06 Feb 2027
Twin share
£6,772pp
Escorted tour
Majestic Peru & Southern Galapagos Cruise: Lima to Quito – 20 Days
Nazca, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu, then a three-night Galapagos cruise, in a group of up to 16.
20 days
From £6,547
Tour overview
This 20-day small-group journey travels the length of southern Peru, from the desert coast and the Nazca Lines to the Andes and Machu Picchu, then flies to Ecuador for a cruise through the southern Galapagos Islands. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader in Peru and a naturalist guide on board in the Galapagos. You stay nineteen nights: fifteen in hotels and three aboard the motor yacht Grand Queen Beatriz, with en suite ocean-view cabins. Nineteen breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners are included, among them a traditional pachamanca dinner in Nazca, cooked in an earth oven, and a community lunch in the Sacred Valley.
After a walking tour of Lima's historic centre, you travel down the coast to Paracas for a boat trip to the Islas Ballestas, home to sea lions, penguins and huge seabird colonies, then on to Nazca, famous for its mysterious desert lines. In Arequipa, the White City, a local guide shows you its colonial centre, before you climb onto the Altiplano to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca for a tour of the lake at 3,820m.
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A scenic bus ride across the high plains brings you to Cusco, the old Inca capital, with free time to explore its plazas and markets. You drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, take a train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, and rise early to reach Machu Picchu at dawn.
Flying via Lima to Quito, you continue to the Galapagos and board the Grand Queen Beatriz. Over three nights you cruise the southern islands: Santa Cruz, with its giant tortoises; the south coast of Isabela, the largest island; and Floreana, one of the most fascinating islands in the archipelago, rich in wildlife and human history. Guided landings and snorkelling bring you close to sea lions, marine iguanas and sea turtles before you fly back to Quito.
The physical rating is medium, with altitude in the Andes and early starts. This trip suits travellers who want Peru's great sights and a taste of the Galapagos by sea in one journey. Departures are limited.
Trip highlights
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The Islas Ballestas by boat (Day 3)
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A pachamanca dinner in Nazca (Day 3)
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Arequipa, the White City (Day 5)
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Lake Titicaca (Day 7)
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Machu Picchu at dawn (Day 12)
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A cruise to Isabela and Floreana (Days 16–18)
Your route
22 stops from Lima to Quito
- Lima Day 1
- Paracas Day 2
- Islas Ballestas Day 3
- Huacachina Day 3
- Nazca Day 3
- Arequipa Days 4–5
- Sillustani Day 6
- Puno Days 6–7
- Uros Titinos Day 7
- Taquile Island Day 7
- Cusco Days 8–9
- Sacred Valley Day 10
- Aguas Calientes Day 11
- Machu Picchu Day 11
- Cusco Days 12–13
- Lima Day 14
- Quito Day 15
- Santa Cruz Day 16
- Isabela Day 17
- Floreana Day 18
- Santa Cruz Day 19
- Quito Day 20
Why choose this tour
Southern Peru in depth plus a Galapagos cruise in one journey. A small group, with a naturalist guide on board.
Best suited to
- Travellers with time for a long trip
- Wildlife and history lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
- First-time visitors to South America
Day-by-day itinerary
20 days from Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador
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Day 1 · Lima Arrive in Lima
Arrive in Peru's coastal capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Lima, Paracas Paracas
A walking tour, then down the coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Islas Ballestas, Nazca Nazca
A wildlife boat trip and a pachamanca dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 · Arequipa Arequipa
Travel to the White City.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Arequipa Arequipa
A tour with a local guide.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Puno Puno
Climb to Lake Titicaca.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca
A tour of the high lake.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Cusco Cusco
A scenic ride across the Altiplano.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Cusco Cusco
A free day in the Inca capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Sacred Valley Sacred Valley
A community lunch in the valley.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 11 · Aguas Calientes Aguas Calientes
A train through the Urubamba Valley.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Machu Picchu, Cusco Machu Picchu
An early start for the citadel.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Cusco Cusco
Free time in Cusco.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Lima Lima
A short flight to Lima.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Quito Quito
Fly to Ecuador.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 16 · Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Fly to the Galapagos and board the yacht.
- Hotel
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 17 · Isabela Isabela
The south coast of the largest island.
- Hotel
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 18 · Floreana Floreana
Wildlife and history on Floreana.
- Hotel
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 19 · Quito Quito
Fly back to the mainland.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 20 · Quito Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Lima (1 night) Hotel
- Paracas (1 night) Hotel
- Nazca (1 night) Hotel
- Arequipa (2 nights) Hotel
- Puno (2 nights) Hotel
- Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
- Sacred Valley (1 night) Hotel
- Aguas Calientes (1 night) Hotel
- Cusco (2 nights) Hotel
- Lima (1 night) Hotel
- Quito (1 night) Hotel
- Galapagos (3 nights) M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz
- 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 3 aboard a Galapagos yacht
- Meals 19 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
- Flights from Cusco to Lima, Lima to Quito and to and from the Galapagos
- Islas Ballestas boat trip and pachamanca dinner
- Arequipa tour and Lake Titicaca boat trip
- Sacred Valley, the train to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Galapagos cruise with naturalist-guided landings
- Leader in Peru and naturalist guide in the Galapagos
Not included
- International flights
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card
- Meals not included 13 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 longer Galapagos cruise — this one is three nights
- You are unsure about altitude
- You dislike early starts
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–20 · Lunch: Days 5, 10 and 16–18 · Dinner: Days 3 and 15–18
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £6,547 per person, twin share, tour only. 24 upcoming departures.
06 Mar 2027
Twin share
£6,997pp
20 Mar 2027
Twin share
£6,787pp
03 Apr 2027
Twin share
£7,232pp
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£7,262pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£6,737pp
29 May 2027
Twin share
£6,802pp
26 Jun 2027
Twin share
£6,547pp
30 Oct 2027
Twin share
£6,927pp
27 Nov 2027
Twin share
£6,927pp
05 Feb 2028
Twin share
£6,867pp
19 Feb 2028
Twin share
£6,867pp
04 Mar 2028
Twin share
£7,067pp
18 Mar 2028
Twin share
£7,067pp
01 Apr 2028
Twin share
£7,262pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£7,262pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£7,262pp
27 May 2028
Twin share
£7,067pp
10 Jun 2028
Twin share
£6,867pp
05 Aug 2028
Twin share
£6,867pp
16 Sept 2028
Twin share
£7,067pp
28 Oct 2028
Twin share
£7,262pp
25 Nov 2028
Twin share
£7,262pp
09 Dec 2028
Twin share
£7,067pp
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 long is the Galapagos cruise?
Three nights aboard the Grand Queen Beatriz in the southern islands.
Are internal flights included?
Yes, flights within Peru, to Quito and to and from the Galapagos are included.
Is altitude a concern?
Puno and Cusco are above 3,300m, and the route climbs gradually. 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 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a leader in Peru and a naturalist guide 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