I am starting to think of a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu. I have read many of the reports but don't see anything recent on the Inca Floats tour company. They were referenced in the 1000Places to see before you die but I can't find out much else about them. I know that a tour company is mandatory to visit Galapagos what are your thoughts on visiting Machu P independently or with a company?
Thanks,

Are you going alone or with someone? It's not so much the tour company that is mandatory for the Galapagos it's that you visit the various islands with registered naturalist guides (which the boats/cruises provide). You can arrange your own flights, etc and even do a significant portion whilst staying in hotels if that's preferable to you.

My husband and I traveled independently to both Machu Picchu and Galapagos - it's very doable especially if you are an experienced independent traveler.

We are very independent travelers and I will be traveling with my husband. This was one trip I was considering going with a company because of the ease of travel and I won't have to plan much, I think I am in need of a vacation for all of the planning that I normally do.

Have a look at our blog - maybe it will break you of your tour group thoughts

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ard_in_south_/

We don't speak any Spanish but I have to say this was a really easy trip to plan and the travel was very straight forward - if you are independent travelers I'd recommend doing it...............

You should have a tour company(Travel Agent) book the Galapagos for you.
( I have the name of a great guy Travel Agent in Quito if you are interested.)

Then after doing the Galapagos you fly back to Quito and have a flight booked to Lima.

From Lima to Cusco and on to Machu Picchu.

But I think you should have a tour guide picking you up at Cusco.

Percy

Liz, Your blog with photos is most impressive, thanks for sharing. Tidy

tidy,

My teenage son and I went to the Galapagos in late july 2007. I thought about going to Machu Pichu on the same trip but instead flew into Quito and spent three days exploring Quito and the highlands before going to the Galapagos. I live in So. Fl. which is somewhat convenient to So. America therefore I felt I could enjoy each place without feeling rushed. I am in the process of planning a trip to Peru summer 2008. We went to the Galapagos with Linblad Expeditions and I can't say enough about what a top notch job they do. I, like you am the planner and yes you deserve to just enjoy...This was the first trip I have not done independently but as you stated, in order to see the Galapagos, a guide is needed. We did do Quito independently and hired a driver(recommend)to go to the highlands and Otavalo. We also took the City Tour with Grayline and that was not only informative but well priced. Enjoy.

We did mp last year and the galapagos next july-in my view they are quite different trips and you might want to do them separately. As for the Galapagos, depending on your budget, look at the Celebrity Expedition-as comprehensive as Lindblad but somewhat less expensive, assuming you want to be on oe of the larger boats. As for MP, look at my comments today in another posting and my artnuvo tripadvisor reviews for the various places we visited and stayed. if you want our itinerary or other details email me.