2024 Relais and Chateaux Peru & Luxury Eclipse Galapagos Cruise

Arrival to Lima and transfer to your hotel the Relais and Chateaux Art B hotel, the first arts-boutique hotel in Lima, a former mansion.

The Relais and Chateaux Art B Hotel

After breakfast, start your private visit of colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs.
In the afternoon, a chance to visit the museo de Pedro de Osma, located in the traditional district of Barranco. The Museum has one of the best painting collections in Peru with pieces dating back to the 16th century. The paintings from well-known artists are on linen cloth, metal, wood, glass and leather. Antique pieces of furniture, silver, sculptures and textiles complete the collection. Don Pedro de Osma Gildemeister laid the foundation of the Museum Pedro de Osma with his personal collection, which includes religious images, portraits and scenery from Peru (Cuzco, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Trujillo and others). Tonight, you will enjoy dinner as honoured guests at the Casa Garcia Alvarado Mansion. We will transfer you by private car to the mansion house where you will be warmly welcomed by the owners. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres served in the drawing room before a short tour of their historical mansion house. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious meal served by the household staff in the company of one of the family members of this old Lima family. Return to your hotel.

Meals: All meals

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. After the one hour flight, reception and private transfer to your private residence, the Casona Inkaterra. This very private colonial mansion only houses 12 suites, all individually decorated. There is a private spa and restaurant for guests only. Check in to your fabulous suite where you will appreciate original frescoes on the wall dating from the 17 century. Your suite will also house a very welcoming fireplace. The huge bathroom will feature heated tiles in the shower compartment, an oversized bathtub and cotton rich towels. Dinner will be at the MAPCAFE restaurant.

Casona Inkaterra Hotel  |   Meals: B & D

Full-day excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Indians barter their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. Lunch at the Huayoccari Hacienda, overlooking the Sacred Valley and which dates back to the seventeenth century. Continue your trip to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. Late afternoon return to your hotel.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast a private transfer to the rail station for the boarding of the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes (please note the Hiram Bingham does not operate on Sundays). This Orient Express train is the most exclusive way to visit Machu Picchu and includes a hearty brunch aboard the train. A private guide will accompany you on your train journey and will be there to answer any questions. Arrival to Aguas Calientes, assistance with your luggage and transfer to your wonderfully located residence, a thoughtfully designed villa located in the heart of a cloud forest, Relais and Chateaux Inkaterra Villa. The villas Machu Picchu comprises a private terrace and plunge pool, overlooking a lush garden with private entrance. You will register in the privacy of your villa and enjoy extended VIP treatment including 24 hour butler service. Each villa suite has an open wood-burning fireplace, plus sitting and dining areas. With tranquil views of the private garden, the expansive marble bathrooms offer indoor and open-air showers, a tub, and a separate commode area. Once you have checked-in, you will board the bus with your guide for the short ride up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel. A private guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture.

Return to your private villa for accommodation and a delicious dinner served in your villa or in the dining room.

Meals: B, L & D

Opportunity to return to the site and enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu or if you prefer, enjoy a good rest and return mid morning. Time for some private reflection. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Either way, your day of self discovery will be a day never to be forgotten. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge restaurant. Return once more to the Inca citadel before enjoying afternoon tea and returning back to Aguas Calientes to board the Hiram Bingham train (please note the Hiram Bingham does not operate on Sundays) in the early evening. Return in style and enjoy cocktails onboard followed by a four course dinner. Arrival to Poroy after 9PM, reception and transfer to Cusco, the ancient city of the Incas. Transfer to your private residence, the Casona.

Casona Inkaterra Hotel  |   Meals: B, L & D

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight back to Lima and your connecting flight to Quito. Arrival and transfer to the Plaza Grande Hotel. Free afternoon at leisure.

Plaza Grande Hotel  |   Meals: B

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and flight to Baltra airport, where you will clear immigration and be met by your guide, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. A motorized dinghy will then transfer you to the M/V Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard.
A visit to North Seymour is a perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Although the island is characterized by arid vegetation, fauna abounds and you will soon find yourself surrounded by sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more.

Meals: B & D

A visit to South Plaza Island which is home to a large opuntia cactus forest, land iguanas and one of the largest sea lion colonies in the central region of the archipelago. You will also be able to see Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and other kinds of sea birds, as well as different types of finches. Continue to Santa Fe where during the hike you will see some of Santa Fe's endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos snake, various finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. Playful sea lions usually join swimmers and kayakers during beach time.

Meals: B, L & D

Pitt Point is located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. You will hike up to a plateau where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is definitely worth the effort. The power hike is followed by kayaking, snorkeling or a dinghy ride.
At Cerro Brujo, in addition to the magnificent scenery, there is wonderful swimming and a dinghy ride at this visitor site. Cerro Brujo's spectacular beach is home to a large colony of sea lions, and it is famous for being the first place in the archipelago that Charles Darwin visited.

Meals: B, L & D

Post Office Bay is home to a unique "post office" inspired by 18th century pirates and buccaneers who used a wooden barrel as an unofficial mailbox. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. The Baroness' Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana.
After snorkeling at Champion Islet, you will visit Cormorant Point, where there is a beautiful lagoon that is home to flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks. A great site for bird-watching.

Meals: B, L & D

Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. We will enter a sheltered cove that is only accessible by dinghy - a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles, rays and herons.
Moreno Point, which is southwest of Elizabeth Bay, is famous for its large population of seabirds. You'll be able to get close to them on a dinghy ride along the cliffs of the island, or on a hike through lava rock that leads to tide pools and mangroves teeming with life. You will also have time for snorkeling.

Meals: B, L & D

On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the extensive efforts underway to preserve the Galapagos Islands. You will also encounter the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands' namesake. After the visit we will transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland to connect for your international flight home.

Meals: B