Tour overview

This 17-day small-group adventure combines two of South America's great experiences: island-hopping through the Galapagos and hiking the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with leaders in Ecuador, the Galapagos and Peru. You stay thirteen nights in hotels and three nights camping on the Inca Trail, in twin-share tents set up by porters with foam mats provided. Thirteen breakfasts, nine lunches and three dinners are included, with all meals cooked by the trekking team on the trail. Flights from Quito to the Galapagos and back, and on to Lima and Cusco, are included.

Your trip begins in Quito, set at 2,850m in the Andes, with a walking tour of its historic district. A flight takes you to San Cristobal Island, where you snorkel with sea lions at La Loberia and take a boat to Leon Dormido, better known as Kicker Rock, a towering rock where you may spot sharks, rays and turtles. A private speedboat crosses to Isabela, the largest island, for a boat trip to Las Tintoreras, known as Shark Alley, and a hike up Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes in the islands.

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On Santa Cruz you walk to the white sands of Tortuga Bay and see giant tortoises in the highlands before flying back to Quito and on to Lima, Peru's capital. From there you fly to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo to prepare for the trek.

Over four days you hike the Inca Trail, climbing to Dead Woman's Pass at around 4,200m on the hardest day, crossing Runkuracay Pass and passing Inca ruins and cloud forest, before arriving through the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. If Inca Trail permits are not available for your dates, an alternative trek or rail journey is arranged instead. You return to Cusco for a final night.

The physical rating is high, with a demanding trek at altitude and early starts. This trip suits fit, active travellers who want wildlife, mountains and ancient history in a single adventure.

Trip highlights

  • Snorkelling at Kicker Rock (Day 3)
  • Shark Alley off Isabela (Day 5)
  • Hiking Sierra Negra volcano (Day 6)
  • Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz (Day 8)
  • The Sacred Valley (Day 12)
  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Days 13–16)

Your route

13 stops from Quito to Cusco

17-day route: Quito – San Cristobal – Isabela – Santa Cruz – Quito – Lima – Cusco – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Cusco
  1. Quito Day 1
  2. Isla San Cristobal Days 2–3
  3. Isla Floreana Day 4
  4. Isla Isabela Days 4–6
  5. Isla Santa Cruz Days 7–8
  6. Quito Day 9
  7. Lima Day 10
  8. Cusco Day 11
  9. Sacred Valley Day 12
  10. Ollantaytambo Day 12
  11. Inca Trail Days 13–15
  12. Machu Picchu Day 16
  13. Cusco Days 16–17

Why choose this tour

The Galapagos and the Inca Trail in one trip, with internal flights included. Land-based island-hopping, with time on San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz.

Best suited to

  • Fit, active travellers
  • Wildlife lovers
  • Hikers wanting the classic Inca Trail
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
Machu Picchu among the Andes mountains, Peru

Day-by-day itinerary

17 days from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru

  1. Day 1 · Quito Arrive in Quito

    Arrive in the Andean capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · San Cristobal, La Loberia San Cristobal

    Fly to the Galapagos and snorkel with sea lions.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  3. Day 3 · Leon Dormido Kicker Rock

    A boat trip and snorkelling at Kicker Rock.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Isabela Isabela

    A speedboat to the largest island.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Las Tintoreras Shark Alley

    A boat trip to look for sharks.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Sierra Negra Volcano Sierra Negra

    Hike up an active volcano.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Santa Cruz Santa Cruz

    A speedboat to Santa Cruz.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Tortuga Bay Tortuga Bay

    A walk to Tortuga Bay and free time.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Quito Quito

    Fly back to the mainland.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Lima Lima

    Fly to Peru's capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Cusco Cusco

    Fly to Cusco for a welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  12. Day 12 · Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley

    Drive through the Sacred Valley.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13 · Inca Trail Inca Trail

    Begin the trek.

    Hotel
    Camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Inca Trail Dead Woman's Pass

    The hardest day, climbing to around 4,200m.

    Hotel
    Camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Inca Trail Runkuracay Pass

    Cross the pass past Inca ruins.

    Hotel
    Camping
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  16. Day 16 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu

    Arrive through the Sun Gate.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Cusco Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Sea lions asleep on a bench in the Galapagos

Where you stay

  • Quito (1 night) Hotel
  • San Cristobal (2 nights) Hotel
  • Isabela (3 nights) Hotel
  • Santa Cruz (2 nights) Hotel
  • Quito (1 night) Hotel
  • Lima (1 night) Hotel
  • Cusco (1 night) Hotel
  • Ollantaytambo (1 night) Hotel
  • Inca Trail (3 nights) Camping
  • 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 13 nights in hotels and 3 nights camping
  • Meals 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Flights from Quito to the Galapagos and back, to Lima and to Cusco
  • Inter-island speedboats in the Galapagos
  • Quito walking tour
  • Kicker Rock, Las Tintoreras and Sierra Negra
  • Four-day Inca Trail trek with porters and Machu Picchu entry
  • Leaders in Ecuador, the Galapagos and Peru

Not included

  • Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 13 dinners
  • International flights
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
  • Sleeping bag for the trek
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A blue-footed booby on a coastal rock

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are not used to hiking — the Inca Trail is demanding
  • You dislike camping — three nights are under canvas
  • You want a Galapagos cruise — this trip stays on land
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 3–6, 8–10 and 12–17 · Lunch: Days 3–4, 6–8 and 12–15 · Dinner: Days 13–15
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 £4,210 per person, twin share, tour only. 208 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 hard is the Inca Trail?

Demanding, with four days of hiking and a high pass at around 4,200m. Good fitness is needed.

What if Inca Trail permits are sold out?

Permits are limited, so an alternative trek or rail journey to Machu Picchu is arranged if needed. Book early.

Do I need my own sleeping bag?

Yes, bring a sleeping bag. Tents and foam mats are provided.

Is this a Galapagos cruise?

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

Are internal flights included?

Yes, flights to and from the Galapagos, to Lima and to Cusco are included.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over.

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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