Machu Picchu
Discover the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by cloud forest.
Encompassing the highlights of Peru, a stay in Quito and a Galapagos Islands cruise, this adventure tracks from colourful Cusco to the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu before moving to Ecuador’s historic capital city and the enchanting Galapagos Islands.
Discover the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by cloud forest.
Explore the colourful market run by indigenous Quechua communities from the highlands.
Sail around the remarkable Galapagos Islands in a sail boat, catamaran or yacht.
Come eye to eye with playful sea lions and curious penguins while snorkelling.
This trip combines two of South America’s most popular destinations, the Inca ruins that dominate the high altitude cloud forests of Peru and the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Travelling through valleys, up mountainsides and across expanses of wildlife-dense ocean, this journey is a showcase of diverse landscapes and is so highly customisable that you might sleep in a perspex mountain pod or travel in a privately chartered boat. When you book a trip to the Galapagos Islands with Steppes Travel, you will also benefit from a complimentary, six-month membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Day 1
Lima - Cusco
Day 2
Cusco
Day 3
Cusco - Sacred Valley
Day 4
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Day 5
Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 6
Cusco - Lima - Quito
Day 7
Quito - Galapagos Islands
Days 8-10
Sailing the Galapagos Islands
Day 11
Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil
Day 1
Lima - Cusco
Day 2
Cusco
Visit Cusco, the former Inca capital of Peru, to discover its fascinating history.
Day 3
Cusco - Sacred Valley
Day 4
Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Discover the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by cloud forest.
Day 5
Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 6
Cusco - Lima - Quito
Day 7
Quito - Galapagos Islands
Days 8-10
Sailing the Galapagos Islands
Sail around the remarkable Galapagos Islands in an exclusive vessel, modern catamaran or private charter.
Day 11
Galapagos Islands - Guayaquil
Peru is a great starting point for an introduction to South America, filled with diverse landscapes, fantastic wildlife and a deep seated traditional culture. Visit Cusco, the former Inca capital of Peru, to discover its fascinating history by wandering through it streets and studying its mysterious stone walls (it is still debated as to how they were constructed).
Explore the heart and soul of Inca society, marvelling at how they transformed the landscape and terraced the land to create unique and still existing micro climates. Stay overnight at a hotel nearby to Machu Picchu, the city built on a mountaintop, and rise early to watch the sunrise over the ruins.
These historically and geologically dense islands cannot be experienced in their entirety without taking to the seas and navigating around the archipelago, witnessing their incredible diversity of terrains and respective indigenous wildlife populations. Since these remote and uninhabited islands are only accessible by zodiacs, those who choose to sail can get up close and personal with the native flora and fauna of the region in almost complete tranquillity.
Since both the land and marine creatures that inhabit the Galapagos Islands are utterly fearless, a journey around the landmasses brings voyagers face-to-face with their thousands-strong population of curious bubble-blowing sea lions, salt-spitting iguanas, clumsy blue-footed boobies, elusive red-lipped bat fish, skulking sharks, elegant golden rays, monogamous waved albatrosses and boisterous penguins. The only place in the world where zoom lenses are definitely not required to capture stunning wildlife portraits, the archipelago is all at once awe-inspiring and other-worldly.
Send us an enquiry
Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
January begins the rainy season in the Andes and the Amazon as they reach the summer months. Along the coast, this can be one of the best times to visit, although it is a hotspot for locals.
As the rains continue, February can be a good time to avoid crowds. While Machu Picchu remains open, trekking in this area is a challenge as the Inca Trail closes for the month. Heavy rains in the Amazon increase water levels on the river, making wildlife viewing slightly more challenging however it does allow you to adventure into areas otherwise not reachable by boat in other months of the year.
March can be a good time to visit Peru. As the rainy season draws to the end, the coast will still be experiencing summer weather while inland you can expect rains. This can be one of the least crowded months for Machu Picchu and the local tourism on the beaches has subsided as children go back to school.
April is considered one of the best times to travel to Peru with pleasant temperatures and avoiding the busiest period. As there is still some rain, the landscape is vibrant.
As the dry season begins and winter sets in, temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is green with life from the rainy season.
June marks the start of the peak season in Peru. Skies are clear, making for picturesque sightseeing. As this is officially the start of winter, cooler temperatures are expected especially in the evenings.
July begins the peak travel season as international holidays open. With warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, this is also the peak time for trekking the mountainous landscapes of the Andes.
August continues the peak season throughout the country. With cooler evening temperatures, brings a morning fog in the Sacred Valley, which clears to blue skies by the afternoon. Expect dry, sunny weather in the Amazon during this time.
As spring draws in during the month of September, expect cloudy mornings which clear to blue skies in the afternoon. Showers become more likely as this is considered the shoulder season before the green season begins.
Temperatures begin to increase in October as summer approaches. As the dry season comes to an end, the chance of precipitation increases along with clouds.
Temperatures rise in November with rain increasing from the middle of the month. As a shoulder season, this can be a good time to travel to avoid crowding in Machu Picchu.
Weather in December sees increased temperatures as summer begins, along with the start to the rainy season. Rising water levels in the Amazon makes wildlife viewing slightly more challenging along the shores.
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?