Overview & Highlights
An enriching holiday for adults and children alike, exploring a rainforest –fringed Amazon tributary from a river boat and the wildlife of the Galápagos on an island-based stay.
- Walking tour of Old Quito
- All excursions from the Manatee river boat
- Activities from Hacienda Zuleta in the Andean highlands
- Activities fromyour hotel Finch Bayin the Galápagos Islands
- Swimming and snorkelling around the Galápagos Islands
Tiny Ecuador is a perfect destination for families. The country is compact and easy to get around, so journeys tend to be short and scenic. Sitting at the crossroads of the equator and the high Andes, Ecuador encompasses an extraordinary diversity of geography and climate. Here your family will have a truly exotic and educational experience, with lots of fun built in, mind boggling landscapes and trusting wildlife.
Quito sits amid a bowl of snow-capped mountains and volcanoes and is the capital of Ecuador. You get to explore the old city and also to spend a couple of days in the highlands, staying at a hacienda (ranch) dating back to Spanish colonial times, from which you can explore the prairies on foot or on horseback.
Between these adventures you travel to Ecuador’s Amazonia - it sounds remote but in fact it is easily reached. Your family has a unique opportunity to spend a few days on a cruise following the jungle-fringed banks of the Napo, a major tributary of the vast Amazon river.
Fly to the Galápagos Islands, but instead of taking a conventional cruise you will stay on one of the main islands, Santa Cruz, close to the town of Puerto Ayora with its many facilities. You can choose from a menu of optional guided explorations offering plenty of opportunities to marvel at the giant tortoises, swim and snorkel with sea-lions and eyeball prehistoric-looking iguanas.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Transfer to your hotel in the historic centre of Quito.
Day 2
Guided walking tour of colonial Quito.
Day 3
Fly to Coca in the Amazon and board your expedition boat Manatee.
Day 4
Explore the Amazon jungle by canoe.
Day 5
Visit an indigenous Amazonian community.
Day 6
Climb and observation tower, visit a bird-filled biological reserve.
Day 7
Fly back to Quito and continue to your ranch in the Andean highlands.
Day 8
Optional activities from the hacienda.
Day 9
Transfer to Quito and fly to the Galápagos Islands (around 2 hrs).
Days 10-12
Explore the Galápagos on land and by boat.
Day 13
Fly back to the mainland and connect with your international flight.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
This tour is an excellent introduction to Brazil and will appeal to anyone with an interest in wildlife and landscapes. In the Pantanal, there are excellent chances to get quite close to many birds, mammals and reptiles. But having an armadillo sit on my foot at dinner was quite a surprise.
KM, Basingstoke
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Jamie Swan - Travel Consultant
Jamie backpacked across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil before joining us; he has a degree in politics and is also a keen sportsman..
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Quito
Casona de la Ronda
Galapagos Islands / Isabela (Albemarle) / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
Finch Bay
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Otavalo and the northern highlands
Hacienda Zuleta
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / The Ecuadorian Amazon / The Amazon
