Galapagos & Machu Picchu Express

 

Combine the best of the Galapagos and Machu Picchu

A quick sampling of the unique and fascinating wildlife of Galapagos with the grandeur of the Incan Empire.

Quick Links:   ITINERARY  |   DATES & PRICES  |   INCLUSIONS   |   TERMS & CONDITIONS   |   VIDEO  |   FAQs
 
Our trip was truly wonderful. It exceeded expectations in every way. Our guides were outstanding and greatly enhanced the enjoyment of our trip.
— Rich A., Sebastopol, CA
 

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Email Us | Call us +1 510-420-1550

 

Welcome to Darwin’s Enchanted Isles

You’re now at sea-level where you’ll encounter Galapagos wildlife almost immediately upon exiting the aircraft.

This 6-day Galapagos Islands cruise will give you a taste of the unique flora and fauna that make the Enchanted Isles so unique. You’ll also have an opportunity to snorkel each day to observe marine life and perhaps catch a glimpse of marine iguanas feeding underwater.  Our naturalist guides »

 

Welcome to Peru!

Your Machu Picchu tour begins with a brief overnight stop in Lima before continuing to Cusco early the next morning. You’ll cross the Urubamba Valley on a privately guided tour to learn the history, legends, and lore of the Incan civilization. Along the way to Machu Picchu, you’ll visit both ancient ruins and contemporary villages where daily life has changed little in the nearly 500 years since the fall of the Incan empire. Your guided visit to the iconic Inca citadel will be combined with a variety of hikes that can be customized to suit the interests and abilities of you and your companions. You’ll cap your visit with a stay in Cusco, the ancient Incan capital.

 

The Galapagos Luxury Yacht INTEGRITY

An elegant base for 16 discerning guests to discover the islands. Stabilized. Comfortable. Spacious.

There is no better way to visit the Galapagos than to cruise between sites by yacht. And the best, most luxurious yacht in the islands is Integrity. Nine spacious staterooms accommodate 16 guests in comfort, style, and safety aboard a boat that has never missed a day of service. Stabilized and secure with redundant safety, communications, and engineering systems ensures a smooth, uninterrupted journey.  An abundance of public spaces allow guests to spread out and enjoy quiet time or socialize with companions.  More about INTEGRITY »

Your Itinerary

  • You’ll arrive in Quito this evening and be escorted to the nearby airport hotel for a brief overnight stop.

    Overnight: Holiday Inn Quito Airport, B

  • You’ll be transferred back to Quito Airport for your 2-hour flight to San Cristobal, Galápagos. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to the VIP arrivals lounge, where staff will collect your passport and facilitate your entrance formalities with the Galápagos National Park. Once you’ve collected your luggage, you will enjoy lunch and a visit to Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado tortoise reserve and then on to the Interpretation Center and National Museum. You’ll board INTEGRITY in the early evening to begin your cruise.

  • During the night, INTEGRITY cruise to the island of Santa Fé where a white beach usually covered with sea lions will provide a walk into a giant Opuntia cactus grove and an opportunity to see endemic land iguanas. The land visit will be followed by snorkeling and/or kayaking in the turquoise waters of the bay, full of sea lions, rays, urchins, eels, and fish of all colors.

    Repositioning during lunch, you’ll visit the island of South Plaza, where you’ll see another species of Galapagos land iguana as well as cactus finches. The south-facing cliffs swarm with a myriad of bird species. Bachelor sea lions climb steep cliffs in the late afternoon to spend nights away from the larger dominant bulls.

  • This morning, you’ll find yourself anchored in Darwin Bay, formed by the rim of a sunken crater. Red mangroves along the hiking trail provide habitat for yellow warblers, yellow-crowned night herons, and pintail ducks. The highlight of this site is the incredible abundance of Red-footed Boobies, Great Frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Yellow-crowned Night Herons. Although the most abundant booby in the islands, this is one of the few places visitors can observe Red-footed Boobies.

    The afternoon starts with a rockfall that forms a natural staircase up the cliffs, known as Prince Phillip's Steps or the "Stairway to Seabird Heaven." We'll walk through massive colonies of Red-footed and Nazca Boobies and an extraordinary Palo Santo forest on the way to a lava ridge where thousands of storm petrels dart about while short-eared owls stalk them for prey.

  • This morning, you’ll go ashore on the eastern shores of Santiego Island, whe'e you’ll walk across a recent lava flow and view its beautiful structural characteristics. Formed in the second half of the 19th Century, the flow is too young for much plant or animal life. The colors and shapes of the lava are fantastic for photos.

    In the afternoon, you’ll visit Bartolomé. Arguably the most recognized landmark in Galapagos, Pinnacle Rock juts straight out of Bartolomé's northern bay. Snorkeling in the bay provides visitors with a chance to swim with Galapagos Penguins. Climbing up the 600-m trail to the top of the island provides spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock, Santiago Island, and Daphne Major and Minor.

  • Landing at Rábida’s Red Beach, you’ll see wading birds and ghost crabs dot the sand. Behind the beach is a saltwater lagoon where Pintail ducks and Common Stilts are frequently seen along with a group of bachelor sea lions. Brown pelicans nest in the nearby salt brush. A short trail inland provides a chance to observe finches, Galapagos Doves, Yellow Warblers, and mockingbirds, as well as the occasional snake.

    The turquoise waters near Sombrero Chino provide one of our best opportunities to see Galapagos Penguins. A panga ride in search of wildlife is followed by a snorkel that often includes sharks, sea lions, penguins, and rays. We will land at a beautiful white sand beach for a short walk along a trail that meanders over varying types of lava.

  • This morning, you’ll say Adios to INTEGRITY at Baltra Harbor, and board a flight to Guayaquil, where you will connect onward to Lima, arriving in the late evening. You’ll have a brief overnight stay at the airport hotel, located opposite the teminal building.

  • A quick flight over the snow-covered Andes brings you to Cusco, your gateway to the Sacred Valley. After a scenic ride through pastoral farmlands, you’ll reach the town of Chinchero, known for its weaving tradition, unchanged since the time of the Incas. Planned visits include a weaving demonstration, the ancient Incan agricultural laboratory of Moray, and the salt terraces of Maras.

    Hotel: Hacienda Urubamba or similar, BLD

  • You begin the day with a visit to the spectacular temple-fortress and village of Ollantaytambo, a site that is little changed from the days of the Incas. You’ll catch a morning train in Ollantaytambo for one of the most breathtaking rail journeys in the world. The rail line follows the river down the impressive Canyon of the Vilcanota to the foot of Machu Picchu.

    Your accommodations are at the lovely riverside Machu Picchu Pueblo, a short stroll from the Aguas Calientes train station. Following check-in, you will board a bus and head up to the archeaological site of Machu Picchu. It is an amazing ride including 22 switch backs.

    You start your exploration of Machu Picchu with an orientation stroll around the site. This will give a rough sense of the layout of the ruins. After lunch you will enjoy an extended guided walking tour.

    Hotel: Machu Picchu Pueblo; Sanctuary Lodge by request, BLD

  • After breakfast, you will explore Machu Picchu once more.  You have the option for a morning hike up Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu Mountains for spectacular views of the ruins and river below.  

    After lunch, you will transfer to the train station to catch the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and connect to Cusco.

    Hotel: La Casona or similar, BL

  • You visit the bustling Cusco "Mercado Central", a traditional market were you will get a sense of the daily rhythm of Cuzqueño life. From open air stalls, everything from coca leaves, carrots, rubber boots, jeans, padlocks, beef, live chickens and ducks, to cuys, Band-Aids, and a range of familiar and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables are sold -sometimes for cash, sometimes in the traditional manner-barter.

    Later you view an archbishop's private collection of colonial and Indian art. After lunch you will visit the Inca Historical Museum for a fine overview of the history of the Inca Empire from its beginning to its demise.

    In the late afternoon you will venture up to Sacsayhuaman to explore the spectacular ceremonial and "parade" grounds used by the Incas for major celebrations, pageants and sporting events. Inti Raymi, the Incan "Festival of the Sun," is still celebrated here on June 24. Cusco fills with colorfully dressed, chicha-drinking Indians from villages all over the Andes, who come for this week-long festival of folk-dance competitions, pageantry and renowned debauchery.

    Hotel: La Casona or similar, BLD

  • After breakfast, your Galapagos and Machu Picchu Express adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transfered back to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima and onward.

    You may wish to consider exending your say in Cusco, spending some time exploring Lima’s fine dining scene, or possibly extending your exploration to include Arequipa, the Amazon, or Lake Titicaca.

 

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Galapagos & Machu Picchu Express - Dates & Prices

Our Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour operates from March through December. 

2024 SPECIAL OFFER*
Save $2000 per person on all Fall 2024 departures and an extra hotel night in Quito free.
See details below

2024 Departures: $12,295

Per person, double occupancy

START END
Mar 10 Mar 21
Mar 24 Apr 04
Apr 07 Apr 18
Apr 21 May 02
May 05 May 16
May 19 May 30
Jun 02 Jun 13
Jun 16 Jun 27
Jun 30 Jul 11
Jul 14 Jul 25
Jul 28 Aug 08
Aug 11 Aug 22
Aug 25 Sep 05
Oct 06 Oct 17
Oct 20 Oct 31
Nov 03 Nov 13
Nov 17 Nov 28
Dec 01 Dec 12

2024 SPECIAL OFFER DETAILS
*New bookings only. Not combinable with any other offers. Applies to all remaining available departures through mid-December. Extra night before or after the scheduled trip at Holiday Inn Quito Airport (double occupancy). Not applicable to December Holiday Dates.

2025 Departures: $12,795

Per person, double occupancy

START END
Mar 09 Mar 20
Mar 23 Apr 03
Apr 06 Apr 17
Apr 20 May 01
May 04 May 15
May 18 May 29
Jun 07 Jun 12
Jun 15 Jun 26
Jun 29 Jul 10
Jul 13 Jul 24
Jul 27 Aug 07
Aug 10 Aug 21
Aug 24 Sep 04
Oct 05 Oct 16
Oct 19 Oct 30
Nov 02 Nov 13
Nov 16 Nov 27
Nov 30 Dec 11

Book this trip: Email us » Call us +1 510-420-1550

Supplements, inclusions and exclusions

INTEGRITY Owner’s Suite upgrade

  • Stateroom upgrade to the Owner’s Suite is $1600 ($800 per person)

INTEGRITY Single Guests

  • A dedicated single stateroom is available at no additional supplement (limit 2 per voyage, subject to availability).

  • Single use of a double occupancy stateroom or Owner’s Suite: please call for details.

  • Single land supplement is $2250

Children

  • Please call for applicable child discounts

Sanctuary Lodge Upgrade (Machu Picchu)

  • $890 per person additional

Included

  • Roundtrip airport transfers as specified in the itinerary

  • All hotel/lodge accommodations (double occupancy, unless Single purchased) as specified in the itinerary

  • All meals as specified in the itinerary

  • All non-alcoholic beverages

  • All guides, activities, tours, entry fees, and sightseeing arrangements as specified in the itinerary.

Additional costs (subject to change without notice)

  • International airfare to Peru & Ecuador

  • Galapagos airfare (currently $555 per person)

  • Domestic airfare within Peru and between Peru & Ecuador (quoted subject to availability)

  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee (currently $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12)

  • Galapagos Transit Control Tax (currently $20)

  • Additional wine and other spirits are available for purchase aboard ($10-$15 per glass)

  • Gratuities for naturalist guides and yacht crew. Gratuities are always at the guest’s discretion; however, the recommended amounts are $100-$150 per guest for the naturalist guide and $200-$300 per guest for the yacht crew.

  • Gratuities for guides in Peru (detailed tipping guidelines will be provided)

Deposit, Payment & Cancellation Schedule

INDIVIDUAL BOOKINGS OF ONE TO FOUR TRAVELERS

Deposit

  • A deposit of $1300 per person is due at time of booking

  • Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at time of booking those services

Payment

  • The balance is due 90 days before departure

  • Domestic or regional airfares are due at time of ticketing

Cancellation

  • Up to 151 days before departure – deposit may be refunded, or transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date

  • 150-91 days before departure – deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date.

  • 90-61 days before departure – all monies received are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date.

  • 60-0 days before departure – 100% of full trip price is forfeited

Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.

SMALL GROUPS OF FIVE OR MORE TRAVELERS

Deposit

  • An initial deposit of $1300 per person is due at time of booking

  • A second deposit of $1300 per person is due 150 days before departure

  • Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at time of booking those services

Payment

  • The balance is due 90 days before departure

  • Domestic or regional airfares are due at time of ticketing

Cancellation

  • Up to 151 days before departure – the initial deposit may be refunded or transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date

  • 150-91 days before departure – initial deposit and second deposit are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date

  • 90-61 days before departure – 50% of full trip price is forfeited. The remaining balance is non-refundable, but may be transferred towards a new departure within one year of original trip date

  • 60-0 days before departure – 100% of full trip price is forfeited

Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.

See additional Terms & Conditions »

Video

A taste of what to expect

Discover Peru with INCA

Discover Galapagos with INCA

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go?

Perú's winter season (May to October) brings mild temperatures to the coast, and clear skies to the highlands, although it gets a quite chilly in the evenings in June and July.  More on Perú

March through August is referred to as the “wealthy season” in the Galapagos due to increased mating and nesting activity. More on Galápagos

What will I will see? 

This shortened version of Perú and the Galápagos accommodates those who wish to see both countries, but are on a tight schedule. 

This itinerary provides a magnificent introduction to the wonders of Cusco, the Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu. More on Perú

As far as the Galápagos, what you see will depend on the route. More on Galápagos

How can I be sure this is the right trip for me?

Our Galápagos and Perú combination trip offers a perfect balance of activity, education and pure luxury.  It is recommended that you have a higher level of fitness for Peru as walks and hikes are at elevation and can have uphill elements. More on Perú

Good balance, health and proper footwear are essential for both portions to be the most enjoyable. More on Galápagos

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