Depart to Quito. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Ecuador and Galapagos Family Tour
9 Days/8 Nights
From $5,459 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Venture to the Highlands of Ecuador and the Galapagos on this captivating family tour. Witness the creation of handicrafts by Andean natives. Spend the night at Hacienda Pinsaqui, and appreciate its rich history. Experience one of the most important indigenous markets on the continent in Otavalo. And, journey to the Galapagos Islands for a five day cruise aboard the M/V Santa Cruz II to observe fascinating volcanic landscapes and endemic animal species.
Lodging, Meals, and Airfare: This tour includes accommodations for 8 nights (3 nights in Quito, 1 night in Otavalo, and 4 nights aboard the Santa Cruz II), 20 meals (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners), and domestic airfare in Ecuador.
Best Time to Go: Year-Round.
Destinations: South America, Ecuador, and Galapagos.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, Expedition Cruising, Family Tours, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Quito, Otavalo, the Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island, Bartolomé Island, Genovesa Island, Rábida Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Santiago Island.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.
Dry Landing: Guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet Landing: As the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Today, you will head north along the Panamericana Highway to Otavalo, home to one of the most popular indigenous markets in South America. Enjoy the remarkable scenery along the way, passing by rose plantations and other farms, mountain lakes, and extinct volcanoes.
The first stop is the Middle of the World, an equatorial monument at latitude 0º, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. There is an interesting Ethnographic Museum inside the complex, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador.
Other stops, where you will witness local artisans at work, include San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its woodcarvings, Cotacachi, known for its leather goods, and Peguche, where textiles are still woven in old-fashioned pedal shuttle looms.
Lunch at Hosteria Puerto Lago, on the shores of San Pablo Lagoon. Following lunch, you will be taken to Hacienda Pinsaqui, a former colonial textile hacienda with a rich history, for check-in. You will have the afternoon free to explore the grounds of the hotel or enjoy horseback riding (not included). Overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui. (B,L,D)
This morning, you will visit the Otavalo Market, featuring textiles, jewelry and other handicrafts, fruits and vegetables, and spices in outdoor stalls. Witness the colorful traditional clothing of the natives, and bargain with them for the best price.
After the market, you can also visit the nearby Parque Condor, where raptors and other birds of prey, including the Andean Condor, are rehabilitated. Lunch at local hacienda, then depart for Quito, arriving late afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Patio Andaluz. (B,L,D)
Morning transfer to the airport in Quito for the flight to Galapagos. You land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II, where you receive a welcome introductory briefing, and lunch.
Las Bachas. This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, learning about the area’s distant and recent history. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave.
Puerto Egas. Once you disembark at the beach, you can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, you head off for a walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and you can also observe a colony of fur-sea lions. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a longer walk. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Rábida. Some groups will go for a fascinating panga ride along the shores while others will disembark on Rábida Island’s red-colored beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Your walk brings you close to a colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond hosts migrating greater flamingos at certain times of year. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. During navigation to the next island, dolphins are sometimes spotted!
Bartolome. Today’s activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of this famous island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. There’s great snorkeling and swimming from the beach plus the chance to ride the glass bottom boat. After returning to the ship, you then split into two groups, the first lands for a hike to the summit of this diminutive island that boasts fantastic views of the archipelago. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms and handrails – the view from the top is worth the effort! The second takes to the pangas to explore the rugged and volcanic shoreline. The groups then swap activities. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Prince Philip Steps. The morning starts with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat rocky plateau. Along the walk, you can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions).
Darwin Bay. In the afternoon, you land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following the dip, you take an easy stroll to observe hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
You start the last morning at the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, your luggage will be taken to the airport, while you visit the Tortoise Reserve in the Highlands of Santa Cruz. A dry landing at a passenger’s wharf and a bus ride to the loftier region of the island will provide the last highlight of the cruise: giant tortoises in the wild. The windward slopes of the island are home to two species of giant tortoises. These lush highlands include dense forests of Galapagos daisies, orchids and bromeliads, and several endemic land birds.
After this visit you will be transferred directly to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito. Overnight in Quito. (B)
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin | $5,459 | $3,579 |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until December 23, 2018.
- The Child rate is based on one child under 12 sharing a Horizon Deck Family Cabin with two adults paying full fare.
- There is a high season (Dec 24, 2018-Jan 03, 2019) surcharge of $167 per adult and $123 per child.
Departure Dates
Friday departures based on the Northern Islands itinerary (as shown above), and Monday departures based on the Western Islands itinerary (not shown). Call for available dates.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Three night accommodations at the Hotel Patio Andaluz (or similar) including service fees and taxes.
- One night accommodations at Hacienda Pinsaqui (or similar) including service fees and taxes.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Santa Cruz II.
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100/$50).
- Transit control card ($20).
- All meals scheduled on board and others as indicated on the itinerary.
- Daily excursions to the islands conducted by English-speaking naturalist guides.
- Evening briefings and lectures.
- Use of snorkeling equipment, sea kayaks, and a glass bottom boat.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare ($498/$382).
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to ship crew and guides (suggested $25/person/day).
- Bar, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Additional Details
Group Private: The transfers in and out of Quito on the first and last days of the tour and the excursion to Otavalo are private. The transfers on the first and last day of the cruise, and all services in the Galapagos are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: Quito is 9,350 feet above sea level, and Otavalo is 8,399 feet.
IGTOA’S Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund: South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA’s Galapagos Traveler Conservation Fund, we contribute $20 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You’ll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.
Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more www.darwinfoundation.org. The remainder goes toward IGTOA’s mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Ecuadorian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of a cabin on this ship for your desired dates of travel. The non-refundable deposits for single, double, and triple passengers are $1,100, $1,100, and $1,000 per person, plus the cost of the airfare (if we arrange it for you).
