18-35 Travel
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Peru

Best of Peru & Galapagos

Lima → Quito 18 days Up to 12

About this trip

Eighteen days that take you from the Andes to the Pacific, starting in Peru's markets and ruins before flying west to the Galapagos for a week of wildlife on land and underwater.

In Peru you'll eat your way through Cusco, walk in Inca footsteps at Machu Picchu, and stay with a family on the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca. Then it's on to Quito before the Galapagos, where days are built around hiking, boat trips and snorkelling among sea lions and marine life.

This is a trip of contrasts — cultural immersion and altitude in Peru, followed by an active, water-based week in the islands. Expect full days throughout and a genuine mix of comfort levels along the way.

What you'll do

  • Explore local food markets in Cusco
  • Visit Machu Picchu on a guided circuit
  • Stay overnight with a family on Lake Titicaca's floating Uros islands
  • Wander the historic streets of Quito
  • Hike the rocky slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano
  • Snorkel in a bay home to a sea lion colony
Good to know
  • Spends time at altitude — check the medical and health guidance before you go
  • Includes a 17 km hike over rocky terrain (roughly 6-7 hours), so bring proper hiking shoes
  • Inter-island travel in the Galapagos is by speedboat and can be rough — worth discussing seasickness medication with a doctor beforehand
What travellers actually say

Worth it if you want brilliant guides and iconic bucket-list sights. Think twice if you're older, struggle with heat, or want seamless logistics.

  • Guides like Leo, Giuliano, and Caesar genuinely went the extra mile, setting up comms and adapting to group needs.
  • Galapagos leg's 2-3km walks and heat weren't clearly flagged; older travellers couldn't complete them, guides didn't suggest taxi alternatives.
  • Airport time felt wasted; Intrepid transfers cost significantly more than booking independently, and some got them free whilst others paid.
  • Emergency contacts didn't always respond quickly; WhatsApp comms varied between Peru and Galapagos legs, affecting feedback channels.

Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.

Tour dupe
Same trip, less money
£402 less all-in
Upgraded - Discover Peru + the Amazon
5from £4,39018 days
The trade-off: same length, a different operator.
See the dupe
How it compares

The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.

Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.

Best month to go

Departing in Aug is cheapest — from £4,790, about 31% below the priciest month (Sep).

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Getting there

Lima
One-way · arrive 20 Aug 26

Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.

Where to stay

A night before your tour in Lima · 20 Aug21 Aug

Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.

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