11 Days • 10 Nights
Ecuador Family Adventure: Andes & Galapagos
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Standing on the equator
- Colonial Quito and Cotopaxi volcano
- The colourful Otavalo market
- Face to face with giant tortoises
- Sea lions and marine iguanas
- Snorkelling with sea lions, penguins and turtles
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 11-day journey.
The family is met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito, high in the Andes. Take it easy to acclimatise, with a welcome dinner.
A family tour of Quito's colonial old town and a fun visit to the equator monument, standing in two hemispheres and trying the balancing experiments.
A day trip to the colourful Otavalo indigenous market, with crafts and Andean culture, and the scenic highlands, staying at a highland hacienda with farm animals.
You return to Quito and fly to the Galapagos, transferring to Santa Cruz and visiting the Charles Darwin Station and giant tortoises in the highlands on the way to your hotel.
A family day boat trip to a nearby island, walking among sea lions and blue-footed boobies and snorkelling with turtles and rays in crystal-clear water.
A day exploring Santa Cruz, the beautiful Tortuga Bay beach, the lava tunnels and the highland tortoise reserves, at a relaxed family pace.
A day trip to another wildlife-rich site, snorkelling and walking among the fearless animals, with time to relax on the beach.
A free day to enjoy the island, more snorkelling, kayaking, or simply the beach and the tortoises, with a farewell island dinner.
You fly back to Quito for your final night in the highlands.
A free family day in Quito, souvenir shopping, the museums, or the cable car up Pichincha, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast the family transfers to the airport for the onward flight home, full of Ecuadorian wildlife and wonder.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and island day-trip lunches
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking naturalist guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and Galapagos fees as per itinerary
- a Quito and equator tour, an Otavalo excursion, Galapagos island day trips and snorkelling, and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card (payable locally)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, which makes budgeting easy; carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas, as change for large bills can be scarce
- Altitude: Quito and the Andean highlands sit high (Quito is around 2,850 metres), so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival at altitude
- Galapagos rules & fees: The Galapagos are a strictly protected national park; a park entrance fee and a transit control card are payable (currently in cash on arrival), you must follow your naturalist guide's rules at all times, and single-use plastics are restricted
- Best time to visit: Ecuador is a year-round destination; the highlands are mild all year, while the Galapagos have a warm, sunny season (December to May) with calmer seas and a cool, dry 'garua' season (June to November) with more active wildlife
- Getting around: Ecuador is compact for South America, but itineraries use domestic flights to the Galapagos and sometimes the Amazon; these are arranged and included where specified, and the highlands are toured by road
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon lowlands; bring sun protection (the equatorial sun is intense, especially at altitude and at sea), insect repellent for the jungle, and any seasickness remedies for Galapagos cruises
- Culture & power: Ecuador has a rich indigenous culture, vibrant in its markets and villages; a little Spanish helps, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Why land-based Galapagos for families?
Staying in comfortable island hotels lets families explore at a relaxed pace with day trips, rest when needed and enjoy the beaches, which is ideal with children and avoids seasickness. The wildlife and snorkelling are just as thrilling; we tailor it to your family.
What ages does this suit?
It works wonderfully for families with children of around six and up who can enjoy snorkelling and walks. The tortoises, sea lions and equator delight all ages, and the naturalist guides are excellent with children. We tailor the pace and activities.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary and full board on Galapagos cruises and at jungle lodges. Ecuadorian food is varied and fresh, so most other meals in the highlands are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights specified in your itinerary, such as to the Galapagos or the Amazon, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
Should I do a Galapagos cruise or a land-based trip?
Both are wonderful. A cruise reaches more remote islands and maximises wildlife, while a land-based trip (staying on the inhabited islands with day trips) is gentler on the budget and better for those prone to seasickness. We help you choose and tailor either.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?
The Galapagos are excellent year-round. The warm season (December to May) brings sunny skies and calmer seas ideal for snorkelling, while the cool 'garua' season (June to November) has more active wildlife and richer waters. We advise on timing.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Galapagos, Andes and Amazon, choose a cruise or land-based Galapagos programme, add Quito, Otavalo or the cloud forest, and tailor everything to your interests and budget.
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