Ecuador's Amazon and the Galapagos with kids

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    Explore the Galapagos with kids | Travel Nation
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    Paddle along the Napo River in the Amazon jungle | Travel Nation
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    Get up close to the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands

    Get up close to the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands

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    Discover the scenery of the Galapagos Islands with your family | Travel Nation

    Discover the scenery of the Galapagos Islands with your family

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    The Nemo II is the only ship of its kind in the Galapagos

    The Nemo II is the only ship of its kind in the Galapagos

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    Discover the incredibly diverse islands

    Spend 4 days cruising through the volcanic archipelago of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands

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    Spend 3 nights in the heart of the Amazon | Credit: Sacha Lodge

    Spend 3 nights in the heart of the Amazon | Credit: Sacha Lodge

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    See the sea lions of the Galapagos Islands | Travel Nation

    See more sealions than you can shake a stick at!

Tailor-made holidays

Duration(in days): 16

From: UK - Quito

To: Guayaquil - UK

From

£4,385

Inc. International flights (pp - based on 2 adults, 2 children)

Get a quote

or Call 01273 099433

See more ideas for: Ecuador

    This family itinerary gives you a once in a lifetime chance to explore Ecuador’s Amazon and the Galapagos with kids. Over the course of 16 days, you’ll visit three world-famous ecosystems brimming with stunning landscapes and wildlife. A balance of nature, action and relaxation, it has all the ingredients of an unforgettable holiday. 

    You’ll visit Ecuador’s main cities and then journey into the cloud forest, rich in biodiversity and packed with little-studied wildlife.  After this, you’ll spend 3 nights in the Amazon jungle before finishing the holiday with a 5-day Galapagos cruise. Meet blue-footed boobies, penguins and giant tortoises, swim with sea turtles, walk the paths of the real Paddington bear and paddle canoes along the Amazon jungle’s rivers.

    This itinerary can be tailored to suit your family’s special requirements. Simply contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.

    This holiday includes

    • International and domestic flights
    • All transfers
    • All accommodation in Ecuador and Galapagos  
    • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary      

    Highlights

    • Spot several species of hummingbirds and toucans in the cloud forest.               
    • Visit the places where the real-life Paddington bear lives!        
    • Ride motorised canoes along the rivers in the Amazon jungle. 
    • Take thrilling family canopy walks and witness jungle life from 30-metres above the ground!  
    • Swim with sea turtles and penguins in the Galapagos.  
    • Watch marine iguanas swim effortlessly in the Galapagos waters.          
    • See the curious mating dance of the blue-footed booby.            


    Itinerary in brief:

    • 3 night in Quito               
    • 2 nights in the Cloud Forest       
    • 3 nights in the Amazon
    • 4 nights in Galapagos
    • 1 night in Guayaquil      


    Day 1: Depart UK

    Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

    Included:  International flight

    Day 2: Arrive Quito

    When you land in Quito, you will be met and driven to your hotel in the historic centre. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to spend as you wish.

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    Discover Quito's picturesque plazas, cobbled streets and beautiful 17th century facades


     

     

    Included: Transfer, hotel

    Day 3 and 4: Mindo Cloud Forest

    This morning, you’ll be picked up early for the drive to Mindo. The journey takes around 2 hours and passes through some beautiful landscapes. When you arrived at the lodge, breakfast will be waiting for you. You’ll spend 2 nights here in a comfortable family cabin with amazing views. 

    As a family, you will be able to choose from all sorts of guided activities, allowing you to pick the experiences that match your sense of adventure. Alternatively, you can opt to explore the area on your own. No matter what you decide, the lush surroundings and the wealth of wildlife will make for an unforgettable family experience.

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    Spot Ecuador's Plate Billed Mountain Toucan | Travel Nation

     

     

    Included: Transfers, excursions, full board, hotel            

    Day 5: Back to Quito

    In the morning, you can take part in a final activity at the lodge and enjoy the cloud forest until mid-afternoon. At around 3pm, your driver will collect you and you’ll begin the journey back to Quito, arriving at approximately 5pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

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    Wander along the streets of Quito's colonial Old Town | Travel Nation


     

     

    Included: Breakfast, lunch, transfers, hotel        

    Day 6: Fly to the Amazon

    Today, you will take a short flight to Coca, the gateway to the Amazon jungle. Staff from your lodge will welcome you at arrivals for the 2-hour transfer to your accommodation, deep in the jungle. When you arrive at the lodge, you will meet your naturalist guide and decide which activities to take part in during your stay. The lodge sits in a vast jungle reserve and there are all kinds of ways to explore this fascinating realm of biodiversity. There’s absolutely no chance of the kids getting bored!

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    Spot monkeys between the branches in the Amazon | Travel Nation


     

     

    Included:  Transfers, domestic flight, full board, excursions, hotel          

    Days 7 and 8: Amazon 

    Life in an Amazon lodge is brilliant fun for families. Your days will start early and be action-packed, helping you make the most of your stay. Together, you can set off on canoeing trips, canopy walks, night nature walks and river adventures. You can also make visits to local communities, learn about the way of life in the jungle and even try the indigenous cooking techniques! However, your activities will be spread evenly through the day, giving you time to relax as a family.

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    Paddle along the Napo River in the Amazon jungle | Travel Nation


     

     

    Included: Excursions, full board, hotel 

    Day 9: Fly to Quito

    This morning you will join your last activity before taking the transfer back to Coca airport. Here, you’ll board the flight to Quito and when you arrive you’ll be driven to your hotel. You’ll spend one night in Quito before your Galapagos adventure begins!

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    Explore the coastal city of Guayaquil | Travel Nation


     

     

    Included: Breakfast, morning excursion, transfers, domestic flight, hotel            

    Days 10 to 13: Galapagos

    After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Quito airport, where you’ll catch a flight to the Galapagos Islands. You’ll spend the next five days exploring the different islands of this enchanting archipelago aboard a wonderful Galapagos cruise. During the cruise, you will meet most of the species that make the Galapagos so famous across the world: land and marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, sea turtles and many more.

    Both on land and under the water, you will discover why the Galapagos is one of the world’s greatest wildlife hotspots. You won’t have to go in search of the animals, they will be all around you in plain sight. This makes the Galapagos a brilliant destination for families. During the cruise, you will make two guided landings and take one snorkelling excursion per day, with plenty of time to relax on the deck between activities. Everything is included here. Three daily meals, snacks and safety measures are all provided by an experienced crew who will ensure that you have a fabulous family adventure.

     



    Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, lunch, dinner, cruise accommodation

     


    Day 14: Fly to Guayaquil

    After breakfast this morning, you will disembark the boat and the crew will take you to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil. On arrival, you will be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll spend 1 night here before beginning the journey home. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

     


    Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel     

    Day 15: Depart Ecuador     

    You will be picked up at a suitable time and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

    Included: Breakfast, transfer, international flight          

    Day 16: Arrive UK


     

    Thanks to their equatorial location, the Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination. No matter what time of year you travel, you are guaranteed great wildlife encounters in the Galapagos. In general, June to December is called the ‘dry season’, which is known for its blue skies and midday showers. This is also the dry season on Ecuador’s mainland. Over this period, sea mammals and land birds are most active in Galapagos and conditions are better to visit the Amazon.

    December to May is considered the ‘warm season’. During this period, the climate is more tropical and there is usually daily rain. The skies are cloudier and the water temperature is warmer, making it great for swimming and snorkelling. Island birds are especially active in this season.

    We've made a similar trip...

    If you'd like to get a feel for this trip, read our blog post 'Discovering the Galapagos by tall ship' written by one of our consultants who has been there.

    This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements. Please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.

    What's included
    • International and domestic flights
    • Return airport transfers
    • All other transportation              
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Snorkelling equipment on board the Galapagos cruise
    Not included
    • Any meals not mentioned
    • Personal expenses
    • Tips and gratuities
    • Galapagos National Park fee ($100 per person to be paid locally by cash only)
    • Galapagos Transit Card ($20 per person to be paid locally by cash only)
    • Alcoholic and soft drinks

    9 nights in 4* standard hotel accommodation and 4 nights in two twin cabins on board the Nemo II.

    Hotels in this category include:


    • Vieja Cuba

    • Bellavista Lodge

    • Sacha Lodge

    • Hotel Unipark