Health and Travel Alerts Learn More Left arrow

Exploring the sprawling site of Machu Picchu and the fascinating Galapagos Islands are two extraordinary experiences worthy of any traveler’s bucket list.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose just one to visit on your next vacation. With our all-inclusive Galapagos cruise packages, you can experience both the ancient ruins of Peru and the otherworldly landscapes and wildlife of the Galapagos on a single vacation.

Discover the incredible things to do and see on an unforgettable Galapagos and Machu Picchu cruise vacation.

Stand On The Equator

Man standing in the middle of equator line

Equator

On a Galapagos and Machu Picchu tour, you’ll stop in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Visit the Inti Ñan Solar Museum, an interesting attraction dedicated to astronomical geography and the home of the “official” equatorial line.

See the solar chronometer in action, an instrument that dates back to 1865, which can tell the time, date, and season all via solar projections. Don’t forget to snap a picture with one foot on each side of the line that marks the middle of the world.

Meet The Animals Of Española Island

Waved Albatross on their nests

Waved Albatross in Española Island, Galapagos

Get up close to the endemic species and curious creatures of Española Island, like the Española mockingbird, the Española lava lizard, and the waved albatross. Española Island is the only place in the world where you can witness the mating process of this rare bird, which is a stunning spectacle that involves bill circling, head bobbing, and exaggerated walking.

Visit A Sea Turtle Nesting Beach

Turtle leaving nest in the sand

Floreana Island, Galapagos

Aside from serving as an early post office site for pirates and buccaneers, Floreana Island is also home to flamingos, stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and sea turtles. Head to Cormorant Point and walk across one of its beaches, where you’re more than likely to spot a sea turtle nest.

Spot Whales Off A Volcanic Island

Humpback whale breaching

Isabela Island, Galapagos

Isabela Island, the largest of the Galapagos islands, was formed one million years ago after six volcanoes joined together. This volcanic island is one of the best places to spot whales in the Galapagos, where over 16 species of whales have been seen. You’ll also be able to see penguins, pelicans, marine iguanas, and other unique animals of the region.

Snorkel Around An Ancient Volcano

View of Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island

Punta Vicente Roca in Isabela Island, Galapagos

At Isabela Island, dive in for some deep water snorkeling at Vicente Roca Point, an ancient volcanic rock, where you’ll see multiple endemic marine species including parrotfish, puffers, and Port Jackson sharks. Don’t worry—this is one species of sharks that won’t bite.

Read: Galapagos Cruise Loops: Which One is Best?

Hike Through A Palo Santo Forest

Palo Santo trees in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Palo Santo trees in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Santa Cruz Island, the Galapagos’ second-largest island, is a large, dormant volcano that hasn’t been active in more than a million years. Take a walk at one of the longest hiking trails in the Galapagos at Dragon Hill (named after the vast population of land iguanas that live there) and breathe in the fragrant air of the Palo Santo trees, cacti, and cotton plants that line the area.

Learn About Evolution At The Charles Darwin Research Station

Giant tortoises on sand

Giant tortoise in Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos

Science enthusiasts and animal lovers can visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. As the hub for the Charles Darwin Foundation, the station conducts research, promotes environmental education, and is home to a special breeding program for the endangered Galapagos tortoise.

Read: How to Plan a Galapagos Islands Vacation

Sample Lima’s Culinary Scene

Baskets of fruits at a local market

Surquillo Market in Lima, Peru

On a Galapagos and Machu Picchu vacation, you’ll also discover Lima’s award-winning culinary scene during an all-encompassing tour of its food and flavors. Head to Surquillo Market, one of the best food markets in Lima, where you’ll be able to try local produce, fresh ingredients, and appetizers such as yellow chiles, fish ceviche, and tangy hot sauce.

Hip neighborhood of Barranco, Lima

Barranco in Lima, Peru

Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Lima’s gourmet restaurants, and later stroll through bohemian Barranco, one of the city’s chicest neighborhoods, where you’ll find hip coffee shops, beautiful museums, and eye-catching street art.

Luxurious interior of Westin, Lima with an overlooking view

Westin in Lima, Peru

Try your hand at a mixology class, where you’ll learn how to master one of Peru’s famous pisco sour cocktails. Finish off your day with an overnight stay at the Westin, a chic, modern hotel with a wellness-focused spa and sleek indoor pool.

Walk On A Former Battleground

Scenic landscape of Sacred Valley, Peru

Sacred Valley in Cusco, Peru

Near the city of Cusco, you’ll find the Sacred Valley, a peaceful area blanketed by hills and full of ancient Incan ruins and history.

Historic ruins of Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Visit the ancestral town of Ollantaytambo and see the Ollantaytambo Ruins, which are some of the best preserved in Peru.

Climb the steep steps of the terraces and take in the stunning view from high above. Learn about the battle that took place in Ollantaytambo between Inca Manco and the Spanish conquistadores, which was one of the few that the Incas won against the Spaniards.

At the top of the terraces, you’ll also see an unfinished wall of six monoliths made from enormous stone blocks that were carried from a quarry across rivers and over hills.

Visit A Traditional Peruvian Ranch

People riding Peruvian Paso horses

Peru

Stop for lunch at Wayra Ranch, a spectacular ranch in the Sacred Valley, where organic ingredients and seasonal dishes are always on the menu. Taste local Andean dishes such as trout carpaccio and yellow ahi chili rice in an outdoor setting as you take in an entertaining Peruvian Paso horse riding show and Marinera dance performance.

Then rest and relax at Tambo del Inka, a luxury hotel in the Sacred Valley with breathtaking views of the Andes mountains and its own private train station that takes you straight to Machu Picchu.

Experience The Magic Of Machu Picchu

Scenic landscape of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru

Once you step onto the hidden hills of Machu Picchu and witness the magical ruins of this architectural marvel that remained hidden from the outside world until 1911, you’ll understand why this ancient Incan citadel is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Built around 1450 A.D., this famous South American landmark contains over 200 structures, including temples, astronomical towers, and agricultural terraces. Many details of Machu Picchu remain a mystery  not to this day, including the site’s purpose and how the Incas managed to carry granite stones that weighed over 100 tons to the site without wheels or iron tools.

Sacred stone of Intihuatana overlooking the mountain

Intihuatana Rock, Peru

During your visit, stop at the Intihuatana Rock, a sacred stone that might have once been used as a sundial or an astronomical observatory by the Incas. The stone is said to have energetic charges and that if you reach your hand out, you might be able to channel its mystical energy flow.

Read: Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences

Enjoy Lunch With A View

Feast on a lunch full of traditional Peruvian flavors at the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located in Machu Picchu. Their restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views and spot exotic butterflies and birds as you dine.

Bowl of coca tea leaves alongside a cup of tea

Coca tea

Before heading back to Cusco on the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, a luxurious 1920s style carriage train named after the explorer who discovered Machu Picchu, you’ll also be treated with a cup of local coca leaf tea, which helps soothe the altitude sickness that can sometimes occur in the city, located over 11,000 feet above water.

Admire Ancient Religious Sites

Beautiful city of Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest inhabited city in South America, is a treasure full of history and culture.

During your overnight visit, you’ll stay at the stunning Belmond Palacio Nazarenas hotel in the heart of Cusco. This restored 16th-century mansion has beautiful colonial architecture and interiors, and features the city’s first outdoor swimming pool.

Beautiful architecture of Belmond Palacio Nazarenas with pool

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru

Stop in several popular landmarks including Coricancha, which is also known as the Temple of the Sun. Coricancha was one of the Inca’s most sacred temples, and the remaining structure (most of it was destroyed after the Spanish conquered Cusco) is a sight to behold.

Historic Cusco cathedral amidst city square

Cusco Cathedral, Peru

Located in the heart of the city’s colonial square is the Cusco Cathedral, another can’t-miss landmark. Built in the sixteenth century, this architectural marvel also houses an impressive collection of colonial paintings.

Book your unforgettable vacation to Galapagos and Machu Picchu by browsing itineraries on our website, or calling one of our vacation specialists at 1-888-751-9303.

Free Vacation Planning Services

Free Vacation Planning Services