12 Days • 11 Nights
Ecuador & Peru: Galapagos & Machu Picchu
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Colonial Quito and a Galapagos cruise
- Giant tortoises, sea lions and boobies
- Snorkelling with turtles and sea lions
- The Inca capital of Cusco
- The Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Machu Picchu, the lost city
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 12-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito, high in the Andes. Take it easy to acclimatise, with a welcome dinner.
A morning at the equator before flying to the Galapagos and boarding your cruise, with a first island visit introducing the fearless wildlife.
A day of island exploration, guided walks among giant tortoises and sea birds, and snorkelling with sea lions and turtles.
Another day cruising the enchanted isles, with more walks and snorkelling among extraordinary wildlife.
A final full day of Galapagos wonders, walking among the wildlife that inspired Darwin and snorkelling in the rich waters.
You disembark and fly via Guayaquil to Lima, Peru's coastal capital, settling in for the night.
You fly to Cusco and travel to the lower Sacred Valley to aid acclimatisation, exploring the market of Pisac or the fortress of Ollantaytambo.
A day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, its ruins, markets and Andean villages, amid stunning mountain scenery.
A scenic train ride and guided tour of Machu Picchu, the breathtaking lost city of the Incas perched high above the Urubamba gorge, returning to the Sacred Valley or Cusco.
You travel to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, with a guided tour of the temple of Coricancha, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the colonial cathedral and streets.
A free day to enjoy Cusco, its markets, museums and cuisine, or an optional excursion, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you fly via Lima for your onward international departure, having experienced two iconic wonders.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 11 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, full board on the Galapagos cruise and a Sacred Valley lunch
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking naturalist guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and Galapagos fees as per itinerary
- a Quito tour, a 4-night Galapagos cruise, Cusco touring, a Machu Picchu train and guided visit, and flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card (payable locally)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, which makes budgeting easy; carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas, as change for large bills can be scarce
- Altitude: Quito and the Andean highlands sit high (Quito is around 2,850 metres), so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival at altitude
- Galapagos rules & fees: The Galapagos are a strictly protected national park; a park entrance fee and a transit control card are payable (currently in cash on arrival), you must follow your naturalist guide's rules at all times, and single-use plastics are restricted
- Best time to visit: Ecuador is a year-round destination; the highlands are mild all year, while the Galapagos have a warm, sunny season (December to May) with calmer seas and a cool, dry 'garua' season (June to November) with more active wildlife
- Getting around: Ecuador is compact for South America, but itineraries use domestic flights to the Galapagos and sometimes the Amazon; these are arranged and included where specified, and the highlands are toured by road
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon lowlands; bring sun protection (the equatorial sun is intense, especially at altitude and at sea), insect repellent for the jungle, and any seasickness remedies for Galapagos cruises
- Culture & power: Ecuador has a rich indigenous culture, vibrant in its markets and villages; a little Spanish helps, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we travel between the two countries?
An international flight (usually via Guayaquil to Lima) links the Galapagos leg in Ecuador with the Peru leg, which we arrange. You will need the correct entry documents for both countries, which we confirm based on your nationality.
How do we manage the altitude in Peru?
Cusco and the Sacred Valley sit high, so we start in the lower Sacred Valley to aid acclimatisation before Machu Picchu and Cusco. You should rest, hydrate and take it easy; we advise fully and can suggest precautions.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary and full board on Galapagos cruises and at jungle lodges. Ecuadorian food is varied and fresh, so most other meals in the highlands are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights specified in your itinerary, such as to the Galapagos or the Amazon, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
Should I do a Galapagos cruise or a land-based trip?
Both are wonderful. A cruise reaches more remote islands and maximises wildlife, while a land-based trip (staying on the inhabited islands with day trips) is gentler on the budget and better for those prone to seasickness. We help you choose and tailor either.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?
The Galapagos are excellent year-round. The warm season (December to May) brings sunny skies and calmer seas ideal for snorkelling, while the cool 'garua' season (June to November) has more active wildlife and richer waters. We advise on timing.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Galapagos, Andes and Amazon, choose a cruise or land-based Galapagos programme, add Quito, Otavalo or the cloud forest, and tailor everything to your interests and budget.
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