As country combinations go, tying together the Inca culture of the Peruvian Andes with the wildlife wonders of the Galápagos takes some beating. Where else can you hike through cloud forest to a once-lost wonder of the ancient world, then snorkel with penguins off a volcanic island just a few days later?

For most, this is a trip which falls into 'trip-of-a-lifetime' territory. Getting those right is not simply a case of adding places together and calling it a vacation. It's at these moments you need a true expert to go beyond the ordinary, to know the right people to introduce you to, and the right experiences to include along the way.

From timing your arrival to Machu Picchu at its quietest and showcasing the thriving Inca culture through the eyes of local farmers, shepherds and weavers, through to knowing exactly which is the perfect Galápagos cruise for you, we pride ourselves on doing true justice to these two remarkable destinations.

We have created this vacation using our wealth of experience, knowledge and network of partners in Peru and Ecuador. The main sites in Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu can get busy but with the support of our own operation, Pura Aventura Peru, we plan everything so you arrive when the crowds have left. We also introduce you to the local communities and some barely-visited archaeological sites. This is as far from conveyor-belt travel as can be.

Over in Ecuador you are met and looked after by our friends and partners in Quito who make sure that you get to know at least something of their city. Over in the Galapagós, not all itineraries are equal. We work with just a handful of smaller boats, those which offer the most comprehensive routes around the islands - it is in this variety that you can truly appreciate these truly extraordinary islands.

This trip is designed to start in Cusco. The best route is usually with Avianca via Bógota from London, or flying via Lima from most major US cities. You then return via Guayaquil in Ecuador.

In Peru, there is a dry season and a wet season. The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season which is between May and October. You can expect warm sunny days and clear skies with chilly nights in the Andes (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu).

The wet season is between November and April, with the wettest months being January and February which are best avoided. We still recommend travel in November, December as well as late March - April as long as you are prepared for some rain. It is quieter, the scenery is greener, and international flights will cost less.

The Galapágos Islands lie on the equator so temperatures and weather conditions are generally warm and pleasant all year round. As such, there isn’t really a bad time to visit. The wildlife is always extraordinary.

There are generally two seasons – Cool/ Dry ( June to November) and Hot/Rainy ( December to May). Although it can still rain in the dry season, and heavy persistent downpours are rare even in the rainy season. The main difference between the seasons is the water temperature and the sea conditions. The sea temperature starts to cool around June with August and September seeing the coolest temperatures and choppiest seas. The differences are not extreme, you are just more likely to want to use a wetsuit for snorkelling in August and September than you are in April.

The dive season is December – June when the waters are calm and visibility at its best. The wildlife is always abundant and never far away but if you have an interest in a specific species then let us know so we can advise accordingly.

To sum up: the best months to combine these two destinations would be April, May and June as well as October, November and even December.

This is conceived of as a relatively active trip, though this can be adapted to suit you of course.

PERU

We usually include at least a couple days hiking, often one taking in ruins and high Andean villages in the Sacred Valley, the other doing the one-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Whilst these are not too strenuous, reasonable fitness is required and the altitude can make you feel more sluggish.

The Royal (one-day) Inca Trail is only 11km in distance, but it is at altitude with some steep uphill sections. The highest point on the walk is 2,800m. We set a gentle pace with lots of breaks over 6–7 hours. If you enjoy hiking and are generally active in day-to-day life, this will be a moderate hike for you.

The hike to Tambo Machay on the day you travel to Cusco takes you to over 4,000m. Again, it is not a long hike (13km), it is largely flat, and we set a slow pace covering the 13km over 6 hours, but you will most likely feel the altitude. It’s a beautiful hike and you should be well acclimatized by this point, but if you don’t want to do it, you can skip it and head straight to Cusco.

Of course, there are always ways to dial up or down the activity level though. For example, if you don't think you'll enjoy the walking enough, we can include the train to Machu Picchu for you, we just need to agree that before you pay your deposit. Please ask if you're not sure.

The mountain biking is aimed at those of all abilities. The day is completely flexible, so you can cycle for as little as 45 minutes and still get the wonderful views, or you can extend it up to a couple of hours. The course is largely flat, so you shouldn't have too much of a sweat on by the time you dismount. There is a support vehicle with you throughout so you can jump in at any time. If cycling isn't your thing, there are plenty of other options on foot or in the car. Again, please let us know your preferences beforehand.

GALÁPAGOS

The focus in Galápagos is primarily wildlife, but you do spend most of your time out and about in the great outdoors, so it is not a sedentary trip by any means. There is some gentle hiking, though the islands are volcanic, which means that you are often walking on quite sharp lava. There are also lots of opportunities to swim, snorkel and sometimes kayak.

Unlike many tour operators, we have complete independence to work with whichever hotels we wish to in Peru. We spend a great deal of time getting to know the best options and returning to make sure they still meet our exacting standards. They're not just places for you to nod off each night. They need to be memorable and enjoyable places to spend time. A great view or particularly good food always goes down well.

The hotels we choose to work with in Peru are very comfortable with welcoming hosts, a great location and often lots of local charm. We tend not to go in for the flashy 5* chain hotels as they rarely deliver the experience we want for you. We prefer a bit of heart and soul, not luxury for the sake of it, but nice 3-4* standard.

In the Galápagos, you stay on a first-class catamaran able to accommodate 16 guests.

We're happy to share full details of the places we suggest for your trip, so please get in touch for full details.

In Cusco, you have a great deal of choice on your doorstep and frankly, we wouldn't want to rob you of the chance to decide for yourself. As part of our service to you, we provide our own personal recommendations in your Travel Guide app to supplement your own research.

In the Sacred Valley, we usually include dinner on the first night and a special dinner with a local family as part of the 'day in the life of' experience. For the other nights, you can of course continue to dine in at your hotel's restaurant. There are a few other restaurants in the village, including (somewhat surprisingly), a vegan restaurant a 10-minute walk away.

Absolutely, yes. We want you to leave Peru feeling like you know the country and more than anything, that means its people. We take you off the beaten track where nothing is contrived. On your walks in the Andes you will meet locals usually on their way to the village to buy supplies. You’ll see that colorful woven fabrics really are worn by shepherds in the high mountains. You will meet landowners who lost all their land in the 1960s and had to start again. You will meet villagers who never had anything to lose. You will help out in the kitchen of a local family and eat dinner together.

The weavers you visit are not some random ethno-Disney plants at the back of a gift shop, far from it. The history of this co-operative, run by women for women, is remarkable and fascinating. Suffice to say that these weavers were showcased in the 2022 British Museum Peru exhibition and the powerhouse behind it all, Nilda, was quoted on the walls.

We pace your time in the Andes to allow for acclimatization and with your own private guide, the pace is entirely flexible to suit you. It is completely normal to feel a little short of breath and nauseous when you first arrive, as well as a loss of appetite, as your body adapts to the thinner air. This is regardless of age, health and fitness levels and usually passes in 24 hours. Drink lots of water both before and during your time at altitude. Arriving well-hydrated does help.

We use the Sacred Valley as your first base, which is at 2,800m and 600m lower than Cusco. This really make a difference and makes your first few days that much easier. Arrival day and the first full day are both very gentle with the focus on local life and cultural interaction. We then pace the hikes building up to the one-day trail. Machu Picchu is at 2,430 so you shouldn’t feel any effects at all by the time you arrive.

The marine life of the Galapagos. The underwater world of the Galapagos doesn’t often get as much attention as the wildlife on land. The marine life is just as abundant, colorful and fearless. Swimming alongside sea turtles is an incredible experience that you are unlikely to ever forget.

Absolutely. We can tailor your trip in any number of ways, from tweaking the activities to extending your time in any destination. We can also easily add in time in the Amazon Rainforest or Lima at the start of your trip