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We have carefully devised this 11-day itinerary to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu to combine two of South America's most iconic destinations in one smooth and seamless journey.

Your trip begins with the remarkable wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands, spending five days aboard one of our hand-selected small cruise ships. Then you'll dive into the heart of the ancient Incan world in Peru, where you'll enjoy guided tours of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and, finally, the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu.

Customise this trip

The following itinerary is provided for inspiration only: we can adjust the days, activities and hotels to suit your budget and preferences. This trip can easily be extended with an overnight train journey to Lake Titicaca, visit the Peruvian Amazon, or spend longer exploring mainland Ecuador. Get in touch now for expert, no obligation itinerary advice!

Good to know

  • 100% tailor-made itineraries
  • Best guides & hotels
  • Top rated reviews

What's included

  • Included Accommodation
  • Included Guided excursions
  • Included Ground transfers
  • Included Some meals
Days

11

Starting from

$7,190 pp

Contact us now for more information about this trip
This tour is operated by
SA Expeditions

Speak to Claudia for expert travel advice

Enquire now
Destinations
Ecuador, Peru
Activity
Cruise & Sailing, Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Archaeology, History
Tour Type
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Physical Level
Mild
Season Season
January - December

Detailed itinerary

What you'll see and do

This is a customisable trip

Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A SA Expeditions travel specialist will be happy to advise.

Arrival to Ecuador

Welcome to Ecuador. You will be greeted at the airport by our representatives and taken to your Guayaquil hotel to settle in and prepare for your flight to the Galapagos the following morning.

Arrival in Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Your exploration of the Galapagos Islands begins! Upon arrival in Baltra, 600 miles off the coast, you will be met by your guide and taken on a short bus ride to the harbor to board your vessel. After lunch, you will embark on an excursion to Dragon Hill, famed for its numerous land iguanas.

Galapagos Cruise: Rabida Island

Land on the red sands of Rábida Island, which is small but brimming with wildlife. Along the shore you will encounter playful sea lions and nesting pelicans. A short inland trail takes you to a salt water lagoon where you're likely to see flamingos and the famous Galapagos finches. Then, in the afternoon, you'll learn about the archipelago’s geology on the tiny island of Sombrero Chino.

Galapagos Cruise: Genovesa Island

Discover Genovesa Island, often called Bird Island for its abundance of avian species. In the morning you'll ascend Prince Philip's Steps, a rocky inclined path surrounded by boobie colonies. Spend the afternoon at Darwin Bay among Galapagos sea lions, red-footed and masked boobies, and impressive great frigates.

Galapagos Cruise: Bartolome Island

Enjoy a morning at Bartolome Island. From here, at an elevation of almost 400 feet, take in breath-taking views of the lunar craters, volcanic cones, lava fields, and beaches of the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, explore the still-active volcanic island of Santiago, one of the best places for observing fur seals in the Galapagos.

Galapagos to Lima, Peru

During your last day in the Galapagos, explore the highlands of Santa Cruz where the scenery changes dramatically to lush forest. You'll have the opportunity to explore a lava tunnel and see enormous crater-like sink holes. Your cruise ends with a transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, Peru. Upon your arrival at the Lima airport you will be greeted and driven to your hotel.

Lima to Cusco

Travelling from Lima to Cusco, you will have ascended from sea level to 11,500 feet. On your first day, you will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude. If you're feeling up to it, the city center is pedestrian-friendly and makes for a great stroll. We’re happy to recommend the city's best options for dining and shopping, depending on your interests and preferences.

Private Half Day Cusco City Tour

Discover the city of Cusco, the capital of the Incan Empire, on a private guided tour. You'll visit Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex with impressive stonework, Koricancha, one of the most important Incan temples (the walls were once actually coated in gold!), and Cusco's Cathedral where you'll learn about the Cusco school of art.

Private Sacred Valley Tour

Journey through the breath-taking scenery of the Sacred Valley. Your tour through this Incan agricultural heartland will include visits to the ancient circular agricultural terraces of Moray, the salt mines at Maras, and the ruins and village of Ollantaytambo. Departing from Ollantaytambo, enjoy a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley to the town of Machu Picchu where you will stay in your hotel at Aguas Calientes.

Private Machu Picchu Tour

Uncover the secrets of Machu Picchu during a guided tour of this Incan citadel. You'll visit the most important parts of the ruins to learn how and why they were constructed. After the tour, you'll have time to further explore the ruins or sit back and soak up the magic of Machu Picchu. You can also hike to the top of Huayna Picchu for a mesmerising view of the ruins. The steep path takes about an hour and a half to ascend. Journey by train from Machu Picchu town, through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the train station you will be met and transferred to your Cusco hotel.

International Departure

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. Depending on the time of your international flight out a private tour of Lima's key sites can be arranged. You will visit the Larco Archaeological Museum, the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs, Lima's historic colonial squares, and the picturesque waterfront district Miraflores.

  • Guayaquil

    Guayaquil

  • Isla Santa Cruz

    Isla Santa Cruz

    Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point...
  • Isla Rabida

    Isla Rabida

    Famous for the unique red colour of its beach and cliffs, Isla Rabida is known for the sizeable number of flamingos that feed on shrimp in its lagoon, snorkelling with sea lions and the large number of bird species that live here...
  • Isla Genovesa

    Isla Genovesa

    Stay with us – Isla Genovesa is also known as Booby Island due to the sheer number of goofy-looking Nazca and red-footed boobies that live here...
  • Isla Bartolomé

    Isla Bartolomé

    Tiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery...
  • Lima

    Lima

    Peru's unfairly overlooked capital
    Many tourists arrive in Lima only to fly straight out to Cusco, Arequipa or other popular tourist destinations in Peru...
  • Cusco

    Cusco

    Capital of the Inca
    Once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco is today the beating heart of Peru's tourism industry...
  • Cusco

    Cusco

    Capital of the Inca
    Once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco is today the beating heart of Peru's tourism industry...
  • Sacred Valley

    Sacred Valley

    Peru's spiritual heartland
    The Urubamba River descends from Cusco, eventually connecting with tributaries of the mighty Amazon...
  • Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu

    Peru's archaeological rock star
    Machu Picchu is the top attraction in Peru and, in 2007, was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World...
  • Lima

    Lima

    Peru's unfairly overlooked capital
    Many tourists arrive in Lima only to fly straight out to Cusco, Arequipa or other popular tourist destinations in Peru...

Speak to a South America specialist about this trip

SA Expeditions

Contact us now for more information about this trip

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Where to stay

Some of our sample accommodation.

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Galapagos Sea Star

Galapagos Sea Star

The Galapagos Sea Star is a modern, spacious yacht designed for comfortable exploration of the Galapagos Islands...

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Solaris
Classic

Solaris

The expeditionary and brand-new Solaris yacht has a maximum capacity of just 16 guests, making for an intimate cruise experience and a highly personalized service from your guide and crew...

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Ocean Spray
Deluxe

Ocean Spray

The most modern boat to sail the Galapagos, the Ocean Spray has eight double rooms and one single room, all with private balconies...

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Wyndham Guayaquil
Superior

Wyndham Guayaquil

This hotel is wonderfully located in Puerto Santa Ana, within a mile of Santa Ana Hill and 2 miles from Malecon 2000...

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Hotel Oro Verde
Deluxe

Hotel Oro Verde

The classiest hotel in Guayaquil, the Oro Verde boasts an equally impressive range of dining options, from fondue to gourmet French cuisine...

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El Mercado Tunqui
Superior

El Mercado Tunqui

The hotel sits on the site of a former market just blocks from the main plaza in the historic heart of Cusco...

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La Casona
Deluxe

La Casona

One of the first Spanish colonial constructions in Cusco, built directly over an Incan settlement, La Casona offers the opportunity to relive history...

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Andina Luxury
Classic

Andina Luxury

Situated along the river near the Machu Picchu Town train station, this inviting hotel offers simple comforts to suit your needs...

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Sanctuary Lodge
Deluxe

Sanctuary Lodge

This is the only hotel adjacent to the ruins of Machu Picchu, offering an unmatched location on the mountaintop and quick access to the ruins...

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El Albergue
Classic

El Albergue

With expansive gardens and mountain views, and a prime location in Ollantaytambo near the train station, the hotel Albergue is the perfect jumping off point for an early morning trip to Machu Picchu...

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Sol y Luna
Deluxe

Sol y Luna

This genuine family-owned property is designed to provide a place of exquisite luxury while connecting you with the local culture and environment for a truly personalized and unique experience...

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Casa Republica
Classic

Casa Republica

Set in one of Lima’s most vibrant districts, Casa Republica is an elegant, 1920s mansion that has been fabricated to offer some of the best value of any hotel while maintaining the style of the glory days of Peru’s Republican era...

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Hotel B
Deluxe

Hotel B

Situated in the heart of the bohemian seaside district of Barranco, this property offers a unique style of luxury accommodation set in a decadent colonial home from the 20s with eclectic art, impeccable service and a swanky restaurant popular among local artists and fashonistas...

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Villa Barranco
Superior

Villa Barranco

Villa Barranco by Ananay Hotels is a boutique hotel nestled in the vibrant Barranco district of Lima, known for its artistic and bohemian atmosphere...

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Las Qolqas Eco-Resort
Superior

Las Qolqas Eco-Resort

Las Qolqas Eco-Resort is an eco-friendly retreat located in the Sacred Valley, designed to provide guests with a sustainable and immersive experience in nature...

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Casa San Blas
Classic

Casa San Blas

Right off the main pedestrian fare in the San Blas district and less than three blocks to the main square, Casa San Blas Boutique offers exceptional location and comfort...

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El MaPi
Superior

El MaPi

Located right off the square and the major pedestrian street in the town of Machu Picchu, the stylish new El Mapi is in the middle of the action...

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Machu Picchu Pueblo
Deluxe

Machu Picchu Pueblo

Hidden in 12 acres of seclusion, the Pueblo Hotel provides a paradise of individual bungalows with stone paths leading you through the gardens and natural fountains...

What's included

Included Accommodation

Carefully-selected, quality assured hotels including unique, independently-owned boutiques. All hotels can be upgraded or changed on request.

Included Guided excursions

All trips and excursions accompanied by expert, bi-lingual guides to help you get an inside view.

Included Ground transfers

All airport collections and hotel transfers in private cars and comfortable minivans.

Included Some meals

All breakfasts and some lunches included. Your guides will happily advise on local restaurants for evening meals.

How to book

All days, excursions and hotels can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Contact one of our South America travel experts now to discuss changes to this itinerary.

Reviews

What people are saying about SA Expeditions

Randy L
23/10/2024

Loved working with Jackie and the outstanding crew at SA plus all the great guided on the ground in India. Yes, we saw Riddhi the tigress also!

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Charles P
09/10/2024

A fantastic adventure from beginning to end! The beauty and spectacle of the trail and ruins was only matched by the coordination and execution of the trip. Hats off to our guide Evert Quispe who was as accommodating as he was knowledgeable. Our team of porters: Ronal, Nemesio, Cayetano, Isidro, Celso, Noe, Mario, and the ever present and always excellent Claudio made our trip an unforgettable...

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Sara H
08/10/2024

Words cannot express the deep gratitude we have towards SA Expeditions. From the moment we started working with Chelsey—adjusting and rearranging our plans—they made sure everything was tailored to give us the perfect trip. Thank you for always answering our questions and responding in a timely manner.

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Donald S
06/10/2024

Our Peruvian adventure far exceeded our expectations in every dimension. The trip was planned by Adam Laughter of SA Expeditions. Every detail of the trip was coordinated flawlessly.

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Melinda
09/09/2021

I went to Ecuador on the Galapagos trip. It was my first trip with SA Expeditions so I had no idea why to expect. They definitely impressed. Every detail was organized and planned for me. The hotels exceeded my expectations. The tours were exactly what they described. My guides were fun, knowledgeable and flexible to adjust to what I felt like doing. I travelled alone as a single woman and felt completely safe the entire time. I knew they were just a phone call away. I'll be booking the trip to the salt flats for December!

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Mendiola
28/08/2021

We had a great trip to Peru booked through SA Expeditions! Everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We had great accommodations and we especially liked our guide Silver! I was nervous at first about booking with a company I found on the web and had no experience with but Dan, who made all arrangements, was very patient with me and but me at ease. I would highly recommend SA Expeditions!

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Kevin
25/08/2021

My daughter and I went with SA Expeditions to coordinate our trip to Peru to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca. The accommodations that SA scheduled were fantastic. Beautiful settings, delicious food and friendly staff.

Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We had to make some last minute changes to our hike. Our guide Marco rolled with the changes and made it a memorable experience.

We enjoyed the knowledge that the guides had regarding Incan and pre-Incan societies. We left the vacation more knowledgeable that when we started.

Can't recommend enough.

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