Exploring Galapagos + Machu Picchu
All-Inclusive Expedition Cruise Experience
In one grand expedition, experience all the wildness of Galápagos and the sublime archaeological wonder of Machu Picchu. Experience the wildlife of Galápagos, legendary for its uniqueness and lack of fear. See its endemic species and explore the undersea.
Certified and experienced divers on select departures aboard National Geographic Endeavour II can take advantage of the option to scuba dive (divers must be pre-qualified and reserve their space in advance). Then discover the culture and history of Peru and the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu. Throughout you’ll explore with a top team of naturalists and historians who add layers of insight and interest to everything you do.
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Book Early to lock in current rates on select 2026-2027 departures _ Save $1,000 per child + save up to 15% on back-to-back voyages + book two or more voyages and save 10% + bring a friend and save 5% when you book by November 1, 2024* Plus receive our exclusive $200 Onboard Credit per stateroom.
15-Night Cruise on February 6, 2026 on National Geographic Gemini sailing Quito or Guayaquil to Lima
Category 1 Stateroom
(160 sq. ft) From
$17,237
per person including all taxes, fees and port expenses
Category 2 Stateroom
(205 sq. ft)From
$22,172
per person including all taxes, fees and port expenses
Category 3 Stateroom
(250 Sq. ft) From
$26,295
per person including all taxes, fees and port expenses
Category 7 Stateroom
(460 Sq. ft) From
$27,290
per person including all taxes, fees and port expenses
Cruise Highlights:
Have up-close encounters with Galápagos wildlife and explore the undersea, too
Benefit from 50+ years of experience and relationships in Galápagos to see all you came for and more
Explore fabled Machu Picchu, royal sanctuary of Inca Pachacuti, over two days
Discover Cusco’s vibrant culture, the Sacred Valley of the Inca, and Ollantaytambo
In the Sacred Valley, stay at Sol y Luna, a Relais & Châteaux property that is family owned and gives back to families and children in the community
With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this fascinating part of the world—from “sneezing” iguanas to giant tortoises
Day 1
Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 2
Guayaquil / Galápagos Islands / Embark Ship
This morning, fly to the Galápagos and board National Geographic Endeavour II. After lunch, we begin our exploration of the islands and their remarkable wildlife.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-8
Exploring the Galápagos Islands
Listed below is a sample of islands we may visit during our expedition. All ship itineraries are subject to Galápagos National Park regulations.
North Seymour: Follow coastal trails past playful Galápagos sea lions on this wildlife-rich central island. Continue inland through a silvery forest of endemic palo santo trees, where frigatebirds nest, blue-footed boobies dance, and where we may also encounter prehistoric-looking land iguanas feeding on cactus.
Isabela: Cross the Equator at Volcán Ecuador, northernmost of Isabela’s six great shield volcanoes. Keep an eye open for whales and dolphins, sea turtles and the elusive ocean sunfish. Over two days, land in the footsteps of Darwin and Melville, and look for wildlife along the wildly eroded volcanic shore.
Fernandina: One of the most active oceanic volcanoes in the world, Fernandina is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos—and home to the strange flightless cormorant, Galápagos penguins and the largest marine iguanas. Hikes ashore lead across impressive recent lava flows.
Española: See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, Nazca boobies and, seasonally, the world’s only population of waved albatross at this birdy paradise, also home to vividly colored marine iguanas. Watch sea lions on the wide sand beach, and snorkel offshore, at Gardner Bay.
Floreana: Follow a trail past a rose pink-tinted lagoon frequented by flamingos. Snorkel among sea lions and abundant fish, or cruise along Champion Islet by Zodiac. Visit the famous barrel at Post Office Bay.
Santa Cruz: Visit Puerto Ayora, the largest town and headquarters of both the Galápagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station. See the monument to Lonesome George, and tour the giant tortoise breeding corrals. See the giant tortoises roaming in the wild in the lush, green highlands.
Bartolomé: Climb the steps to the summit of this 300-foot volcanic wonderland for stunning views. Explore, swim and snorkel from the beach. You might even see Galápagos penguins, one of world’s rarest.
Santiago: Explore tide pools and look for fur seals sheltered in quiet grottos of black basalt. Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddleboard along Santiago’s spectacular coast, and explore an enchanting coastal forest where Charles Darwin once walked.
Genovesa: Sail across the Equator to the remote northern realm of the Galápagos, surrounded by warmer tropical waters.
San Cristobal: Search for red-footed boobies and the endemic mockingbird and lava lizard—found only on this easternmost island, and dig your toes into the powdery white sand at a gorgeous beach fronted by iconic Kicker Rock. Explore Baquerizo Moreno, where sea lions thrive in the middle of town.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Galápagos Islands / Disembark Ship / Guayaquil / Lima, Peru
Depart Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru, via Guayaquil. Check into the Belmond Miraflores Park, set on a wide promenade overlooking the Pacific, where we spend two nights.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Lima
Explore World Heritage-designated colonial Lima this morning, where we stroll the Plaza Mayor and delight in a private welcome lunch with a special musical presentation at Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima. Then visit the extraordinary Larco Museum dedicated to pre-Columbian art. Return to our hotel with dinner on your own to sample local fare.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11
Lima / Cusco / Sacred Valley
Board a short scenic flight to Cusco this morning, and continue to Moray—a visually stunning Inca site with dramatic agricultural terraces in the heart of the fabled and fertile Urubamba Valley. After lunch and an opportunity to experience a local market, check into our hotel. Sol y Luna, a Relais & Chateâux property, is where we stay in individual casitas set in verdant greens.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
Sacred Valley
Spend the day exploring the archaeological sites and culture of the Sacred Valley in the company of National Geographic expert Peter Frost (or a colleague), who has lived and worked in Peru for decades. He or a colleague joins us for a talk at our hotel and a visit to the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, set above a thriving Inca community. Lunch is at a working, family-owned hacienda, where we are treated to a show of Peruvian Paso horses, and National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa, founder of El Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco, demonstrates Inca weaving traditions. Don’t forget to pack your duffel bag for our 2-day trip to Machu Picchu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13
Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
Marvel at the dramatic scenery and life along the river en route this morning by train to Machu Picchu, the Inca royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. Check-in at the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, adjacent to the World Heritage site, with the leisure to explore over two days in the company of our hand-picked tour director and local guides. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Awaken this morning at Machu Picchu, where our local and veteran guides share their intimate understanding of this site, focusing on the history and far-reaching cultural influence. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the center of the Inca universe, a burgeoning cultural capital, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check-in at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for two nights. Occupying a monastery founded in 1592, our hotel—like much of colonial Cusco—is built atop Inca stones.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15
Cusco
Explore the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral, sacred Inca Temple of the Sun, and other treasures of Cusco. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls, the most impressive yet, command views over the city. Relax, shop, or visit one of Cusco’s many churches and museums this afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 16
Cusco / Lima
After breakfast and a final morning at leisure, say goodbye to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima, connecting to flights home. Depending on your flight schedule, optional rooms at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel are available, or join our Upper Amazon Expedition aboard Delfin II.
Departure Time: Depart after 7:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Lima, Peru
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
National Geographic Gemini
Guests: 48
Sailing year round with a maximum of 48 guests on weeklong voyages departing Fridays, National Geographic Gemini offers guests the choice of larger suites, cabins with balconies, and a mix of doubles, solos, and triples. All cabins are ocean facing with ample storage, beds that can be configured as a queen or two twins, a sofa, desk, television, and a well-stocked mini fridge. Bathrooms are large and feature glass showers. Suite 601 on the Upper Deck (Category 7) is the largest in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Galápagos fleet with a separate living room, forward-facing balcony, private jacuzzi, side balcony, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Cabins on the Bridge Deck (Category 4 & 5S) all have private balconies with seating.
Enjoy the outdoors on the Upper Deck, which features a whirlpool hot tub, and windowed fitness center and spa. An outdoor café on the Lounge Deck accommodates all guests in a single open seating, as does the restaurant on the Marina Deck. The open, windowed lounge for presentations and informal gatherings has a large bar, well-stocked library, and adjacent reception area.
Carrying a fleet of quick-to-deploy Mark VI Zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, the ship is well-equipped for exploring the islands and marine reserve. It is also stocked with snorkeling gear for all guests, including shortie wetsuits.
National Geographic Gemini provides an authentic sense of place informed by decades-long relationships with local communities and conservation groups. Contributing to the fully immersive Ecuadorian experience on board is the passionate and knowledgeable Ecuadorian crew. Meals are designed to support the community—comprising locally sourced farm-to-table and ocean-to-table ingredients.
Prices are in USD, per person based on double occupancy availability and subject to change without notice. All taxes, fees and port expenses are included in the above pricing. All promotions are capacity controlled by the vendor and can be removed at any time without notice. Save $1,000 per child up to age 22. Save up to 15% on voyage fares on consecutive back-to-back departures on select departure dates only. Book two or more voyages and save 10% on the lowest priced departure when you book two or more expeditions. Bring a friend and save 5% when you book two or more cabins on the same departure and valid on voyage fares only. Applicable departures between January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. The total amount includes cabin fare, selected available extensions, taxes, and fees. Depending on the itinerary, the total amount due may include additional required services, such as visa fees. Recommended flight costs include flight(s) that take place during the date range of your trip to transport travelers from one itinerary destination to another. This cost also includes ground transportation, luggage transfer, and airport assistance. Special $200 shipboard credit is based on double occupancy. Other restrictions may apply.