Inca Trail & the Galapagos

Your South America holiday begins in Peru. Set in high Andean mountains at 3320m, Cusco is an attractive town which draws people from all over the world. Built on the foundations of an Inca city, you can still see intricate Inca masonry and buildings as you walk through the town.

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous treks in the world, and follows an ancient Inca pathway that originally ran from Cusco to the ‘lost city’. Today’s trailhead is some distance from Cusco. The spectacular scenery is ever-changing as you move from the lower forests to high altitude grasslands and misty cloud forests. You pass several Inca fortresses along the way (Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayamarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Winay Wayna), and there are often awe-inspiring views across the snow-capped peaks of nearby mountains. Walking the trail can make your arrival at Machu Picchu even more spectacular and gives you a great sense of achievement.

From Machu Picchu you head back to Cusco by train, before flying to Lima. From here you fly to Quito in Ecuador and then on to the Galapagos Islands. Your South America holiday finishes with a 7 night cruise around the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. Your home for the next week is a prestige class yacht and you will have the opportunity to explore some of the islands on foot and also go swimming and snorkelling, perhaps even being joined by sea lions.

Tuesdays

Trip information

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Included

All accommodation (in 3* hotels or camping on trek), excursions as shown, flights Lima-Cusco-Lima and Lima-Quito and Quito-Galapagos-Quito.

Is it for you?

The Inca Trail is a moderately challenging trek. You will need to carry a small backpack with your requirements for the day, but porters will carry the rest of your gear. You need to be relatively fit to cope with the trek bearing in mind the altitude you will be at (as high as about 4200m). We strongly recommend that you spend 2 days in Cusco before the trek to acclimatise.

Best time

The Inca trail is best between April and October (dry season). The Galapagos Islands are a year round destination.

Getting there

From the UK, flights to Lima cost from £700.

Weather and highlights

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- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Cloudy
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- Cloudy
- Rain
- Heavy rain

Min Temp

- 7
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Max Temp

- 20
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Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Exploring Cusco and the surrounding Inca sites
The wildlife of the Galapagos Islands including boobies, sealions and Giant Tortoises

Itinerary

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Duration: 17 days.

Day 1 (TUE):
Arrive late in Lima. Transfer to hotel for the night.
Day 2:
Fly to Cusco. Free afternoon. (B)
Day 3:
Morning tour of Cusco and the surroundings. (B)
Days 4-6:
Inca Trail. (FB)
Day 7:
Reach Machu Picchu. Explore, then return to Cusco by train. (B,L)
Day 8:
Fly to Lima. Flight connections permitting, fly to Quito. (B)
Day 9:
Fly to the Galapagos Islands. Start your cruise. (FB)
Days 10-15:
Cruise the Galapagos –ask us for itinerary. (FB)
Day 16:
Fly back to Quito. (B)
Day 17:
Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

Pricing guidelines for Peru

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £750 to £1000 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Peru combines very well with Ecuador (including the Galapagos Island), but can also be linked with Brazil.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
2 weeks highlights of Peru using good quality accommodationBetween £2200 and £3000
2 week holiday based in top end hotelsFrom around £4000+
9 day trip, such as Cusco & the Inca TrailBetween £1300 and £1600
18 days Peru & Galapagos (this can be very variable due to Galapagos yacht prices)Between £3750 and £6500

Peru