13-Day Family-Friendly Ecuador

See All Photos

Simultaneously stand in the northern and southern hemispheres at the Middle of the World monument. At the Inti Ñan Museum, learn about Ecuador’s ancient cultures, customs, and their way of life. You can also participate in experiments that illustrate the Earth rotational effect. Visit El Jardin Alado in Tumbaco, a rescue station for raptors in a one-hectare large fruit garden. Here you can learn more about the birds and the project that respects endangered bird species through visitor education.

See All Photos

From Quito, drive along the “Avenue of Volcanoes” with views of the Andes Mountains until you see Cotopaxi volcano in the background. Located 55km south of the capital, the “Shining Peak” (in Kichwa language), is the second-highest mountain in Ecuador with an altitude of 5,897 metres and one of the world’s active volcanoes. Go on a 2-hour horseback ride and enjoy the Ecuadorian highlands while you learn about “chagras”: the local cowboys who live in private properties known as “haciendas”.

See All Photos

Enjoy your day joining to the activity you previously registered for, relax at the hacienda reading a book or walk around the area. There are a host of activities, both guided and independent, that you can take part in today. There are several walking and cycling trails that you can take by yourself or you can have a leisurely and enjoyable day at the spa. Fun for all the family, there are cooking classes too.

Early morning, transfer to Quito Airport to fly to Coca. Drive to the Francisco de Orellana harbour and take a motorised canoe down the Napo River for about 2 hours, immerse yourself in the Amazon and observe birds, wildlife, and flora by the riverbanks. Arriving at the Napo Wildlife Centre's entry dock, transfer to a smaller canoe and ride along the narrow creek for another hour and 30 minutes. Keep an eye out for monkeys, toucans, and parrots. At the lodge, sip on a welcome drink and relax.

See All Photos

In the morning, visit a parrot clay lick. Enjoy one of the most exciting and colourful spectacles in the Amazon as hundreds of parrots and macaws feed on the clay. Later, hike along a trail to visit the Kichwa community of Añangu. Here, learn about the community’s different projects, watch and learn about a traditional Kichwa dance, and browse through the local women’s handcrafted jewellery. Return to the lodge to enjoy some free time in the social areas.

See All Photos

After an early breakfast, through the forest to the observation tower. This 36-metre high tower is a great way to experience life from above the trees: flocks of colourful birds, macaws flying by, spider monkeys eating fruit, and more. In the afternoon, walk in the “terra firme” forest and observe different wildlife like lizards, manakins, and monkeys. Then, take a canoe ride to explore the lake and creeks with great possibilities of seeing a giant otter family along the way.

Leave early in the morning for one last canoe ride back up the Napo River. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as giant otters, different kinds of monkeys, and birds. Continue your canoe journey to Coca and then fly back to Quito. When you arrive, you'll transfer from the airport to the hotel.

See All Photos

Today you will be taken to the airport in Quito to take your flight to the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are the highlight of every Ecuador trip; it is the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes in the world. When you arrive, you'll travel straight to Santa Cruz by boat and then take a private car to your hotel. Make a short stop to see the twin crater sinkholes, created by the collapse of a volcanic roof. Then, take an underground journey through a lava tunnel on the way.

See All Photos

During a full day boat excursion you’ll visit one of the islands North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew or Santa Fe. Each of the islands has its own significant beauty to offer and regardless which you’ll visit, you’ll definitely enjoy your time there are you witness the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos. Lunch on board in between explore the islands and snorkelling offshore.

See All Photos

In the morning, you will be free to the visit beaches, volcanic craters, or lava tunnels; look for giant tortoises and endemic wildlife of visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre. Head out and explore or relax on one of Santa Cruz' beaches. In the afternoon, you'll take a speedboat to Isabela and check into your hotel in time for the sunset.

See All Photos

Sierra Negra is in the south of Isabela in between the volcanoes Alcedo and Cerro Azul. The 10 km-wide crater is the biggest in the Galapagos and the second biggest in the world, right after Ngoro Ngoro in Africa. The excursion to the crater starts in Puerto Villamil. From here, transfer by bus to the starting point of the hiking trail, then its a 1.5-hour walk to the rim of the crater, where you can enjoy a spectacular view, on clear days to the island Fernandina located in the west of Isabela.