The short answer
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Fly via
- Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Galápagos park fee
- US$200, plus a US$20 transit card
- Islands
- 5 to 8 days by cruise or island hopping
Machu Picchu and the Galápagos are two of South America's great sights, and they are easier to combine than they look on a map. There are no direct flights from Peru to the islands, so you connect through mainland Ecuador.
The route
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 8 | Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco |
| 9 | Fly Lima to Quito or Guayaquil |
| 10 to 16 | Galápagos cruise or island hopping |
| 17 | Fly to Quito or Guayaquil for your flight home |
Tip: Do Peru first. You finish at sea level on the islands after the hard work of the Andes, and any delay on the Galápagos flight will not knock out a Machu Picchu ticket.
Cruise or island hopping?
| Small ship cruise | Land based island hopping | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Sleep on board and visit a new island each day | Stay in hotels on Santa Cruz, Isabela or San Cristóbal and take boats |
| Wildlife | Reaches remote islands day trips cannot | The main inhabited islands and nearby sites |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Seasickness | Overnight crossings can be rough | Daytime speedboat crossings, also bumpy |
Fees and rules
- Galápagos National Park entry costs US$200 for foreign adults, paid on arrival in the islands.
- A US$20 Transit Control Card is bought at Quito or Guayaquil airport before check in, and your bags are scanned and sealed for biosecurity.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Check the latest rules with your tour operator before you fly.
Best time to go
The Galápagos are good all year. December to May is warmer, with calm seas and short showers. June to November is cooler and drier above water, with richer seas and choppier crossings. The Peruvian Andes are best from May to September, so May, June and September work well for both.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Peru and the Galápagos?
At least two weeks: 7 to 8 days in Peru and 5 to 8 in the Galápagos, plus a travel day in between.
Can you fly from Peru to the Galápagos?
Not directly. Fly from Lima to Quito or Guayaquil, then on to Baltra or San Cristóbal.
How much is the Galápagos entry fee?
US$200 for foreign adults, plus US$20 for the transit card. Check before you go, as fees can change.
Sources we checked
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