Tour overview

This 25-day small-group journey explores Ecuador in depth, island-hops through the Galápagos and finishes on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with local leaders in each country; some travellers join or leave in Quito and Cusco. You travel by local bus, private vehicle, speedboat and plane, and stay mostly in hotels, with two nights at an Amazon lodge, a night with an Indigenous family in La Calera and three nights camping on the Inca Trail in twin-share tents; bring your own sleeping bag. Travellers who prefer can take the Quarry Trail or the train to Machu Picchu.

From Quito you head down to the Amazon near Tena for two nights at a lodge, with a rainforest hike led by an Indigenous guide, a night walk and a visit to an animal rescue centre. Next comes Baños, a spa town ringed by volcanoes and waterfalls, with a walking tour, the thundering Pailón del Diablo waterfall and a free day for adventure activities.

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Along the Avenue of the Volcanoes you walk in Cotopaxi National Park at 3,800 metres, visit a flower plantation and a historic hacienda, then stay with an Indigenous family in La Calera, sharing a traditional pachamanca meal cooked in the earth. The Cuicocha crater lagoon and the famous Otavalo market follow before a return to Quito and a walking tour of its UNESCO-listed old town.

A week in the Galápagos, staying on land, brings snorkelling among sea lions at Kicker Rock, Shark Alley, a hike to the Sierra Negra crater and giant tortoises on Isabela, and Tortuga Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. Flying via Lima to Cusco, you travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and walk the classic Inca Trail over Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres to Machu Picchu, before a final day in Cusco.

The physical rating is medium, with a challenging trek and much of the trip at altitude. This trip suits active travellers who want to see Ecuador properly as well as the Galápagos and Machu Picchu. Single rooms are available for a supplement.

Trip highlights

  • Two nights at an Amazon lodge (Days 2–3)
  • The Pailón del Diablo waterfall near Baños (Day 4)
  • Cotopaxi National Park (Day 6)
  • An Indigenous homestay and Otavalo market (Days 7–8)
  • A week island-hopping in the Galápagos (Days 10–16)
  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Days 21–24)

Your route

15 stops from Quito to Machu Picchu

25-day route: Quito – Amazon – Baños – Cotopaxi – Otavalo – Galápagos – Lima – Cusco – Inca Trail
  1. Quito Days 1, 8–9 & 17
  2. Amazon Rainforest (Tena) Days 2–3
  3. Baños Days 4–5
  4. Cotopaxi (La Ciénega) Day 6
  5. Cotacachi (homestay) Day 7
  6. Otavalo Day 8
  7. San Cristóbal Days 10–11
  8. Floreana Day 12
  9. Isabela Days 12–14
  10. Santa Cruz Days 15–16
  11. Lima Day 18
  12. Cusco Days 19 & 24–25
  13. Ollantaytambo Day 20
  14. Inca Trail (camping) Days 21–23
  15. Machu Picchu Day 24

Why choose this tour

Ecuador's highlands and Amazon, the Galápagos and the Inca Trail in one journey. A homestay, jungle lodge and land-based island-hopping for real variety.

Best suited to

  • Active travellers with time for a long trip
  • Wildlife lovers
  • Fit hikers keen on the Inca Trail
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
A waterfall near Baños, Ecuador

Day-by-day itinerary

25 days from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru

  1. Day 1 · Quito Arrive in Quito

    Meet your group in Ecuador's capital, high in the Andes.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Tena, Amazon Into the Amazon

    Take a local bus to Tena and continue to a lodge in the Amazon, with a night walk.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Amazon Amazon rainforest

    A rainforest hike with an Indigenous guide and a visit to an animal rescue centre.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Baños, Pailón del Diablo Baños

    Travel to Baños for a walking tour and the Pailón del Diablo waterfall.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Baños Free day in Baños

    A free day for hot springs or adventure activities.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi

    Drive the Avenue of the Volcanoes to walk in Cotopaxi National Park, and visit a flower plantation and hacienda.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Cotacachi, La Calera La Calera homestay

    Stay with an Indigenous family and share a pachamanca meal.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Cuicocha, Otavalo, Quito Cuicocha and Otavalo

    Visit the Cuicocha crater lagoon and Otavalo market, then return to Quito.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Quito Quito

    Meet new travellers and take a walking tour of Quito's historic centre.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · San Cristóbal Fly to San Cristóbal

    Fly to the Galápagos and visit Cerro Tijeretas.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Kicker Rock Kicker Rock

    Snorkel among sea lions at Kicker Rock.

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

    Speedboat to Isabela via Floreana.

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

    Cruise to Shark Alley and visit the giant tortoise centre.

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

    Hike to the vast crater of Sierra Negra.

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

    Speedboat to Santa Cruz and visit the highlands.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  16. Day 16 · Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station Tortuga Bay

    Walk to Tortuga Bay and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

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

    Fly back to Quito.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Lima Fly to Lima

    Fly to Lima, Peru's capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Cusco Fly to Cusco

    Fly to Cusco for a welcome meeting with new travellers.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley

    Drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  21. Day 21 · Inca Trail Inca Trail

    Begin the four-day Inca Trail.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  22. Day 22 · Warmiwañusca Dead Woman's Pass

    Climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 metres.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  23. Day 23 · Runkurakay, Sayacmarca Inca ruins

    Cross Runkurakay Pass and walk past Inca ruins.

    Hotel
    Camping in twin-share tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  24. Day 24 · Sun Gate, Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    Reach Machu Picchu at sunrise, then return to Cusco.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Cusco Trip ends in Cusco

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The San Francisco Church in Quito

Where you stay

  • Quito (1 night) Hotel
  • Amazon (2 nights) Lodge
  • Baños (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cotopaxi (1 night) Hotel
  • La Calera (1 night) Homestay
  • Quito (2 nights) Hotel
  • Galápagos Islands (7 nights) Hotel
  • Quito (1 night) Hotel
  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Cusco and Ollantaytambo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Inca Trail (3 nights) Camping in twin-share tents
  • Cusco (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation hotels, an Amazon lodge, a homestay and 3 nights camping
  • Internal flights, including Quito–Galápagos, Quito–Lima and Lima–Cusco
  • Amazon rainforest hike, night walk and animal rescue centre visit
  • Baños walking tour and Pailón del Diablo waterfall
  • Cotopaxi walk, flower plantation, hacienda tour and Otavalo market
  • Galápagos activities snorkelling, Shark Alley, Sierra Negra, Tortuga Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Inca Trail trek with porters, or the Quarry Trail or train alternative
  • Many meals, as listed in the itinerary, and local leaders throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Galápagos national park entry fee and transit card
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A blue-footed booby on the coast, Galápagos

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want hotels every night — there is a homestay and three nights camping
  • You want a Galápagos cruise — you stay on land
  • You are not used to altitude or hiking
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Ecuador · UK FCDO travel advice for Peru
Textiles and vendors at Otavalo market, Ecuador

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,327 per person, twin share, tour only. 25 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 camping like?

Three nights in twin-share tents on the Inca Trail, set up by porters. Bring your own sleeping bag.

What is the homestay like?

A night with an Indigenous family in La Calera, with simple rooms and a traditional meal.

Do we stay on a boat in the Galápagos?

No. You stay in hotels and travel between islands by speedboat.

Can I join for part of the trip?

The group changes in Quito and Cusco, so shorter sections are possible. Ask a specialist.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors do not need visas for Ecuador or Peru for tourist stays. A Galápagos park fee is payable.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with local leaders.

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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