We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards
Through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
In 1911 American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the stone terraces of Machu Picchu on an expedition sponsored by Yale University and the National Geographic Society. Follow in his footsteps. Explore this archaeological wonder for yourself. See daybreak from the Sun Gate. Descend into the city to walk through the ruins. And discover so much more in the land of the Inca: Ollantaytambo, the vast Sacsayhuamán Fortress, and Cusco, the oldest inhabited city in the Americas, with a rich heritage of Pre-Inca, Inca, colonial, and Republican cultures.
Soak in the scenery and culture of the Sacred Valley of the Inca
Journey between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu by Inca Rail
Remain into the late afternoon at fabled Machu Picchu, introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine
Spend a full day exploring the fabled Machu Picchu archaeological site with hand-picked guides
Discover the cobbled lanes and monuments of Cusco, imperial capital of the Inca
Journey to Iquitos and the Amazon for a five-day voyage aboard the 28-guest Delfin II riverboat, venturing out daily in nimble skiffs and kayaks to explore tributaries brimming with wildlife
Embark on a sweeping adventure that encapsulates all the wildness of Galápagos balanced with the cultural and historic experiences of Machu Picchu & Peru's Land of the Inca. Explore Galápagos in depth aboard the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II, then discover the culture and history of Peru and the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu.
Cusco: Ancient City, Living Culture
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire, thrives today, firmly rooted in the architectural and cultural vestiges of it proud and storied past.
Yale professor Hiram Bingham set the world on fire with his report of Machu Picchu’s discovery in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic, which was completely dedicated to this stunning find.
Venture to the Sun Gate, the final checkpoint on the way to the archeological wonder, and watch daybreak before descending into the mountaintop city—a peak travel experience. It is the culmination of a perfectly paced week. You’ll explore an extraordinary melting pot of Peruvian history and culture, firmly rooted in Amerindian and Spanish traditions, with influences from Africa, Asia, and Europe as well. See the architectural achievements of the Incan empire. And the decorative arts: pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculpture that reveal the sophistication of their artisans. Discover firsthand how the past echoes through contemporary life. Expert guides are personable, engaging travel companions. They introduce you to the art, music, and cuisine of this remarkable country. And each night your active days end at a succession of gracious and elegant hotels.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Your expedition leader is the orchestrator of your experience. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our local guides have deep knowledge of the places we explore. They’ll share the stories and theories and put the lives of the people and places we explore into context. Their colorful personalities and passion for history, from the minutiae to the big picture, make them engaging travel tour guides and companions.
We started the morning with a walk along the coast of Fernandina Island. We were surrounded by marine iguanas and baby sea lions. After the walk we headed to the snorkeling area, where we were submerged in crystal-clear waters with marine iguanas, sea turtles, flightless cormorants, and Galápagos penguins. We also had an amazing encounter with a hawk hunting marine iguanas right in front of us! During the afternoon we crossed Bolivar’s channel to visit Isabela Island. We went out for a Zodiac ride, and we were able to get very close to the coastline; we spotted Galápagos fur seals, marine iguanas, sea turtles, Galápagos sea lions, Galápagos penguins, and flightless cormorants. Later on, the Captain and crew took National Geographic Islander II towards the equator line. We celebrated our crossing of the equator with a wine tasting during sunset. What a wonderful way to end our expedition.
Our day started with a wonderful sunrise and an early morning outing to kayak along the coast of Sombrero Chino Islet. The ocean was calm at that hour, and we enjoyed observing the early activity of blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and frigatebirds. Nevertheless, this was just the start of a very busy morning. After breakfast our guests got ready for a Zodiac ride along the coast of Santiago looking for the small Galapagos penguin — which was spotted standing on top of a rock. For the last part of the morning, we enjoyed snorkeling in an extraordinary aquatic environment, as we found tropical fish together with penguins and mesmerizing underwater views. The afternoon was beautiful as we visited Sullivan Bay. This is an impressive lava field, formed so recently that no plants are growing there yet. Our long hike allowed us to observe different lava formations, the perfect spot for peace and solace at the end of a fantastic day in the magical Galapagos.
We start our day with an early outing to explore the small and picturesque island of South Plaza. Here we find a unique species of reptile called the Galapagos land iguana. Their reptilian appearance and their coloring are outstanding. Swallow-tailed gulls nest right alongside the trail. Sea lion territories are guarded by large and active males. At this time of year, pups are born. On Santa Fe Island, we continue with aquatic activities like kayaking and snorkeling in the shallow and clear turquoise water. We observe sea lions, turtles, and large schools of various fish. We explore and observe the island’s land iguanas as well as finches, doves, hawks, and mockingbirds.
In the morning before breakfast we started with skiff exploration at Nauta Creek. After breakfast we had another outing, this time for exploring the Casual Rain Forest. It is full of trees and palms and a myriad of plant species. To guide us, we were accompanied by members of the local community. Being people of the jungle, they know how to find the elusive creatures that hide or camouflage among the trees and forest clutter. Here we had an encounter with the master of the jungle! A green anaconda slowly moving on the roots of a giant tree. Its camouflage was impressive — without the expert eyes of the local guides we would have missed it entirely. This forest is full of life. Besides the abundance of trees, on the ground there were snails and tarantulas, and plenty of sounds of insects that we didn’t find due to their camouflage. The jungle is amazing, and it always has a concert of sounds ready for the ears of visitors. The Upper Amazon is not only a vast wilderness but also home to many human settlements divided into small communities close to the riverbanks. Today we visited Amazonas Community to learn about the local culture and lifestyle. We were very excited meeting the leaders of the community and hearing their stories about education, fishing, and agriculture. Over the years we have visited various settlements along the rivers of the Upper Amazon and we have seen how their lives have improved in terms of education, empowerment, and production of fine handicrafts. Today we had an opportunity to buy some souvenirs produced by the women of the community. Their crafts and weaving are amazing — colorful and of good quality. All these items are made from natural palm fibers found in the surrounding forest. It was another amazing day in the rainforest!
Fernandina Island is one of the youngest and most pristine islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and it was the destination of our recent expedition. Situated in the western part of the Galapagos, the island offers a unique opportunity to explore a virtually untouched natural paradise. Upon landing on Fernandina Island, we were immediately struck by its stark and dramatic landscape, dominated by the active La Cumbre Volcano. The island’s marine life was equally captivating. A snorkeling outing revealed a rich underwater world teeming with unique species. We encountered marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and various species of sharks and rays. These encounters provided invaluable insights into the adaptations of marine life to the island’s challenging conditions. Fernandina Island’s terrestrial biodiversity is equally remarkable. Guests observed the critically endangered flightless cormorant, the Galapagos hawk, and numerous marine iguanas. Our expedition to Fernandina was a remarkable journey into one of the world’s most untouched and pristine natural environments. The island’s unique biodiversity and rugged beauty serve as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting these fragile ecosystems for future generations. In the afternoon, we explored Punta Vicente Roca, a stunning site on Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago. This remote location is renowned for its pristine marine environment, rugged coastline, and unique geological features. Characterized by towering cliffs and crystalline waters, Punta Vicente Roca offered us an exceptional opportunity for snorkeling and diving. The underwater world was nothing short of breathtaking. We encountered an abundance of marine life, including Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, various species of sharks, and an array of colorful fish. Cold water currents create a rich feeding ground for these species. The rugged shoreline provides a habitat for nesting blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and marine iguanas.
Get inbox inspiration you'll look forward to: photos, videos, live webinar invites, special offers, and updates. Fields in bold with an asterisk (*) are required.
