flightless cormorant—a bird that evolved to trade its wings for superior diving skills. Hike across recent lava flows that look like frozen black rope, a stark reminder that these islands are still very much in the process of being born.

Española is a bird-watcher’s paradise, home to the world’s only population of waved albatross. Watch their elaborate courtship rituals and see Nazca boobies nesting along the cliffs. Later, we head to Floreana to follow a trail past a pink-tinted lagoon where flamingos often feed. Visit the historic ‘Post Office Bay’ to leave a postcard in the legendary mail barrel, a tradition dating back to the 18th-century whalers. The snorkeling at Champion Islet is a final highlight, offering some of the highest fish diversity in the archipelago.

In Puerto Ayora, we transition to the lush, green highlands of Santa Cruz. This is the realm of the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. Witness these massive, ancient creatures roaming in the wild before visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the critical breeding and conservation programs that saved the species. Spend your final afternoon in the islands exploring the town’s charming galleries or wandering the docks where sea lions and pelicans vie for the catch of the day, reflecting on a week spent in the world’s most legendary laboratory.

Bid farewell to the Delfina as we disembark and fly to Lima, Peru, via Guayaquil. Upon arrival in the ‘City of Kings,’ check into the Belmond Miraflores Park, an ultra-luxury sanctuary set on a wide promenade overlooking the Pacific. After a week in the wild, the sophisticated energy of Lima’s Miraflores district offers a refined change of pace. Take a sunset stroll along the cliffs of the Costa Verde before enjoying a quiet dinner at your leisure in one of the world’s burgeoning culinary capitals.

Explore the World Heritage layers of colonial Lima. Begin at the extraordinary Larco Museum, housing an unparalleled collection of pre-Columbian art set in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion. After strolling the historic Plaza Mayor, we are invited to a private welcome lunch at Casa Aliaga—one of the oldest houses in the Americas, inhabited by the same family since 1535. The afternoon is punctuated by a special musical presentation, providing a cultural bridge between Peru’s ancient roots and its colonial grandeur. This evening, explore Lima’s world-class dining scene on your own.

Board a short scenic flight to Cusco and descend into the heart of the fabled Sacred Valley. Our first stop is Moray, a visually stunning Inca site of circular agricultural terraces that served as a prehistoric laboratory. After a lunch featuring local Andean ingredients and a visit to a traditional market, we check into Sol y Luna—a Relais & Châteaux lodge where individual casitas are nestled in verdant gardens. This is the fertile heart of the Urubamba Valley, where the pace slows to the rhythm of the mountains and the spirits of the Inca remain palpable.

Spend the day exploring the archaeological soul of the Sacred Valley alongside National Geographic expert Peter Frost. Visit the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, a thriving community that has been inhabited since the 13th century. Lunch is a family-style affair at a working hacienda, complete with a presentation of Peruvian Paso horses. We are then joined by Nilda Callañaupa, a NatGeo grantee, who demonstrates the intricate Inca weaving traditions at the Center for Traditional Textiles. This is a day of deep cultural immersion, preparing you for tomorrow’s ascent to the citadel.

Board the train for a dramatic journey along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu, the royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in 1913. Check into the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, a luxury riverside retreat that blends upscale comfort with Andean aesthetics. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the citadel in the company of handpicked guides, gaining an intimate understanding of its masonry and celestial alignment. As the day-trippers depart, experience the profound quiet that settles over the ruins—a moment of pure Andean magic.

Awaken early to return to Machu Picchu for a second, deeper exploration as the morning mist clears from the peaks. Your veteran guides will share the history and far-reaching cultural influence of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the ancient center of the Inca universe. Check into the Belmond Hotel Monasterio, a former monastery founded in 1592. Built atop Inca stones and centered around a magnificent cloistered courtyard, the hotel is a living museum and the perfect base for exploring the heart of the capital.

Explore the layers of Cusco, from the ornate 17th-century Cathedral to the Koricancha—the sacred Inca Temple of the Sun. Just above the city, visit Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls command panoramic views over the red-tiled roofs of Cusco. Spend your final afternoon at leisure, perhaps shopping for high-end alpaca wool or visiting the San Blas artisan quarter. Tonight, celebrate your 16-day journey with a final Andean feast, toast to the islands of evolution and the empire of the clouds.

After a final morning at leisure in Cusco, fly back to Lima to connect with your international flights home. As you look out over the Pacific one last time, you carry with you the perspective of a true explorer—having witnessed the prehistoric wildlife of the Galápagos and the architectural genius of the Inca. Whether you are continuing on to the Amazon or heading home, the memories of this grand expedition across South America’s most storied landscapes will remain permanent.