Are There Day Trips Available To The Galapagos Islands From Lima, Peru?

Tauck’s 15-day Peru and Galapagos tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, along with a 6-day Galapagos Islands small ship cruise. The tour begins in Lima, the capital city of Peru, and includes visits to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo ruins, historic Sacsayhuaman, and Larco Museum in Lima.

The tour also includes a private tour along the ‘hidden route’ from Cusco, with Rancho Primicias, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $3 per person and includes a guided tour and access to all facilities.

An all-inclusive tour combining Peru and the Galapagos Islands takes travelers from Machu Picchu to the unique Galapagos Islands. The tour lasts about 10 hours and includes a luxury service with four buses.

The Classic Peru Tour begins in Lima, Peru, and continues to Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. The best way to get from Lima to the Galapagos Islands is $282 and takes 6½ hours. The itinerary includes a day in Lima, Peru, a day in Pisac, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and a day in Chinchero.

How many days is enough for Galapagos Islands?

To fully experience the highlights of Galapagos, it is recommended to spend at least 7 to 10 days, exploring multiple islands, encountering diverse wildlife, and immersing oneself in the unique landscapes and ecosystems. While a shorter visit, like 3 to 4 days, can offer glimpses of the island’s beauty, it is recommended to allocate more time for a more comprehensive experience. While day trips and weekend getaways can be enjoyable, they only scratch the surface of what Galapagos has to offer.

To truly immerse oneself in the Galapagos experience, it is advisable to plan for a longer duration, as it allows for a more comprehensive experience and allows for specific activities and visits to nearby islands.

When not to go to Galapagos?

The worst time to visit the Galapagos Islands is during the transitional months of March and April, which are the end of the warm, rainy season and experience the most dramatic weather. Although the warm, rainy season is popular, it is advisable to avoid the tail end months of March and April, as they are the hottest and wettest months on the islands. These months are not ideal for outdoor activities due to humidity and increased rainfall.

April is considered the best month to see waved Albatross birds on Isla Española. However, the summer months can be busy, filling up tours, hotels, and attractions, making it the worst time for a quiet, relaxing vacation away from tourists.

When not to go to Galapagos Islands?

The worst time to visit the Galapagos Islands is during the transitional months of March and April, which are the end of the warm, rainy season and experience the most dramatic weather. Although the warm, rainy season is popular, it is advisable to avoid the tail end months of March and April, as they are the hottest and wettest months on the islands. These months are not ideal for outdoor activities due to humidity and increased rainfall.

April is considered the best month to see waved Albatross birds on Isla Española. However, the summer months can be busy, filling up tours, hotels, and attractions, making it the worst time for a quiet, relaxing vacation away from tourists.

Is Galapagos worth the cost?

The Galapagos Islands are a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and some expedition vessels offer greater area coverage and variety of experiences. For example, our fleet offers multi-guided expeditions, allowing guests to experience the islands at their own pace and preference. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can try snorkeling or take a ride aboard a magnificent glass-bottom boat. Our guides ensure every group has a great time experiencing the islands.

Daily lectures offered by naturalist guides provide new knowledge, and there’s plenty of time at leisure to relax in one of our ample social areas. Investing in your satisfaction and fulfilling experience of the islands is a worthwhile investment.

How much is the ferry to Galapagos?

The ferry departs daily from the Puerto Villamil dock on Isabela Island to the Puerto Ayora dock on Santa Cruz Island, with a 2 hour navigation time and a price of $35 per person. To travel by boat, buy tickets at least three days in advance, arrive one hour in advance, take a motion sickness pill 30 minutes before starting the trip, and carry a maximum weight of 23 kg. Extra luggage incurs a $10 charge. Close travel bags well to prevent water entry.

Always carry personal documents, vaccination card, and PCR tests with you. Order breakfast at the hotel for your arrival. Isabela Island has no ATMs, so bring cash. Isabela Island charges $10 upon entry. There are no direct boats from San Cristobal Island to Isabela Island, so make a mandatory stop on Santa Cruz Island. For larger boats and excellent service, contact us.

Interisland flights are another option for transportation between the Galapagos Islands. The Vista al Mar hotel in Puerto Ayora offers spacious rooms, a beautiful garden with hammocks, and a shared kitchen. It is run by its owners and is conveniently located near restaurants, souvenir shops, banks, ATMs, and the pier.

How do I get from Cusco to the Galapagos Islands?

The most cost-effective way to travel from Cusco to the Galápagos Islands is by air, which takes 26 hours and 24 minutes and costs between $160 and $490. The fastest option is by air, which takes 10 hours and 48 minutes and costs between $250 and $550. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of Galápagos Province, Ecuador, is located on the southwestern coast of San Cristóbal, the easternmost island in the archipelago. It was founded by General Villamil Playas in the mid-19th century and is named after President Alfredo Baquerizo.

The town is known for its fishing activities, tourism, and numerous hotels and shops. It also houses the Centro de Interpretación of the Galápagos National Park and a natural history museum. San Cristóbal Airport connects to mainland Ecuador. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine that provides up-to-date schedules, route maps, journey times, and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, allowing travelers to make informed decisions about their travel options.

What is the entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos National Park entrance fee for foreign tourists over 12 is $200, while children pay $100. Visitors from the Andean Community and Mercosur nations pay $100, and children pay $25. Ecuadorian nationals over 12 pay $6, and children pay $3. The Galapagos Islands were claimed by Ecuador after gaining independence from Spain, but the government couldn’t convince anyone to leave. To maintain control, the Ecuadorian government established penal colonies on the islands, sending prisoners and guards to occupy those with fresh water.

By the 1950s, small towns were established, and descendants of prisoners and Europeans began making a living by fishing. The 1970s saw a tourism boom, with thousands of foreigners wanting to see the islands and their wildlife. However, by the 1990s, the fragile island ecosystems were in danger, and unemployed Ecuadorians continued to seek work in secret.

Are there day trips to Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos Cruises offers a distinctive experience for guests, including a voyage on handpicked yachts to secluded and unspoiled regions of the islands. Additionally, guests may opt to extend their cruise with a day trip to Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, or Isabella. The cruise includes lodging at preferred hotels and the services of leading local guides from the Galapagos National Park. The creation of bespoke holidays is supported by expert advice and assistance throughout the duration of the trip, with the objective of ensuring that guests have a memorable experience.

What months are the best time to explore the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are best visited during the months of November through January and May through July, as they experience a transition from the hot season to the dry season. These seasons bring changes in sea currents and vegetation, highlighting the unique experiences of marine and terrestrial animals. The weather in the Galapagos Islands varies throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F.

The warm season from December to June and the cooler season from July to November are influenced by ocean currents. When planning your journey, consider factors such as weather and climate, wildlife observation, and activities, as well as the optimal conditions for each season.

What is the best way to get to the Galapagos Islands?

Galápagos is a popular destination for visitors from mainland Ecuador, with daily flights departing from Guayaquil or Quito. LAN-Ecuador and Avianca are the main airlines offering flights, with fares ranging between $380 and $500 for a round-trip ticket. Non-residents cannot buy one-way tickets. Galápagos has two main airports, one on Baltra Island and the other on San Cristóbal. Before checking in, bags must be inspected by the Galápagos Biosecurity Agency and a $20 tourist transit card is required.

Upon arrival, visitors must pay an entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park, currently $200 for non-Ecuadorian adults and $100 for children. Returning to the US or other international destinations requires an overnight stay in Quito or Guayaquil. Galápagos is a great place to visit anytime of the year due to its equator location, but travel arrangements are particularly important during peak seasons.

Can you visit the Galapagos from Peru?

Combining Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands requires additional flights and time to fully experience each destination. Peru is located in the highlands of southern Peru near Cusco, while Ecuador is 500 miles west of the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. To combine the two destinations, you must enter and depart Peru from Lima and Ecuador from Quito or Guayaquil. The journey takes 4 hours from Quito to the Galapagos Islands, and 3-4 hours by bus and train to Machu Picchu. To combine the two, you will need to overnight in either Lima or one of the Ecuadorian citifies (Quito or Guayaquil).

To experience both destinations, a minimum of 10 days is required, but this is too much travel and not enough time in either destination. Trips of 12 to 14 days are generally long enough to have a great experience in each destination. To have a decent trip, you need a day to travel to either Peru or Ecuador, at least five days in the Galapagos, four days in Peru, and another day to arrive home, totaling 11 days. Spending more time in Machu Picchu and Peru will provide a more comprehensive experience.