Amazon & Galápagos Wildlife Adventure for Families - 10 Days

Highlights

• Spot wild monkeys, toucans, parrots, and sloths in the Ecuadorian rainforest
• Meet the Indigenous people of the Amazon and learn about their way of life
• Snorkel with friendly sea lions and gentle sharks on Isla San Cristóbal
• See giant tortoises in their natural habitat on Isla Santa Cruz
• Kayak through the crystal waters of Tortuga Bay and spot rare and colorful birdlife

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador! Your driver will be waiting at the airport to take you on the 45-minute journey to your Quito hotel. Settle in, then take some time to acclimatize to the 9,350-foot (2,850 m) altitude before heading out to explore the Ecuadorian capital. If the kids want to stretch their legs after the long flight, head to the Parque Metropolitano Guangüiltagua—one of Latin America's largest urban parks—and enjoy views of Quito below while getting up close to the park's many llamas.

For something a little more relaxing but equally thrilling for young ones and adults, take the steep TelefériQo cable car to the top of Cruz Loma, one of the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Once back down in the city, spend the evening exploring Quito's famous culinary scene. Kids will love llapingachos—griddled potato patties stuffed with cheese.

Day 2: Fly to El Coca, Transfer to Yasuní National Park & the Amazon

Get ready to enter the rainforest! Your driver will be waiting to take you to Quito's airport this morning, where you'll catch a quick flight 40 minutes east to El Coca, a small town that serves as a gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Once you arrive, you'll travel along the Río Napo by canoes to reach your lodge accommodations in Yasuní National Park. This is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world, supporting thousands of species of mammals, plants, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Remind the kids to look up as you travel down the river—they're likely to spot monkeys and colorful birdlife among the trees!

Once you're settled at the lodge, start your Amazon exploration off with a visit to the Napo Cultural Center. Here you'll have the chance to step into the territory of the Indigenous Kichwa Añangu community and meet its members, who will welcome your family with a traditional wayusa (an energizing herbal infusion). In the afternoon, take a gentle family-friendly hike to catch some more glimpses of rainforest wildlife, or opt for a short kayaking excursion to experience a sunset over the Río Napo. Head back to your cabin, and after a rest, enjoy a well-deserved dinner. Tonight you'll fall asleep to the relaxing sounds of the Amazon.

Day 3: Kichwa Traditions, Observation Tower & Traditional Dinner

Feel the pulse of the rainforest today and start with a visit to the intercultural interpretation center Kuri Muyu, which means "Gold Seed" in the native language. Managed by the women of the community, also known as Mamakuna, the center offers curious kids the opportunity to learn about the Kichwa culture, crafts, customs, and traditional use of natural resources from the rainforest's original inhabitants. 

Return to the lodge for lunch, then set out on an hour's hike to reach a local observation tower. At the top, kids will get a bird's-eye view of the rainforest canopy and have the chance to see wild animals that they've probably only ever seen in zoos and cartoons: such as howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, and sloths. In the afternoon, you can head back to the lodge for some well-earned naps or set out on a canoeing trip for some more wildlife spotting. 

After working up an appetite with today's adventures, the whole family will be treated to a dinner of traditional Amazonian dishes, such as maito—grilled fish wrapped in a bijao leaf. Adventurous palates can sample the grilled worms, locally known as chontakuru. Extra points to any kids willing to try this wriggly specialty! After dinner, prepare your flashlight for a night walk around the lodge when the rainforest really comes alive. Spot interesting insects, reptiles, and even nocturnal mammals such as night monkeys.

Day 4: Fly to Quito, Visit the Mitad del Mundo & Explore the Capital

This morning, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you participate in a traditional Kichwa ritual. Rouse the kids before sunrise and start the morning with the traditional herbal drink known as wayusa. Listen to songs in the local language, meditate, and learn how to interpret dreams as the Kichwa do. It's an experience full of harmony, peace, and joy, and well worth the early rise! Afterward, have breakfast and board a motorized canoe for your return trip along the Río Napo to El Coca, where you'll catch a flight back to Quito. 

After settling into your Quito hotel, your local guide will be waiting to take you on a trip to the equator monument of Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), located around 16 miles (26 km) north of the capital. This is where French scientists determined the position of the central line many years ago, which has since been slightly adjusted to the north by 787 feet (240 m). Get some great pics of the kids standing with one foot in each hemisphere before visiting the museum, which houses an old train station, a beer museum, and chocolate exhibits, among much more!

If you want to squeeze as much out of a day in Quito as possible, join an evening tour of the well-preserved city center to see historic buildings in the glow of streetlights. This is a good way to introduce the children to some Latin American history during their stay. Visit sites such as the Palacio de Carondelet, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Italian Renaissance-style Catholic church La Iglesia de El Sagrario, and finish the tour at the top of Panecillo Hill, where you'll be treated to sparkling views of Quito at night. 

Day 5: Fly to Isla San Cristóbal & the Galápagos

It's time for the next phase of your Ecuadorian adventure! Let the little ones sleep in after yesterday's travel, then meet your driver after breakfast for a transfer to the airport. A three-hour flight will take you to Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost island of the Galápagos and the first of the islands visited by Charles Darwin on his 1835 expedition. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to take you to your hotel to get settled. When you're ready, head to the local interpretation center, where kid-friendly interactive activities will introduce the whole family to the island's rare wildlife and ongoing conservation efforts.  

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk to Las Tijeretas Hill, where you can spot the distinctive red-breasted tijeretas (frigatebirds) that inhabit and nest in the area. If you visit the island from June to October, you may also be lucky enough to spot whales in the distance. Finish the day at nearby La Lobería, a beach that's home to friendly sea lions and marine iguanas. The kids will probably be dying to jump into the crystal waters, so don't forget your swimsuits! Head back to your hotel for the evening, and rest up for tomorrow's excursion.

Day 6: Full-Day Tour of Isla San Cristóbal: Snorkeling & Swimming

Today you'll enjoy a full-day tour of Isla San Cristóbal's most iconic sites by boat and foot, so you don't have to worry about the little ones getting tired! Start early and head to Rosa Blanca, a charming bay situated in the northeast and known for its breathtaking beaches. Make sure to get the family equipped with snorkeling gear so you can get into those clear waters and look out for turtles, rays, and sea lions. Afterward, take a full loop around the island by boat before stopping for lunch at Punta Pitt while observing local fishing demonstrations.

Next, venture to Bahía Sardina, a stunning bay with two white-sand beaches, where you'll have even more snorkeling opportunities. Here, you and the kids may even have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with friendly sea turtles, rays, and sea lions. Hop back in the boat and pass by Cerro Brujo (Witch's Hill) while keeping your eyes peeled for the unique birdlife among the rocks.

Your final destination is Kicker Rock, an uninhabited islet that appears like a massive rock formation but is technically an eroded cone of volcanic tuff (ash). This towering rock is home to an array of incredible wildlife, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, numerous fish species, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and rays. 

Day 7: El Junco Lagoon, La Galapaguera & Puerto Chino Beach

Today your driver will take you into the island's lush, green highlands, where the family can get up close to the most iconic creature of the archipelago: the giant Galápagos tortoise! At the La Galapaguera breeding center, you'll be able to see tortoises of all shapes and sizes, from tiny hatchlings all the way up to impressive adults, whose lifespan can reach 100 years. Their enormous size—weighing up to 330 lbs (150 kg)—is bound to impress the children!

On the way back down, make a stop at El Junco Lagoon, a freshwater lake approximately 2,300 feet (700 m)  above sea level. Spot frigatebirds showering in the freshwater to remove salt from their feathers, and look out for white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules in the surrounding vegetation.

Continue to the southeast of the island until you reach Puerto Chino Beach, a remote stretch of coast with a variety of winged and flippered inhabitants. Stretch out on the white sand and soak up the sun while the kids splash about and snorkel in the water. If the little ones want to explore farther afield, take a hike into the mangroves that lie just behind the dunes, where you'll hear the chatter of finches. You can even spot sea lions sunbathing on the rocky outcrops. After a day of beach, mountains, lakes, and forests, you'll be ready to head back to the hotel for your last night on Isla San Cristóbal.

Day 8: Speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz, Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Station

Say your goodbyes to Isla San Cristóbal this morning as you catch the three-hour speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz. This large island lies at the center of the archipelago and is home to its largest town of Puerto Ayora. After dropping your bags at your hotel, you'll join your guide and head to a tortoise reserve in the island's highlands for a chance to more of these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Task the kids with spotting the differences between these tortoises and the ones on San Cristóbal―a clear sign of how each evolved to suit their unique habitat.

In the afternoon, you'll continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, scientists from all over the world meet to work together on environmental projects covering subjects like water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. Child-friendly explanations and interactive exhibits mean the kids can learn and have fun at the same time. At the end of your visit, your driver will take you back to Puerto Ayora, where you can find some delicious local food in one of the town's many restaurants and relax back at your hotel. 

Day 9: Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Bay Tour

Grab your swimsuits and sunscreen today as you set out on a morning kayaking adventure! Begin with a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora to the heavenly Tortuga Bay, famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery. Then don your lifejackets and paddle out onto the water to see diverse wildlife up close and admire the coastline from a different perspective. Spot colonies of marine iguanas and seabirds, as well as mangroves, cacti forests, and fascinating flora. Pelicans and finches are local to the area, and if you're lucky, you may even spot some flamingoes.

After kayaking at the nearby cove, sunbathe on the beach or go for a swim before returning to Puerto Ayora, where tired little ones can grab a nap back at the hotel. Later in the afternoon, you'll get back out on the water with a scenic boat trip around Santa Cruz Bay. Stop at the small islet of La Lobería, where the kids will love snorkeling around sea lions and tropical fish. Afterward, head to the Shark Channel, where you can point out blue-footed boobies and harmless whitetip sharks. Then it's time to cruise back to Puerto Ayora, where you can enjoy your last dinner out in the Galápagos before turning in for the night.

Day 10: Fly to Quito, Depart

If there's enough free time before your transfer to the airport, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora. When the time comes, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you'll cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the terminal, where you can connect with your departure flight. See you next time!

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