Ruins of great Inca city of Machu Picchu

Best of Machu Picchu and Galapagos: 9 Day Discovery Tour

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Galapagos / Ecuador, Peru

Places Visited

Cusco, Quito, Santa Cruz (Galápagos), Santiago (City)

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Combining South America’s cultural and natural mysteries, this 9-day tour unravels Machu Picchu and the Galapagos archipelago. Spend four days being immersed in history with intimate Incan experiences and expert guides that will narrate a surreal civilization and story. Partake in a small-boat cruise through the heart of the islands, discover the archipelago’s incredible wildlife, and traverse recent lava flows.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Savor the ultimate Galapagos highlights on a five-day cruise around the best of the archipelago
  • Journey into the wilderness for a majestic two-day experience at Machu Picchu
  • Wander around magnificent nesting sites and get to know the islands’ incredibly rare birds
  • Explore the old-world wonder of Urubamba, which is the Sacred Valley of the Incas
  • Stand next to giant Galapagos tortoises and discover how they evolved to different shapes on each of the islands
  • Marvel at more Incan history with an afternoon in Cusco, which is the original Incan capital
  • Immerse yourself in the wonders of seals, turtles, sharks, rays, and others
  • Step back into another time with an overnight stay in UNESCO World Heritage Quito, which is a delightful transit point between Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands
  • Uncover volcanic history by walking on recent lava flows and exploring the breadth of island nature

Detailed Description

Machu Picchu and Galapagos are two countries that represent the essence of South America’s culture and mysteries. Surreal and strange, these places are not like anything else on the planet. While they appear unreal in images, very few travel destinations can make you feel as alive as Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Nine days is the shortest amount of time required to combine these two destinations comfortably. You will travel in style with this handcrafted best-of itinerary to many of the best of South America’s destinations.

You will begin your adventure in Peru with a flight to Cusco and a short transfer to the Sacred Valley, where strange fortresses and local markets highlight impress the Incan world. The following afternoon, you will rumble into the jungle by train, descending toward the Lost City. Your afternoon Machu Picchu experience will reveal ancient narratives and the site’s architectural highlights in addition to a few llamas and alpacas. Spending the night next to the site means that you can return at sunrise for a second immersion in the incredible Incan world. You will even still have time to discover the best of Cusco before flying to Quito on day four.

You will then indulge in a five-day boat cruise that connects six islands and the full range of natural highlights. You can discover unusual iguanas and stand next to giant tortoises, wander across lava flows, and fully explore Galapagos’ volcanic diversity. Luxury is imbued in every experience as you cruise through the islands for majestic close-ups with some of the world’s rarest animals.

Starting Price

$8,770 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.9 stars based on 79 reviews.

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"I would certainly recommend the travel agency to my friends...

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"Everyone was very nice and accommodating."

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