How to Plan for a Galapagos and Machu Picchu Tour

Traveling to South America is an exciting experiencing. However, planning the vacation can be tedious, stressful, and expensive—especially if you want to visit more than one destination. This article explains a few ways to make your travel planning easier, focusing exclusively on a tour that includes the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and Machu Picchu in Peru. These two destinations are highlighted because not only are they two of the most popular tourist destinations in South America, they also offer very unique travel experiences and so when combined make some of the best South America vacation package combinations possible.

Tip #1. Plan in advance. If you have restricted travel dates (for example during Christmas or summer holidays) you must book you trip at least several months in advance. If there is a particular Galapagos boat or itinerary you want to experience, you should consider booking at least six months in advance. Likewise, if you want a particular room in a specific hotel in Machu Picchu, you must plan ahead. This is especially important if you want to hike the Inca Trail, since permits are limited and sell out quickly.

Tip #2. Allow for delays. Traveling to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu requires several flights and transfers. Though the journeys are not long, if a flight is delayed it can mess up your entire travel itinerary. One way around this is to allow several hours in between flights. You’ll have to fly between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, as well as from Ecuador to Peru, and the most likely Lima to Cuzco. It is always best to make sure you have some flex time before your major tours and international departure to account for unexpected delays.

Tip #3. Book through one agent. Unless you are traveling completely independently, you should consider booking your entire trip through one company. This means there will be no “gaps” in your coverage and it will always be clear who is responsible for your travel arrangements, transfers, and quality.

Tip #4. Factor in down time. This vacation itinerary is ambitious and exciting, and you will probably be tired. To make sure you don’t wear yourself out and miss out on the enjoyment of seeing such lovely locations, consider planning one or two down days into your travel itinerary. Perhaps a free day in Cuzco, a lovely colonial city, so you can adjust to the altitude, enjoy your hotel, and stroll the cobblestone streets.

Tip #5. Pack layers. Because you will experience many different types of weather conditions on this vacation, you want to be prepared because nothing ruins a trip quicker than being uncomfortable. To maximize your suitcase space, consider packing and dressing in layers. This goes not only for you outfits, but also for bags and suitcases. You probably won’t always want to lug around your suitcase, so put a backpack in it. And you might not always need a backpack, so put a purse in it. This layering method will make it easier to find and carry your belongings.