Ecuador's Amazon and the Galapagos with kids

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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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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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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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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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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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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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