Machu Picchu and the Galapagos
 

Is it possible to include both Machu Picchu and the Galapagos in a trip that is no more than 16 days long if we want to take the 4 day hike on the Inca trial and also want to have 4 or 5 days in the Galapagos?

I’m guessing that we’ll need a custom tour since I haven’t found a standard tour that includes both locations with the 4-day hike. Who would you recommend?

By the way, we are planning for around August or September 2007, so we have plenty of time.
Thanks!
Reggie

Well, figure 5 days minimum to do the Inca Trail:

Day 1: Fly to Cusco
Day 2: Begin Inca Trail
Day 3: Inca Trail
Day 4: Inca Trail; Train to Cusco
Day 5: Fly to Lima (or wherever)

It would be shame not to spend a day in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, so I'd add another day at the beginning. Besides, an extra night at 10,000 feet will help your acclimitzation.

So, with 6 days for the Cusco and the Inca Trial, you're left with 10 days to do the Galapagos. Should be easily do-able with the standard 8 day cruise, and even easier if you only do 4-5 days in the islands.

Might want to consider doing Inca Trail first since the Galapagos isn't a very strenuous trip and you'll lose some fitness.

Lifelist,
Thanks for the information. We are going to try to put this trip together. We just need to either find a tour company who can help or learn enough that we can do it ourselves.

Thanks!
Again

Ack! I just realized I shorted the days for the Inca Trail. It should be:

Day 1: Fly to Cusco
Day 2: Begin Inca Trail
Day 3: Inca Trail
Day 4: Inca Trail
Day 5: Inca Trail; Train to Cusco
Day 6: Fly to Lima (or wherever)

Setting up the Inca Trail is something very easy to do independently. I did mine entirely via e-mail. Most, if not all, Inca Trail operators will completely set you up, including transfers and hotel reservations. Air Reservations are easy to make from the LanPeru website.

I did my Inca Trail with Q'ente. I recommend with some reservations. The Inca Trail guides and porters were very good, and things were well run for that aspect. The problem I had with them was with their back office. The office manager failed to make some arrangements I had asked for and had to be reminded. She also forgot to set up some transfers, which left me to do on my own. I think they're still worthwhile, but only if you keep on top of them and make sure they keep up their end.

www.qente.com

The Andean Travel Web website has lots of good information about setting this up.

http://andeantravelweb.com/peru/index.html

We will leave in 4 weeks on a similar trip. We will be taking the train instead of hiking. We have used Wildland Adventures. They have been super helpful setting us up with top notch hotels and guides. It's nice not having to worry about anything since we are taking the kids this time. Website www.wildland.com

Hi Reggie,
It is possible, but not necessarily ideal.
I did Ecuador/Galapagos and Peru in a 16 day trip 3 years ago. It was wonderful, but if I had to do it again, I would do them separately because there's a lot to see in both places.
I did a 5 day Galapagos cruise and regretted not taking the longer one. I had 1 full day in Quito, but didn't get to the Ecuadorean highlands.
In Peru, I did Cusco, Machu Picchu (3nts, no trek), and Posada Amazonas, but missed Lake Titicaca.
I booked online thru Kontiki Tours and was very pleased. They have a great website with lots of little packages that you can combine or they will customize for you. Good luck.

You have all given me a lot to thnk about. Thanks for your input.

Try Journey's International.

mkwinchester, are you back? How was your trip w/Wildland Adventures? I am looking at their itineraires for a trip w/my 16 yr old son. Which one did you take?