South American Biodiversity, the Amazon, Cloud Forest, and Galápagos Islands

In Santiago, join your private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy time to settle in before meeting your fellow travellers during a Welcome Dinner

This morning, begin with a city tour of Santiago. Board a cable car for the ascent of San Cristobal Hill, enjoying stunning views of the city and the Andes beyond. Take in the iconic statue of the Virgin Mary before descending the hill aboard the cable car. Drive to the historic part of Santiago for a short walking tour, which takes you to La Moneda Palace (the seat of the president of Chile), as well as the former national congress, the 18th-century cathedral, and the main square. On the outskirts of Santiago, the city of Colina presents the Parque Explorador Quilapilún, a botanical haven showcasing native Chilean flora. This peaceful retreat features themed gardens, educational trails, and a glimpse into the country’s rich biodiversity. Finish the day with a visit to Pumahuida Nursery, which focuses on propagating and cultivating more than 200 native plant species, many of which are endemic or endangered.

Fly from Santiago to the historic city of Cusco, nestled high in the Peruvian Andes. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and take the evening to acclimatise to the altitude.

Embark on a rail journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu aboard the opulent Hiram Bingham train. The Andean scenery glides past your window as we pass through the breathtaking Sacred Valley. During the journey, we enjoy gourmet Peruvian cuisine, live music, and the panoramic views afforded by the observatory car. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, explore the site’s awe-inspiring citadel during a guided tour. After our visit, we meet back up with the train and return in style to the Sacred Valley – the train’s festive atmosphere and impeccable service making the ride as memorable as the destinations themselves. Spend the next two nights at the magnificent Tambo del Inka Hotel, which sits beside the Vilcanota River, framed by the Andes.

A visit to the Potato Park equates to a journey into the agricultural genius of the Inca civilization. The Incas were master farmers and today’s local communities have preserved hundreds of native potato varieties using techniques rooted in centuries-old traditions. Crops such as potatoes, quinoa, and maize are cultivated along Andean terraces, known as andenes, whose sophisticated irrigation canals snake their across the mountainsides. After exploring here, we head to Hacienda Sarapampa, a working farm near the town of Pisac, known for its giant white corn. Savour seasonal dishes during a curated farm-to-table lunch, featuring ingredients grown on-site.

Departing the Sacred Valley by road, our journey winds through the highlands to the remarkable archaeological sites of Maras and Moray. Marvel at Moray’s concentric terraces, which have been described as an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory. Nearby, see the mesmerising salt mines of Maras, which are still harvested by hand. Continue to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. A guided walking tour reveals layers of history as we visit the city’s cathedral to admire its intricate woodcarvings, ornate altar and canvases from the 17th-century Cusco Painting School.

Discover more of Cusco’s cultural wealth at the Temple of the Sun, Qoricancha. Here we look upon the staggering masonry of the Inca, whose feats of engineering remain a mystery. During a walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street, we witness the celebrated Twelve Angled Stone, which once formed part of the Inca Roca Palace. Make a final stop in San Blas artisan quarter. The steep cobblestone alleys here offer spectacular views of the city. They are also lined with workshops and galleries. Our day concludes at our Cusco hotel.

An early morning flight takes us, via Lima, to the ‘Gateway to the Amazon’, the city of Iquitos. It’s here that we join our three-night voyage aboard MV Zafiro. Settle into your spacious suite and toast our adventure with a welcome cocktail, featuring Amazonian fruits and pisco, Peru’s celebrated spirit. As our vessel drifts along the river, our expert naturalist guides reveal the region’s plant life, wildlife, and cultural history. Embark one of the vessel’s onboard skiffs for an excursion to Yacapana. Here the jungle is lively with the calls of various nocturnal creatures, including caimans, tarantulas and frogs. Return to the ship for a dinner inspired by Peruvian-Amazonian flavours.

Enjoy a peaceful sunrise cruise along the Amazon, as riverside villages stir to life. Look for gently swaying Ambay trees, which are known to harbour sloths and symbiotic ants, along the riverbank. After a buffet breakfast, explore further along the Yarapa River, known for its blackwater ecosystem and rich biodiversity. Pass through igapó forests, spotting wild ginger and heliconias plants, whose vibrant bracts attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Following lunch, attend a cultural talk by your guides. They will highlight the deep relationship that local communities have with the rainforest. This afternoon, visit the community of Paranapura, where medicinal plants, such as chuchuhuasi and sangre de grado are still actively used. As night falls, embark on a nocturnal excursion through the várzea floodplains, encountering towering kapok trees, tangled lianas, and possibly night-blooming orchids. Before dinner, relax while enjoying some live music aboard the ship. The musicians skilfully blend their regional rhythms with the ambient sounds of the jungle.

Start the morning with a tranquil boat ride along the Yarapa River. See aquatic flora, including water lettuce and Amazon sword plants, which provide shelter for fish and amphibians. After breakfast, embark on a guided jungle walk through the remote community of Yucuruchi, found within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Discover mysterious strangler figs, colourful bromeliads, and towering shihuahuaco trees. Learn how indigenous communities use plants like uña de gato (cat’s claw) and ayahuasca vines for healing and spiritual practices. After lunch and time to relax, cruise the origin waters of the Amazon River, watching for pink river dolphins near groves of rubber trees. As the sun sets, return to the ship for an evening of live music and a Farewell Dinner celebrating the flavours of the Peruvian Amazon.

After breakfast, we disembark the ship and transfer to Iquitos, stopping en route at the Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as the Manatee Rescue Centre. Here, rescued manatees and other wildlife are rehabilitated before being released back into their natural habitat. During our visit, learn about the organisation’s work and the importance of Amazon conservation. Then continue to the airport in Iquitos for our flight to Lima, the capital of Peru. This evening, delight in a combination of gastronomy, storytelling and Peruvian dance.

Depart Lima for our flight north to the Ecuadorian capital, Quito. Nestled high in the Andes, at 2,850 metres, it’s one of the world’s highest capitals and offers stunning views of surrounding volcanoes like Pichincha. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best-preserved colonial quarters in South America, and is brimming with ornate churches, cobblestone streets, and vibrant plazas.

Embark on a day trip to the Mindo Cloud Forest, whose lush subtropical paradise offers a sensory overload of misty trails, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant biodiversity. Begin with a scenic drive into the valley. The forest’s unique plant life includes towering trees, an extraordinary variety of blooming orchids, and bromeliads thriving amid the humid air. Enjoy a stop at the Orchid Garden, a sanctuary showcasing a remarkable private collection of more than 250 native orchid species from the Mindo region. Ecuador boasts more than 4,000 species of orchid, and this garden is a vital haven dedicated to their preservation. Guided through this botanical treasure trove, we encounter a dazzling array of orchids in full bloom, with some specimens able to be examined up close with a magnifying glass. At the nearby feeding area, take the opportunity to observe hummingbirds and other species.

From Quito, we join a flight to Baltra Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Neighbouring Santa Cruz Island sees our journey continuing as we explore during a stroll to the twin craters, Los Gemelos. Nestled amid farmland and a native scalesia forest, these lush, green sinkholes offer a unique perspective of the Galápagos, revealing the island's volcanic geological history. Look out for the area’s rich birdlife, including Darwin's finches and vermillion flycatchers. It’s then time to explore a reserve that is home to Galápagos giant tortoises. These grand creatures roam freely across their humid and forested highland habitat. Ranging between 250 and 300 kg, the tortoises have lifespans of up to 200 years. We then have the opportunity to visit the area’s lava tunnels. Formed by numerous eruptions, they have shaped the island's landscape since its formation. Continue to the south side of the island and the coastal town of Puerto Ayora. Check into the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Step into a world of wonder with an exclusive day tour to the Central Islands of the Galápagos National Park, guided by certified bilingual and naturalist experts. Aboard the elegant Sea Lion yacht – one of just 12 vessels permitted to operate day tours within the park – we enjoy an intimate and immersive journey designed for true explorers.

Take a short stroll from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel to Divine Bay, an oasis of pristine waters teeming with wildlife. Explore picturesque shores flanked by towering basalt cliffs and lush mangrove forests. Watch for a diverse array of bird species, from small egrets and blue-footed boobies, to brown pelicans and lava gulls. Then delve into the fascinating world of scientific discovery at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Gain insight into the archipelago’s delicate ecosystems while engaging with knowledgeable guides. Highlights include a guided tour of the tortoise breeding centre. Observe these iconic creatures up close and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between species and ecosystems.

Our time in the Galápagos comes to an end with a flight to Guayaquil. Resting on the west bank of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening as we reflect on our incredible adventure.

You will be transferred to Guayaquil airport today as our journey concludes.