Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

From small-group & private tours to cooking classes, private transfers, the best hotels, and accommodations – we curate the most incredible authentic experiences through Eastern Europe for the entire family.  No matter if your travelers’ ages range from 5 to 75, we will make sure that everyone is comfortable and enjoying the journey while creating life-long lasting memories.

Here are some of the experiences our clients have enjoyed throughout Italy. All activities can be customized to match our clients’ preferences.

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Day 1 –  Welcome to Quito!

The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area with a private local guide.

 

Quito, Ecuador - Ecuador and The Galapagos Family Adventure

 

Day 2 – Arrival in the Galapagos – Santa Cruz Highlands

A private driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport. Your flight through Galapagos Islands starts now.

After a 3 hour flight, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to Santa Cruz Island. Where you will visit the highlands of the island.

Here you can admire the giant tortoises in their natural state, see the lava tunnels. But also enjoy a delicious lunch at one of its haciendas.

Also check-in at the hotel at the end of your tour.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

Day 3 – Isabela Island and Tintoreras

After breakfast, we transfer you to the dock, where we board the boat that will transport you to Isabela Island. Its generally about 2 hour’s navigation.

Upon arrival, our staff will take you to your hotel and walk around Puerto Villamil.

After lunch, we will specifically visit Las Tintoreras. You may even so find yourself staring at penguins or face-to-face. Or with sea lions, one of the most playful and delightful Galapagos natives. The emerald waters of Las Tintoreras abound with marine life including the internationally renowned Galapagos penguins and blue-footed boobies. Sea turtles are also common residents of this area.

A brief walking tour across A’A’ lava flows to “Las Tintoreras” provides additional up-close encounters with marine iguanas, resting white tip sharks, and new-born sea lions.

A particularly open-water snorkel in the bay completes this very popular marine adventure. Afterwards return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure - Blue footed booby on top of the rock at the beach in North Seymour Island

Day 4 – Isabella Tunnels

In the morning after breakfast, we transfer to the dock to take our tour of the Isabela tunnels.

Embark by boat with a local guide to one of the most astonishing snorkeling locations in the Galapagos Islands. A series of lava flows have created hundreds of arches and tunnels, both above and below the water. The striking geological formations are outdone only by the extraordinary collection of creatures that call this place home. You will be able to swim in clear waters with things like. Colorful fishes, sea lions, sea turtles, eagle rays, lobsters, sea snakes and other marvelous species.

The treacherous maritime entry into this maze of lava passages is not always possible. So it’s best to visit between January and May.

A healthy box lunch will be served. Afterwards you will be transferred to the hotel and have some time free in the afternoon to enjoy the beach.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

Day 5 – Santa Cruz, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Tortuga Bay

Early in the morning transfer to the pier to take the speed boat to Santa Cruz Island (Puerto Ayora).

Upon arrival, your guide will take you for breakfast and later on we will visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center located within the Charles Darwin Station and the area of Galapagos National Park. As its name suggests, it is a rescue but also a breeding center of giant tortoises. They originating from different islands of the Galapagos as Española, Santiago, Santa Cruz, among others.

During the visit, we can see baby, middle age and old tortoises (believed to be over one hundred years old).

After lunch we will visit Tortuga Bay. One of the largest and most beautiful white sand beaches that you can visit in Galapagos. Here you can see iguanas and turtles but it is also a great place for swimming, kayaking or just walking.

After visiting this gorgeous spot, thus we will return to the hotel.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

Day 6 – Bartolome, Seymour or Plaza Islands

This day, depending on availability you will visit one of these islands.

Bartolomé – Daily Tour

Located two hours north of Santa Cruz by boat, Bartolome Island is home to some of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Galapagos Islands. This tour additionally provides a great opportunity to view striking volcanic rock formations in shades of shimmering black, red, and green.

Firstly from the summit of the hike, enjoy one of the most recognized landmarks in the Galapagos Islands – Pinnacle Rock, an impressive monolithic lava structure that towers high above the azure sea. Secondly you descend from the peak for a close-up look at Pinnacle Rock and the astonishing array of wildlife that calls this island home. Thirdly you may see Galapagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles and a huge variety of fish make this a fantastic snorkeling spot for nature enthusiasts. Finally as you walk along the spectacular crescent-shaped pink and white sand beach, you’ll follow the footsteps of generations of green sea turtles who return each year to lay eggs at their ancestral home.

The relaxing cruise back to Santa Cruz Island is ideal for taking in the surrounding seascapes.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

Plazas – Daily Tour

A tour to South Plaza Island puts you face to face with sea lion pups, land iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, and various nesting sea birds.

South Plaza Island is half of a pair of islets off the east coast of Santa Cruz. The channel between the two islets provides the perfect haven for California sea lion pups. In fact, South Plaza has one of the largest sea Lion colonies in the entire Galapagos Archipelago. Often you can see bulls defending their harems in the azure waters of the channel.

On land, you can see red and yellow land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, Audubon’s shearwaters, frigate birds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies.

Finally on the return cruise, you will stop for a snorkel just outside of the Itabaca Canal, a refreshing way to end this interesting day tour.

Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands Family Adventure

Seymour – Daily Tour

North Seymour Island is a natural haven for some of the most sought-after residents in the Galapagos Islands, the blue-footed boobie. A nature trail meanders leisurely through large colonies of nesting frigate birds and blue-footed boobies.

Depending on the time of year, this is an excellent place to witness the thrilling mating rituals these birds are famous for. You can also intimately observe the fascinating dynamics between a mother and its chick. Just offshore you can often witness the original Galapagos surf club members, sea lions riding the crashing waves all the way into shore.

This tour also stops at isolated Bachas beach for a refreshing snorkel in the tepid waters. A side trip to a small lagoon provides an opportunity to see feeding flamingos.

Due to its teeming wildlife and close proximity, North Seymour is one of the most popular day tours from Santa Cruz and is not to be missed!

Day 7 – Return to Quito

Early in the morning after breakfast transfer to the airport. You will be assisted by your guide to take your flight back to Quito.

Day 8 – Explore Otavalo

In the morning we go to the indigenous market. Once in Otavalo, you will have plenty of time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets, filled with the Otavalo indigenous people wearing the traditional blue ponchos, white trousers, and long braided hair. Learn all about their daily activities, typical food, and native language. Explore their famous handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, alpaca throws and rugs, knitted clothing native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries, and more at bargain prices.

 

 

Before noon we will go to the San Pablo Lake and stand-up paddle with a majestic view of the Imbabura Volcano.

Later we continue to have our cooking lesson and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch.

Finally, we will go to Peguche, a small village known for its waterfalls and wind instruments production.

Day 9 – Flight Back Home

Transfer out to the airport for your international flight.

 

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