Family Fun in Galapagos & Ecuador
Family fun is guaranteed with wildlife encounters and adventure activities galore on this fabulous trip that takes in both the culture and countryside of Ecuador, the country’s atmospheric cloud forest and a cruise around the magical bird, marine and wildlife kingdom of the Galapagos Islands. From chocolate tasting to night treks through the cloud forest and swimming with turtles and sea lions, this wonderful holiday has something for all the family.
Journey highlights
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Immerse yourself in the cultural delights of UNESCO-listed Quito, with a stroll around the beautifully preserved colonial Old Town, a visit to the interactive family-friendly museums, an exhilarating ride on the cable car up the side of a dormant volcano and a chance to stand in the Middle of the World.
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Ride across the cloud forest canopy on a Sky Bike, take a guided hike through the forest, wade through rivers, discover waterfalls, paddle a canoe, and enjoy the chance to meet the howler monkeys, peccaries, hummingbirds, toucans, butterflies, jungle frogs and over 400 species of bird that live in the cloud forest.
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Spend four nights cruising the enchanting Galapagos Islands aboard the family friendly Origin, Theory or Evolve. Snorkel, kayak, swim and hike these incredible islands making family memories that will last a lifetime.
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Recharge your batteries with a relaxing stay at a fabulous hacienda. With a wonderful home from home vibe, you can enjoy the sumptuous accommodation, homecooked meals and warm hospitality, along with indulging in a range of fun activities designed to appeal to all age groups.
- Exceptional itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Exceptional Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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Ecuador & the Galapagos can be visited year round. The higher the altitude in the Andes, the cooler it becomes, especially at night. June to September is the best time to enjoy the Andes as this is the drier season. From January to June it is typically hot in the Galapagos and sees sunny days and blue skies interspersed with showers, while the rest of the year is generally cloudier and cooler. From July to September the seas can be heavier and boats tend to go into dry dock for their annual refurbishment around this time. The average temperature ranges from a pleasant 20°C to 28°C, however being on the equator the sun is very strong. Due to limited permits in the Galapagos we advise to book well in advance.
Mashpi is in the heart of the cloudforest, so although there is a lot of rain, you will usually find sun each day as well. Daytime temperatures average 25-28ºC, while at night temperatures drop to around 16ºC. The drier season runs from the end of May to the end September.
Itinerary
Fly to Quito
Quito, Ecuador
Your family adventure begins in Ecuador’s enchanting capital, Quito, with two nights in the city’s historic quarter staying at the Patio Andaluz. Designed around a central courtyard, this restored colonial mansion has 31 spacious and elegantly decorated rooms. Families can book a duplex room offering split level accommodation and a home from home vibe.
Located in the colourful UNESCO-listed Old Town, the hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring Quito’s main attractions. Enjoy a stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Town where locals can still be seen wearing traditional shawls, skirts, little boots, and the original Panama hat. There are lively markets, picturesque plazas, impressive churches, and many artisan shops to explore. We would also recommend both the Yaku Water Museum and Nik Cinematic Museum, which have fun family-orientated exhibits. Or for those with a sweet tooth, a chocolate tasting experience can be enjoyed by all ages.
For fabulous views over the city, climb up to the landmark sculpture, La Virgen del Panecillo or ride the city’s cable car, the El Teleférico cable car (known locally as TelefériQo). This ascends the slope of the dormant Volcán Pichincha. The views from the top are spectacular and there are further hiking trails for the more adventurous. Slightly further afield is the Equatorial Monument, where the 0º latitude, means you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere, literally standing in the Middle of the World. The monument houses the Ethnographic Museum, another family favourite where you can learn about the different regions, geography, and peoples of Ecuador.
Accommodation: Patio Andaluz ( 2 nights )
Cloudforest, Ecuador
Having enjoyed the opportunity to explore the capital city, on your third morning you will be driven into the heart of the Chocó-Andean Cloud Forest by your private guide, for a three-night stay at Mashpi Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. The reserve is full of immense natural and atmospheric beauty, with gushing waterfalls, lush rainforest, and misty rivers, along with the birds, butterflies, and wildlife for whom it is home. With over 400 species of bird including toucans, tanagers, and hummingbirds; primates including howler and spider monkeys, peccaries, butterflies, and jungle frogs, many of which are found nowhere else in the world, Mashpi is a bird and wildlife lover’s paradise.
The lodge offers boutique accommodation, and its contemporary design includes panoramic terraces and glass walls to maximise the rainforest views. During your stay, the whole family can enjoy a range of activities, led by expert naturalist guides. There is something for all age groups and interests, including superb birdwatching and guided hiking, stopping for a swim in one of the spectacular waterfalls. Do try a night hike, which sharpens all your senses to the nocturnal sounds and sights of the wildlife. There is also a butterfly farm with over 200 species of these beautiful creatures, along with an interactive laboratory and Life Centre, where local biologists will talk you through their research programmes.
Within the reserve, families can also enjoy the Observation Tower and Sky Bike. The views from the tower over the rainforest canopy are magnificent, while the Sky Bike involves pedalling a bike along a cable stretched at treetop level through the forest, silently passing alongside the primates and exotic forest birds which cannot be seen from the forest floor. Another exciting experience is Mashpi’s Dragonfly, an open-air cable car system that carries guests over, across and even through the forest canopy. The guides can stop the ride at any point to highlight plants and wildlife of interest along the way.
After three-nights in this fabulous reserve, it’s time for the next part of your adventure. From Mashpi you will be transferred back to Quito to spend the night at the Holiday Inn Quito Airport, ready to board the flight to the magical Galapagos Islands the following morning.
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge ( 3 nights )
Galapagos, Ecuador
The excitement mounts as the plane begins its descent and you get a fantastic aerial view of these enchanting islands, with their other-worldly volcanic landscapes and extraordinary bird, marine and wildlife. For the following four nights, you will have the opportunity to explore the Galapagos Islands, staying onboard Origin, Theory or Evolve, three sister yachts with 10 spacious cabins, some of which are interconnecting.
They are the most comfortable premium-class yachts operating in the Galapagos, combining modern sophistication with quality guiding and accommodating just 20 guests each. They are all members of Relais & Chateaux. With the three boats sailing at the same time they try and match similar guests together, perfect for families.
Daily excursions in the company of your guides allow for exciting wildlife encounters with giant Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, pink-hued flamingos, blue-footed boobies, penguins, and the iconic Darwin finches to name but a few. There’s the chance to kayak, swim and snorkel alongside sea turtles, sea lions, hammerhead sharks and rays; see impressive volcanic sinkholes and visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about the islands’ flora and fauna. With so much to experience, the Galapagos Islands are a fabulous family destination.
Accommodation: Origin,Theory & Evolve ( 6 nights )
Nr Guayaquil, Southern Ecuador
When it is time to bid farewell to the islands, you will take a 2 hour flight to Guayaquil, to then make the scenic journey to Hacienda La Danesa. Once a cocoa plantation, this family-owned hacienda is now a working dairy farm. The welcome is warm, the hospitality fabulous and the accommodation is both luxe and stylish, making La Danesa the ideal place to recharge your batteries before heading home. There are just six lovely guestrooms, so the vibe is personal and intimate. During your two-night stay you will enjoy superb homemade meals created from seasonal, fresh, and local organic produce and can indulge in a range of activities. These include hiking, biking, river tubing and chocolate workshops.
A wonderfully immersive experience, a stay at La Danesa will ensure you arrive home refreshed and rejuvenated after a memorable family holiday.
Accommodation: Hacienda la Danesa ( 2 nights )
Fly home
Call us on 020 3930 4802 to start planning your holiday.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | GBP £10,000 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| December 2024 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| January 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| February 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| March 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| April 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| May 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| June 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| July 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| August 2025 | GBP £10,500 | GBP £1,600 | plan your trip |
| September 2025 | GBP £10,000 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
| October 2025 | GBP £10,000 | GBP £1,500 | plan your trip |
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November 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,000
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
December 2024
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
January 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
February 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
March 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
April 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
May 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
June 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
July 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
August 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,500
Deposit from*GBP £1,600
-
September 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,000
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
-
October 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £10,000
Deposit from*GBP £1,500
- plan your trip
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