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This 22-day Ecuador and Peru tour highlights the most prominent ancient ruins and archaeological finds across Ecuador and Peru and showcases the vast culture and impact of pre- and post-Inca civilisation.
Throughout our 22 days together, we will explore the archaeological treasures that present a window to the past and hear about the legacies of ancient civilisations in the area. Beginning in Ecuador and ending in Peru, there will be much to explore as we make our way along the Inca Trail.
The Inca civilisation flourished in South America in the 15th to 16th centuries. After establishing its capital in Cusco (often spelt Cuzco) in what is now Peru in the 12th century, the Inca began their conquests in the 15th century and eventually ruled an empire across western South America. Their territories covered an expanse covering the Pacific coast and Andean highlands, from Quito, capital of modern Ecuador, to central Chile. The Inca established an advanced civilisation, with complex government and religious institutions, a vast road network, and incredible architecture. They ruled over 12 million people until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
The Inca left no written records. What we know of them we know from preserved oral tradition, the written records of the colonising Spanish, and the archaeological ruins of their once great empire.
Our guided tour starts in Quito, Ecuador where we will marvel at four of Ecuador's most significant archaeological sites: Rumiucho, Tulipe, Cochasqui, and Quitoloma. As we make our way South, we make excursions to explore ancient ruins, including the largest in Ecuador, Ingapirca near Cuenca. Before leaving the country, city tours of Cuenca, Guayaquil and Puerto Lopez will introduce us to Spain's colonial influence as it conquered the Incan Empire in the 1500s and established a new society.
From there, our escorted tours fly to Lima where we will take in the city sights before we visit Pachacamac with a local guide. We will fly to Cusco for a local tour of the historical centre which includes a walking tour of Cusco Cathedral, Coricancha and four additional ruin sites. We also board the Vistadome Train for the 90 minute panoramic trip to Aguas Calientes. We make our way toward the Sacred Valley, which with Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu formed the centre of the Inca Empire. We will experience the magic of Machu Picchu first-hand, immersing ourselves in Inca culture, the local flora and fauna, scenery, and history. We have many more destinations to visit along the way until we finish this unforgettable journey with the Lord of Sicán's tomb in Chiclayo and Kuélap, home to the mysterious 'warriors of the cloud forest'.
Our adventure will bring us to several UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites across Ecuador and Peru, including Ingapirca, Machu Picchu, and Kuélap. We will see amazing vistas of the Ecuadorian highlands at Cajas National Park, as well as panoramic views of the Peruvian Andes and Pacific beaches. We will learn extensively about Ecuadorian and Peruvian culture and sample the local cuisine at our meals. You might want to start reading about Ecuador and Peru with our country profiles.
For more details of our small group tours, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.
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Luggage allowance restrictions may apply on domestic flights inside South America.
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Experience and knowledge shows that they are plenty of places in the world still to be explored by the curious. Our collection of small group tours for seniors as well as mainstream tours to France or Italy can take the traveller as a couple or solo traveller to places of curiosity such as Panama or Iran the list is endless for the curious.
Experience the jewels of South America on this in-depth itinerary featuring the dramatic contrasts of this great continent on a small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers. Journey through Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil. Marvel at the ancient cultures and natural wonders of the Amazon, the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains, the calm waters of Lake Titicaca and the jewel coloured beaches of Rio.
Small group tour for senior and mature couples and solo travellers to explore the Titanosaurs the largest Dinosaurs to walk the planet. Their skeletons have recently been discovered in Argentina. This program spends 20 days travelling to visit and experience the dig sites where much of Argentina’s paleontological history has been found, Patagonia. With local paleontologists and guides providing an insight into this remote part of the country you get a unique opportunity to learn first hand about the research on the Argentinian Dinosaur collection.
