A Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour brings together South America’s two defining experiences in a single journey: the Inca citadel in the Peruvian Andes and the wildlife of Ecuador’s islands. Real Dreams operates this combination in three lengths, 10, 12 or 17 days, with flights, hotels and licensed local guides coordinated by one team.
Why Choose the Machu Picchu and Galapagos Tour for Your Next Adventure
The classic 10-day itinerary pairs Peruvian history with the archipelago’s wildlife. You will walk Lima’s colonial center, tour Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and stand before Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, before flying on to the Galapagos Islands for giant tortoises, snorkeling and volcanic scenery.
Booking both countries as one trip also solves the hard part. The Lima–Quito connection, the Galapagos entry requirements and the pacing between altitude days in Cusco and sea-level days in the islands are all handled for you.
Choose Your Itinerary: 10, 12 or 17 Days
The same journey is available in three depths. All of them include a guided visit to Machu Picchu and a land-based Galapagos stay; they differ in how many islands you see and what you add in Peru.
| Itinerary | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days (this page) | Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, then Santa Cruz Island with a full-day sailing tour | First-time visitors short on time |
| 12 days | Quito, five days in the Galapagos across Santa Cruz and Isabela, then Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu | Travelers who want two islands |
| 17 days | The 12-day route plus Papallacta hot springs, Paracas and Huacachina, the km 104 Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain | A once-in-a-lifetime, unhurried pace |
10-Day Machu Picchu and Galapagos Tour: The Classic Route
The itinerary detailed below. Peru comes first: Lima’s historic center and the Magic Water Show, Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins, and a guided morning at Machu Picchu. You then fly via Quito to Santa Cruz Island for giant tortoises in the highlands, the lava tunnels and a full-day navigable tour to an outer island such as Bartolome, South Plaza, Santa Fe or North Seymour.
Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu Tour: 12 Days
The 12-day version starts in Quito and gives the archipelago five full days: the Twin Craters and lava tunnels on Santa Cruz, a full-day sailing tour, and two days on Isabela Island for the Tintoreras islets and the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels. It then crosses to Peru for the Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu circuit. Ask for this option if wildlife is your priority.
Galapagos and Machu Picchu Tours: 17 Days
Our longest South America program. Alongside everything in the 12-day route, the 17-day journey adds the Papallacta hot springs in the Andes, Paracas and the Huacachina desert oasis south of Lima, a one-day Inca Trail hike into Machu Picchu on the km 104 route, and Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain.
Every departure is private, and any of the three itineraries can be adjusted day by day. Send us your dates through the form below and we will confirm availability, or compare more South America tours.
