Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru and Bolivia – March 2028

This is the one everyone’s been asking about! In late March 2028, we’re heading to the Galápagos for an seven-day expedition cruise with National Geographic- Lindblad Expeditions. We’re starting a few days early in Quito, Ecuador, with three nights to explore a UNESCO World Heritage city, visit the Mindo Cloud Forest, and stand on the equatorial line before boarding the ship.
The Galápagos are like nowhere else on earth — wildlife that has never learned to fear humans, extraordinary marine life, and landscapes shaped by volcanic forces. We’ll be exploring it all from the National Geographic Endeavour II, a small expedition ship carrying just 96 passengers, with daily excursions by Zodiac, kayak, and snorkel. For those who want the full experience, we continue through Peru and Bolivia. Machu Picchu, a train journey across the top of the Andes to Puno, Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), and two days in La Paz before heading home. For anyone who’s been filling in their South America geocaching map, Bolivia is a big one!
Cabins are selling fast, so secure your spot early.
The Peru and Bolivia portion is optional. If the Galápagos is what’s calling you, you can join us for just that. If you want the whole thing, even better. Either way, we’d love to have you along!

(image licence and attribution)

            Some of the most unique wildlife in the world is located on the remote Galapagos Islands!

Trip dates – March 22 – April 12, 2028

Tour Highlights

  • Journey through three countries (Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia) on one unforgettable 21-day adventure, March 22 to April 11, 2028
  • Sail the Galápagos for seven nights aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II with Lindblad Expeditions (96 guests maximum, so our group has plenty of room to be together)
  • Stand on the equator at the Mitad del Mundo, one foot in each hemisphere (and yes… geocaching at the equator)
  • Explore Quito’s UNESCO-listed colonial centre and spend a full day in the Mindo Cloud Forest with butterflies, waterfalls, and world-famous Ecuadorian chocolate
  • Walk the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
  • Discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the Maras salt pans, the Moray agricultural terraces, and a warm community visit at Misminay
  • Ride the PeruRail Titicaca train all the way across the Andes to Puno, a full day of big scenery and gourmet service
  • Spend a full day on Lake Titicaca visiting the Uros floating islands and Taquile
  • Cross the Altiplano overland into Bolivia and explore La Paz, one of the world’s “7 wonder cities,” by cable car
  • Collect Geocaching souvenirs across all three countries

Is this trip for me?

For our Landsharkz Geocaching Adventures, we like to keep things fun and adventurous, but we also want to make sure everyone enjoys the journey together.

The big thing on this trip is altitude. We spend most of it high up. Quito sits at 2,850m, Cusco around 3,400m, Puno and Lake Titicaca close to 3,800m, and La Paz at 3,632m (the Titicaca train even tops out at 4,300m at the La Raya pass). We build in time to acclimatize, but you’ll want to chat with your doctor about altitude before we go.

Beyond that, this trip involves walking (sometimes a kilometre or more at a time), climbing stairs and the occasional hill, navigating uneven ground and old Inca stone, and getting in and out of Zodiacs for our Galápagos landings. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable keeping up with the group without slowing the pace.

Think of it as “holiday fit”… if you can stroll on an uneven path, manage some steps, handle a bit of thin mountain air, and laugh along the way, you’ll be right at home on this tour.

This trip has very limited space. Priority will be given to guests who book early, who book both the cruise and the land package, and to those who have travelled with us before.

The Itinerary

Ecuador

March 22, 2028 — Day 1 — Arrival in Quito, Ecuador

Arrive at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where we’re met and transferred privately to the hotel (2:00pm check in). Quito sits high in the Andes at 2,850m and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so the evening is at leisure to acclimatize.

Overnight in Quito at Hotel Mercure Alameda, superior room (2 nights)

March 23, 2028 — Day 2 — Full Day Mindo Cloud Forest (Breakfast, Lunch)

A private full day tour to the Mindo Cloud Forest: a butterfly garden, the traditional tarabita cable car, a seven-waterfall walk, hummingbirds, and a chocolate factory where you’ll see (and taste!) how it’s made. Back to Quito for an evening at leisure.

March 24, 2028 — Day 3 — Full Day Quito Colonial and the Equatorial Line (Breakfast, Lunch)

A private full day tour out to the equatorial line and the Mitad del Mundo, where you can plant your feet in two hemispheres at once. The afternoon is spent exploring Quito’s colonial centre, the very reason it was the first city ever named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight at the Wyndham Quito Airport, your hotel before heading to the Galápagos.

Galápagos

March 25 to April 1, 2028 — Days 4 to 11 — National Geographic Endeavour II

Seven days exploring the Galápagos aboard the National Geographic Endeavour II with Lindblad Expeditions. The Endeavour II carries a maximum of 96 passengers, so our group will have loads of chances to be together throughout the cruise.

Days are spent island-hopping with the ship’s expedition team: naturalists, an undersea specialist, a wellness coordinator, and a National Geographic certified photo instructor. Between guided shore landings you can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or head out on the Zodiacs (and the glass-bottom boat) to get up close with the wildlife that made these islands famous. Sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, and a whole lot more.

The full day-by-day cruise routing, the ship details, and all cabin categories and pricing are in the Galápagos group quote.

Full Galápagos cruise details and cabin pricing: CLICK HERE

Note: Exact routing for the cruise may be subject to weather conditions and the discretion of the vessel captain.

Peru

April 2, 2028 — Day 12 — Arrive Cusco, on to the Sacred Valley

We land in Cusco and head for the Sacred Valley, stopping at the Sulca Museum to see Peru’s textile history up close (a great spot for your first Andean souvenir). Evening at leisure to acclimatize.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley at La Casona de Yucay Hotel, standard room (2 nights)

April 3, 2028 — Day 13 — Authentic Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray and Misminay (Breakfast, Lunch)

A private full day (about 7 hours) taking in three Sacred Valley gems: the Maras salt pans, the Moray agricultural terraces, and a warm community visit at Misminay with music, dance, and a hands-on look at daily Andean life.

April 4, 2028 — Day 14 — Train to Aguas Calientes and a guided visit to Machu Picchu (Breakfast, Lunch)

We take the scenic Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, then a short bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. (Pack a small overnight bag… your main luggage goes ahead to Cusco.)

Overnight in Aguas Calientes at El Mapi Hotel, superior deluxe room (1 night)

April 5, 2028 — Day 15 — Train back to Cusco (Breakfast)

A relaxed morning in Aguas Calientes before the train back to Cusco.

Optional unguided second visit to the Machu Picchu ruins: CAD$199.00 per person, transport included.

Overnight in Cusco at the Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel, standard room (2 nights)

April 6, 2028 — Day 16 — Half Day Cusco City Tour, San Pedro Market and nearby ruins (Breakfast)

A private half day tour (about 4 hours) of Cusco: the San Pedro market, the Koricancha temple, the Sacsayhuaman fortress, Kenko, and the Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure, with plenty of optional tours on offer.

April 7, 2028 (Friday) — Day 17 — Cusco to Puno aboard the PeruRail Titicaca train (Breakfast, Lunch)

One of the world’s great rail journeys: a full day aboard the PeruRail Titicaca across the Andes to Puno, with a stop at La Raya (4,300m, the high point of the route) and gourmet service along the way.

Overnight in Puno at the Jose Antonio Puno Hotel, standard room (2 nights)

April 8, 2028 — Day 18 — Lake Titicaca: Full Day Uros and Taquile (Breakfast, Lunch)

A full day on Lake Titicaca visiting the Uros floating reed islands and the island of Taquile, famous for its UNESCO-listed textile tradition, with a community welcome of music and dance.

Bolivia

April 9, 2028 (Sunday) — Day 19 — Puno to La Paz, Bolivia (Breakfast)

A scenic private transfer across the Bolivian highlands and into La Paz, with Aymara villages and big views of the Andes Royal Range along the way.

Overnight in La Paz at Hotel Mitru Express 3.5, standard room (2 nights)*

April 10, 2028 (Monday) — Day 20 — La Paz City Tour (Breakfast)

A half day tour of La Paz (one of the world’s “7 wonder cities,” sitting at 3,632m): its lively street markets including the witches market, the colonial centre, key viewpoints, and a ride on the Teleférico cable car for a view out over the whole valley.

Note: the cable car ride may move to another day depending on the itinerary.

April 11, 2028 (Tuesday) — Day 21 — Departure (Breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel, then we check out and transfer to the airport for the journey home.

Full Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia itinerary: CLICK HERE

Pricing

The Galápagos cruise is priced separately from the Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia land package. You can join us for just the Galápagos, or do the whole thing.

Galápagos Cruise (National Geographic Endeavour II)

Per person, USD, based on double occupancy:

  • Category 01: $6,935 USD (SOLD OUT)
  • Category 02: $8,560 USD (SOLD OUT – Waitlisting)
  • Category 03: $9,491 USD
  • Category 04: $10,517 USD
  • Category AS: $12,569 USD
  • Category BS: $13,509 USD
  • Category CS: $14,193 USD
  • Category 2S (Solo): $11,125 USD (single occupancy)
  • Category 3S (Solo): $12,341 USD (single occupancy)

Solo cabins are limited. Once they sell out, singles pay double x 2 for a regular cabin. Our group qualifies for an additional $100 USD per person onboard credit. A 15% deposit is due at time of booking. All payments are non-refundable.

Full cabin details and the deck plan are in the group quote: CLICK HERE

Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia Land Package

  • Land package: CAD$4,579 per person (twin share)
  • Single room supplement: CAD$1,299 per person
  • Quito to Cusco flight: approximately CAD$440 per person
  • Internal Galápagos flights (Quito to Galápagos, roundtrip): approximately USD$580 per person
  • International and domestic airfare not included

What’s Included

Galápagos cruise includes: seven nights aboard the Endeavour II; two hotel nights in Quito or Guayaquil with breakfast (one pre-voyage, one post-voyage); airport meet and greet and a hospitality desk; airport and ship transfers; all shore excursions; snorkel gear, wetsuits, kayaks, paddleboards, and Zodiacs; all meals aboard and onshore, plus 24-hour snacks, premium coffees and teas, and non-alcoholic drinks; beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard; the full expedition team and ship’s doctor; Galápagos National Park entry and transit cards; gratuities to local guides in Quito or Guayaquil; and complimentary Starlink internet, 24/7.

Land package includes: 11 nights’ hotel accommodation per the itinerary (twin share); all transfers and transport by private air-conditioned coach (one group arrival and one group departure transfer included); arrival and departure guide assistance; a private English-speaking guide; meals as noted (11 breakfasts, 6 lunches); and local taxes on accommodation and tours.

What’s Not Included

International and domestic airfare; the internal Galápagos flight (approx. USD$580 per person); travel insurance; optional tours; personal items; tips and gratuities; meals not listed; early check-in or late check-out; visa and passport handling fees; and any changes in government or local taxes. Aboard the cruise: laundry, spa, internet upgrades, phone, premium wines and liquors, and crew gratuities (at your discretion).

A Few Notes Before You Book

Geocaching Adventures with Landsharkz means just that. All our tours are fully escorted by Landsharkz, because we’ve chosen destinations we really want to visit too. By being there with you, if there’s a bit of a hiccup along the way, we can help advocate for you with any part of your tour.

Cancellation insurance is highly recommended for this trip, and can be purchased through Tara Bradley. We also recommend booking your flights to and from the region through Tara. Further details will be provided when you book with Landsharkz.

How to Book

To confirm your place or ask any questions, contact Tara Bradley at Bradley Travel and Tours:

Call 1-250-929-4422 or email: tbradley@tpi.ca

Or email us anytime at travel@landsharkz.ca. We’d love to have you along.