LAST UPDATED – 6/15/26 – Machu Picchu and Galápagos Itinerary

For many travelers, Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands are dream travel locations.  After all, both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the Galápagos Islands being the very first, and the ruins at Machu Picchu are one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.  However, if you ask many travelers, they will tell you that while they dream of visiting such locations, they doubt they will ever get there in their lifetime.  For many, both the Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu seem like logistically difficult places to visit.

While it is true that Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands both take a bit more planning to visit than your average beach vacation, visiting these two iconic destinations doesn’t have to be difficult.  In fact, if you do the proper planning, these two locations are relatively easy to visit during one exciting trip.  Believe me, I planned and took this trip myself, so I know that it is not only possible, but the trip won’t feel rushed in the least bit.

See Both Iconic Destinations in One Trip!

In this Machu Picchu and Galápagos itinerary guide, I am going to lay out a fourteen-day dream trip to see both Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands in one action-packed trip.  To help make sure that your trip is a success, I have included all of the logistics and planning details in one easy-to-locate spot for you to review. 

Using this itinerary, you will be able to pick the best time for you to plan your trip, make sure you make all the necessary pre-trip preparations, book the necessary travel to get from one location to the next, find the ideal tours to make your trip special, and find the best accommodations to stay in as you travel.

The Machu Picchu and Galápagos Itinerary

Because both of these locations are more difficult to get to than most locations you are accustomed to traveling to, one of the most important aspects of your planning is going to be the logistics of getting from one location to the next. 

Not to worry, because I have already spent quite a bit of time working out the best logistical schedule for visiting these two iconic locations in one trip, and I have put together a ready-made and traveler-tested itinerary for you to use, which I have outlined below.

Before You Go

Passport and Visa Requirements

One of the most important aspects of your pre-travel planning will be making sure that you have all of the necessary passport and visa requirements taken care of before you leave for your trip.  Because this trip involves travel to both Peru and Ecuador, you will need to make sure you are covered to travel in both countries.  To assist you in your preparations, I have included some notes on the requirements you will be expected to meet for both countries below.

Peru’s Passport and VISA Requirements

Before you can travel to Peru, you need to make sure you meet all of the country’s entrance requirements for visitors. Some of the most important requirements that you will need to meet to enter the country are the passport and VISA requirements. To assist you in preparing to meet these requirements, I have linked to my guide on Peru’s entrance requirements below for you to review.

Ecuador’s Passport and VISA Requirements

Like with Peru, you will also need to meet all of Ecuador’s entrance requirements for visitors before traveling. Again, some of the most important requirements that you will need to meet to enter the country are the passport and VISA requirements. To assist you in preparing to meet these requirements, I have linked to my guide on Ecuador’s entrance requirements below for you to review.

Immunization Requirements

Another entrance requirement that you will need to consider before traveling to Peru and Ecuador is the vaccination requirements for both countries. Being properly vaccinated is not only important to protect yourself, but to also protect others.

Peru and Ecuador Immunization Recommendations

If you have questions on which vaccinations are required and recommended for travel to Peru and Ecuador, I have linked to my guides on Peru and Ecuador’s entrance requirements below for you to review. These guides include all of the vaccine recommendations for travel to these countries.

Packing Recommendations

Outside of taking care of the passport, visa, and immunization requirements so that you can get into the countries and don’t get sick, there is no more important pre-travel planning task than making sure you pack the right clothing and gear for your trip.  To help make sure you are properly packed and prepared, I have included links to some of my packing resources below for you to review.

DAY 1 – Flying to Lima

To start your trip, you will be flying into Lima, which is the capital city of Peru.  I suggest checking into your hotel and getting a good night’s rest so that you are ready to begin your adventure on Day 2 of your trip.

DAY 2 – Touring Lima

Lima is a beautiful city, so I strongly suggest that you take the day after arriving to explore the city and relax a bit before heading on to Cusco.  In addition to being able to explore the city, I always like to leave a day in between travel days when possible, as built-in flexibility in case there are flight issues or other delays.  If you would like some tips on what to see in Lima, where to eat, and where to stay while you visit, I have linked to my Lima, Peru Travel Guide for you to review below.

DAY 3 – Flying to Cusco

On Day 3, you’ll fly from Lima to Cusco to begin your final journey toward Machu Picchu. Choose an early‑morning or evening flight depending on whether you want extra time in Lima or more time to explore Cusco.

Cusco sits at 11,152 feet (3,399 meters)—much higher than Machu Picchu—so expect your body to need time to adjust. If altitude affects you easily, consider heading straight to the Sacred Valley, which is significantly lower.

Towns like Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo are easy to reach from Cusco and offer a gentler place to acclimate. You’ll find more details in my Cusco Visitor Guide.

DAY 4 – Touring Cusco

The fourth day of your trip will be dedicated to exploring the beautiful and amazing city of Cusco, Peru.  This ancient city used to be the Incan Capital and is the gateway city for getting to Machu Picchu.  If you spent your first night in the Sacred Valley after landing in Cusco, I would strongly suggest taking a train back to Cusco at some point to explore this incredible city. 

If you would like some tips on what to see, where to eat, and where to stay while in Cusco, I have included a link to my Definitive Cusco, Peru Visitor Guide for you to review below.

DAY 5 – Visit Machu Picchu

Day 5 is when the adventure truly begins. You’ll be up early for a bus ride to Ollantaytambo, followed by a scenic two‑hour train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Since this trip also includes the Galápagos, you won’t be able to hike the full Inca Trail, but you can still enjoy a portion of it if you choose.

Once in Aguas Calientes, you can either take the bus up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu’s entrance or hike the trail yourself—plan for about two hours if you go on foot. Either way, you’ll need a guide to enter the site, and tickets are sold in three timed sessions.

Because entry is limited to your chosen session, managing your schedule is important. For details on ticket times, visiting rules, and logistics, refer to the guides linked below.

DAY 6 – Fly to Quito

After exploring Cusco and Machu Picchu, Day 6 is dedicated to travel. You’ll fly from Cusco to Quito, Ecuador—an intentional buffer day since flight options to the Galápagos from Cusco are limited and often involve long layovers. Building in this flexibility helps protect the rest of your itinerary from delays.

You’ll overnight in Quito before continuing to the Galápagos the following morning. If you arrive early enough, you may have time to see a bit of the city. If you can’t explore Quito on this day, don’t worry—you’ll have more time at the end of the trip.

DAY 7 – Fly to the Galápagos Islands

On Day 7 of your trip, you are going to want to get up early and fly to the Galápagos Islands to start the second phase of your amazing adventure.  Like Machu Picchu, the Galápagos can be a challenging place to get to.  If you are booking a tour, then a lot of the logistics will be handled for you. 

This is one reason that I strongly recommend booking a tour instead of trying to tour the islands on your own.  However, if you want to tour the Galápagos on your own, it isn’t an impossible feat.  No matter how you decide to visit, I would strongly recommend reviewing my Guide to Getting to the Galápagos Islands below before you decide to make any travel arrangements.

DAY 8 – 12 – Tour the Galápagos Islands

The number of days you spend in the Galápagos depends on how you choose to explore—by liveaboard, land‑based tour, or independently. I strongly recommend booking a tour, as they handle most logistics for you.

If your goal is to reach the outer islands to scuba dive with hammerheads, whale sharks, and other big marine life, a liveaboard is essential. For recommended boats and details on diving and snorkeling, see my Galápagos Scuba Guide.

If you prefer to stay on land, get seasick easily, or aren’t planning to dive, a land‑based tour is a great option. These typically focus on Santa Cruz and Isabela, where there’s still plenty of wildlife to see. For wildlife details and land‑based travel tips, check my Galápagos Wildlife Guide and Galápagos Planning Guide.

DAY 13 – Fly Back to Quito

After your time touring the Galápagos Islands, you will fly back to Quito and prepare for your journey home.  I would suggest you do not try to arrange transportation directly from the Galápagos Islands to home as flight issues and other travel delays may derail your trip.  For that reason, I suggest you spend a night in Quito before heading home.  If you would like to explore the city of Quito some more, this is an excellent opportunity for you to do so.

DAY 14 – Fly Home

On the fourteenth and final day of your trip, you will be heading home.  Hopefully, the trip to see two of South America and the world’s most amazing travel destinations will leave you with memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.  When I took this trip, I certainly made my fair share of memories that I still cherish to this day.

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