Value Galapagos and Peru
13 days from £4,930
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
The active volcano Guagua Pichincha glowers over the dynamic city which, at 2,850m, is one of highest capital cities in the world. Quito is divided into two contrasting districts. The modern zone is characterised by towering glass buildings and houses banks, international companies, hotels, shops and restaurants, while the central colonial area has well-conserved and recently spruced-up white-washed architecture, open air markets and graceful Spanish-style mansions and churches.
The Casa Gardenia is a little boutique-style bed and breakfast hotel, located uphill from the historic centre of Quito. It has spectacular views out over the city from the comfy sofa on the rooftop balcony – these are particularly magical at night when the city is ablaze with lights.
The property is imaginatively designed to combine traditional taste and style with contemporary flair, retaining the traditional balconies and original adobe walls of the old building. Service is particularly attentive, with all the staff really eager to please, and English is spoken.
Quito was the first city ever to be named a World Heritage site. We suggest you take your time to stroll around the historic core, which starts right outside your hotel. High on the agenda is a walk through the main plaza, the Plaza de Independencia, where you will see the government palace, the cathedral, and some of the most important churches built around the 16th and 17th centuries, including the monastery of San Francisco.
You might also head off to look at the buzzing modern sector, look round the shops, pop into a bar or have an evening meal.
The Casa Gardenia is a little boutique-style bed and breakfast hotel, located uphill from the historic centre of Quito. It has spectacular views out over the city from the comfy sofa on the rooftop balcony – these are particularly magical at night when the city is ablaze with lights.
The property is imaginatively designed to combine traditional taste and style with contemporary flair, retaining the traditional balconies and original adobe walls of the old building. Service is particularly attentive, with all the staff really eager to please, and English is spoken.
Drive from Baltra to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the largest town and port in the archipelago. Visit the nearby Charles Darwin Research Centre, a biological centre for the study and conservation of numerous species of Galápagos flora and fauna operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. Later head through farmland into the lushly vegetated highlands of Santa Cruz where you will explore one of the ranches where the iconic giant tortoises can be seen in the wild. After the visit, return to Puerto Ayora to board your vessel.
Archipel I is a broad and stable motor catamaran, 26m long with a speed of 10 knots. She caters for just 16 guests, rendering her a good choice for anyone preferring a more intimate nautical experience on a small but roomy vessel. Décor is contemporary and light, white paintwork and furnishings combining with polished wood to reflect the rays of the sun. There’s a lounge and sun deck with loungers and an area where you can shelter from the sun, and indoor or on deck dining. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment are available. With just nine crew members including a naturalist guide, she offers extremely personalised service, and you will feel well looked after. She offers a choice of three easily combinable itineraries from four to 14 days’ duration.
Floreana Island is probably best known for its colourful history involving buccaneers, pirates, whalers, convicts and later, colonists. In 1793, British whalers established the Post Office Barrel as a means of sending letters to and from England. This goodwill tradition has been upheld over the years, and even today visitors may drop off and pick up letters, without stamps, to be carried to faraway destinations.
Before dropping anchor at Post Office Bay you will visit Punta Cormorant, where pink flamingos dot the still waters of a bright lagoon and a white-sand beach provides the nesting ground for sea turtles (December to May). You also have the opportunity to snorkel off Champion Islet, one of the prime snorkelling sites of the archipelago offering underwater encounters with sea-lions, a dazzling array of tropical fish and penguins torpedoing just below the surface.
Archipel I is a broad and stable motor catamaran, 26m long with a speed of 10 knots. She caters for just 16 guests, rendering her a good choice for anyone preferring a more intimate nautical experience on a small but roomy vessel. Décor is contemporary and light, white paintwork and furnishings combining with polished wood to reflect the rays of the sun. There’s a lounge and sun deck with loungers and an area where you can shelter from the sun, and indoor or on deck dining. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment are available. With just nine crew members including a naturalist guide, she offers extremely personalised service, and you will feel well looked after. She offers a choice of three easily combinable itineraries from four to 14 days’ duration.
Española Island is the most southerly in the archipelago, and reputedly one of the oldest – it was created by volcanic action up to three and five million years ago. At Gardner Bay there is a beach inhabited by sea lions and mockingbirds. Gardner and Osborn islets just off the coast are excellent for snorkelling. From Punta Suárez you can stroll along trails over lava rocks dotted with the nests of blue-footed boobies, waved albatross marine iguana that are endemic to the island. There is also a blowhole which forces water 30m up into the air – an impressive sight.
Archipel I is a broad and stable motor catamaran, 26m long with a speed of 10 knots. She caters for just 16 guests, rendering her a good choice for anyone preferring a more intimate nautical experience on a small but roomy vessel. Décor is contemporary and light, white paintwork and furnishings combining with polished wood to reflect the rays of the sun. There’s a lounge and sun deck with loungers and an area where you can shelter from the sun, and indoor or on deck dining. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment are available. With just nine crew members including a naturalist guide, she offers extremely personalised service, and you will feel well looked after. She offers a choice of three easily combinable itineraries from four to 14 days’ duration.
Punta Pitt is on the north eastern tip of San Cristóbal Island where endemic species include lava lizards, Chatham mockingbird and red-footed boobies. One of the oldest islands in the archipelago San Cristóbal is characterised by its eroded volcanic peaks in the north and densely vegetated slopes in the south. Cerro Brujo is a volcanic crater with very interesting lava formations. It has a white coral beach and a great open walking area with rewarding bird-watching.
Archipel I is a broad and stable motor catamaran, 26m long with a speed of 10 knots. She caters for just 16 guests, rendering her a good choice for anyone preferring a more intimate nautical experience on a small but roomy vessel. Décor is contemporary and light, white paintwork and furnishings combining with polished wood to reflect the rays of the sun. There’s a lounge and sun deck with loungers and an area where you can shelter from the sun, and indoor or on deck dining. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment are available. With just nine crew members including a naturalist guide, she offers extremely personalised service, and you will feel well looked after. She offers a choice of three easily combinable itineraries from four to 14 days’ duration.
As its name suggests Lobos islet is smothered with sea-lions frolicking on the rocks, their playful, ungainly movement accompanied by a cacophony of wailing. There is a nesting site for blue-footed boobies for you to investigate and you can snorkel here too. Transfer to San Cristóbal for your flight back to the mainland and connect with your flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel in the Peruvian capital.
The modern and welcoming small El Tambo Hotel is in the attractive district of Miraflores; the oceanfront residential and commercial centre of Lima. It has the advantage of being in a quiet central location yet close to the city’s seaside promenade, the Malecón, and within easy walking distance of many of the city’s best restaurants and bars.
There is nothing especially Peruvian about the contemporary décor but the guestrooms are spacious, bright and decorated with local handicrafts and pictures. The hotel has some pleasant outdoor areas including an attractive front garden with a lawn. There’s a restaurant and bar, and a good range of services and facilities.
Lima is a vast, complex metropolis, with a history dating from the era of its wealth and importance to Imperial Spain to its current status as a dynamic, growing city of trade, industry and tourism.
Plaza San Martín, with its colonial churches, promenades and palaces marks the beginning of a guided tour that unearths much of the country’s turbulent past. En route, visit several palaces including the Torre Eagle Palace (built for the treasurer of the Royal Spanish fleet and considered to be the most striking of Lima’s 18th century mansions). Another building which borrows its architectural style from Baroque and Moorish Spain is the Monastery of San Francisco with its fascinating library and catacombs.
The final port of call is the private Larco Museum with its collection of beautifully modelled pottery, unique gold and silver work, mummies, and ceramics from pre-Inca civilisations. Afterwards, you will continue to Lima airport where you will board your flight up into the Andes to Cusco. Your accommodation is in a homely hotel established to support Cusco’s street children.
Located in a quiet street close to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, the community-focused Hotel Los Ninos is a very special place to stay. Its Dutch proprietor established the hotel in the 90s in order to raise funds to support her charity Niños Foundation, which aims to provide 500 extremely neglected children in the city with sanitation, hot food, dental and medical assistance as well as help with their education.
It’s a modest but clean and neat property in a 300-year-old colonial building. There’s a large patio where home cooked meals are served. Decoration is minimalist, with photographs of smiling children that have benefitted from the charity’s work adorning the walls. Guests frequently comment very favourably about the warm welcome they receive here.
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is a fascinating mix of colonial churches, monasteries and convents, alongside extensive pre-Columbian ruins. Almost every central street has remnants of Inca walls and much of this ancient stonework now serves as foundations for more modern dwellings.
Your guided tour explores the magnificent main square with the 16th century cathedral and the church of Santo Domingo – built on the site of Qoricancha, Cusco’s major Inca temple.
Overlooking the city on the northern outskirts of Cusco lie the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, believed to have been both a fortress and ceremonial centre. The site has some magnificent Inca walls immaculately constructed from massive rocks. The visit also includes the nearby ruins of Inca staging post Tambo Machay, with its ceremonial fountains and bath, the military fort Puka Pukara and the temple of Q’enko with its sacrificial stone.
Located in a quiet street close to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, the community-focused Hotel Los Ninos is a very special place to stay. Its Dutch proprietor established the hotel in the 90s in order to raise funds to support her charity Niños Foundation, which aims to provide 500 extremely neglected children in the city with sanitation, hot food, dental and medical assistance as well as help with their education.
It’s a modest but clean and neat property in a 300-year-old colonial building. There’s a large patio where home cooked meals are served. Decoration is minimalist, with photographs of smiling children that have benefitted from the charity’s work adorning the walls. Guests frequently comment very favourably about the warm welcome they receive here.
Lying just a few kilometres from Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas was once the bread-basket of the Inca empire, heavily populated in imperial times and scores of archaeological sites remain, where well-preserved ruins bear witness to the highly developed society that the Incas created.
The drive takes in several of the villages and temple fortresses that pepper the valley. You visit Pisaq, both the village, and the terraces and fort high above. The engineering and preservation are unrivalled.
From the flat valley floor the sculpted hillside rises up like a green staircase to the heavens. Continue along this picturesque, patchwork valley to the fortress/temple of Ollantaytambo where snow-capped Andean cordillera forms a stunning backdrop.
The fortress, the colonial grid plan and the Inca foundations are still intact and there are wonderful views down over the sloping hillsides and into the fertile valley. You’ll be spending the night in a homely hotel here.
Built in 1925, this rustic, colonial style guesthouse sits behind Ollantaytambo train station (so very convenient if you have an early morning train to catch) but still only a short walk from the centre of the village. With just a small number of rooms, the hotel’s focus is on friendly and personal service.
The whitewashed, tiled building has wooden balconies and the guest rooms also benefit from polished flooring and solid wooden furnishing,, giving them a cottagey feel. There’s complimentary Wifi.
The lovely gardens are well tended with lots of colourful flowers which frequently attract hummingbirds to the property. The restaurant has a good reputation for serving local dishes with an inventive touch and is also open to non-guests. Many of the ingredients come from their own organic farm.
Transfer to Ollantaytambo, train to Machu Picchu, guided tour of the ruins, overnight.
Travelling for 90mins by train from Ollantaytambo, you reach the ruins of Machu Picchu. As the river Urubamba enters its narrow gorge between thickly-forested granite hills, there is room only for a single track, which hugs the right bank and passes through hamlets that are no more than a collection of shacks beside the railway. Close to the foot of the mountain on a saddle of which the citadel was built is the village of Machu Picchu, dedicated to serving the many visitors with artisan markets, bars and restaurants.
The majestic ruined city, reclaimed from tropical cloud forest, is reached by bus up a sinuous road, or on foot up a near vertical rocky path. The American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, by which time it was completely buried beneath jungle vegetation. It is perhaps the ruins’ location, on a ridge spur amid forested peaks and above a roaring river canyon, that most ignites the imagination.
You will have a guided tour of the ruins along one of the set trails, before heading back down to spend the night in Machu Picchu village.
Owned by the reputable Casa Andina group, this contemporary hotel prides itself on its prime location opposite the railway station at the centre of Machu Picchu village. Guests arriving by train have the treat of being delivered quite literally to the door.
While the building’s five-storey grey panelled exterior is a little drab, the inside is fresh, clean and modern with bright furniture, marble floors, brilliant white walls and attractive artworks.
More than 50 guestrooms are simple, functional and modern in design. White walls and bedding are interrupted only by a slim brightly coloured throw hung across the end of the bed, a contemporary homage to the colourful traditional weavings of the area. Superior rooms and suites have the added benefit of views over the Vilcanota River. The hotel’s riverside restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows which optimise the view.
Train times permitting, there’s the opportunity to return to the site of Machu Picchu. Getting up early and taking one of the first buses up to the site is well worth it. The ruins are virtually empty at that time and the early morning mists swirl around the surrounding mountain tops.
There is time for an optional hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu (although this must be booked in advance). Alternatively enjoy the thermal baths or walks in the village below. Later, travel to Cusco by rail and road, taking about 4 hours.
Located in a quiet street close to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, the community-focused Hotel Los Ninos is a very special place to stay. Its Dutch proprietor established the hotel in the 90s in order to raise funds to support her charity Niños Foundation, which aims to provide 500 extremely neglected children in the city with sanitation, hot food, dental and medical assistance as well as help with their education.
It’s a modest but clean and neat property in a 300-year-old colonial building. There’s a large patio where home cooked meals are served. Decoration is minimalist, with photographs of smiling children that have benefitted from the charity’s work adorning the walls. Guests frequently comment very favourably about the warm welcome they receive here.
At Lima airport, connect with your international flight; or continue with an extension to your holiday.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands - Quito
Quito, Ecuador built around colonial history and Andean drama, sharing the highland valley. At 2,850m and ringed by volcanoes, the historic centre mixes cobbled streets, whitewashed façades and colourful churches with a modern city beyond. Quito holidays combine both, and work just as a standalone city break or the start of a longer trip.
Peru - Lima
Peru’s capital doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In Lima, colonial grandeur, world-class gastronomy and Pacific Ocean views combine to make it one of South America’s most exciting cities. Known as the City of Kings, Lima blends rich colonial heritage with contemporary culture, outstanding museums and some of the best food on the continent.
Peru - Cusco
Surrounded by the Andean mountains, the former capital of the Inca Empire boasts intricate temples and golden-hued colonial architecture. Explore rugged landscapes and fascinating architecture with a Cusco holiday from Journey Latin America.
Peru - Machu Picchu
Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
Peru - Sacred Valley of the Incas
We think of the Sacred Valley as the heartland of the Inca Empire – fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and ancient stone fortresses make it one of Peru’s most captivating landscapes. Stretching between Cusco and Machu Picchu, it’s home to colourful markets, traditional villages, remarkable archaeological sites and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
A comprehensive well-priced holiday combining a Galápagos cruise with colonial Quito and the best of Peru: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
This two-week holiday is packed with highlights: you won’t believe you’ve managed to see and do so much. Arriving in Quito, Ecuador, you are whisked off to your hotel right on the historic main square of the colonial heart of this Andean city, and have a day to explore. Then you fly off to the Galápagos Islands, 1000km off the coast but only a couple of hours by air: what a difference though, you are now basking in the tropical sunlight of this enchanting volcanic archipelago.
Board a friendly, good-value motor yacht for a five-day cruise exploring the islands; viewing its extraordinary inland, shore and marine wildlife from a hiking trail, an inflatable boat, or your snorkel. After this, you fly down to Peru to visit the continent’s top sights: Machu Picchu and Cusco, cultural icons in a gorgeous highland setting.
Sophie Barber
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
5 flights (longest 2.5hrs); 2 rail and road journeys (longest 4hrs).
- Accommodation
This holiday incorporates simple, economical mid-range hotels, some with plenty of history and special features. Archipel is a small, good value motor catamaran with a dazzling white and blue contemporary décor with polished wood, lending her a genuine nautical feel.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, full board days 3-6.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
13 days, 12 nights: Quito 2; Galápagos 4; Cusco 2; Sacred Valley 1; Machu Picchu 1; Cusco 1; Lima 1.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Ecuador and the Galápagos is the US dollar; in Peru is the sol.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency in Peru, and use in Ecuador and the Galápagos where the dollar is the national currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$35-$45 per day should cover the cost drinks and the odd souvenir, and of decent quality meals on those days in the holiday itinerary when not on the cruise. Eat at the very best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants. On the cruise, you might consider a tip of $15-20pp per day for the crew and $8-10pp per day for the guide.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
Given the limited medical facilities in the Galápagos Islands and the costs related to air ambulance services, you are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance which includes air ambulance services.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Trip Suitability
This holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors. The sea can be choppy around the Galápagos islands.
- Climate
In the Galápagos, from January to April it’s hot and the sun is relentless, with some sudden showers. May to July, and October to December is cloudier; August and September it’s often cloudy and cool, and a stiff breeze makes the waters choppier. High and Low seasons reflect demand rather than the best time to go. Many boats are in dry dock in September.
The rainy season in the Andes runs between November and March when there are showers most afternoons. The dry season is in June, July and August when the sun is strong during the day, but at night the temperature drops dramatically (from freezing point to 10°C). May, September and October are less predictable, with both rainy and sunny spells.
Lima is covered in a dull grey mist for much of the year, although the sun does break through between November and March. It almost never rains in Lima, and temperatures are moderate.
In Cusco and the highlands, June to September can be very cold at night, but days are usually extremely clear with sun. November to April are the wettest months of the year – note that rains tend to be in short, heavy bursts, rather than continual showers, with rains clearing towards the end of April. Nights are cold throughout the year at altitude.
- Altitude
Your stay in Cusco y is at high altitude (3,300m). A small minority of visitors may suffer temporarily from altitude sickness. Symptoms vary; most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes. Most people are unaffected and if you drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol) in the first couple of days after arrival, you will minimise your chances of suffering any symptoms.
Please refer to our Briefing Dossier for further information.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential at altitude; a light fleece jacket and a waterproof/breathable outer shell makes a good combination. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. If you plan to eat in smart restaurants, although clothing is not formal (no need for jacket and tie), something quite smart would be appropriate.
Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring insect repellant, sun block, hat and sun glasses. You should take swimwear for pools and ocean swimming (Galápagos). The ship provides complimentary use of snorkelling equipment and 3mm ‘shorty’ wetsuits but you may prefer to bring your own. Aqua-socks or rubber sandals are useful for embarking and disembarking on wet landings. Bring a light waterproof jacket in case of rain. For June to November departures, the waters can be chilly.
Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu, main luggage must be left in Cusco. You can take up to 10kgs per person on the train and an overnight holdall is recommended to separate your luggage for the night spent away from Cusco.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America and Galápagos.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
For admission to the Galápagos a yellow fever certificate is required for anyone over 1 year old coming from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Holders of a full British passport don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. If you’re travelling via the US, you’ll also need an ESTA. For the latest entry requirements, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- How do I get to Peru from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru. Most routes connect through a European or US hub – common connections include Madrid, Amsterdam and Miami. Flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, around 45 minutes from the city centre.
Flight time is typically 12 to 15 hours depending on routing. We’re happy to quote international flights separately based on your dates and preferences.
- How do I get around Peru?
Distances are large, so domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cusco, we arrange private transfers to the Sacred Valley and train connections to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Cusco to Puno, for Lake Titicaca, is around six to seven hours by road across the high Altiplano, or you can take the scenic PeruRail Titicaca train.
Reaching the Amazon means a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado or from Lima to Iquitos.
- What currency is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas, but you’ll get a better deal paying in sol. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants and remote areas. Peru is five hours behind GMT.
- How long should I spend in Peru?
Two weeks is ideal for a full tour covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and either Colca Canyon or the Amazon. Ten days comfortably cover the main highlights.
With three weeks, you can add the Amazon, the Nazca Lines, or a crossing into Bolivia. Peru also combines well with Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, or with Argentina and Patagonia as part of a wider trip.
- What’s the best time of year to visit Peru?
The dry season from May to October is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – warm days, cold nights and clear skies. The Inca Trail closes in February.
Lima’s coast is warmest from December to April, and the Amazon can be visited year-round, with different advantages in each season. We can advise on the best timing for your itinerary.
- What countries combine well with Peru?
Peru pairs naturally with Bolivia – many of our holidays cross from Lake Titicaca into La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Ecuador is a short flight from Lima, and a Peru–Ecuador–Galápagos Islands itinerary is one of our most popular.
For a broader South America trip, you can add Argentina and Buenos Aires, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Chile or Colombia. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country tour around you.
- What vaccinations do I need for Peru?
Please check current health recommendations for Peru before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting the Amazon, and you may need a certificate if travelling on to certain other countries.
Altitude sickness is a consideration in Cusco (3,400m) and at Lake Titicaca (3,812m) – we build acclimatisation time into all our itineraries. For up-to-date advice, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Peru safe to visit?
The main tourist areas – Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon lodges – are well visited and generally safe.
As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in Lima and Cusco. We plan every itinerary carefully using trusted local partners and established routes. Check the FCDO travel pages for current government advice, and our Travel Experts will flag anything relevant to your trip.
- What is the food like in Peru?
The food is one of the highlights of any trip. Lima ranks among South America’s best places to eat – ceviche made with fresh fish cured in lime juice, lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish with Chinese-Peruvian roots), and ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce).
Try a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific. In the Andes, the traditional dishes include hearty soups, roasted guinea pig (cuy), and quinoa; in the Amazon, freshwater fish and tropical fruit. Wherever you go, our local restaurants of choice are ones we’ll happily point you to.
- When is the best time to visit Ecuador and Galapagos?
The country is an all-year-round destination. The highlands, at about 2,800m but astride the Equator, have a permanent spring-like climate. Most days have a sunny morning but there may be rain in the afternoon. The coast is very hot (30°C) and humid from Jan-Apr. It’s a bit cooler and drier from May-Dec. The jungle is hot and humid all year.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What is the official language of Ecuador and Galapagos?
The official language in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is Spanish.
- What is the official currency in Ecuador and Galapagos?
The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in larger towns and cities using a UK credit or debit card.
- What is the time difference between Ecuador and Galapagos and UK?
The time difference between the UK and Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is GMT-5 hours.
- Do I need a visa for Ecuador and the Galapagos?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Ecuador and Galapagos?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What places combine well with Ecuador and Galapagos?
The Galápagos Islands, (1.5 – 3 hours by air from Guayaquil of Quito); a tour in Colombia to the north, with daily flights from Bogotá to Quito taking just 1.5 hours; the Inca archaeological sites of Peru (daily flights Lima to Quito take 2 hours 20mins).
- What are the festivals and cultural events in Ecuador?
There are carnivals throughout the country, usually around February-March. Be warned that the boisterous festivities include water fights from which no visitor is safe.
Semana Santa (Easter) takes place throughout the country usually between March-April. There will be religious processions throughout this period.
Todos los Santos (all souls day, day of the dead) is also celebrated throughout the country on the 2nd November. Flower laying ceremonies in will take place in cemeteries. These are particularly striking in rural areas.
- How do I adapt to the altitude in Ecuador?
Ecuador’s high Andean spine is bookended by the Pacific coast and Amazon Rainforest, with Quito at 2,850m. Travel to high altitude can cause mountain sickness and even if you feel fighting fit it’s important to take things easy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine) as you get used to the thin, dry air. You may initially notice a headache, dizziness or breathlessness and this usually improves with acclimatisation. If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have a medical condition such as heart or lung condition, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure you should seek the advice of your GP before booking. We also recommend you check your travel insurance covers travel to high altitude. If you’re taking the family, remember small children may be less capable of communicating altitude-related symptoms effectively: keep an eye on them too. Rest assured we will plan your itinerary carefully, taking into account any time spent at altitude. If you have any questions or concerns about altitude please speak to your travel expert.
Further advice on travel to altitude is available on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Discover the Galápagos Islands for yourself – this is one of the most sought-after experiences in travel, and the reality does not disappoint.
Stroll with sea birds and snorkel with penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas on guided expeditions in the pristine natural wonderland of the Galápagos.
Spot birds on guided nature walks in the Galapagos Islands, visiting nesting and feeding sites.
Explore Lima on foot to uncover pre-Inca temples, colonial plazas and sweeping Pacific views.
Take a tour of the colossal stone fortress of Sacsayhuamán, a hugely important Inca ruin on the outskirts of Cusco.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
El Albergue is a rustic, friendly little hotel in flowery gardens beside the railway in Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley.
This Peruvian-owned mid-range hotel in Machu Picchu village is a convenient base for visits to the ruins.
Welcoming modern hotel in a quiet yet central location, offering a good range of services and facilities.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Featured Articles
To round the corner of a mountain and see the lost citadel of Machu Picchu unfold beneath you remains one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Latin America, one of those dreamlike experiences that makes travelling here truly extraordinary.
The Pantanal wetlands cover an area almost the size of the British Isles and offers better wildlife opportunities than the Amazon. Writer and photographer Alex Bellos discovers them.
Small, breathtakingly beautiful Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature lover. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and hummingbirds, while the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.
