We just returned from this tour and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From the Sacred Valley, to Ollantaytambo, to Macchu Picchu in Peru, to hiking, snorkeling, and getting up-close and personal with wildlife on the Galapagos Islands, every day is an incredible adventure. However; it is important to know that this is a physically demanding itinerary and good mobility, balance and stability are a must.
Including our flights from and to USA, we took 10 flights in just over 2 weeks. You will need to check through airports and go through security every time. There are several days when you will be up and out of the hotel before dawn. You will climb stone steps that are hundreds of years old. Some are high, some are low, some are deep, some are narrow, all are uneven. In most places there are no handrails. Add in that you are climbing these steps at high altitude, stopping often to catch your breath.
In the Galapagos, you will transfer between the ship and the islands several times a day. This involves getting into rubber panga boats that are bouncing up and down in the water, and wet landings where you slide over the side of the panga into shallow water and wade to the shore. On the islands, you need to be able to walk at least a mile on uneven dirt, rock, sand, and lava trails, with nowhere to sit and no bathroom facilities. The ship provides walking sticks for those who want them and the tour is structured to bring you back to the ship after each activity.
Water activities include glass bottom boat and panga rides, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling. One of the snorkeling opportunities was a walk-in from the shore. The others were deep-water snorkeling which involves getting into the water by going over the side of the panga. Snorkeling provides amazing opportunities to swim with the sea lions, who love to play and will nip at your fins and come face to face with you. It was a highlight of the trip. The ship provides the snorkels, masks, fins and wetsuits.
I recommend training for this tour in advance by walking, hiking up and downhill on uneven terrain, and climbing as many stairs as you can. Work on your cardio to help with breathing at high altitude. Bring good quality walking/hiking shoes with ankle support and break them in well in advance. Listen to your guides. If they tell you they think a hike will be too challenging for you, and you should sit it out or take an easier route, follow their advice. Some of the trails are challenging even for people in good physical shape.
This tour is an incredible adventure, but you must be physically capable of keeping up with a fast pace every day, managing lots of steps and uneven trails, getting into and out of the panga boats, and keeping up with the rest of the group. Know your limitations and set your expectations accordingly and you will have an amazing experience.
