Best of Peru & Galapagos

18 Days | Take in the best of historical Peru and the gorgeous Galapagos Islands

5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews submitted.
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EUR €6,291
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Visit Peru's incredible natural and historical highlights on this awesome adventure. Retrace the steps of the Incas to Machu Picchu, admire colonial cities, explore vibrant markets and meet the locals in this South American country with a difference. Return home with incredible memories of the panoramas and people of Peru. Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands. Tour the Galapagos' outstanding natural beauty and interesting history by foot, boat and bike on this active adventure. Trace Darwin's theory of evolution, spot colourful, bizarre and beautiful creatures and have an experience that is completely out of this world as you discover the incredible Galapagos Islands.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Peru & Galapagos including Ecuador and Peru
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Quito, Ecuador
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Peru, Ecuador
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 16
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
GGSDC
This trip generates 89.64 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Marvel at the mother of all Inca cities, magical Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and free time to explore on your own.
  • Enjoy plenty of time in gorgeous Cusco, the perfect place to launch into further outdoor adventures, or simply relax and take in mountain views.
  • The floating reed islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca are astounding in concept, construction and history. Take a boat tour on the world's highest navigable lake and stay with a local family there.
  • Get acquainted with the beautiful churches and graceful boulevards of Quito, Ecuador's capital.
  • Get up close and personal with giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island. These nearly extinct creatures are one of the greatest drawcards to the Galapagos .

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • The sun in the Galapagos islands is incredibly strong due to its close proximity to the equator, so ensure you are well prepared with suncreen, sun hat, sunglasses and a rash guard if desired.
  • This trip does include snorkeling on multiple days throughout the itinerary. Confident swimming skills are required to take part in this tour.
  • This trip involves a lot of travel by speed boat between the various Galapagos Islands and the rides can be quite bumpy at times. The good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Consult a health professional before your trip.
  • This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6-7 hours) on rocky terrain. It's recommended you bring comfortable walking shoes that offer good support.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Peru & Galapagos including Ecuador and Peru

Inclusions

Meals

15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Plane, Speed Boat, Canoe, Train, Private Vehicle, Public bus

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (13 nights)

Activities
  • Lima - Leader-led walking tour
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
  • Sacred Valley - AMA Snack and Drink
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
  • Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
  • Quito - Historic District Walking Tour
  • Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours)
  • San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands
  • Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
  • Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour)
  • Floreana - Snorkeling
  • Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley (2.5 Hours)
  • Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit (30 Minutes)
  • Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
  • Isla Isabela - Kayaking
  • Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
  • Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours)
  • Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour
  • Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class
  • Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk
  • Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy visit
  • Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre
Add on activities
  • Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
  • Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
  • Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
  • Lima - Private Lima: Home Cooked Tour Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD85
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
  • Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
  • Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Cusco - 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) - USD100
  • Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) - USD70
  • Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour - USD95
  • Quito - Urban Adventures: Legends and Culture Tour - USD50
  • Wetsuit (shortsleeve) hire for 5 days - USD60

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Ecuador has implemented COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to the country, including special conditions for Galapagos. Please refer to your government's foreign travel advice for the most up to date information.
2. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!
Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilize the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/altitude-sickness
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 07 (Lake Titicaca, Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. A Galapagos Transit Card fee of US$20 is payable on departure from Quito Airport (or whichever airport in Ecuador you are flying to the Galapagos from). The Galapagos park fee (US$100) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
When booking, please ensure that your details are correct and they match your passport. Your passport must match the booking details provided to us; otherwise it could cause issues with your transit card and internal flights resulting in purchasing a new card and flights at your own expense.
6. Please note that from June to August the water is rougher than usual. Consequently travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.
7. Some of the hotels in the Galapagos do have internet connections however it's often very slow and and may not always be functional.
8. Depending on the time of year, and flight availability, your Lima-Quito flight may depart in the very early hours of the morning to ensure you arrive in time for the welcome meeting. Please speak to your booking agent to confirm what time your flight is noting that the flight is purchased 30 days before departure.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Myra · Traveled April 2022
Fantastic trip! The two countries really complement each other and every day is something new and fresh. Peru has great culture, history and food, Galapagos is very active and nature focused. My guides, Julio and Jessica were amazing and had such in-depth knowledge of the countries. Bring a hat (even if you hate wearing them!), lots of sunscreen, try to pack lightly: there are multiple places you can get your stuff washed. Book it and be prepared to have lots of fun!!
Review submitted 23 May 2022
Best of Peru & Galapagos
From
EUR €6,291