Thursday, August 7, 2025
Tomorrow, we finally set off on our long-anticipated journey to Peru and Ecuador. For Jane, this trip carries special meaning—after spending 10 months in Ecuador as an exchange student 45 years ago, she’ll finally return to revisit some of the places that left a lasting impression. Even more exciting, she’ll fulfill a long-held dream of visiting the beautiful Galápagos Islands, which she had yearned to see back then but never had the chance. Before heading to Ecuador, though, we’ll explore the wonders of Peru—from the lush Peruvian Amazon to the ancient Incan marvels of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, perched high in the Andes.
Ecuador and Peru are situated along the
Pacific Ocean Coast of South America
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador and Machu Picchu, Peru
Most of our journey will be shared with fellow NC State WolfTreks explorers on an Odysseys Unlimited tour, promising an intimate blend of discovery, camaraderie, and adventure. Our trip will unfold in four distinct parts, each offering its own unique experiences.
Part 1: The Peruvian Amazon Region
Our adventure will start with a flight to Lima, Peru, where we’ll overnight and connect with our Odysseys guide and the three other WolkTrekers who have also chosen this pre-tour option. The following day, we’ll fly to Iquitos and embark on a 25-mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, a comfortable lodge nestled in the heart of the rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide, we’ll explore the region’s extraordinary biodiversity and take guided hikes through the jungle. We’ll visit the Yagua people, known for their traditional blowgun hunting, and gain insight into the daily lives of the ribereños, the river-dwelling communities of the Amazon. Our adventure will continue deeper into the rainforest, where we’ll cross the Canopy Walkway—one of the longest in the world—for a rare view of the rainforest from above. We’ll also visit a shaman-led ethno-botanical garden to learn about the medicinal plants and healing practices of the Amazon. After three immersive days, we’ll return to Iquitos by boat and fly back to Lima to rejoin the rest of our group (13 in total) and begin the next segment of our journey.
Part 2: Incan Treasures of the Andes
We’ll begin the second part of our journey exploring the cultural and historical treasures of Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital. Highlights will include the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), which showcases over 3,000 years of Peruvian history. We’ll also visit the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city’s colonial core, surrounded by landmark buildings such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Santo Domingo Church.
From Lima, things go altitudinal; we fly to Cuzco, nestled into the central Andes at over 11,000 feet above sea level. Over five days, we’ll journey through Peru’s rich Incan heritage, beginning in Cuzco, where we’ll explore (another) Church of Santo Domingo, built atop the ancient Incan Temple of the Sun, Koricancha. We’ll then travel into the Sacred Valley, visiting the market town of Pisac and the impressive fortress-temple ruins at Ollantaytambo. In Chinchero, we’ll witness traditional weaving and participate in a native Offering to the Earth ceremony. Then, we’ll board a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes near the majestic Machu Picchu, where we’ll explore the breathtaking ruins on two guided tours, before returning to Cuzco via train and coach. Back in Cuzco, we’ll visit the historic Plaza de Armas, its stunning cathedral, and the grand Incan fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Throughout, we hope to enjoy local cuisine, cultural insights, and have time to relax or shop in colorful markets, immersing ourselves in the enduring legacy of the Inca Empire.
Our Destinations in Peru
Part 3: The Galápagos Islands
After flying from Cuzco back to Lima for an overnight stay, we’ll continue to Quito, Ecuador, where we’ll explore the city’s colonial heritage and visit the Middle of the World Monument at the equator. From there, we fly to Baltra in the Galápagos Islands and transfer to Santa Cruz Island, our base for the next several days. Highlights will include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center, as well as excursions by private yacht to North Seymour, Bachas Beach, South Plaza Island, and Punta Carrión, where we hope to encounter iconic Galápagos wildlife like blue-footed boobies and to enjoy snorkeling in the coastal waters. Back on Santa Cruz, we’ll explore the island’s lush highlands, volcanic formations, and lava tunnels, and, hopefully find time to relax at our scenic lodge. Finally, we’ll return to Quito for our farewell dinner together and to reflect on our collective WolfTreks adventures.
Our Destinations in the Galápagos Islands
Part 4: Exploring Central Ecuador
For our final WolfTreks adventure, we’ll explore Quito’s historic center, visiting landmarks such as Plaza la Independencia, the ornately gilded La Compañía church, and the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco. We’ll then tour the city’s Botanical Gardens followed by a visit to the Iñaquito Market, a bustling hub of local produce, seafood, and traditional goods.
During mid-afternoon, Jane and I will say farewell to the WolfTreks group and begin a special, personalized journey that Jane carefully crafted from her memories of living in the region years ago. Accompanied by Darwin, our private guide for the next four days, we’ll visit the cloud forests of Mindo, the towering volcano of Cotopaxi, and Ambato—where Jane was an exchange student and where we’ll lodge near her former home and school. From there, we’ll continue to the scenic town of Baños, known for its waterfalls and thermal baths, and finally stop at Quilotoa, a stunning water-filled volcanic caldera, before heading back to the Quito airport to catch our late-night departure flight. We’ll return home via Atlanta arriving during the morning of September 1, thus ending our epic journey on Labor Day.
Our Destinations in Ecuador