Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu & the Galapagos Islands

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£6,450pp(ex. flights)

Encompassing the highlights of Peru, a stay in Quito and a Galapagos Islands cruise, this adventure tracks from colourful Cusco to the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu before moving to Ecuador’s historic capital city and the enchanting Galapagos Islands.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Llama, Machu Picchu, Peru 1

Machu Picchu

Discover the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by cloud forest.

Quechua Peoplem, Inca Wall, Peru 2

Pisac Market

Explore the colourful market run by indigenous Quechua communities from the highlands.

Sail the Seas

Sail around the remarkable Galapagos Islands in a sail boat, catamaran or yacht.

Snorkelling with sea lions 4

Up Close Wildlife

Come eye to eye with playful sea lions and curious penguins while snorkelling.

Why we like it

This trip combines two of South America’s most popular destinations, the Inca ruins that dominate the high altitude cloud forests of Peru and the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Travelling through valleys, up mountainsides and across expanses of wildlife-dense ocean, this journey is a showcase of diverse landscapes and is so highly customisable that you might sleep in a perspex mountain pod or travel in a privately chartered boat. When you book a trip to the Galapagos Islands with Steppes Travel, you will also benefit from a complimentary, six-month membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Lima - Cusco

  • Day 2

    Cusco

  • Day 3

    Cusco - Sacred Valley

  • Day 4

    Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

  • Day 5

    Machu Picchu - Cusco

  • Day 6

    Cusco - Lima - Quito

  • Day 7

    Quito - Galapagos Islands

  • Days 8-10

    Sailing the Galapagos Islands

  • Day 11

    Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil

Day 1

Lima - Cusco

Day 2

Cusco

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru

Visit Cusco, the former Inca capital of Peru, to discover its fascinating history.

Day 3

Cusco - Sacred Valley

Day 4

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

Inca Wall, Machu Picchu, Peru

Discover the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by cloud forest.

Day 5

Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 6

Cusco - Lima - Quito

Day 7

Quito - Galapagos Islands

Days 8-10

Sailing the Galapagos Islands

Sea Lions, Galapagos Islands

Sail around the remarkable Galapagos Islands in an exclusive vessel, modern catamaran or private charter.

Day 11

Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru

Explore Cusco

Peru is a great starting point for an introduction to South America, filled with diverse landscapes, fantastic wildlife and a deep seated traditional culture. Visit Cusco, the former Inca capital of Peru, to discover its fascinating history by wandering through it streets and studying its mysterious stone walls (it is still debated as to how they were constructed).

Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Inca Wall, Machu Picchu, Peru
Inca Wall, Machu Picchu, Peru

Salt Terraces & Machu Picchu

Explore the heart and soul of Inca society, marvelling at how they transformed the landscape and terraced the land to create unique and still existing micro climates. Stay overnight at a hotel nearby to Machu Picchu, the city built on a mountaintop, and rise early to watch the sunrise over the ruins.

Sail the Galapagos Islands

These historically and geologically dense islands cannot be experienced in their entirety without taking to the seas and navigating around the archipelago, witnessing their incredible diversity of terrains and respective indigenous wildlife populations. Since these remote and uninhabited islands are only accessible by zodiacs, those who choose to sail can get up close and personal with the native flora and fauna of the region in almost complete tranquillity.

Sea Lions, Galapagos Islands
Sea Lions, Galapagos Islands
Snorkelling with Penguin, Galapagos Islands
Snorkelling with Penguin, Galapagos Islands
Rays, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands
Rays, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands

Wildlife in the Archipelago

Since both the land and marine creatures that inhabit the Galapagos Islands are utterly fearless, a journey around the landmasses brings voyagers face-to-face with their thousands-strong population of curious bubble-blowing sea lions, salt-spitting iguanas, clumsy blue-footed boobies, elusive red-lipped bat fish, skulking sharks, elegant golden rays, monogamous waved albatrosses and boisterous penguins. The only place in the world where zoom lenses are definitely not required to capture stunning wildlife portraits, the archipelago is all at once awe-inspiring and other-worldly.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Casa Andina Premium Cusco £££££

  • Peru
  • City

A restored 17th-century colonial mansion, Casa Andina Premium Cusco is situated close to Plaza de Armas and the Temple of the Sun. Three majestic courtyards adorned with antiquated artworks, coupled with a gourmet restaurant and drinks lounge with a roaring fireplace offer a calming respite from the bustle of Cusco.

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El MaPi £££££

  • Peru

A contemporary property with lofty ceilings and panoramic windows, El MaPi is a down-to-earth accommodation nestled within the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo. Completely restored by a renowned Peruvian architect, El MaPi blends classic features with modern aesthetics and utilises restored furnishings and recycled materials as part of their sustainability practices.

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Mama Cuchara £££££

  • Ecuador
  • City

A colonial house that has been through a meticulous process of modernisation, Mama Cuchara is a boutique hotel that integrates authentic Ecuadorean culture and forward-thinking design. Its 26 rooms and suites are charmingly decorated with locally-inspired textiles, featuring original wood beams and meticulously carved oak headboards, and are warmly lit by custom-made recycled plastic lighting fixtures.

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La Casona de la Ronda £££££

  • Ecuador
  • City

Situated on one of Quito’s most traditional streets, La Casona de la Ronda has been wonderfully restored to maintain its original colours, stone walls and traditional character. Entering through wooden doors into a piece of Ecuadorean history, the heritage hotel is within a mansion built in 1738. Featuring 22 rooms, each arranged around a central patio, the property boasts a concoction of cultural, traditional and contemporary design elements. Each of the rooms is well-appointed, containing polished wooden floors and elegant furnishings.

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Seaman Journey £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

A comfortable and spacious 90-foot-long motorised catamaran that provides excellent value for money, Seaman Journey accommodates a maximum of 16 passengers in eight cabins with big picture windows.

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Infinity £££££

  • Galapagos Islands

A 161-foot-long vessel that first set sail in 2018, Infinity is a contemporary 20-passenger vessel that was purpose-built to cruise around the Galapagos Islands. Accommodation consists of two suites and eight cabins, each with private balconies and panoramic floor to ceiling windows that allow for plenty of natural light and heaps of marine life-viewing opportunities during navigations. Social areas are plentiful and spacious with both internal and external dining areas, a lounge and a large sundeck with sun loungers and a jacuzzi.

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £6,450 Per person

When to travel

Peru in January

January begins the rainy season in the Andes and the Amazon as they reach the summer months. Along the coast, this can be one of the best times to visit, although it is a hotspot for locals.

Peru in February

As the rains continue, February can be a good time to avoid crowds. While Machu Picchu remains open, trekking in this area is a challenge as the Inca Trail closes for the month. Heavy rains in the Amazon increase water levels on the river, making wildlife viewing slightly more challenging however it does allow you to adventure into areas otherwise not reachable by boat in other months of the year.

Peru in March

March can be a good time to visit Peru. As the rainy season draws to the end, the coast will still be experiencing summer weather while inland you can expect rains. This can be one of the least crowded months for Machu Picchu and the local tourism on the beaches has subsided as children go back to school.

Peru in April

April is considered one of the best times to travel to Peru with pleasant temperatures and avoiding the busiest period. As there is still some rain, the landscape is vibrant.

Peru in May

As the dry season begins and winter sets in, temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is green with life from the rainy season.

Peru in June

June marks the start of the peak season in Peru. Skies are clear, making for picturesque sightseeing. As this is officially the start of winter, cooler temperatures are expected especially in the evenings.

Peru in July

July begins the peak travel season as international holidays open. With warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, this is also the peak time for trekking the mountainous landscapes of the Andes.

Peru in August

August continues the peak season throughout the country. With cooler evening temperatures, brings a morning fog in the Sacred Valley, which clears to blue skies by the afternoon. Expect dry, sunny weather in the Amazon during this time.

Peru in September

As spring draws in during the month of September, expect cloudy mornings which clear to blue skies in the afternoon. Showers become more likely as this is considered the shoulder season before the green season begins.

Peru in October

Temperatures begin to increase in October as summer approaches. As the dry season comes to an end, the chance of precipitation increases along with clouds.

Peru in November

Temperatures rise in November with rain increasing from the middle of the month. As a shoulder season, this can be a good time to travel to avoid crowding in Machu Picchu.

Peru in December

Weather in December sees increased temperatures as summer begins, along with the start to the rainy season. Rising water levels in the Amazon makes wildlife viewing slightly more challenging along the shores.

Holiday Inspiration

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