Traveling to the Galapagos Islands and exploring Machu Picchu are probably both on your bucket list (and they definitely should be!), but did you know you can visit both in one South America trip? Even though the two destinations are in two separate countries, it is quite easy to visit both in one trip to South America. They go together like peanut butter and chocolate, or better yet, high cacao content Ecuadorian chocolate and Peruvian Pisco (two tastes you will want to sample on your trip)!
For a great trip combing the two destinations, you’ll need to have close to two weeks to travel, but this will be one of the most memorable trips you’ve ever taken. The Galapagos Islands is well-known for its amazing endemic wildlife, most of which has no fear of humans. Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas (you have to pass through Cusco and the Sacred Valley to get to Machu Picchu) are incredible destinations for history, culture, and spectacular views.
Below you will see some fantastic trips that we have put together to make it easy for you to experience both amazing destinations in one trip. Alternatively, we can combine any Galapagos trip and any Peru trip together to give you your own custom Galapagos and Machu Picchu experience.
Learn More About Traveling To The Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu: Read Our Guide To Combining the Galapagos and Machu Picchu.
Learn More about traveling to the Galapagos Islands Here: Galapagos Travel Guide Learn More about traveling to Peru Here: Peru Travel Guide
The Letty Galapagos Cruise and Machu Picchu trip offers the best of each destination: great wildlife viewing in the Galapagos, and amazing culture and history in Peru. The First Class Letty has two naturalists on board, one for every 10 travelers, so your nature walks have fewer travelers to each guide than other cruises. The Machu Picchu portion visits the best Inca ruins and markets, culminating in the exploration of Machu Picchu Ruins. Trip Length: 14 Days Destination: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, & Cusco, Peru / Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Lodging: Boutique hotels / First Class Yacht Activities: Inca ruins, indigenous markets, wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding
If you like to discover the wonders of your destination by biking, hiking, rafting, and snorkeling, rather than by taking bus tours, the Galapagos and Machu Picchu Multisport is for you. In Peru your daily adventures will get you off the beaten path to visit remote ruins, see spectacular views, and experience local culture, culminating with hiking the last day of the Inca Trail to arrive in Machu Picchu on foot. In the Galapagos you will paddle, hike, snorkel and bike to different landscapes in search of the Galapagos' iconic wildlife. Trip Length: 15 Days Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, & Galapagos Islands Accommodations: 3-star & 3.5-star hotels (12 nights) and comfortable tent camping (2 nights) Activities: Whitewater raft, mountain bike, sea kayak, hike, snorkel, wildlife viewing, Inca ruins
Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu after acclimatizing with off the beaten path hikes to some of the best ruins and sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The unique 5-day Inca Trail Trek itinerary allows you to hike and camp apart from most of the crowds and gives you extra time to explore ruins and at Machu Picchu. Hike, sea kayak, bike and snorkel your way through the Galapagos. By joining onto shared tours (but with your own top-notch guides) you save on logistics while not skimping on quality. This trip offers an ideal mix of active excursions into the park and chill time to explore on your own. Trip Length: 17 Days Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, San Cristobal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Accommodations: 3-star and 3-star plus hotels & comfortable tent camping on the Inca Trail Activities: Trekking, Inca ruins, wildlife viewing, biking, sea kayaking, snorkeling, cultural experiences
The Angelito I Galapagos Cruise and Machu Picchu trip offers the best of each destination: great wildlife viewing in the Galapagos, and amazing culture and history in Peru. The Angelito I Galapagos Cruise is a perfect trip for travelers seeking a quality Galapagos cruise experience — good guides, service and wildlife-rich itineraries — without the high end prices for fancy accommodations. In Peru, you will see the most impressive Inca ruins, charming Andean villages, and stunning Peruvian countryside on a tour that captures all the area’s must-see sites. Trip Lengths: 11, 12, or 15 Days Destination: Galapagos Islands, Cusco, Sacred Valley, & Machu Picchu Lodging: Boutique Hotels & Tourist Superior Class Yacht Activities: Wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, Inca ruins, indigenous markets
Explore the best of Peru and Ecuador: Machu Picchu, the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos Islands. Travel to the Amazon basin in southern Peru, home to incredible wildlife. Experience this amazing ecosystem from the comfort of the Tambopata Research Center, a remote rainforest lodges adjacent to one of the largest parrot and macaw clay licks in the world, making for incredible wildlife viewing. Hike to incredible Inca ruins in Cusco and the Sacred Valley before hiking the one day Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, arriving on foot through the Sun Gate just like the Incas did. Complete your journey with a 5 or 7 day cruise through the Galapagos Islands, the "Enchanted Isles." Living on board the luxurious first class Treasure of the Galapagos Catamaran, you travel from island to island observing the wildlife up close by kayak, foot, and snorkeling. Trip Lengths: 15 or 17 Days Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Amazon, Galapagos Islands Lodging: Boutique and charming 3-star plus hotels in Peru & Quito, a first class lodge in the Amazon, and a first class catamaran in the Galapagos Activities: Day hikes, Inca ruins, cultural experiences, wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, kayaking
Trek the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and then swim with the sea lions on a cruise through the enchanted Galapagos Islands. The trip begins with acclimatizing hikes to impressive ruins in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to help get you acclimatize, but also because these sites shouldn’t be missed! On this unique 5 day Inca Trail trek you begin hiking after the hordes have departed on the traditional trek, so you can hike and camp in relative solitude away from the masses of other trekkers. This schedule also gives you more time to explore ruins along the way and at Machu Picchu. In the Galapagos Islands, you board the Archipel I & II Catamarans for a cruise around the islands. You experience the unique ecosystems of each island and see tons of incredible wildlife by walking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Trip Length: 14 or 18 Days Destinations: Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Galapagos Islands Lodging: Comfortable camping, boutique 3-star plus hotels, and tourist superior cruise Activities: Trekking, Inca ruins, cultural experiences, naturalist walks, kayaking, snorkeling, wildlife viewing
The luxurious Origin, Theory, & Evolve Galapagos Cruise and Machu Picchu trip offers the best of each destination: great wildlife viewing in the Galapagos, and amazing culture and history in Peru. The Origin, Theory, & Evolve yachts have 2 naturalists on board, meaning your nature walks have fewer travelers to each guide. In Peru, you take in the very best Inca sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and culminating in a deep exploration of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. World-class local guides get you away from the crowds for this fascinating exploration of the Inca Empire and the Enchanted Islands. Trip Length: 14 Days Destination: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, & Cusco, Peru / Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Lodging: Luxury hotels & yacht Activities: Inca ruins, indigenous markets, cultural experiences, wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding
The EcoGalaxy Catamaran Galapagos Cruise and Machu Picchu trip combines a 5 or 6 day naturalist cruise in the islands with immersive culture tours in Peru. The EcoGalaxy is one of the most efficient first class boats out there! Providing a spacious, stable and comfortable cruise with high quality service, delicious food, knowledgeable guides and professional crew. The Machu Picchu portion hits the highlights in Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu with enriching opportunities to delve into the musical, agricultural and culinary worlds of both contemporary & ancient Peru. Trip Lengths: 12 Days or 13 Days Destination: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru Lodging: 16-Passenger, First Class catamaran in Galapagos & boutique or deluxe hotels in Peru Activities: Wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, historic & cultural tours, Inca ruins, day walks
Experience the best Inca sites on day hikes around Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, then relax in in comfortable, local boutique hotels at night. You will experience Peru like no other tourists and you will even get to hike the last day of the Inca Trail to arrive to Machu Picchu on foot via the Gate of the Sun, just like the Incas did centuries ago. The 16 passenger Beluga Motor Yacht provides a first-class experience in the Galapagos Islands from start to finish. Enchanted Expeditions, operators of the Beluga, has operated in the Galapagos for approximately 30 years and consistently impresses clients with attention to detail and customer service. Sea kayaks on board make this a more active cruise. Trip Length: 13 or 15 Days Destinations: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, & Cusco, Peru; and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Lodging: Boutique & charming hotels, and a first class yacht Activities: Day hikes, Inca ruins, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, naturalist walks, & kayaking
Hike the best trails around Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, plus a hike to Machu Picchu on the 1-Day Royal Inca Trail. Then explore three unique islands in the Galapagos by kayak, stand up paddle board (optional), snorkel, bike, and hiking on a 6-day land-based Galapagos adventure. A perfect 13 Day Galapagos and Machu Picchu adventure! Trip Length: 13 Days Destination: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Royal Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island Lodging: 3-Star Hotels in the Galapagos, 3-Star Plus Hotels in Peru Activities: Wildlife viewing, snorkeling, hiking, optional surfing or boogie boarding, optional Scuba diving, optional kayaking, optional stand up paddle boarding, Inca ruins, markets, cultural experiences
For those who want to see and do a lot, but don’t have a ton of time, this adventure combo is perfect. Explore the history of the Incas in Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas by whitewater rafting, hiking, and mountain biking before finally hiking the last day of the Inca Trail to arrive to Machu Picchu on foot through the Gate of the Sun. Hike, SUP, bike, kayak and snorkel your way across 3 diverse islands in the Galapagos Islands on this action packed 6-day multisport adventure, checking out the Galapagos’ iconic wildlife all along the way. Trip Length: 13 Days Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Royal Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island Lodging: 3-Star Hotels in the Galapagos, 3-Star Plus Hotels in Peru Activities: Wildlife viewing, snorkeling, hiking, optional surfing or boogie boarding, optional Scuba diving, optional kayaking, optional stand up paddle boarding, Inca ruins, markets, cultural experiences
Actively explore 3 islands in the Galapagos to see the iconic wildlife Unique 5-day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Hike off the beaten path to explore Cusco & the Sacred Valley Trip Length: 16 Days Destinations: Santa Cruz, Isabela, & San Cristobal Islands, Galapagos; Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, & Machu Picchu, Peru Lodging: 3-star hotels in the Galapagos, 3-star plus hotels in Peru, & comfortable tent camping on the Inca Trail Activities: Wildlife viewing, snorkeling, hiking, optional surfing or boogie boarding, optional Scuba diving, optional kayaking, optional stand up paddle boarding, multi-day trekking, Inca ruins Dates: Trips begin every Sunday, March to December
Experience the best Inca sites on day hikes around Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu, spending the night in comfortable, local boutique hotels. You will experience Peru like no other tourists and you will even get to hike the last day of the Inca Trail to arrive to Machu Picchu on foot via the Gate of the Sun, just like the Incas did centuries ago. Then relax on a Galapagos Islands cruise, exploring the islands like Darwin and observing the amazing wildlife. The Cachalote is a top choice for those looking for a great Galapagos experience, with great itineraries, guides, and service, but who don’t need, or want to pay for, luxurious cabins and shared spaces. Trip Length: 15 Days Destinations: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, & Cusco, Peru; and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Lodging: Boutique & charming hotels, and a cabin on a first class yacht Activities: Day hikes, Inca ruins, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, & optional kayaking
For the adventurous family this is the ultimate active Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu adventure. Designed with families in mind, you will experience the best of Machu Picchu and the Cusco area by hiking, stand up paddle boarding, chocolate making, traditional barbecues, and Inca ruins, including arriving on foot into Machu Picchu on the 1-Day Inca Trail trek. Next you'll hike, sea kayak, and snorkel your way through three different Galapagos Islands, seeing all of the incredible wildlife up close. Trip Length: 14 Days Destination: San Cristobal Island, Isabela Island and Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands, and Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the 1-day Inca Trail in Peru Lodging: 3-star and 3-star plus hotels Activities: Day hikes, sea kayaking, snorkeling, biking, Inca ruins, stand up paddle boarding, wildlife viewing