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- Peru & the Galápagos Islands Holidays
- Group Tours of Peru & the Galápagos Islands
- Main sights in Peru
- Best time to travel to Peru & the Galápagos Islands
- Main sights in the Galápagos Islands
- Wildlife in Peru and the Galápagos Islands
- Tailor-made Tours to Peru & the Galápagos Islands
- The Galápagos Islands Blogs
Peru and the Galápagos Islands Holidays
Perhaps the two most popular destinations in the entire continent of South America, Peru and the Galápagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, are two locations that undoubtedly sit high on most travellers’ bucket lists. The natural splendour of the Galápagos’ endemic flora and fauna is unmatched anywhere else on the planet and the mysterious, historical treasures left behind by Peru’s Incan ancestors, most notably in the form of Machu Picchu, are awe-inspiring in their colossal brilliance. The clash between one location’s deep cultural variety and the other’s contemporary timeline provides visitors with a fascinating juxtaposition of experiences. Travelling to both regions also offers the opportunity of visiting two of the planet’s most notable ecosystems in the form of the Galápagos and the Amazon Jungle - one diminutive and peaceful, the other gigantic and often oppressive.
A tour to both Peru and the Galápagos Islands combines utterly unique nature with ancient history, skyscraping mountains with vast azure waters and off-the-grid exploration with rich local cultures. Simply put, combining these two iconic destinations will provide you with the adventure of a lifetime.
Group Tours of Peru and The Galápagos Islands
Machu Picchu, Amazon & Galapagos
Duration:14 Days
Route:Cusco to Quito
Tour Code:PEAG
Iconic South America
Duration:41 Days
Route:Cartagena to Rio de Janeiro
Tour Code:HIS
Best time to travel to Peru and the Galápagos Islands
Given the difference in location and environment between the two, it is difficult to definitively state when is the best time to visit Peru and the Galápagos Islands. The weather in the latter can be split into two distinctive seasons - one cool and dry from June to November and one warm and wet from December to June. The warmer season, whilst prone to downpours, does offer the greatest conditions for snorkelling and diving due to clearer waters.
The most popular time of year to visit Peru lies between May and September, when temperatures are cooler but skies are clearer. The lack of dense cloud cover allows for greater views of high altitude sites like Machu Picchu. April and October are the unpredictable shoulder months, whilst November to March sees a lot of rainfall, leading to the closure of the Inca Trail during the month of February each year.
Therefore if one were to pinpoint the most popular time to visit both Peru and the Galápagos Islands it would be between April and June, but it is essentially down to each traveller’s preference. The only time to truly avoid either of these locations is the month of February for those looking to partake in the famous Inca Trail trek.
Main sights in the Galápagos Islands
Seymour
Island
Snorkelling
(Everywhere!)
Sierra Negra Volcano
Tortuga Bay
Wildlife in Peru and the Galápagos Islands
Both regions have their iconic creatures that almost act as a mascot for tourism in the region. Peru with its cute and comical llamas and the Galápagos with its giant, prehistoric giant tortoises. However, the wildlife in both locations is rich with exotic variety, from the sea to the sky. Here are some of the more notable wild inhabitants of these two South American hotspots.
Navigating the seas and rivers
Diving off the coast of both Peru and the Galápagos Islands will introduce travellers to a rainbow of marine wildlife in the form of tropical fish, vibrant reefs and all manner of other curious sea creatures. Off the coast of the Galápagos it’s possible to swim with sea lions, fur seals and even marine iguanas. A truly unique experience that appeals to the world’s most experienced marine experts. Peru is also home to some of the planet’s rarer aquatic inhabitants, but these reside in the murky waters of the Amazon River. Gentle manatees and magenta-toned river dolphins swim under the river’s surface, occasionally revealing themselves to lucky tourists who venture into the depths of the world’s largest rainforest.
Roaming the land
Other than the countless llamas that any traveller is inevitable to see, whether it be on city streets or the grassy terraces of Machu Picchu, Peru is home to a plethora of incredible creatures. Lurking in the thicket of the Amazon Jungle are giant otters, acrobatic monkeys and mighty jaguars. Outside of the Amazon’s reaches travellers may be lucky enough to witness spectacled bears, an endangered species that was the inspiration behind the famous Paddington Bear books. The Galápagos Islands’ shores and hills are home to giant Galápagos tortoises that live for over 100 years, large lazing iguanas and crowds of curious penguins, many of which cannot be seen elsewhere on the planet.
Soaring through the skies
Both Peru and the Galápagos are considered amongst the greatest destinations on earth for birdwatchers and ornithologists. Tropical birds found in Peru include vibrant macaws, elegant harpy eagles and our greatest inspiration - the toucan. However, no sights quite match that of seeing the impressive Andean condor soaring over mountainous regions and rocky canyons, with a wingspan that can reach over 3 metres. Some of the most notable bird species on the Galápagos include the friendly blue-footed booby, the red-chested frigatebird and the island’s top predator - the Galápagos hawk. The Galápagos is also a prime location to find nesting waved albatross before they set out on their epic sea-crossing voyages.
Tailor-made Tours to Peru and the Galápagos Islands
If you're seeking a personalised tour of Peru and the Galápagos Islands then browse our Tailor-made tours for inspirational itineraries before contacting our Tailor-made team and letting them know how you’d like the tour to be tweaked to meet your needs. Whether you are seeking a 5 star luxury experience, an in-depth adventure into areas unknown or simply have a specific dietary requirement, our specialist team can cater to all of your wants and needs.
Galapagos Islands Blogs
10 unique animals of the Galapagos Islands
A cruise to the famed Galapagos Islands is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a mecca for wildlife buffs. The archipelagos consists of 20 islands with only 4 being inhabited. Going on a Galapagos tour is like walking into a David Attenborough documentary! And the animals here are not your ordinary type – they are very unique, many you can only find in this part of the world. A Galapagos tour is a great chance to get up close and personal with rare animals – they are completely fearless and won’t even look twice when you approach to grab that money shot!
Alternative destinations to travel off-grid
From yoga to hiking retreats, silent to meditation retreats, cleansing to healing retreats, you name it and there is likely a so-called off-the-grid haven eagerly waiting to make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. But what if you don’t want to go as far as paying out of your pocket for an off-grid resort when there are a whole host of destinations just waiting to help you unwind? Sometimes it can be as simple as switching off your technology and immersing yourself in the moment. We have compiled a list of our top destinations for your (I don’t need a retreat!) digital detox where you can relax and unwind in some spectacular locations around the world.
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