Family Tour of Ecuador & the Galapagos

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Quito, Amazon, Cotopaxi

This private family tour combines the best of mainland Ecuador’s diversity: colonial-era Quito, the wildlife-filled jungle and waterways of the Amazon, the beautiful Andean highlands, and a historic hacienda along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Opt to extend your tour to include the enchanting Galapagos Islands, a wonderful destination for family members of all ages.

Begin in Quito, which is set in a verdant valley in the Andes mountains. With your private local guide, tour the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s filled with Spanish colonial-era architecture. Explore the most interesting back streets, hidden courtyard gardens and historic churches with spectacular interiors. Visit a workshop where the next generation of artisans train in woodcarving, ironwork, gilding and other traditional crafts. Other touring options include riding a cable car up a volcano for a panoramic view of the city, bird watching in the Mindo Cloud Forest, and visiting the markets and indigenous villages around Otavalo.

Next, fly to the Amazon basin, also known as the Oriente. Cruise down the Napo River to your jungle eco-lodge, which is set in Yasuni National Park and overlooks a natural lake. Spend the next few days walking through the jungle, bird watching, spotting giant otters and capybara, watching parrot licks, and ascending the observation tower through the jungle canopy to get a glimpse of the monkeys, macaws and other wildlife that make their home there.

Fly back to Quito, then transfer to a historic hacienda built on Inca ruins near Cotopaxi, an iconic snow-capped volcano and national park. Visit scenic attractions and local markets in indigenous villages. If desired, also enjoy privately guided horseback riding, hiking or mountain biking through the countryside.

Next, visit Antisana Ecological Reserve to see the beautiful highland paramo landscapes and look for rare animals such as the Andean condor. Return to Quito for a final night before your onward flight.

Optional Galapagos extension:

Opt to extend the tour and spend six days exploring the Galapagos Islands—a dream destination for nature lovers—on one of our preferred expedition cruises. Each day, tour different islands with an expert naturalist, and get close to giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and other iconic Galapagos wildlife. See the cycle of life up close, which, depending on the season, might include mating rituals, newborns feeding and territorial squabbles. Snorkel among sea turtles, playful sea lions and schools of brightly colored fish. Upon request, we arrange private yacht charters, SCUBA diving and other options in the Galapagos. Depending on your needs, we can arrange family departures on cruises as well as child-friendly activities, children’s menus, nannies and more.

Land-based Galapagos tours (with accommodation at a hotel or villa each night) or longer Galapagos cruises are available, upon request. Contact us for more information.