29 Oct 2026
Twin share
£4,805pp
Single from £5,255
Escorted tour
Machu Picchu & the Galapagos on Land: Cusco to Quito – 15 Days
Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then land-based Galapagos on Santa Cruz and Isabela.
15 days
From £3,995
Tour overview
This 15-day small-group tour links Peru's Inca heritage with the extraordinary wildlife of the Galapagos, staying on land on two islands so you can explore at a relaxed pace. Travellers aged 16 and over are accompanied by a tour leader, with local guides at the main sites. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, including the Tierra Viva in Cusco, the Hatun Samay in Aguas Calientes and island hotels on Santa Cruz and in Puerto Villamil on Isabela. Fourteen breakfasts and a lunch are included, leaving you free to try ceviche, Andean dishes and fresh seafood.
The tour starts in Cusco, the old heart of the Inca Empire, with an immersive walking tour of its streets, temples and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. You drive into the Sacred Valley, the ancient Inca heartland of terraces and villages, and take the train to Aguas Calientes, then a public bus up the mountain early the next morning to explore Machu Picchu with a guide. A free day back in Cusco lets you explore its markets and museums.
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Flying via Lima to Quito, you tour Ecuador's capital, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas. You then fly to the Galapagos, a remote chain of volcanic islands with a unique and fearless wildlife. A speedboat takes you west to Isabela, where you walk on the Sierra Negra volcano, snorkel in the afternoon and visit the Tintoreras islets, formed from lava flows, where sharks and sea lions rest.
Back on Santa Cruz, you walk 5km to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. A day trip takes you to one of the smaller islands, such as North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartolomé or Santa Fe, to see seabirds, sea lions and iguanas, before you fly back to the mainland for a final night near Quito.
The physical rating is medium, with altitude in Peru and boat transfers in the islands. This tour suits travellers who want Machu Picchu and the Galapagos at a steady pace, with time to explore independently. Departures run year-round. Pack light for the island speedboat transfers.
Trip highlights
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A walking tour of Cusco and Sacsayhuaman (Day 2)
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The Sacred Valley (Day 3)
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Machu Picchu with a guide (Day 4)
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The Sierra Negra volcano (Day 10)
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Tortuga Bay and the Darwin Station (Day 12)
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A day on a smaller island (Day 13)
Your route
12 stops from Cusco to Quito
- Cusco Days 1–2
- Moray Day 3
- Maras Day 3
- Ollantaytambo Day 3
- Aguas Calientes Day 3
- Machu Picchu Day 4
- Cusco Days 4–5
- Quito Days 6–7
- Santa Cruz Island Day 8
- Isabela Island Days 9–10
- Santa Cruz Island Days 11–13
- Quito Days 14–15
Why choose this tour
Machu Picchu and the Galapagos at a relaxed pace, staying on land. Time in Quito and a day trip to an uninhabited island.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers
- First-time visitors to South America
- Travellers who prefer land to a cruise
- Independent-minded travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
15 days from Cusco, Peru to Quito, Ecuador
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Day 1 · Cusco Arrive in Cusco
The tour starts in the Inca capital.
- Hotel
- Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
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Day 2 · Cusco, Sacsayhuaman Cusco
A walking tour and the fortress.
- Hotel
- Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes Sacred Valley
The valley, then a train.
- Hotel
- Hatun Samay Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu
Explore the citadel with a guide.
- Hotel
- Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Cusco Cusco
A free day.
- Hotel
- Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Quito Quito
Fly via Lima to Ecuador.
- Hotel
- Ikala Quito Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Quito Quito
Tour the colonial capital.
- Hotel
- Ikala Quito Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Santa Cruz Galapagos
Fly to the islands.
- Hotel
- Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Puerto Villamil Isabela
A speedboat west to Isabela.
- Hotel
- Hostel Gran Tintorera or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Sierra Negra Volcano Sierra Negra
A volcano walk and snorkelling.
- Hotel
- Hostel Gran Tintorera or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 11 · Tintoreras Islets, Santa Cruz Tintoreras
Lava islets, then back to Santa Cruz.
- Hotel
- Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station Tortuga Bay
A beach walk and the research station.
- Hotel
- Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · North Seymour, South Plaza Smaller island
A day trip to a smaller island.
- Hotel
- Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Quito Quito
Fly back to the mainland.
- Hotel
- San José de Puembo Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Quito Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Cusco (2 nights) Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
- Aguas Calientes (1 night) Hatun Samay Hotel or similar
- Cusco (2 nights) Tierra Viva Hotel Cusco Central or similar
- Quito (2 nights) Ikala Quito Hotel or similar
- Santa Cruz (1 night) Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Isabela (2 nights) Hostel Gran Tintorera or similar
- Santa Cruz (3 nights) Hotel Deja Vu or similar
- Quito (1 night) San José de Puembo Hotel or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
- Meals 14 breakfasts and 1 lunch
- Flights from Cusco to Quito and to and from the Galapagos
- Train to Aguas Calientes and speedboats between islands
- Cusco walking tour and Sacred Valley
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Quito city tour, Sierra Negra walk and Tintoreras trip
- Day trip to a smaller Galapagos island
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
- Meals not included 12 lunches and 14 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a cruise
- You want many meals included — most are free to choose
- You are unsure about altitude
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Day 10 · Dinner: none included
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,995 per person, twin share, tour only. 14 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £4,455 (single supplement from £450).
12 Nov 2026
Twin share
£4,230pp
Single from £4,680
18 Mar 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,479
25 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
06 May 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
27 May 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
29 Jul 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
05 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
09 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
23 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
07 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
14 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
28 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
11 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,455
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.
Is this a Galapagos cruise?
No, you stay in hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela and travel between them by speedboat.
Are internal flights included?
Yes, from Cusco to Quito via Lima and to and from the Galapagos.
Is altitude a concern?
Cusco is at about 3,400m. Take it easy on arrival and seek medical advice if you have concerns.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors do not usually need visas for holiday stays in Peru or Ecuador. Check before you travel.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 16.
Who leads the tour?
A tour leader travels with you, with local guides at Machu Picchu and in 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