Amazon, Machu Picchu &

Galapagos

Family adventure to Peru & Ecuador

Family adventure - Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos

Landing in Lima, you’ll have a overnight quick stop at the beautiful Hotel B before flying to Puerto Maldonado to head into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. One of the most remote lodges in South America, and pristine location means that it has some of the best wildlife to see that the Amazon jungle has to offer – be it monkeys, birds, insects, jaguar, peccary, capybara, caiman and more! A children’s trail to explore, the campfire and the connection of children with the environment will leave lasting memories for the whole family.

Continue the journey flying to Cusco with a couple of nights to rest and recuperate as well as explore the cobbled streets of Cusco itself, before heading out into the Sacred Valley on the Lares Adventure. Explore Pisaq, Inca sites and villages, hike among authentic Inca trails, interact with and learn about the heritage and day to day activities of the local Huacahuasi community, explore the area on mountain bike, discover ancient sites such as Ollantaytambo, embark on a scenic train ride, and explore the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.

One more night has you back in Quito, then in Lima, before a memorable experience in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador onboard the Letty on a 7-night itinerary sailing among the Galapagos archipelago. Enjoy small group guided excursions and close-up wildlife encounters engaging in various activities such as nature walks, wildlife photography, bird watching, snorkeling, zodiac rides, whale watching (seasonal) and stargazing. Furthermore, young and young at heart can swim, snorkel, kayak and enjoy marine life such as seals and sharks as well as land based creatures such as flamingos, blue footed boobies, giant tortoises and more!

Round off the journey with a final night in Guayaquil and you’ll all leave as ‘happy campers!’

You will love

  • Memorable wildlife encounters
  • Sailing through the Galapagos
  • Cultural experiences in Peru
  • Activities for all ages

23 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

PLEASE NOTE:

This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.

DAY 1 | LIMA

Arrive to Peru and check into your accommodation at Hotel B.

DAY 2 | AMAZON

Fly to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival re-organize your bags to take only necessary items to the lodge. Transfer to the port and make your way by boat to the lodge. Check in and enjoy dinner and rest this evening.

DAY 3 | AMAZON

The ‘a la carte’ list of activities will be explained to you and you can head out with your guide to explore the Amazon – perhaps look for parrot clay licks, do the money search, mammal clay lick walk searching for animals such as deer to guans to parakeets. This evening you can enjoy a night time walk or a lecture at the lodge.

DAY 4 | AMAZON

Enjoy more of the ‘a la carte’ activities such as for kids, the ‘circle of fire’ the ‘rainforest tattoo’ or the ‘children’s trail’. You might wish to climb the canopy tower or do a jungle farm visit.

DAY 5 | AMAZON

A further day allows to explore all that the Amazon has to offer – maybe do the overlook trail, the medicinal plants trail, head to Oxbow Lake where you may even see a caiman, or do the Palm Swamp trail and learn about the flora along with potentially spotting macaws, monkeys, snakes and more.

DAY 6 | CUSCO

Return back to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Cusco. Check into your accommodation at El Mercado, arriving late afternoon and the evening is at leisure.

DAY 7 | CUSCO

Head out for a half day city tour of Cusco. The afternoon and evening are at leisure for you to people watch, walk about or even to rest

DAY 8 | SACRED VALLEY

Depart early from Cusco to commence your four-night Lares Adventure. Visit the market at Pisaq. Arrive to Viacha and learn about its unique farming practices. Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca for lunch, then explore the archaeological complex at Pisaq.

DAY 9 | SACRED VALLEY

Venture deeper into the Lares region passing by remote archaeological site. After lunch elect to visit a traditional weaver’s village or take a scenic drive/hike to the remote village of Huacahuasi.

DAY 10 | SACRED VALLEY

This morning learn about the heritage and day-to-day activities of the Huacahuasi community. Then either head out on a hike to Ollantaytambo or to the local community of Totra. If you don’t want to walk, drive to the ethnographic museum or explore the valley by mountain bike. After lunch at the Urubamba River countryside, make your way to Ollantaytambo.

DAY 11 | SACRED VALLEY

Rise early to visit the Incan ruins at Ollantaytambo. Then take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town before the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

DAY 12 | CUSCO

At dawn, make your way up to Machu Picchu by bus and watch the sun rise. Explore with your guide and if time allows/permits are available, hike Huayna Picchu. Enjoy lunch back in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco in the afternoon/early evening by train and private coach, checking into El Mercado for one more night.

DAY 13 | LIMA

Check out of your accommodation before lunch and fly to Lima, checking into the Casa Republica. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

DAY 14 | QUITO

This morning with your guide, explore the highlights of Lima, before transferring to the airport to fly to Quito. Arrive late this evening and stay at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, located right across the road from the airport.

DAY 15 | GALAPAGOS

Fly to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos and after a bus and zodiac ride, board your boat, the MV Origina for your 7 night Southern and Central Route itinerary. Enjoy lunch and safety drill, choose your snorkel equipment and return to San Cristobal to explore the caldera of El Junco, an extinct volcano. This evening enjoy a welcome cocktail reception with your Captain and crew, and get to know other guests on board.

DAY 16 | GALAPAGOS

Start the day with a zodiac ride to look for wildlife at Cerro Brujo, or Wizard Hill, looking out for birds such as brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and more. Enjoy time at the beach to swim, stand up paddle board or swim with sea-lions, then after a bbq lunch on the sun deck, head ashore at Punta Pitt for a hike to search for all three species of boobies. At Pitt Rock you can snorkel with sea lions and colourful fish. Return to the yacht for dinner and to rest, read guide books or to look out at the stars in the sky.

DAY 17 | GALAPAGOS

Arrive to Punta Suarez on Espanola Island and see endemic species such as the waved albatross. Watch out for marine iguanas sunbathing on the dark rocks. Walk to the dramatic blow-hole and see the colurful sally light-foot crabs along with Darwin’s finches, red-billed tropicbirds, Galapagos hawks and more. After a bbq lunch back on board and a demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche, you can choose to snorkel at Tortuga Rock and explore the caves covered with invertebrates. Disembark at Gardner Bay to admire the colonies of sea lions, and swim, snorkel, stand-up paddleboard or sunbathe. Return to the yacht for a briefing and for dinner.

DAY 18 | GALAPAGOS

Step ashore at Punta Cormoran’ts beach with the sounds of sea lions, lava herons and blue-footed boobies as you walk around Floreana (Charles) Island. Arrive to a brackish lagoon to see Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flycatchers and bright pink flamingoes. The trail leads to a beach where sea turtles lay their eggs and sting rays swim in the shallow water. Snorkel at Devil’s Crown or Champion Islet where pass by colourful fish, white-tipped sharks, sea-turtles spotted eagle rays and sea stars. After lunch back on the boat, stop at Floreana/Post Office Bay to put a letter in the box and to see if you can find one from someone who lives near you to hand-deliver. Head out to Baroness Point to look out for sea turtles and rays. Enjoy dinner on board and a pirate themed party this evening.

DAY 19 | GALAPAGOS

Disembark this morning at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and travel by bus to see the lava tunnels at El Mirador and Los Gemelos, a pair of massive craters. Visit a privately owned ranch where tortoises roam free. Enjoy lunch back on board the yacht, then this afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Explore Puerto Ayora town, home to 24,000 people and either have dinner back on board the boat, or in town if you prefer.

DAY 20 | GALAPAGOS

Wake in solitude again this morning and either hike around Bartolome Island ending with a panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock, or enjoy a zodiac ride around the island looking for penguins. Wade in from the beach and snorkel with schools or tropical fish, white-tipped reef sharks or Galapagos Penguins. After a bbq lunch head out for a zodiac excursion at Caleta Tortuga Negra through a series of coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves. A multi-course dinner is enjoyed again back onboard.

DAY 21 | GALAPAGOS

Start out at South Plazas and look out for birds such as swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, small ground finches and red-billed tropic birds. Look out for bachelor sea lions and you’ll have the opportunity to see land iguanas up close, During lunch sail to North Seymour Island and admire the frigate birds, then have a final opportunity to snorkel in deeper water looking for sharks, sea lions, starfish and a variety of tropical fish. Enjoy a champagne toast back on board with your Captain to celebrate a wonderful week, along with a farewell party, and instructions for disembarkation tomorrow.

DAY 22 | GUAYAQUIL

Disembark the yacht after breakfast and visit the interpretation centre on San Cristobal to discover more about the human history of the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy some last minute photos before transferring to the airport, then flying to Guayaquil on the mainland. Check into the Wyndham Hotel and the evening is at leisure.

DAY 23 | END OF ARRANGEMENTS

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and your itinerary comes to an end.

ACCOMMODATION

A handpicked selection

Hotel B – Lima

Hotel B has the feeling of a restored Grand Dame with a cheeky twist, integrating vintage and designer furniture with a unique art collection. This exquisite hotel caters for those looking for a luxurious Lima experience along with artistically-keen explorers interested in immersing themselves in Barranco’s art and culture scenes. Read More

Tambopata Research Centre – Amazon

Tambopata Research Centre is one of the most remote rainforest lodges in South America. Sightings of monkeys, macaws and other large species are frequent, and jaguars are also sometimes seen. Whilst accommodation is fairly basic, the Tambopata Research Centre is an excellent place for in depth explorations into the Amazon. Read More

El Mercardo

In the heart of Cusco, stay at El Mercardo in one of its 32 rooms offering the best of colonial and contemporary architecture and with all the latest comforts. Look beyond the walls of the hotel and reminisce on the farmers marketplace that the property formerly was part of, and head out to explore Cusco's vibrant main square, vibrant temples, cobblestone streets and more during your stay here. Read More

Peru’s Lares Adventure

This 5 or 7 day lodge-to-lodge hike to Machu Picchu explores of the astounding natural scenery of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and provides an intimate look at Andean culture, both in busy towns and in the most-remote of mountain hamlets. Read more

Casa Gangotena – Quito

Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel sits within a carefully restored historic mansion overlooking the historic Plaza San Francisco. It offers 31 rooms decorated with eye-catching style and contemporary design. Sophisticated and eclectic Casa Gangotena retains all its historic charm with a sense of contemporary chic. Read More

M/Y Letty

A superior first-class yacht with a maximum of 20 guests, and 10 guests per guide on excursion, head out to explore the Galapagos Islands onboard the M/Y Letty. All cabins offer outside views, snorkel and kayak gear is included and throughout the journey get up and close wildlife encounters and enjoy activities such as kayaking, nature walks, snorkelling, whale watching (seasonal), stargazing and more. Read more

Hotel Del Parque – Guayaquil

Housed in a in a lovingly restored 19th century property, Hotel del Parque is characterful yet elegant, nestled in a tropical garden oasis where you will wake each morning to the sounds of parrots and spider monkeys. Enjoy the garden of orchids, tram lines through the grounds and an insight into the area's history. Read More

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

Andrew & Pip Stevens

If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

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Di & Kingsley Yates

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing.  We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

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