Ecuador and Galapagos Family Tour

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.

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)