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Peru & Galapagos Explorer

30 Days | Go deeper in diverse Peru before island-hopping in the Galapagos

4.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Explorer
Wildlife
From
GBP £6,569
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This trip combines our most comprehensive adventure through Peru with an immersive experience on the Galapagos Islands to become a breathtaking 30-day tour through ancient cities and beautiful landscapes. Cruise deep into the Amazon and spend two nights in jungle lodges, stay with a local family on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, explore Colca Canyon and reach the famed Inca city of Machu Picchu by trek or train. Just when you think it can’t get any more amazing, prepare to have your mind blown all over on the Galapagos Islands. Encounter colourful, bizarre and beautiful wildlife and traverse volcanic landscapes. Walk among giant tortoises, hike to the top of a volcano on Isla Isabela and fall in love with sea lions.

Trip overview

Map of Peru & Galapagos Explorer including Ecuador and Peru
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Quito, Ecuador
Theme
Explorer, Wildlife
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 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGSFC
This trip generates 59.2 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
  • Choose the classic Inca Trail, the quieter Quarry Trail or the scenic train route to reach Machu Picchu. It will be unforgettable, no matter how you get there.
  • Take a boat tour around the floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca and spend the night with a local family in a traditional island community.
  • Spend two nights deep in the Amazon Jungle, trekking with local flora and fauna experts through the ‘Lungs of the World’.
  • Huge giant tortoises, colourful marine iguanas and the puppies of the sea (AKA sea lions) – come face-to-face with these creatures and more on the Galapagos Islands.
  • Stay in locally-owned hotels in the Galapagos with daily island-hopping adventures by speedboat. The perfect way to see the best of the archipelago while supporting home-grown businesses.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Sometimes you’ve got to rough it to get amongst it. While most of the accommodation on this trip is tourist class, there will be some very basic accommodation when it makes sense. This includes the two homestays in rural Peru, the Amazon Jungle eco-lodges and (if you choose to trek to Machu Picchu) camping along the Inca or Quarry Trail. There'll be no power in these places and some won't have showers and hot water.
  • The Amazon can be hot, humid and sticky. While travelling in this region, it's best to wear light cotton clothing and come prepared with insect repellent.
  • Altitude sickness is always a possibility at the heights this trip reaches, regardless of age or health. Please see the ‘Medical and health information’ section of Essential Trip Information for more detail on this.
  • This trip involves a lot of walking, such as the 5—6 hour hike to the top of Sierra Negra Volcano in The Galapagos. If you choose to hike either the Inca or Quarry trails, they will be strenuous. The trip is recommended for those with at least a moderate level of fitness. Please bring durable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details.
  • This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication.
  • Close proximity to the equator means sun in the Galapagos Islands is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. We also recommend a rash guard.
  • This trip includes multiple snorkelling excursions. Travellers often find snorkelling in the Galapagos to be the most memorable part of their journey, jut note that confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be on offer.
  • 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.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.

Itinerary

Map of Peru & Galapagos Explorer including Ecuador and Peru

Inclusions

Meals

26 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (23 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Chauchilla Cemetery Tour
  • Colca Canyon -Guided tour
  • Lake Titicaca - Boat tour & Homestay
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Chocolate Museum Visit & Hot Chocolate
  • 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Amazon jungle lodge stay
  • 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 - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
  • Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
  • 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 - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco (Based on 4 participants) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Ballestas Islands - Guided tour - PEN97
  • Nazca - Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (excluding 77 PEN Taxes at Nazca Airport) - USD100
  • Arequipa - Santa Catalina Monastery Admission Fee - PEN45
  • Arequipa - Juanita Museum Admission Fee - PEN20
  • Colca Canyon - La Calera hot springs - PEN15
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • 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
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
  • Machu Picchu Site Museum - PEN25
  • Cusco - 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
  • Lima - Private Lima: Home Cooked Tour Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD85
  • 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.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Days 17,18 (Jungle Lodge) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. Inca Trail permits are sold on request basis only. Once deposit is paid and passport details provided, Intrepid will endeavor to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Inca Quarry Trail instead.The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion starts in February you will be automatically booked to hike the Inca Quarry Trail: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail
Should you choose not to hike at all, please inform in writing at the time of booking so alternative arrangements can be made. Without prior warning, local fees may apply.

4. A Galapagos Transit Card fee of $20 is payable on departure from Quito Airport (or whichever airport in Ecuador you are flying to the Galapagos). The Galapagos park fee ($100) and Isabela Port fee ($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 details; as it could cause issues with your transit card and internal flights resulting in purchasing a new card and flights at your own expense.

5. 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.

6. Some of the hotels in the Galapagos do have internet connections however it's often very slow and and may not always be functional.

7. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees & Permits for certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

8. While hiking the 4 Day Inca Trail or the 3 Day Quarry Trail portion, you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travelers.

9. Parts of your trip go above 2800 m/9200 ft where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness.

10. This trip starts at 4pm on day 1. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation. Earliest departure time at the end of this tour is anytime on day 30.

11. Most hotels in highlands should have oxygen cylinders available. However you may be asked to pay surcharge for use of oxygen longer than 5 - 10 min at the time.

12. From Jan 23rd 2022, the Peruvian government has enforced new regulations around movements in the country and access to public indoor venues by requiring anybody over 40 to show evidence of a booster shot. This includes domestic flights, trains, and going to restaurants, museums, banks, shops etc. We strongly advise you to book and complete your booster dose before your trip so that this new regulation won’t impact your experience and enjoyment in travelling in Peru.

13. 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.

14.

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

4.5 out of 5 based on 2 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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Marilyn · Traveled July 2023
I selected Intrepid for my first-ever guided tour and I am so glad I did. Attention to detail, local knowledge, ethical and responsible tourism...these are things I was looking for and exactly what I found, and more. Amazing tour leaders, thoughtful inclusions, and more. I can't wait for my next Intrepid tour!
Review submitted 04 Sep 2023

charlotte · Traveled April 2022
Travelled with Intrepid many times. Would definitely recommend their itineraries. This trip was spectacular. If booking multiple trips would advise to book each trip separately, not a combined trip and to book your own flights, the transfers that Intrepid offer are poorly timed and not in the travellers best interest. Also, if you send them an email, don't expect a response within any time that it may be useful
Review submitted 20 May 2022
Peru & Galapagos Explorer
From
GBP £6,569