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The Ultimate Bucket-List Trip

Galápagos & Machu Picchu Wildlife Walking Tour

10 DaysStarting at $10,995
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Overview

Now you can fulfill two of your biggest travel dreams on one amazing vacation. From eye-level encounters with the wildlife of the Galápagos to a soaring visit to Machu Picchu, there are almost too many high points to count! First, the Galápagos Islands off the Ecuadorian coast. Your naturalist-guides will introduce you to giant land tortoises, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and other creatures found nowhere else on earth—often in extreme close-up. You’ll have abundant chances to walk, kayak and snorkel, and you’ll stay in exceptionally-sited waterfront boutique hotels, rather than being marooned on a cruise ship. The contrasts couldn’t be more extreme as you make the seamless transition to the mainland and ascend to Machu Picchu. Your first view of the famed ruins will give you the shivers just like you knew it would. On this unforgettable journey, you'll spend two days at the site. Plus you have leisurely exposure to the rest of Peru with its conquistador-tinged history, indestructible Inca architecture and spectacular geography. And your guide is a native Quechua who'll make you as comfortable in Cusco as you'll be among mountain villagers and llama herders.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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• Your Galápagos getaway begins on Santa Cruz Island where you'll walk among 500-pound tortoises 

• Boat to Santa Fe Island for a day of snorkeling and a memorable beach barbeque

• Explore Isabela Island, taking to the water to kayak with sea lions, green sea turtles and marine iguanas

• Walk through otherworldly volcanic terrain to the awesome caldera of Volcán Chico for a very civilized picnic

• Fly to the mainland for a leisurely evening in Guayaquil before continuing your adventure in Peru

• Explore Cusco and the imposing ruins of Sacsayhuaman

• Visit a bastion of ancient weaving techniques that are also a breeding center for llamas, alpacas, and vicunas

• Meet with local children in the tiny Incan village of Ollantaytambo

• Take a cinematic train ride that lifts you up to Machu Picchu for a 2-day visit to experience the legendary site with experienced guides

• Watch the first rays of the morning sun strike the site

• Return to Cusco to explore the grand colonial city on foot at eye level

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Guayaquil – 6:00 am – Wyndham Guayaquil – hotel lobby

  • Ending Point:

    Cusco – 5:00 pm – Cusco Airport
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    Easy to moderate on good trails and coastal paths.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Internal Air

$1398: This tour includes flights between Peru, mainland Ecuador, and the Galapagos. This also covers the Galápagos Islands entry fee.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

This contemporary hotel with colonial inspiration is located in the heart of Urubamba Valley. From the comfort of this luxurious Andean property, you can discover the history, nature and charm of the Sacred Valley.

Galapagos Iguana Crossing hotel

Iguana Crossing

The ocean laps at this beautiful eco-friendly hotel, with beach access out front and a National Park nearby. Enjoy staying in their comfortable rooms with modern amenities and swimming in their outdoor pool or roof-deck jacuzzi.

Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

Built of native lava rock and driftwood, this first-class hotel is situated right on the waterfront. Guests enjoy peace and total privacy, plus a perfect chance to experience what the owners call the true ‘Galápagos spirit’.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, six lunches, and four dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Equipment: Premium gear and expert guides for kayaking, rafting, glacial hiking, and snorkeling as outlined in the daily itinerary on select tours.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

We believe in creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place. So we find the most well-connected local guides who share their relationships and knowledge with us. And with them, we handcraft walking tours in cinematic settings that allow you to see the world on foot and at eye level.

It’s why Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you every time you travel with us.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

How does the itinerary balance the Galápagos with Machu Picchu?
You’ll experience up-close wildlife walks in the Galápagos—spotting marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and sea lions—with your expert naturalist guide on curated walks. Then you’ll travel to Peru for two immersive days and nights exploring Machu Picchu and exploring ancient ruins, on foot at eye level. The itinerary balances vivid nature with deep archaeological discovery, so you never feel rushed—just continually wowed—each step of the way.
What ecosystem contrasts should I expect?
On this immersive tour, you can expect ocean encounters with penguins, turtles, and playful sea lions on volcanic beaches, then shift to Pery’s Andean highlands where you walk among llamas and alpacas in emerald valleys skirting ancient Inca ruins. From blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos to Technicolor hummingbirds in Peru, each stop feels like a new chapter in an epic nature story on this cultural walking trip.
What about the altitude?
On tour, you’ll start with the Galápagos at sea level, then transition to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. This sequence allows your body to acclimate gradually—making each walk comfortable and every wildlife encounter even more enjoyable.
How are inter-country logistics handled?
Classic Journeys coordinates every detail: Galápagos park fees, airport transfers, internal flights between Ecuador and Peru, and the iconic train to Machu Picchu. All you need to do is enjoy the journey—your guides and logistics team make transitions seamless from island to highlands.
How does the tour ensure ethical wildlife viewing?
Every walk in the Galápagos is led by licensed naturalists committed to conservation and Peruvian visits are also guided by locals who champion ethical practices and sustainable tourism. You tread lightly, learn deeply, and help sustain the people and places you explore each step of the way.
What should I pack?
You’ll get a comprehenisve list before departing, but you’ll want to bring swimwear, quick-dry active clothing, sun protection, hiking shoes, and a light waterproof jacket for the Galapagos islands. For Machu Picchu, pack layers for chilly mornings, mountain walks, and the occasional rain shower.
What about the guides?
All of our guides are local experts, so you’ll be with a well-connected friend while in-country. In the Galápagos, guides are licensed naturalists that will help you spot wildlife and in Peru, your guides are local experts (and Quechua-born) with generations of knowledge to share. Their stories, humor, and personal connections turn every walk into a deep dive into both the natural and cultural worlds that you’ll explore.
Can the trip be set up privately?
Absolutely! Classic Journeys can create a private itinerary for special wildlife events—like booby nesting or tortoise hatching—and secure preferred entry times at Machu Picchu. Your private adventure can be handcrafted to fit your interests and schedule, on exactly the deparutre dates that work best for you and your travel companions. Ask our Travel Experience Team how to start planning!