Ecuador & Galapagos Family Adventure - 12 Days

Welcome to Quito, the largest and best-preserved colonial city in South America, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Known as the Cultural Capital of South America, it lies on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.

Once you have arrived in Quito, make your way to the hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, then you may have some time to explore Quito's historic old town and its surroundings.

Later, meet your fellow travellers and guide at 6 PM for a welcome briefing. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Airport transfers are not included on this tour, but we can arrange them for you.

Please note: Although this tour is suitable for families with children aged 8 and over, it is open to all, and you don't need to have children in your booking party!

Quito - Baltra Island (Galapagos) - Puerto Ayora - Puerto Villamil. This morning, we will head to the airport in Quito for our included flight to Baltra Island, part of the Galápagos archipelago and a key stop in Charles Darwin’s journey that inspired his theory of evolution. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our team and begin the journey to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos.

From there, we’ll take a boat to Isabela Island - the largest in the archipelago - formed by six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes are still active, making it one of the most volcanically active areas on Earth. Your first night in the Galapagos Islands is at leisure.

Today, we’ll explore the incredible lava formations along the seashore of this volcanic island, shaped by its most recent eruptions. Known as “Los Túneles,” this otherworldly landscape - featured in BBC and National Geographic documentaries, is a labyrinth of lava arches and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.

As we enjoy included snorkelling through this natural wonder, we’ll swim alongside sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, white-tip reef sharks, and more. The turtles follow their own underwater highways from the mangroves to the open sea, and if we’re lucky, we might even spot playful Galápagos penguins darting through the water.

Before or after the main excursion, you’ll have the option to enjoy additional activities such as snorkeling at Concha de Perla, biking around the island, or simply unwinding on Isabela’s stunning white-sand beaches. Alternatively, you can visit the giant tortoise breeding centre located walking distance from the hotel.

Puerto Villamil - Las Tintoreras Islet - Puerto Villamil. After breakfast, we’ll drive from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead and prepare for our hike to the rim of the massive, lava-filled crater of Sierra Negra, which spans over 10 kilometres at its widest point. If the group is feeling energetic, we can continue to Volcán Chico, a secondary crater with fumaroles and vibrant lava formations - striking examples of the dramatic geological forces that shaped the Galápagos Islands. The total hiking distance today is 6 miles (9.6km) with the optional extension to Volcan Chico taking the total distance up to 10 miles (16km).

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Tintoreras Islet, just a short distance from Puerto Villamil. Here, we will kayak over the turquoise waters, which are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galápagos penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of the nearby beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few places where marine iguanas are known to reproduce.

Puerto Villamil - Santa Cruz. This morning, we cross from Isabela to Santa Cruz and settle into our hotel in Puerto Ayora before visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about endemic species, the island’s vital conservation work and the story behind Charles Darwin's development of his theory of evolution, which he made while studying finches in the Galapagos.

In the afternoon, we journey into the lush highlands to walk among giant tortoises at the Primicias reserve - an iconic Galapagos experience. As well as these gentle giants (some of which are more than 100 years old!), keep an eye out for pintail ducks, egrets, and finches by the freshwater lake. Later, we return to Puerto Ayora for a relaxed final evening in the Galapagos.

Santa Cruz - Quito (Ecuador). After a final breakfast and a few last snapshots of lounging sea lions, we transfer to Baltra Airport for our flight back to the mainland. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Today, you will have a full day at leisure to experience Quito at your own pace.

Alternatively, you can opt to join a colonial city tour & the equator line tour, starting with a walk through Quito’s charming streets. Visit landmarks like the Golden Church, San Francisco Square, and the Main Square, and stop by “Cruz Verde,” where Luis and his family have crafted traditional Colaciones candy for over 100 years. Then head north to the Equator Monument to stand in both hemispheres at once, with a quick stop at the Pululahua crater.

Or, join a Mindo cloud forest tour, exploring lush canopies filled with toucans, hummingbirds, and vibrant birdlife. Cross cable cars, hike to waterfalls, and enjoy optional adventures like rafting, tubing, or ziplining.

Alternatively, join an Otavalo market fair tour, ascending into the highlands to stroll cobblestone streets and browse vibrant textiles, ceramics, and jewelry offered by locals in traditional blue ponchos.

Quito - Cotopaxi National Park - Llanganates National Park - Banos. After breakfast, we head south along the Avenue of Volcanoes toward Cotopaxi National Park, passing through vibrant Andean landscapes. The park sits at an altitude of 3,657 metres above sea level, offering stunning views of the surrounding highlands and the towering Cotopaxi volcano.

Once we have arrived at Cotopaxi National Park, we will embark on a hike around the Limpiopungo Lagoon, located in the foothills of the Ruminahui Volcano. Here, we will be able to enjoy views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards Llanganates National Park, also known as the Sacred Mountain. Our destination is the town of Banos, which marks the gateway to the Amazon.

Banos - Llanganates National Park - Banos. Today, we’ll embark on a thrilling mountain biking adventure through Llanganates National Park, descending into the Pastaza River Canyon while soaking in the cool, misty atmosphere of the cloud forest. As we cycle, we will pass through Andean farms and a canyon with many waterfalls.

As we make our way down into the jungle, we’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Banos, a town renowned for its incredible location at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which is the main attraction in the area and has remained active since 1999.

Returning to our accommodation in Banos, you'll have some free time to explore the town and we will also visit the Swing at the End of the World (not included).

Banos - Llanganates National Park - Amazon Jungle. Today, we’ll set off on the Waterfall Route, beginning with a visit to the Bride’s Veil waterfall. We’ll take the Tarabita (cable car) across the Pastaza River before hiking down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second tallest in Ecuador. Afterward, we’ll head further into the lush wilderness of Llanganates National Park.

Llanganates, meaning "beautiful mountain" in the local language, is a place rich in legend and history. Over 600 years ago, the Incas hid their gold treasures here, and many explorers have ventured into the dense jungle in search of them, some never returning. During our hike through the tropical rainforest, we’ll climb through several stunning waterfall canyons, immersing ourselves in this pristine, untouched landscape.

As we travel, our local native guide will share insights into the incredible flora and fauna that thrive in this unique habitat. We’ll then spend the night at a Local Basic Jungle Lodge, run by a Kichwa indigenous family, where we can experience the warmth of the local culture.

Please note: We will stay in basic accommodation with private rooms, but the bathroom is shared. The rooms are clean, and each bed is equipped with a mosquito net. While there is no electricity in the rooms, a social area is available for charging devices.

Amazon Jungle - Papallacta. This morning, we’ll head to the Jatunyacu River, where we’ll receive a safety briefing from our rafting guides. Then, we’ll embark on a Class III rafting adventure down the river, known for its crystal-clear waters and thrilling rapids. Along the way, we’ll enjoy games and explore one of the canyons. The trip will conclude with a picnic prepared by our local guides.

Afterward, we’ll head back into the Andes to Papallacta, where you can unwind in the volcanic hot springs, nestled high in the refreshing Andean mountains.

Our tour ends today after breakfast. Your airport transfer is not included, so you can make your way back to Quito, the airport or your next destination independently. We can assist with a transfer, should you require assistance.