Peru and Galapagos a little help please -
I have a few questions before I start packing and head out on our trip to Peru and The Galapagos in a few weeks - 1. Did you need 2 walking sticks or was one enough? My husband and I have 1 set that we usually share, should I purchase another set? 2. Did you need to bring local currency or did most places take a credit card or US$? 3. How bad were the bugs - we are going in May - what bug repellent did you use? 4. Did you bring special shampoo, conditioner and/or hair products that were safe for the Galapagos (similar to reef safe suntan lotion but for your hair - this is more for the women 
. THANKS For any help
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I can answer the Galapagos part….their currency in the American dollar, so that’s easy. You will be spending most time there on islands where there are no shops. You pay by credit card on the ship. Not many bugs the two times I’ve been, March and December. You are on the equator so the sun is fierce and it’s good to keep covered up anyway. You can pre-spray clothing with Premethrin or use Deet or Picaradin on exposed skin for mosquito protection. You can discussed any need to take malaria meds with your doctor or read CDC guidelines.
Walking sticks on Galapagos. Depends on your mobility. I never used them previously but may use one when I go in July. Some islands are sandy, some have jagged lava, so that is when I will have mine with me, but I’ll only use one. I think it’s a personal preference. The ship usually has spares. Keep away from behind people using sticks, they are a trip hazard. I’ve almost had my eye poked out twice when people pointed at something with their stick.
I went to the Galapagos in May about 10 years ago, I don’t remember spraying bug spray. I haven’t the need for a walking stick, but the lava can be tricky if you have never walked on it before and/or have balance issues. I’m assuming in Peru, you are going to Machu Picchu, once again I don’t remember a bug issue, lots of up and down on steps that are not the same size. You can use some American dollars in Peru, but you are going to want to get the local currency for small items or take a picture of someone holding a baby lamb, a baby llama, etc! Have a pisco sour for me!
The gals with the baby llama take American dollars with gratitude. No need for local currency. However, they want bills that are fairly new – not worn and beaten up. I've heard that they have trouble exchanging American currency that is not in good condition.
There are usually at least two young women with the baby llama and a dollar each was plenty when we were there. Maybe a couple of dollars each now.
I think those are alpacas in the picture (picture from 2017).
Some cute young girls, and their llamas, who want to pose with you (for a few dollars).
A closeup of one of the young girls.
And one more of the gals with a baby llama (and a baby on her back).
We went to Machu Picchu twice: You can see our trips at
https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2017SouthAmerica-01.htm and
https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2021-1Galapagos-01.htm
I did Peru and the Hidden Galapagos last May (2025), and found 2 walking sticks helpful at Machu Picchu and on one Galapagos Island (can't recall which one now) where there were lava flows that had like a hard shell that had cracked so you'd step on one side and it would shift suddenly under your feet and then shift back as you walked across it - the sticks definitely helped balance. Our TD had some walking sticks to hand out to people who did not have any, but I don't think there would have been enough for everyone to have 2 -- I brought my own that fold down into about three sections and pack into a small-ish nylon type bag. If you take your own, make sure you have rubber tips for them.
I did not use any local currency - as noted above Ecuador uses the USD and in Peru I used a credit card. We had few, if any, bugs but depending on rain amounts I was told Peru can have mosquitoes and, altho at a high altitude, Machu Picchu is jungle type area and the hotel provided mosquito repellant that I used, but don't think I really needed - we had no bugs in the Galapagos - most places there had a slight breeze. I brought my own reef safe products but the ship provided shower gel and shampoo and lotion. After the first day on the ship I don't think anyone "did" their hair - after the hiking and water sports and full days it seemed like folks came back, showered and just let their hair air dry...
Have a great time - it was an amazing trip!
Hello,
We brought our own walking sticks but we use them mainly for hunting so they have sharp tips, not good on the protected areas. We ended up purchasing two.
As far as hair and dress for dinner, there was a mix But for the most part the women changed into something causal but way more dressy than my fishing pants and shirts. I brought a few mix and match dressier outfits and wish I had just packed more and more dresses with maybe a large scarf or light weight jacket. I happen to be someone who believes that when you leave the "house" you should look pulled together.
I Always bring my own hairdryer, a dryer, without a concentrator is a mess. I bought a G.E.M. travel dryer, very small. That being said contacting Tauck about hairdryers is not helpful. Yes, they have hairdryers but have No way of knowing what kind. I never thought of contacting the hotels. Sounds like a lot of extra work.
(On our trip to Budapest/Prague the hotels were of course first class and the hairdryers were also. Also the river boat had a great hairdryer.)
When packing, I would recommend to pack for your own personal style/comfort level. Such as bring clothes that are going to make You comfortable. Monochromatic mix and match. I brought 3 pair of fishing pants and 5 shirts which was plenty.
We took 2 large suitcase, we left one at the hotel with Peru clothing and took one with us to the Islands, they fit under the bed.
As far as bugs, overall I was not bothered At All, but I sprayed my clothing with Sawyer. there was one island that had very bad black flies, I was not bothered by them can't say the same for everyone else. Actually I was smacking them off my husband while he was submerged in water up to his head it was rather fun, but then we were swarmed by 5-6 inch brown and white fish that were eating them. Very cool.
We did bring US as well as Sol and we did tip our bartender and main server I think $100 each (dollars).
I bought a pair of KIzik water/walking shoes that were fantastic, two for one packing space.
Lisa
One more thing, we were able to go fishing, we were hoping for Marlin, but still had a great time caught a nice size Wahoo and 4 tuna which we brought back some for the ship and chef prepared appetizer's for all, the charter captain made sushi onboard!!
Surely the Peru and Galapagos tour still uses the Isabela ll? If that is the case, it is a small twenty cabin Expedition ship. It is not fancy at all and there is absolutely no need to dress up for dinner. If I recall, it’s just buffet. I enjoyed the ship and crew. When we go in July on the Bridges Galapagos tour, it will be interesting to experience the differences. I’m certainly not looking forward to many more passengers.
I don’t think Elizabeth is talking about a Tauck tour
Looks like Tauck only uses the Isabella II now for that tour. They used to use the Silversea Silver Origin, which was a wonderful ship. Looks like that partnership is defunct.
No, I think that is the ship we are going on for Bridges. I’ll have to check
Oh we tour on the Santa Cruise ll
Mike, according to the website for 2027, there are still 2 Peru and galapagos tours, one Bridges tour and one Galapagos only tour. The more expensive one, Hidden Galapagos and Peru, uses the Silver Origin, a wonderful small ship with no more than 100 guests, some of whom are not with Tauck. The other three, use Isabella II, with 22 rooms.
Well our tour in two months is on the Santa Cruz ll
@bucketlist - Thanks for that correction. I'm glad Tauck is still using that ship. We went on that Hidden Peru and Galapagos tour in 2021 and had the Silver Origin and were really impressed by the ship. We were just coming out of COVID in 2021 and Tauck had reserved room for 40 guests - but we were only 10 on that particular sailing. We called ourselves the "Tauck Ten." [Added note: I looked it up and there were only 43 guests on the ship that sailing.]
I haven't been on the Isabella II but from the descriptions given by people here on the forum, it sounds like the Silver Origin is a more luxurious ship. I would certainly recommend it.