Galápagos Islands/Ecuador/Peru
The Best of the Galápagos and Peru: From Enchanted Islands to Machu Picchu
Program No. 18484RJ
The Galápagos and Machu Picchu are two of Latin America’s most renowned icons. Come see for yourself as you discover the unique wildlife and preserved ruins of these two sacred places.
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18 days
17 nights
42 meals
16B 14L 12D
3
Baltra Flight, Board Yacht, Bachas Beach
Galápagos Islands
4
Genovesa, Prince Phillip's Steps & Darwin Bay
Galápagos Islands
5
South Plaza, Santa Fe
Galápagos Islands
6
Highlands, Wild Tortoises, Charles Darwin Station
Galápagos Islands
7
Floreana, Baroness Point & Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant
Galápagos Islands
8
Española, Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay, Osborn & Gardner Islets
Galápagos Islands
9
Cerro Brujo, Kicker Rock, Isla de Lobos
Galápagos Islands
12
Fly to Cusco, Transfer to Sacred Valley, Pisac Market
Sacred Valley
13
Ollantaytambo Ruins, Chinchero Town Weaving
Sacred Valley
14
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
18
Arrive to the U.S.
In Flight
At a Glance
Few other places inspire such wonder and awe as the Galápagos Islands and the Incan Lost City of Machu Picchu. Experience both of these destinations, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Quito in an intimate group setting that allows for optimal time to learn from Road Scholar's acclaimed experts.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Elevations of 11,000 feet. Ascending and descending many steps without handrails at archaeological ruins. Wet and dry landings by small Zodiac boat. Island activities require 3-5 hours of physical activity per day. Daily walks on sharp volcanic rocks and loose stones add another level of difficulty. Please view the Galápagos video "Galapagos Fitness Information - What to Expect" in preparation for your program activities: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U93d0TxTOQA&feature=youtu.be
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Swim and snorkel in search of sea turtles, sea lions and rays.
- Learn about the biology of the Galápagos Giant Tortoise.
- Discuss the spiritual significance of Machu Picchu and spend the evening in Aguas Calientes for a longer, more relaxed visit to the site.
General Notes
Cruise itinerary and islands visited are assigned by the Galapágos National Park and can be changed without prior notice. The park carefully monitors and controls the number of visitors to each site in order to minimize damage to local wildlife and habitats. Some dates of the program run in the reverse, starting in Lima and ending in Quito. Please refer to the date-specific detailed itinerary on the Road Scholar website to check on the vessel and visitor sites included in your program. The expedition-style Galápagos vessels hold 16 passengers in comfortable cabins. Due to the remote nature of the islands, listening devices are not available for the Galapagos Islands portion of the program.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Victor Colunga
Victor Colunga has shared his knowledge and appreciation for Peru’s culture and natural wonders with visitors since 1982. During his career, he has worked for airline companies, served as a travel consultant, and managed inbound travel for Japanese clients. When he isn't traveling he enjoys hiking, jogging, traveling, photography and Peruvian cooking. Victor has traveled extensively within Peru and has also had the opportunity to visit Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and the U.S.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Victor Colunga
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Victor Colunga has shared his knowledge and appreciation for Peru’s culture and natural wonders with visitors since 1982. During his career, he has worked for airline companies, served as a travel consultant, and managed inbound travel for Japanese clients. When he isn't traveling he enjoys hiking, jogging, traveling, photography and Peruvian cooking. Victor has traveled extensively within Peru and has also had the opportunity to visit Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and the U.S.
Edgar Vargas
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Edgar Vargas was born and raised in Ecuador's famous Galápagos Islands. He attended college in Guayaquil, on the mainland, with additional studies at the University of Colorado. Prior to becoming a naturalist in the Galápagos in 1990, Edgar taught environmental education for the Charles Darwin Research Station as well as biology and chemistry classes at a local high school. In the mid 1990's, Edgar became the head of tourism for the Galápagos National Park. Being a PADI diver, he is just as comfortable exploring the underwater world as he is living on land.

Eduardo Borja
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Although he is a native of Quito, Eduardo Borja lived in the U.S.A. for a time as a child, then perfected his English at the American School of Quito after returning to Ecuador. Following high school, he rediscovered his passion for Ecuador’s wonders and his enjoyment of sharing them. He returned to the U.S.A. to earn a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Today, Eduardo lives in Quito and enjoys both the city’s cultural offerings and the natural beauty of Ecuador’s countryside.
Enrique Castillo
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An appreciation for wildlife led Enrique Castillo to work for a zoo in Peru for 12 years. Born in Lima, he earned degrees in both zoology and business administration prior to beginning his career. He enjoys sharing his expertise in Peru’s flora, fauna and culture with Road Scholar participants and other travelers. Enrique’s own travels have taken him to various regions of Peru, other South American countries, the U.S.A. and Europe. He is an avid birdwatcher and likes to collect field guides.
Eliacin Palomino
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A native of Peru, Eliacin Palomino decided to become a travel professional in Cusco in order to achieve his goal of being a cultural ambassador for his country. Leading programs in the Amazonian Jungle, he developed a deep knowledge and appreciation for the ecology of the Amazon and interconnectivity of humans and their natural surrounding. Eliacin possesses a wealth of information regarding the history and culture of Cusco and Peru in general. He likes to share his country's customs, beliefs, and food with groups.
Jorge Carrera
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Jorge "George" Carrera is an accomplished Ecuadorian group leader and a veteran with decades of field experience. He recalls as a child, being drawn to studies focused on history, geography and politics. Later, while studying for a degree in the travel industry, he also developed a passion for art, archaeology, ethnic studies and cultural anthropology. Jorge has traveled extensively throughout Ecuador and spent time in some stunningly beautiful locations, ranging from Andean landscapes to lowland forests and coastal beaches.
Fernando Gil
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Fernando Gil is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist. He enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures including their music, language, and food. Not content to be fluent in just English and Spanish, Fernando is also working on learning French, German, and Portuguese.
Alejandra Mosquera
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Alejandra Mosquera has been a certified Ecuadorian expedition leader since 2006. The pride and love she feels for her country’s cultural heritage and stunning Andean landscapes are clear to see in her work and personal life. Alejandra has a unique gift for making learning fun — delivering information with personal warmth and humor. She looks forward to hosting Road Scholars and introducing some of her country’s many wonders.
Diego Barahona
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Diego Barahona is a certified Galápagos Islands National Park naturalist and a chemist. He is a native Galápageño with a passion for science and travel. Diego studied abroad on scholarships and completed his B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in fundamental and applied chemistry at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. After working for Petroamazonas and Ecuador’s food and drug administration, he gave in to the pull of his beloved islands and became a naturalist in 2017. Diego enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, and playing soccer.
Emma Tejada
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Emma Tejada is a certified national expedition leader and Galápagos Islands naturalist. She earned a bachelor's degree in tourism from the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral and completed her naturalist studies at San Francisco de Quito University. In 2017, Emma began leading educational expeditions in the Galápagos; before that, she worked for the Galápagos Government Council’s immigration division and held positions in hotel management and operations at hotels on Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. Her personal interests include travel, music, photography, and nature conservation.
Katherina Pinto
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Katherina Pinto is a certified Peruvian expedition leader who is proud of her indigenous roots. In fact, she has a grandfather with direct ties to a noble Inca family. Katherina grew up in Cusco and has a tourism degree from the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. She is fascinated by her country’s cultural history, but is equally passionate about the wildlife and dramatic landscapes of the Andes. Some of her favorite free time activities include volunteer work, hiking, cooking, and photography.
Andres Dueñas
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Andrés Dueñas is a Peruvian expedition leader who enjoys adventure and outdoor pursuits. He credits his early appreciation for history and Andean cultures from growing up in Cusco. Andrés attended technical school at ISTTA, Cusco, and studied tourism while training as an expedition leader. When he's not accompanying educational groups, he likes to take part in sports and outdoor adventure. Some of his competitive spirit and love of adventure stems from growing up with three siblings. Andres plays the guitar as a hobby.
Marcos Lasso
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Marcos Lasso is a certified naturalist for the Galapagos National Park who holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental resource management from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He also received his interpretive training for the Galapagos National Park at his alma mater. In 2018, he began working on expedition yachts, leading shore excursions and providing onboard instruction. Marcos is fluent in English and German as well as his native Spanish. Some of his favorite pastimes include reading, journaling, playing guitar, and singing.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of the Galápagos and Peru: From Enchanted Islands to Machu Picchu
Program Number: 18484
Stone Offerings
Torrey captures the dramatic setting, solitude and intricate construction of the Inca site of Machu Picchu in 100 striking color photographs taken over a few days at summer and winter solstice.
Galapagos, World's End
A wry, wonderfully evocative account of a 1924 scientific expedition, including an excellent chapter on the human history of the Galapagos by Ruth Rose. A contemporary reviewer wrote, "Galapagos is a glorious book. It is high romance, exact science and wild adventure." Originally published in 1924, it includes several color plates and maps.
Understanding Galapagos: What You'll See and What it Means
An excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of the Galapagos and a stellar overview of evolutionary biography on the islands. Accessible for readers from all backgrounds.
Galapagos Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide
With chapters on visitor sites, history, conservation and habitats, this compact photographic guide introduces birds, reptiles, marine and other life of the archipelago.
The Incas
Featuring archival drawings and photographs, a chronology and chapters on Atahualpa, the Conquistadors and Hiram Bingham, this handy book (previously published as People of the Sun) illuminates the daily life, monuments and history of the Incas.
The Inca Trail, Cuzco & Machu Picchu
An excellent overview of local culture and history, including chapters on exploring Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Lima. Fifth edition.
Galapagos Islands Map
This full-color map of the Galapagos at a scale of 1:420,000, printed on water and tear-resistant paper, shows in detail major features, topography and visitor sites. With a large city plan of Quito on the reverse.
Machu Picchu, Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas
Burger and Salazar vividly evoke the art, architecture, culture and society of Machu Picchu in this illustrated, up-to-date survey. With Hiram Bingham's original report, archival and modern photographs and excellent chapters on recent archaeology at the site.
Art of the Andes, from Chavin to Inca
This authoritative and concise illustrated survey of Andean art and architecture covers not only Machu Picchu and additional Inca monuments, but also Chan Chan, Nasca and other archaeological sites and cultures.
Peru, Travellers' Wildlife Guides
Featuring 500 illustrations of the birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and insects of the Amazon, Andes and Pacific Coast.
Insight Guide Peru
Panoramic in scope, this illustrated overview brings Peru to life in hundreds of color photographs and vivid essays by a team of experts writing on history, archaeology and culture.
Galapagos, A Natural History
This comprehensive guide to the natural history of the Galapagos is practically mandatory reading -- the single best introduction to the geology and climate, habitats, plants, birds, animals, ecology and evolution.
The Heights of Macchu Picchu
An indispensable contribution to 20th-century poetry, Neruda’s ode to Machu Picchu celebrates the Incan civilization while abhorring that the ancient estate was built by slave labor.
Inca Trail: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Map
This fact-filled map shows the whole of the Sacred Valley, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, on one side, and, on the reverse, the area surrounding the sanctuary in splendid, topographic detail (1:50,000). It's the best map for those making the trek from kilometer 88 to the site and an excellent choice for those exploring by bus or train.
Lost City of the Incas
This first-rate adventure story by the man who brought Machu Picchu to the attention of the world is not just a gripping tale of exploration and archaeology, it also sets the scene for any visitor to the site.
Moon Spotlight Quito
A slim, authoritative guide to Quito and the Ecuadorian Andes. What Moon guides lack in flash, they more than make up for in personable, clear writing, expert recommendations and advice. The text is interspersed with color photographs and maps.
Galapagos Wildlife
This fold-up, laminated card includes color drawings and short descriptions.
Galapagos, Islands Born of Fire
A stunning celebration of the landscapes, wildlife and habitats of the Galapagos by a photographer who was raised in the archipelago. Tenth anniversary edition.
Voyage of the Beagle
The wide-eyed tale of a young man on a five-year voyage that changed his life -- and our way of thinking about the world. First published in 1839, this book is still essential reading. Darwin's South American chapters are an excellent introduction to the Galapagos, Beagle Channel, Chile, Tierra del Fuego, the Chilean fjords and the Brazilian coast. With maps and appendices.
Galapagos, A Novel
In this madcap novel, a classic, Vonnegut looks back from the future (alas, the human race has been wiped out except for a small group stranded in the Ga-lapagos) on the Nature Cruise of the Century.
Satan Came to Eden
The original memoir of Dore Strauch, early settler to the Galapagos and participant in the fascinating unsolved mystery known as The Galapagos Affair, the subject of a new documentary. First published in 1936, it's back in print after 80 years.