Galapagos and Amazon Family Adventure Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome Meeting in Quito

Feel free to explore the beautiful city of Quito today prior to your evening welcome meeting. At 6 pm you’ll meet in the hotel lobby, where you’ll have the chance to chat with your guide and learn about the exciting adventure to come.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Meals: None

Day 2 Travel to Isabela Island in the Galapagos

This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Baltra, followed by transportation by water to Isabela Island.

This island is mostly uninhabited except for its wildlife citizens. Watch the sunset over the water during your first night, enjoying the serenity.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Tortoise Breeding Center and Biking Adventure

Today you’ll be exploring Isabela Island by bicycle during a 5-hour ride. You’ll be travelling the back roads of the island to discover short walking trails that lead to beautiful scenic lookout points.

You’ll then ride to Playa del Amor, which is the home of the largest iguana population on the island. After watching these amazing lizards, you’ll continue your journey to the Tortoise Breeding Center. Here you’ll learn about the conservation efforts being made to help the tortoise population.

Ride past the flamingo lagoon and back into town for a relaxing evening by the water.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Snorkeling at the Lava Tunnels

Your adventure for today is a boat ride to the lava tunnels, or “Los Tunneles.” These amazing volcanic arch-like formations are home to many amazing species, including the famous blue-footed boobies. Explore from the boat and then grab your snorkel to look for white-tip reef sharks and golden or eagle rays.

While you’re eating lunch on the boat, see if you can spot some of the penguins that live in the area.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5 Kayak and Snorkel at Tintoreras

Enjoy a relaxing morning on the gorgeous island before your afternoon kayaking excursion. You’ll be paddling to Tintoreras, a volcanic rock formation with underwater canyons perfect for your family to explore.

Look for blue-footed boobies and penguins while you paddle, and then jump in the water and go snorkelling with the fish, turtles, and sea lions.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Giant Tortoise Reserve

Start the day with an early morning boat ride to the island of Santa Cruz. When you arrive you’ll pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and the special efforts being made to grow the tortoise population. After you’ve learned all about the tortoises, you’ll pay them a visit to their natural habitat at the “El Chato” reserve.

Return to town and the rest of the day is free to explore Puerto Ayora. Check out the boat docks at night and you might catch the sharks and rays playing in the underwater lights.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Return to the Mainland

Today will be a travel day as you return to Baltra for your flights to Quito. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy the city for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Kayaking and Camping

This morning you’ll drive to the Amazon Basin. Expect to be amazed as you watch the landscape slowly change into the lush leafy vegetation of the rainforest.

Everyone will load into their kayaks for a three-hour paddle up the Punin River. You’ll stop and set up camp near a local Kichwa community, where some of its members will join the group in the evening to share stories from their lives.
Overnight Location: Camping near Kichwa in the Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Kayak on Arajuno River

Wake up early for a canoe ride to visit the colourful parrots as they hang out at the clay lick in the jungle. You can continue watching for rainforest birds such as toucans, kingfishers, oropendolas, and hawks as you take your kayaks up the Arajuno River.

Lunch will be a waterside picnic before you continue to paddle to the jungle lodge where you’ll be spending the night.
Overnight Location: Wilderness Lodge in the Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 Visit Wildlife Reserve and Anaconda Island

Today your family will be visiting the AmaZoonico Wildlife Reserve, where you’ll learn about their important work returning animals to their natural habitat. Then you’ll take a jungle hike to see if you can spot some of the monkeys or other animals they’ve rescued in the past. While you’re there, you’ll also learn about the medicinal uses of some of the plants and some fun jungle survival skills.

In the afternoon you’ll visit Anaconda Island to meet the family that lives there and learn about their life in the jungle. There may even be a chance to feed the local caiman!
Overnight Location: Wilderness Lodge in the Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 Relax at the Hot Springs

After a busy trip exploring, today is about relaxation! On your way back to Quito you’ll stop at the Papallacta Hot Springs. Indulge yourself while you soak in the healing waters of these natural volcanic hot springs, and try out the pools at all different temperatures.

Feeling pruny and relaxed, return to Quito for your last evening in the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Departure

Your tour officially ends after breakfast and check-out. Now it’s time to begin your trip home or continue on with your travels!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast