Tour overview

This 18-day small-group trip combines Peru's highlights, from Machu Picchu to a homestay on Lake Titicaca, with a week of island-hopping in the Galapagos. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with a leader in Peru and a Galapagos leader in Ecuador. You stay seventeen nights: sixteen in hotels and one with a local family on Lake Titicaca. Breakfast is included most days, with a community lunch in the Sacred Valley, a snack at a social enterprise restaurant, all meals during the homestay and several lunches in the Galapagos.

After a leader-led walking tour of Lima, you fly to Cusco, the old Inca capital, for an orientation walk. A private bus through the Sacred Valley brings you to a community visit and lunch, then to Aguas Calientes, and an early bus up the winding road takes you to Machu Picchu. After a free day in Cusco, you travel across the dramatic scenery of the Altiplano to Puno.

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On Lake Titicaca you tour the lake by motorboat, visiting the floating reed islands of the Uros, and spend a night with a local family, sharing meals and learning about life on the lake. Returning to Lima, you fly on to Quito, set at 2,850m in the Andes.

In the Galapagos you begin on San Cristóbal, taking a boat to Leon Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock, to snorkel among rays, turtles and perhaps sharks. A speedboat crosses to Isabela, where you cruise to Las Tintoreras, known as Shark Alley, and hike up the Sierra Negra volcano, one of the most active in the islands. On Santa Cruz you walk to the white sands of Tortuga Bay and see giant tortoises in the highlands before flying back to Quito.

The physical rating is medium, with altitude in Peru and active days in the islands. This trip suits travellers who want Peru's classic sights and a hands-on Galapagos adventure in one great-value journey. The Galapagos week is land-based, staying in hotels on three islands and travelling between them by speedboat, which leaves time to explore each island at a relaxed pace.

Trip highlights

  • A Sacred Valley community lunch (Day 3)
  • Machu Picchu (Day 4)
  • A homestay on Lake Titicaca (Day 7)
  • Snorkelling at Kicker Rock (Day 11)
  • Shark Alley off Isabela (Day 13)
  • The Sierra Negra volcano (Day 14)

Your route

17 stops from Lima to Quito

18-day route: Lima – Cusco – Machu Picchu – Puno – Lake Titicaca – Lima – Quito – San Cristóbal – Isabela – Santa Cruz – Quito
  1. Lima Day 1
  2. Cusco Day 2
  3. Sacred Valley Day 3
  4. Ollantaytambo Day 3
  5. Aguas Calientes Day 3
  6. Machu Picchu Day 4
  7. Cusco Days 4–5
  8. Puno Days 6–7
  9. Uros Islands Day 7
  10. Juliaca Day 8
  11. Lima Day 8
  12. Quito Day 9
  13. Isla San Cristobal Days 10–11
  14. Isla Floreana Day 12
  15. Isla Isabela Days 12–14
  16. Isla Santa Cruz Days 15–16
  17. Quito Days 17–18

Why choose this tour

Peru's highlights and a week in the Galapagos in one trip. A homestay on Lake Titicaca and small groups of up to 12.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to South America
  • Wildlife lovers
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Active travellers
A llama grazing at Machu Picchu

Day-by-day itinerary

18 days from Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador

  1. Day 1 · Lima Arrive in Lima

    A welcome meeting in Lima.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Lima, Cusco Cusco

    A walking tour and a flight to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes Sacred Valley

    A community lunch on the way.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    An early bus to the citadel.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Cusco Cusco

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Puno Puno

    Across the Altiplano.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca

    A boat tour and homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Lima Lima

    Fly back to Lima.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Quito Quito

    Fly to Ecuador.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · San Cristóbal San Cristóbal

    Fly to the Galapagos.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Leon Dormido Kicker Rock

    A boat trip and snorkelling.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  12. Day 12 · Isabela Isabela

    A speedboat to the largest island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13 · Las Tintoreras Shark Alley

    A boat trip to look for sharks.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Sierra Negra Volcano Sierra Negra

    Hike up an active volcano.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Santa Cruz Santa Cruz

    A speedboat to Santa Cruz.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  16. Day 16 · Tortuga Bay Tortuga Bay

    A walk to the beach and free time.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  17. Day 17 · Quito Quito

    Fly back to the mainland.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Quito Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A blue-footed booby on a rock

Where you stay

  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Cusco (1 night) Hotel
  • Aguas Calientes (1 night) Hotel
  • Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
  • Puno (1 night) Hotel
  • Lake Titicaca (1 night) Homestay
  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Quito (1 night) Hotel
  • San Cristóbal (2 nights) Hotel
  • Isabela (3 nights) Hotel
  • Santa Cruz (2 nights) Hotel
  • Quito (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 16 nights in hotels and 1 in a homestay
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Flights within Peru, to Quito and to and from the Galapagos
  • Lima and Cusco walking tours
  • Sacred Valley community visit and Machu Picchu
  • Lake Titicaca boat tour and homestay
  • Kicker Rock, Las Tintoreras and Sierra Negra
  • Leaders in Peru and the Galapagos

Not included

  • International flights
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
  • Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 16 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The Plaza de Armas in Cusco

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a Galapagos cruise — this trip stays on land
  • You are unsure about altitude
  • You want comfort — the homestay is simple
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8, 11–14 and 16–18 · Lunch: Days 3, 7, 11–12 and 14–16 · Dinner: Day 7
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Ecuador · UK FCDO travel advice for Peru
Kicker Rock (León Dormido) rising from the sea, Galápagos

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £4,550 per person, twin share, tour only. 88 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.

What is the Lake Titicaca homestay like?

A simple night with a local family, sharing home-cooked meals. Showers may be cold.

Is this a Galapagos cruise?

No, you stay in hotels and travel between islands by speedboat.

Are internal flights included?

Yes, flights within Peru, to Quito and to and from the Galapagos.

Is altitude a concern?

Cusco and Puno are above 3,300m. Seek medical advice if you have concerns.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 16.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers, with leaders in Peru and the Galapagos.

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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