10 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Relaxed Family Trip to the Galápagos Islands: Santa Cruz, Isabela & San Cristóbal

Perfect for families seeking quality time together while discovering unique wildlife, this 10-day family trip to the Galápagos Islands hits the highlights of Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and Isla San Cristóbal. Delight young ones (ages three and older) during kayak adventures, snorkel excursions, and a trip to an uninhabited island. Plus, with time at the Charles Darwin Research Station and a giant tortoise reserve, the entire family will leave feeling a deeper appreciation for Ecuador's conservation efforts.

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! Your family-friendly adventure begins on Isla Santa Cruz, letting little ones dive into the wonderful world of travel during an easy 45-minute hike to Tortuga Bay. Settled in, it's off on a fairytale-like excursion to an uninhabited island. The entire family will love watching blue-footed boobies in their natural habitat, followed by an afternoon at the Charles Darwin Research Station to meet the famous giant tortoises. Next, treat kids to a delightful scenic flight to Isla Isabela, and upon arrival, head straight out for a family beach day at Playa Concha Perla.

Over the following two days, spend uninterrupted time as a family, playing in the natural tidal pool of Playa de Amor and enjoying a day at your own pace—biking, visiting Laguna de los Flamingos, or exploring the island's beautiful highlands. Then, it's back to the airport for a quick flight to Isla San Cristóbal. With three days here, there's plenty of time to engage young ones inner explorer during a family kayak adventure, time at the giant tortoise reserve La Galapaguera, and a hike to Punta Pitt. In between, enjoy a family picnic, time at the beach, and sunset strolls before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ecuador & the Galápagos Family Nature Tour

Discover Ecuador's capital city, Quito, and the Galápagos Islands on this 10-day family city and nature tour, featuring a cable car ride up Pichincha volcano, ziplining through Mindo Cloud Forest, and snorkeling alongside sea lions at Kicker Rock. With wildlife encounters on Isla Lobos and relaxation at Papallacta's natural hot springs also on the agenda, this trip offers a well-rounded experience with exhilarating and leisurely options for children six years and up. 

Your family trip begins with an exhilarating four days in Quito. Start by burning off any extra energy during a visit to Parque La Carolina, then kick back and let a local guide sort logistics on a private family tour, complete with a visit to the famous Mitad del Mundo. Head to Mindo Valley the next day and choose as a family to zipline, visit the Butterfly Garden or hike to nearby waterfalls before spending your last day in Quito as you please, leisurely strolling the plaza, attending a private family cooking class, or treating older kids to a day trip to the Cotopaxi National Park.

As Day 5 rolls around, it's time to fly to Isla San Cristóbal of the Galápagos Islands. After settling into your hotel for four nights, learn about the island's wildlife at the Interpretation Center, then let little animal lovers spot them in the wild during a hike to Las Tijeretas Hill. A relaxed free day on the kid-friendly beaches of Isla San Cristóbal is next on the agenda, followed by a memorable boat trip to Isla Lobos and a day snorkeling around Kicker Rock. With your trip coming to an end, spend your final night rejuvenating and having watery fun back on the mainland at the Termas de Papallacta resort near Quito. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Galápagos Family Tour: Quito & Isla San Cristóbal

Families looking for a mix of culture, wildlife, and beaches at a comfortable pace will love this Galápagos family tour split between Quito and Isla San Cristóbal. Let local guides lead the way on a Quito city tour, a trip out to Kicker Rock, and a paddleboarding excursion. In between, enjoy watching young ones dive right into the activities during a family cooking class, snorkeling, hiking, searching for wildlife, and visiting the Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve.

Begin your 10-day family adventure in the bustling capital of Quito, shrugging off the long plane ride while checking out reptiles and amphibians at the Vivarium. Then, wake early for a tour led by an enthusiastic local guide and let little chefs get hands-on during a family cooking class. Next, delight the kids with the opportunity to straddle the equator at Mitad del Mundo and an evening at a family salsa class. Then it's off to the Galápagos Islands. After a 3.5-hour flight, you'll find yourself on Isla San Cristóbal getting your first taste of the archipelago's natural wonders at the Interpretation Center.

You'll leave no activity untried with four more days on Isla San Cristóbal. Enjoy watching young ones discover the underwater world during a snorkel trip to Isla Lobos, spend quality family time on Playa Carola, and discover the importance of conservation work at the Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve. Then, spend a day on the water, admiring Kicker Rock and playing on Bahía Sardina Beach, before catching a flight back to Quito. While your trip may be winding down, you'll still squeeze in a chocolate tasting and a morning at the interactive Yaku Water Museum until it's time to say farewell to Ecuador. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Galápagos Multi-Island Family Adventure

Families who prefer keeping on the move and packing in the activities will find this 10-day multi-island adventure the perfect fit for their trip to Quito and the Galápagos Islands. Between standup paddleboarding on Isla San Cristóbal, snorkeling and biking on Isla Isabela, and hiking on Isla Santa Cruz, kids and adults alike will enjoy learning new things while gaining a deeper appreciation for nature-focused activities. 

Your adventure-packed family trip begins in Quito, exploring Parque La Carolina, capturing iconic family photos straddling the equator at Mitad del Mundo, and spending time with a local chef learning to prepare empanadas. Hop on a flight bound for San Cristóbal next, and fill two days discovering the colorful sea creatures while boating and snorkeling around Kicker Rock and fishing at Punta Pitt. Your island-hopping tour then continues to Isla Isabela. After settling into your family-friendly accommodation in Puerto Villamil, you'll tour Las Tintoreras in search of the playful blue-footed booby.

Over the following two days, you'll pack in plenty of adventures, including a visit to Los Túneles to snorkel among seahorses, turtles, and colorful fish and a day exploring the island's highlights on a bike tour. Hop aboard a speedboat bound for Isla Santa Cruz next and enjoy watching kids become greater nature stewards while learning about giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Before catching your onward flight from Isla Baltra, spend your last full day as a family boating and snorkeling around Isla Pinzón or Isla Santa Fé. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Amazon & Galápagos Wildlife Adventure for Families

Crafted for wildlife-loving families, this 10-day trip takes you on exciting excursions through the Ecuadorian rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. Throughout the adventure, watch as kids delight in spotting monkeys, toucans, sloths, sea lions, and giant tortoises. Top that with fun-filled educational tours and quality time learning about Indigenous communities, and you have the perfect mix of culture, adventure, and animal encounters.

After arriving in Quito and beginning your trip with an introduction to Ecuador's culture through a visit to Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua, you'll switch gears and fly to El Coca—the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Help the kids into your canoe and paddle to your accommodation in Yasuní National Park. Begin your exploration with a visit to the Napo Cultural Center to be welcomed by the Indigenous Kichwa Añangu community, followed by a trip to a local observation tower and a thrilling night walk on the agenda. Head back to Quito next and squeeze in a visit to Mitad del Mundo and an evening city tour before flying to the Galápagos Islands.

Your first destination is Isla San Cristóbal, the perfect base to let young ones learn to snorkel at Rosa Blanca and admire colorful sealife at Kicker Rock. Next, enlist the help of a driver guide and get up close to the giant Galápagos tortoise at La Galapaguera until it's time to speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz. Enjoy an educational stop at the Charles Darwin Research Station, then spend your final full day kayaking the calm waters of Tortuga Bay and letting kids snorkel around sea lions at La Lobería before ending your family adventure in Quito. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Galápagos Islands Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos Islands? Check out these other 10-day Galápagos itineraries, with island-hopping cruises, land-based trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.