Group - Classic
Galapagos Hawk: Peru and Galapagos
15 days from £7,009pp
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Essentials
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Tour info
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Country info
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What's included
Tour info
About Our Group Tours
To find out more about how our group tours including group sizes, solo travellers and why to choose us. Please click here.
Tour Leader
On this tour, you’ll be accompanied throughout the Peru portion of the tour by one of our exceptional Journey Latin America tour leaders. From the moment you land in Latin America until the day the tour leaves Lima, they will deal with all the practicalities, expertly adapting to the circumstances and individual needs of the group. Rather than different guides in different cities, your leader will get to know the group and keep you informed and entertained as you go. In Guayaquil, you will be looked after by an expert local guide, before being handed over to the crew and naturalist guides onboard the cruise around the Galapagos.
Summary Of Nights
15 days, 14 nights: Lima 1; Cusco 2; Sacred Valley 1; Machu Picchu 1; Cusco 1; Puno 2; Lima 1; Guayaquil 1; Galápagos cruise 4.
Accommodation
We use the following mid-range and upper mid-range hotels/haciendas on this tour. You will cruise the Galápagos Islands on a 16 person motor yacht.
• Lima: Antigua Miraflores
• Cusco: Casa Andina Premium
• Sacred Valley: Hotel Pakaritampu
• Machu Picchu: El Mapi
• Lake Titicaca: Posada del Inca
• Guayaquil: Hotel Wyndham
• Galápagos Islands: M/Y Galápagos Seaman Journey
On board the cruise all cabins have lower berth beds, panoramic windows, air conditioning, safes and hairdryers.
On very rare occasions these hotels can change, however please speak to one of our consultants who can provide full details for each departure if you have any doubts. Address and contact details will be sent out with your final documents.
Transport
5 flights (longest 2.5 hours); 2 train journeys; 1 private road journey (8 hours, including stops); 4 nights on board the Galápagos M/Y Seaman Journey.
Meals
Breakfast daily; lunch day 4; full board cruise days 11-14.
Optional Excursions
On this tour the price includes excursions in all the places you visit as per the itinerary. There will however likely be some free time when you may choose to take part in an optional excursion. These are booked locally through your tour leader once you are in Latin America, however we are more than happy to advise you of what is on offer in advance of your holiday so you can best plan the excursions that suit you.
On all tours that visit Cusco we offer the chance to hike the mini Inca Trail as well as revisit Machu Picchu on the morning after the first visit. Time permitting, we may also be able to offer the climb up Huayna Picchu. If you are interested in any of these optional excursions, please speak to your travel expert in advance to arrange.
Trip Suitability
There are some very early mornings and a couple of long days of travel on this trip. All walks are optional, and you can discuss with your tour leader which are suitable for you around Machu Picchu. The streets in Cusco are cobbled and steep and you must be cautious at altitude. Whilst on the Cruise, to visit the islands you will have to transfer onto smaller ‘Zodiac’ crafts. The crew will be there to assist.
Altitude
Your stays in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca is at high altitude (2,800-4,000m). 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 your tour leader; 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.
Climate
Given the proximity to the equator the climate is pretty steady and this tour can operate all year. Altitude in Peru is the determining factor with regard to temperature (cooler with height) with the wetter season on the mainland being from November to April. The warmest period in the Galapagos Islands falls between January and April but the archipelago can be visited throughout the year and the animals are non-migratory. A comprehensive overview of the weather in all the regions you are visiting can be found in our Destination pages. Our Travel Experts can answer your questions on climate and further details will be sent with your confirmation documents.
Clothing, Equipment and Luggage
A daypack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books/tablet and a water bottle. For day-to-day wear you should take loose-fitting, breathable clothes. Comfortable shoes are important and sandals are useful. A sun hat, sun block and sunglasses are necessary, and you should take warmer layers for the cooler evenings, as well as swimwear and insect repellent. Binoculars are useful for wildlife spotting in the Galápagos.
Aqua-socks or rubber sandals are useful for embarking and disembarking on wet landings.
The flights to and from the Galápagos Islands allow a checked luggage allowance of 23kg.
Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu, you will leave the bulk of your baggage in the Cusco hotel, which will be waiting for you on your return. You can take up to 5kgs per person on the train. An overnight holdall/rucksack is recommended to separate your luggage for the time spent away.
Money
Please see the Country Info tab on this holiday for our latest currency information and advice about how to take your spending money. Tipping in Latin America is almost always done using cash. It is customary to tip tour leaders, local guides, drivers, boat crews and other service providers such as restaurant staff and porters. Full tipping guidelines are sent with your confirmation documents as is advice on local costs.
Health, Entry Requirements and Insurance
For health information on travelling to Peru and Ecuador including recommended vaccinations, please see https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
All Latin American countries have specific entry regulations related to Covid 19. Please also check our Travel Hub for further information.
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Other nationalities should enquire with us or check with the consulates.
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel insurance website.
Our full briefing dossier contains more information on vaccinations, visas and insurance and will be provided with your final travel documents or can be requested from your travel consultant at any time.
Country info
When is the best time to visit Peru?
The best time to visit the Andes is April to October, the dry season but at this time it is misty and chilly in Lima. The jungle is an all-year destination, as is Arequipa and the Colca Canyon.
What is Peru's official language?
The official language spoken in Peru is Spanish.
What is Peru's official currency?
The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchange offices exchange US dollar cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).
What is the time difference between Peru and the UK?
The time difference between the UK and Peru is GMT-5 hours.
Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?
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 are recommended for visiting Peru?
Please check https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/ 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.
Which other countries combine well with Peru?
The Galapagos Islands combine well with Peru, as there are flights from Lima connecting through Guayaquil, Ecuador.
What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Peru?
Semana Santa (Easter): Many places throughout the country, Mar-Apr variable. Religious processions.
Inti Raymi, Cusco (24 Jun) Theatre and re-enactments of Inca history in the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, the temple fortress overlooking Cusco.
How do I adapt to the altitude in Peru?
Peru's high Andean spine is bookended by the Pacific coast and Amazon Rainforest, with Cuzco at 3,300m. 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
When To Go
At any time of year some of the fauna species will be breeding, nesting or in some other way particularly active. The climate is not extreme and even in the wetter months the rain usually only comes in afternoon showers. Dec - May the weather is hot with warm, calm seas and more chance of showers. Jun - Nov it is cooler with morning mist and choppier, colder seas.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
Language
Spanish
Currency
Ecuador uses the US dollar. The bank in Puerto Ayora may offer advances on a UK credit or debit card but you are well advised to bring US dollars cash sufficient for your needs on the islands with you.
Time Difference
GMT -6 hours.
Combines With
A land tour on the Ecuadorian mainland; the Inca archaeological sites of Peru (daily flights Quito to Lima 2hrs 20mins).
Getting There
Flight time from Quito is 2-3 hours, 1.5hrs from Guayaquil. Quito flights normally touch down in Guayaquil.
Inspired by this trip
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.
Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
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.
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