Galapagos & Peru
15 Days
Reviews
Tour Overview
Combine the remote and biodiverse Galapagos Islands with the highlights of Peru on this 15 day holiday. Snorkel with sea lions, witness majestic giant tortoise and marvel at the impressive Macchu Pichu.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to suit your own personal needs and budget. Click here for more information on our Tailor-made Tours.
Included Activities
- Arrival Transfer
- Middle of the World Tour
- Galapagos Cruise & Activities
- Lima City Tour
- Cusco City Tour
- Sacred Valley of the Incas Guided Tour
- Machu Picchu Entrance and Guided Tour
- Departure Transfer
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito. After check in you will have the rest of the day free to relax and unwind after your flight, or to start enjoying the sites of Quito.
At 2,850 metres above sea level, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world. It was founded in 1534 by the Spanish and was originally an Inca stronghold. The city has two main areas - the old and the new. The new is the main commercial area with lots of good restaurants and bars, whereas the old city is the colonial area in the centre, with steep calles (cobblestone streets), busy plazas and indigenous markets.
Included Excursions
Arrival Transfer
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels 
Day 2 - Quito
Today you will be collected for a Quito city and middle of the world guided tour. First you will visit the down town area of Quito, one of the largest in South America. You will visit the oldest street in the city, La Ronda, that was once home to artists, musicians and politicians. You will visit the house of handicrafts made of metal and wood before moving onto Independence Square, which is surrounded by important historic buildings. After a tour around some of the most beautiful baroque churches in the world you will drive to the viewpoint at Panecillo hill, where you will have incredible views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes.
After this you will be driven towards the Middle of the World (Mitad Del Mundo) which is one of Quito's most famous attractions, situated to the north of Ecuador's Capital. In 1736, a French scientific expedition travelled to Ecuador to try and determine the position of the Equator. This mission was called the French Geodesic Mission and in 1935 the government built the ten metre high monument to honour this expedition. The monument was then replaced in 1972 to what now stands at thirty metres and is titled "Ciudad Mitad del Mundo".
On the site, there is a monument which houses an Ethnographic Museum. Here you will learn about lifestyles, clothing and utensils of the different ethnic groups of Ecuador. Just outside Mitad del Mundo, there is an interesting open-air museum known as "Inti-Ñan", which explains our solar system, the position of the equator and its effect on gravity. There is also interesting displays of Ecuadorian ancient cultures and their ways of life.
Included Excursions
Middle of the World Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 3 - Galápagos Islands - San Cristóbal
Today you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to San Cristóbal where you will join the Galapagos Cruise. You will be welcomed by a local guide and checked onto the Odyssey Cruise. After lunch and a briefing you will transfer to the first site in the highlands, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Walk amongst these gentle giants and learn about their activity on the island.
You will return to the yacht and enjoy a captains toast and cocktails, celebrating your first evening on board.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 4 - Galápagos Islands - Suarez Point
After breakfast you will have a dry landing at Suarez Point, where you will enjoy a guided walk passing spectacular seabird colonies perched on the cliffs. This really is a nature lovers dream and highlight of time spent in the Galapagos Islands. Suarez Point is somewhat incredible, with the huge waves crashing into the side of the cliffs and up through a blowhole, creating a spray of water metres into the air.
After lunch, you have the opportunity to snorkel with the tropical fish and Pacific green turtle, or find yourself in the middle of playful sea lions. Following this you will stroll through sea lion colonies admiring these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Hopping back on board you will enjoy a freshly cooked dinner as you make your way to the next island.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 5 - Galápagos Islands - Cormorant Point
After breakfast you will hop on dinghies which will take you to the rocky rim of Devil's Crown, just outside the bay of Cormorant Point. It is a fantastic area for deep water snorkelling, or if that's not your thing birdwatching here is also a great experience.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 6 - Galápagos Islands - Santa Fe & Santa Cruz Islands
Today you will visit the islands of Santa Fe and Santa Cruz. After a wet landing you will take a guided walk along the beach of Santa Fe, with your local guide deciding on the best path depending on the day. Sante Fe has the oldest volcano in the Galapagos and a huge array of wildlife that are endemic to the island. Watch out for the land iguana as well as colonies of sea lions. You will then have time to snorkel or swim in the clear waters off Barrington Bay.
After lunch you will head towards South Plaza, where you might find bottlenose dolphins following the boat. South Plaza is home to several large sea lion colonies as well as giant cactus trees, offering an incredible landscape.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 7 - Galápagos Islands - North Seymour
You have now arrived at North Seymour, one of the most popular sites in the Galapagos and home to huge colonies of frigate birds and boobies. Early in the day, while they are active, you will take a guided walk through the seabird colonies, following a loop back to the start. This is a truly fascinating experience and a great way to see the wildlife up close. After this you will enjoy a much needed breakfast buffet back on board, with some time to relax. Later in the morning you will also have the chance to snorkel.
The cruise then continues west towards Bachas Beach where lunch will be enjoyed. Upon landing, enjoy an easy stroll along the shores of this sandy beach.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 8 - Galápagos Islands - Mosquera Island & Fly to Quito
Today is the last to enjoy the incredible islands. Early in the morning you will be taken on a guided walk of Mosquera Island, that has one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos. You will also see shorebirds, waders and lightfoot crabs, scurrying across the sand. You will then return to the boat for breakfast before transferring back to Baltra where you will be accompanied to the airport for your flight back to Quito.
Included Excursions
Galapagos Cruise & Activities
Accommodation
1
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 9 - Fly Quito to Lima
Today you will leave Ecuador and fly to Lima, Peru, for the next part of your adventure. After a transfer to your hotel you will have time to relax and start exploring.
The capital of Peru, Lima is located on the Pacific coast and is one of South America's largest cities. It has a whole host of attractions including the Larco Museum, Huaca Pucllana (ruins of a pre-Incan pyramid) and the scenic plaza.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 10 - Lima
Today you enjoy a half day city tour of some of the highlights in Lima, covering its three historical periods: pre-hispanic, colonial and contemporary.
First you will visit the impressive Museo Larco, home to the best private collection of pre columbian art in Peru. Next up is Pachacamac, a fascinating archaeological site which is said to be first settled around A.D 200, and flourished for around 1300 years before the Spanish invaded. Enjoy a guided tour of the site before stopping at a local restaurant for lunch where you will learn how to make the famous Pisco Sour.
After lunch the tour will take you to downtown Lima, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will walk you through the many streets where you can observe the architecture, monuments and many important buildings. The next stop is the Convent of San Francisco, one of the best preserved buildings from the colonial times. Here you can explore the library and chilling catacombs, before climbing the tower for great views of the city.
Finally, you will visit the Magic Water Circuit where you will enjoy a fascinating show of lights, water and music. You will be transferred back to your hotel and have the remainder of the day free.
Included Excursions
Lima City Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 11 - Cusco
Transfer to the airport and travel to Cusco, gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. You will be transferred to your hotel before enjoying a Cusco city tour of the highlights, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Santo Domingo and archeological park of Sacsayhuaman.
Included Excursions
Cusco City Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 12 - Aguas Calientes & Sacred Valley Tour
This morning you will be taken on a tour of the Sacred Valley before travelling to Aguas Calientes by train. You will be transferred to your hotel and have the remainder of the day free.
Included Excursions
Sacred Valley of the Incas Guided Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 13 - Machu Picchu & Cusco
No trip to Peru is complete without witnessing the spectacular Inca site of Machu Picchu! This morning you will transfer to the entrance and enjoy a guided tour before having free time to explore the area.
Machu Picchu dates back to the 15th century, and is an icon of the Inca civilization. It was abandoned during the Spanish Conquest and remained unknown to the outside world until 1911. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has also been voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Later on you will be transferred back to Cusco.
Included Excursions
Machu Picchu Entrance and Guided Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 14 - Cusco
Today you are free to explore Cusco. Wander the busy Plaza de Armas and admire the Cathedral and La Compania de Jesus Church. Be sure to order some pisco sours to enjoy your last night in Peru!
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 15 - Depart Lima
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
You will transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima.
Included Excursions
Departure Transfer
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Essential Information
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
Enquiry
Prefer to speak to a specialist?
0800 804 8435
Tailor-made Operations Manager
Melita
Why I love this trip
Perhaps the two most notable sites in South America, witnessing the history of Machu Picchu and beauty of the Galapagos in one trip is an excellent opportunity. Contact me to create your own personal tour of this region.
