Tour overview

This 30-day journey draws a long arc from Pacific Lima up to the Andean heights, across the high Altiplano of Lake Titicaca, into the Peruvian Amazon, and all the way out to the Galapagos for a week of island-hopping among the wildlife that made the islands famous. The trip combines the headline experiences of Peru with the once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos wildlife experience — sea lion snorkelling, manta-ray and shark dives at Kicker Rock, giant tortoise encounters in the Santa Cruz Highlands, and the Sierra Negra volcano hike on Isabela.

The Peru section moves south from Lima via Nazca (with optional scenic flights over the desert geoglyphs) to the White City of Arequipa, then up to the terraced depths of Colca Canyon where Andean condors soar at eye level. Lake Titicaca delivers a motorboat tour to the floating Uros reed islands and a homestay with a Quechua-speaking community at Llachón. Cusco is the launchpad for your choice of route to Machu Picchu — the classic 4-day Inca Trail, the quieter Quarry Trail, or a scenic train approach — followed by two nights at an Amazon eco-lodge in the Madre de Dios region. The Galapagos section then flies from Quito out to San Cristobal, hopping by speedboat between four islands across seven days with daily wildlife encounters that build to the Sierra Negra volcano summit and the Charles Darwin Research Station finale on Santa Cruz.

Trip highlights

  • Snorkel with playful sea lions and sea turtles at La Lobería on San Cristóbal

    and again at Kicker Rock (León Dormido) for manta rays, sea turtles and the harmless Galapagos shark

  • Walk among Galapagos giant tortoises roaming free in the Santa Cruz Highlands organic-farm grounds, then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for the breeding programme story
  • Hike the 17 km Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island

    one of the Galapagos' most active volcanoes, with the world's second-largest crater

  • Watch Andean condors riding thermals above the depths of Colca Canyon

    the world's second-deepest canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon

  • Reach Machu Picchu your way

    the classic 4-day Inca Trail, the quieter Quarry Trail, or a scenic train through the Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes — all routes finish with a guided tour

  • Spend a night homestaying on Lake Titicaca with a Quechua-speaking community at Llachón, after motorboating to the floating Uros reed islands
  • Two nights at a thatched-roof Amazon eco-lodge in Madre de Dios

    guided jungle treks for macaws, monkeys, capybaras and the night-walk caimans

  • Stand at the Equator in Quito on a leader-led tour of the UNESCO Old Town and the neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional

Your route

Route map of the 30-day Peru & Galapagos Explorer tour, tracing the journey from Lima south to Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and Cusco, then to Machu Picchu and the Peruvian Amazon, then on to Quito and the Galapagos islands of San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz.
Route map — Lima → Paracas → Nazca → Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Puno (Lake Titicaca) → Cusco → Machu Picchu → Amazon Jungle → Quito → Galapagos: San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz.

Day-by-day itinerary

30 days from Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador

  1. Day 1 Lima

    Welcome to Peru. Welcome meeting at 4 pm at the hotel. Optional Gold Museum or Lima Discovery food tour before the meeting. Optional group dinner.

  2. Day 2 Pisco

    Morning walking tour of Lima's downtown — Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery, Central Market. Local bus to Paracas (3-4 hours). Free evening — try Peru's national Pisco sour.

  3. Day 3 Nazca

    Optional Ballestas Islands two-hour boat trip to spot pelicans, boobies and flamingos. Drive to Nazca via Huacachina (the desert oasis). Optional Nazca Lines scenic flight (additional 77 PEN airport tax). Free evening.

  4. Day 4 Arequipa (overnight bus)

    Morning Chauchilla Cemetery tour — naturally-preserved Nazca-people remains in the desert. Late afternoon: board the local overnight bus from Nazca to Arequipa (9 hours). Stock up on snacks.

  5. Day 5 Arequipa

    Arrive in Arequipa (the White City, 2,335 m). Check in, breakfast, free day. Plaza de Armas, the Basilica Cathedral, Andean Sanctuaries Museum (with the Ice Maiden / 'Juanita' mummy). Optional Santa Catalina Monastery visit.

  6. Day 6 Colca Canyon

    Minivan to Chivay through llama and vicuña country. Stop at the Patapampa Pass (4,800 m — highest point of the trip) for coca tea. Lunch in Chivay. Optional La Calera hot springs soak. Evening llama-steak dinner with live Andean music at a peña.

  7. Day 7 Puno

    Morning visit to Colca Canyon for Andean condor viewing at the Cruz del Cóndor lookout — the bird soars at eye level on thermals. Long scenic bus to Puno on Lake Titicaca (3,800 m).

  8. Day 8 Llachón Homestay

    Motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca: floating Uros reed islands, then transfer to the Llachón community for the lakeshore homestay. Help with daily activities, learn Quechua words, join a soccer game, share a home-cooked dinner.

  9. Day 9 Puno

    Motorboat to Taquile Island (the men-knit, women-spin textile tradition). 1-hour uphill hike to the village; 500 steps back to the boat. Return to Puno.

  10. Day 10 Cusco

    Scenic bus across the Altiplano to Cusco (3,450 m — the Inca capital). Leader-led orientation walk: Qoricancha temple facade, San Pedro Market, the Plaza de Armas, the 12-Angled Stone, Regocijo and San Blas squares, finishing at the ChocoMuseo for a cup of local-cacao hot chocolate.

  11. Day 11 Cusco

    Free day to acclimatise. Optional Boleto Turistico (Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and four museums). Optional Rainbow Mountain or Palcoyo hike, Humantay Lake, Cusco cooking class, mountain biking.

  12. Day 12 Inca Trail

    Route choice begins. Route 1 (Inca Trail): drive to km 82, hike uphill to 3,100 m campsite via Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata. Route 2 (Quarry Trail): Choquequilla moon temple, Qory Sonqo lookout, Perolniyoc Cascade, camp at 3,700 m, explore Q'orimarca. Route 3 (Train): free day in Cusco to visit Coricancha.

  13. Day 13 Inca Trail

    Route 1: ascend to Warmiwanusca / Dead Woman's Pass (4,200 m), descend to Pacaymayo Valley (3,650 m). Route 2: cross Puccaqasa (4,370 m) and Kuychicassa (4,450 m), descend to camp at 3,600 m. Route 3: drive the Sacred Valley, lunch in a local community, overnight in Ollantaytambo.

  14. Day 14 Inca Trail

    Route 1: cross Runkuracay Pass (3,980 m), past Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca (3,850 m) to Winay Wayna campsite. Route 2: downhill via Kachiqata quarry to Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes. Route 3: train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes through the Urubamba Valley.

  15. Day 15 Cusco

    Route 1: 4 am breakfast, hike final stretch to Intipunku (Sun Gate), enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Routes 2 and 3: 6 am bus up to Machu Picchu. All routes: guided tour of the citadel, bus back to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, drive to Cusco.

  16. Day 16 Cusco

    Free day in Cusco. Plaza de Armas cafes, San Pedro Market, Sacred Valley biking, Rainbow Mountain or cooking class.

  17. Day 17 Amazon Jungle

    Early transfer to Cusco airport, fly via Lima to Puerto Maldonado. Pack a small duffle for 2 nights. Motorised canoe deep into the Madre de Dios region, lunch en route. Orientation walk at the eco-lodge. Evening jungle atmosphere.

  18. Day 18 Amazon Jungle

    Half-day guided trek through the rainforest learning about medicinal plants. Wildlife: rainbow macaws, butterflies, peccaries, monkeys, capybaras, giant otters, jabirus. Lunch and free time at the lodge. Evening night-walk for caimans, jaguars and nocturnal species.

  19. Day 19 Lima

    Return to Puerto Maldonado, fly back to Lima. Free evening for last-minute Lima sightseeing or a celebratory farewell dinner.

  20. Day 20 Lima

    Free day in Lima. Optional Coast Biking, Larco Museum, the Magic Water Circuit, or rest before the Ecuador section.

  21. Day 21 Quito

    Fly from Lima to Quito (Ecuador, 2,850 m). Second welcome meeting 2 pm to meet any new travellers and the new Ecuadorian leader. Leader-led tour of the UNESCO Old Town: Parque de la Alameda, Basílica del Voto Nacional (neo-Gothic, with Galapagos tortoise and Amazon alligator gargoyles), La Compañía de Jesús (gold-leaf baroque), San Francisco Square.

  22. Day 22 Isla San Cristóbal

    Early transfer to Quito airport, fly to Galapagos (Quito-Guayaquil-San Cristóbal). Meet your naturalist guide. Transfer to the locally-owned hotel. Snorkel gear pickup. Minibus to La Lobería for first Galapagos snorkelling — playful sea lions, sea turtles. Free evening.

  23. Day 23 Isla San Cristóbal

    45-minute boat to León Dormido (Kicker Rock). Snorkel for sea turtles, manta rays and harmless Galapagos sharks. Lunch on the boat. Interpretation Center for the islands' history and conservation. Walk to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill) for the bay views.

  24. Day 24 Isla Floreana

    Speedboat to Isla Isabela via Isla Floreana. Stop at Floreana's black-sand beach (Witter family land), learn the small island's settlement history. Snorkelling for colourful fish and turtles. Lunch at Leila, the family-run Floreana Community Tourism restaurant. Continue to Isabela for the overnight.

  25. Day 25 Isla Isabela

    Small motorboat to Las Tintoreras (Shark Alley): white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, the Galapagos penguin. Snorkel for sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays, sea stars. Return for lunch. Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre and flamingo lagoon. Afternoon kayaking around Bay of Puerto Villamil with pelicans, frigatebirds and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

  26. Day 26 Isla Isabela

    Private minibus to the Sierra Negra trailhead. 17 km hike (5-6 hours, challenging) up the active volcano — the world's second-largest crater. Free afternoon for rest, swimming, or beach time.

  27. Day 27 Isla Santa Cruz

    Private speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz. Bag drop, then to the Santa Cruz Highlands organic sugar-cane farm — trapiche tour, encebollado cooking demonstration, lunch. Walk among free-ranging Galapagos giant tortoises on the grounds.

  28. Day 28 Isla Santa Cruz

    Morning walk to Tortuga Bay (a long white-sand crescent with marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies). Free beach time. Afternoon: Charles Darwin Research Station for the breeding programme. Galapagos Conservancy visit (Intrepid Foundation's WISE women-entrepreneur partner).

  29. Day 29 Quito

    Fly Santa Cruz-Guayaquil-Quito. Say goodbye to your Galapagos leader. Free evening in Quito for the farewell dinner.

  30. Day 30 Quito

    Tour ends after breakfast. No activities planned — free to depart any time. Consider an extra day or two for Quilotoa Lagoon, Papallacta Hot Springs, the Otavalo Indigenous Market or Cotopaxi National Park.

Where you stay

  • Lima Hotel
  • Paracas/Pisco Hotel
  • Nazca Hotel
  • Overnight Bus (Nazca-Arequipa) Overnight bus
  • Arequipa Hotel
  • Colca Canyon (Chivay) Hotel
  • Puno (Lake Titicaca) Hotel
  • Lake Titicaca / Llachón Family homestay
  • Cusco Hotel
  • Inca Trail / Quarry Trail Camping (porter-supported)
  • Aguas Calientes Hotel
  • Amazon Jungle (Madre de Dios) Jungle eco-lodge
  • Quito Hotel
  • San Cristóbal Locally-owned hotel
  • Isabela Locally-owned hotel
  • Santa Cruz Locally-owned hotel

What's included

Included

  • 29 nights' accommodation 22 nights in 3★ hotels (including all 7 Galapagos nights in locally-owned hotels), 2 nights at an Amazon eco-lodge, 3 nights camping on the Inca/Quarry Trail (porter-supported), 1 night Lake Titicaca community homestay, and 1 overnight bus (Nazca to Arequipa)
  • 26 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 6 dinners including all meals at the Amazon lodge, on the Inca/Quarry Trail, the Lake Titicaca homestay full board, and the family-run Leila lunch on Floreana
  • Domestic flights Lima to Quito, Quito to San Cristóbal, and Galapagos back to Quito via Guayaquil
  • Ground transport motorised canoe in the Amazon, scenic train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, speedboats for inter-island Galapagos hops, plus private vehicles, taxis, public buses, the overnight bus and minivans across Peru
  • Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour, with your choice of 4-day Inca Trail (porter-supported, 5 kg duffle), 3-day Quarry Trail (porter-supported), or Cusco-based train approach
  • Chauchilla Cemetery Tour at Nazca, Colca Canyon guided tour and condor viewing, Lake Titicaca boat tour to Uros and Taquile islands
  • Amazon eco-lodge program motorised-canoe arrival, half-day guided jungle trek, guided night walk, all meals
  • Quito Old Town leader-led historic-district walking tour (UNESCO, neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional, La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco Square)
  • Cusco leader-led orientation walk with the Chocolate Museum visit and hot chocolate
  • Galapagos full programme La Lobería snorkelling, León Dormido (Kicker Rock) excursion, Interpretation Center, Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint, Floreana snorkelling, Tintoreras (Shark Alley) on Isabela, Flamingo Lagoon, Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre, Isabela kayaking, Sierra Negra volcano hike (17 km), Santa Cruz Highlands organic-farm tour, encebollado cooking demonstration, Tortuga Bay walk, Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos Conservancy visit
  • Experienced English-speaking local leaders throughout (one Peruvian leader for the Peru section, one Ecuadorian leader from Quito Day 21, one Galapagos naturalist guide for the islands)
  • Duffle bag provision and 5 kg porter allowance on the Inca and Quarry Trails; Cusco luggage storage

Not included

  • International flights to Lima and from Quito typically £900-1,500 from London via Madrid, Amsterdam or US East Coast
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Galapagos cash fees Transit Control Card (US$20, collected by your leader in Quito); Galapagos National Park fee (US$200 from 1 Aug 2024); Isabela Port fee (US$10) — bring US dollars in cash for all three
  • Travel insurance required by the operator, must cover high-altitude trekking above 4,000 m and water-based activity
  • Visa fees if your nationality requires one for Peru or Ecuador (UK passport holders don't currently need a visa for either, both 90 days)
  • Single supplement available on most nights but not on Day 4 (overnight bus), Day 8 (Titicaca homestay), or Days 17-18 (Amazon eco-lodge shared rooms)
  • Optional activities not marked included Ballestas Islands boat trip, Nazca Lines scenic flight (+77 PEN airport tax), Rainbow Mountain hike, Cusco Boleto Turistico, Quilotoa, Papallacta, Otavalo, Cotopaxi day-trips
  • Wetsuit hire in the Galapagos (US$25-30 for 5 days, optional)
  • Tips for the trek crew, drivers, leaders, naturalist guides budget roughly £120-200 per traveller across the 30 days
  • Meals not listed as included
  • Personal expenses drinks, snacks, laundry, souvenirs, phone calls

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You can't manage moderate-to-strenuous walking at altitude — the Inca Trail's Dead Woman's Pass tops out at 4,200 m, the Quarry Trail at 4,450 m, and the Patapampa pass on the Colca road reaches 4,800 m
  • You can't handle one overnight bus — the Nazca-to-Arequipa overnight (Day 4) is a 9-hour public-bus journey
  • You expect hot showers every night — the Lake Titicaca homestay and several Galapagos hotels have limited energy and may run cold-water-only at some hours
  • You want luxury accommodation — the trip is mostly 3★ locally-owned hotels with three nights camping, a jungle eco-lodge, a homestay and one overnight bus
  • You're tight on Galapagos budget — bring US$230+ cash for the Galapagos fees, plus wetsuit rental, plus daily snorkelling and lunches not included
  • You're not comfortable with multiple speedboat transfers in open ocean — inter-island Galapagos hops can be choppy (Sep-Dec); seasickness medication is recommended
  • You haven't allowed for the Galapagos rule-set — strict park rules on wildlife distance, no shells/corals removed, fines for non-compliance can be significant

Good to know

Highest altitude 4,800 m at the Patapampa Pass (Day 6); Dead Woman's Pass (Inca Trail) 4,200 m; Quarry Trail high pass 4,450 m
Tour starts Lima, Peru — welcome meeting 4 pm Day 1 at the hotel
Tour ends Quito, Ecuador — Day 30, no activities scheduled, free to depart anytime
Second welcome meeting 2 pm Day 21 in Quito for any new travellers joining the Galapagos section
Languages Spanish (Peru and Ecuador); Quechua and Aymara widely spoken in highland communities; English at hotels and with your leader
Currency Peruvian Sol (PEN) in Peru, US Dollar (USD) in Ecuador — Ecuador adopted the dollar in 2000, no exchange needed
Visas UK passport holders don't need a visa for Peru (90 days) or Ecuador (90 days)
Physical rating Medium — moderate hikes at altitude, the 17 km Sierra Negra hike, plus snorkelling and 4 am Inca-Trail start
Suitable for ages 15-99 (mixed-age group)
Inca Trail permits Provide full passport details at booking — Inca authorities will refuse entry if names don't match exactly; February closed (Quarry Trail used by default)
Galapagos rules Strict park rules on wildlife distance, authorised visit times only, and no removal of shells, corals, sand or anything from the environment
Galapagos fees US$20 Transit Card + US$200 National Park fee + US$10 Isabela Port fee — all cash USD
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Ecuador · UK FCDO travel advice for Peru

Departures & prices

From £6,227 per person, twin share. 24 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How big is the group?

This tour runs as a small group with a maximum of 16 travellers and an English-speaking local leader for the full duration. The exact group size on any given departure is confirmed once we have your booking in.

What's the typical traveller age and fitness level?

Most departures attract a 30–65 age mix and the group is solo-friendly. The physical pace is set out under "Good to know" above — check the highest altitude, daily walking distance and notes there. If you're unsure whether the route suits you, we'll talk you through it on the enquiry call.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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