Ecuador & the Galapagos for Families

Galapagos Safari Camp is a 55-hectare farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The camp was built with the owner’s young family in mind. The farm is rich in birdlife with finches, warblers, mockingbirds, Galapagos doves, egrets and owls — tortoises also make frequent visits. The family suite comprises three connecting rooms which can sleep a family of 6. Children are very welcome to come and stay at the Galapagos Safari Camp, there is an outdoor pool and games room for little ones, the camp offers kid-friendly art and cookery classes, beach combing, treasure hunts, movies, and story-telling. And the camp works with guides who have their own children, so they can adapt activities to suit all ages. The camp is a perfect base from which to explore the islands where private guiding, full day excursions to other islands, inland walks, horse riding, trekking and diving can all be organized. Similarly, it can offer a relaxing and peaceful extension after a Galapagos cruise.

The M/V Santa Cruz is a particularly good option for families wishing to visit the Galapagos islands, with its variety of accommodation, special children's activities and selected family departures during the summer. A trip to the Galapagos is a great experience for children, combining both learning and adventure. Children aged 6 years and above are welcome on-board the M/V Santa Cruz and the 'Young Pirates' programme, for ages 6-12, makes sure children have a fun time whilst allowing adults some free time. There are special children’s menus, earlier meal times and children’s activities including handicrafts, Galapagos movies, puzzles and stargazing.

The eco-friendly Pikaia Lodge provides guests with the unique opportunity to explore the fascinating natural heritage of the Galapagos Islands while staying on dry land. The lodge is located at 1,300 feet above sea level in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and is close to some of the best land and sea visitor sites of the Galapagos National Park. The lodge welcomes children 8 years and older, but they should be accompanied by an adult during all explorations and activities to ensure safety. Pikaia Lodge operates a varied schedule of daily land and boat excursions in small groups on their private yacht. There is so much to see, do and explore in the Galapagos - observe wildlife, go hiking, swimming, sea kayaking, snorkeling. scuba diving, fishing and mountain biking. The "Homo Sapiens" Explorers Lounge is located in the main building with a 24-person seating capacity where programmed nature talks take place. Temporary art and photography are also exhibited to promote local artists and scientific knowledge.

Napo Wildlife Center is superbly situated overlooking Lake Anangu and is the only lodge within the protected Yasuni National Park, offering an exclusive rainforest experience. The lodge is run with the full participation of the native Añangu community and is 100% community owned. There are lots of exciting and educational activities for children. Home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, several trails lead through pristine forest. Days can be spent on paddle dugout canoes along tannin-rich black water creeks and lakes in search of wildlife from river otters to water-loving birds, and by night walk in the forest to observe nocturnal wildlife and canoe on the river in search of caiman and night bats with the aid of torches. Unique to the lodge, there are also two clay licks within easy reach, where your family can watch hundreds of brightly coloured parrots and macaws congregate in huge flocks to feed on the clay.

The Silver Galapagos is a 100-guest ship that forms part of Silversea Expeditions’ luxury fleet, and a cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard this vessel is simply the most luxurious way to experience this enchanting archipelago. We would recommend a minimum age of 7 years to fully experience all that this ship has to offer. When travelling with children, the interconnecting suites are the best option. Expeditions ashore are guided by Silversea's experienced expedition team. Observe unique highland ecosystems, hike through lush mangrove forests and across volcanic fields, explore natural lava tunnels, watch for wild flamingos, read cave inscriptions from the 1800s, and learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Research Station. There will be many opportunities to swim and snorkel while learning more about the sea life found in the clear waters that surround the islands.

The 142-foot M/V Origin combines a high level of comfort, attention to detail and service, with quality guided land excursions. Head out in small groups with expert naturalist guides for a highly personalised introduction to this unique corner of the Earth; a truly life enriching family experience. Your family can go on guided nature walks, venture out in a clear-bottom kayak, glass-bottom boat or stand up paddle board to get a different perspective on the unique marine life. Meander along stretches of secluded beach, swim with playful sea lions, and snorkel among penguins and sea turtles. A trip to the Galapagos can be very rewarding and informative for children and the Origin offers special family departures during school holidays. Children are looked after by dedicated guides who organise educational and fun activities and kid friendly meals. Kids can visit the bridge and learn about astronomy, navigational charts and tie nautical knots with the Captain. Special parties include movies and popcorn, games with prizes, drawing...

The hotel has 31 sumptuous guest rooms, some with Plaza views, and a wide terrace on the third floor offers further impressive views over the Old Town, the Panecillo hillside, the Pichincha Volcano and special events such as the Easter procession from the San Francisco Church. The hotel's cosy glass-roofed patio, meanwhile, is perfect for relaxing, with a garden planted with orchids and flowers just beyond. At Casa Gangotena, your family is perfectly located to explore the beautiful city of Quito, one of the best preserved colonial cities in the Americas, with a wealth of beautiful churches, monasteries and other historical buildings. It is possible to arrange a ride on the teleferico cable car with fantastic views over the city and the snow-capped mountains, a visit to the equatorial monument, or a trip to one of the colourful Indian markets such as Otavalo or Saquisili.

Mashpi Lodge, built with the latest techniques in sustainable building, has been designed to blend beautifully with its surroundings. The biological wonders at Mashpi Lodge will delight the most jaded nature lover. Surrounded by lower montane rainforest and cloud forest, the lodge is engulfed by a profusion of plant species, from ferns and bromeliads to hundreds of orchid species, many newly-discovered. An incredible 500 species of bird, call the surrounding forest home, while monkeys, peccaries and even puma also inhabit the reserve. A sure highlight for your family at Mashpi Lodge is the Dragonfly aerial tram, which glides you over 2 km through and above the forest canopy. Trails loop around the reserve, taking you to waterfalls, and right into the heart of the forest.

La Selva is well-geared up for family adventures and offers specific family packages, as well as a Junior Naturalist Program to capture those wild imaginations. On arrival, children receive a special kit for young adventurers which includes items such as crayons and magnifying glasses. Junior Naturalists will be given a list of fun tasks from finding food in the jungle to learning animal calls and paddling canoes, all with the help of the specialist guides at the lodge. Here you can Hike forest trails, visit the butterfly farm, climb the observation tower and scout for wildlife, observe parrot clay licks and paddle along the river in kayak. Night walks and canoe rides are also included in programs and your family can even enjoy a cooling swim in the lagoon at your leisure.

Children are very welcome at the Finch Bay and the friendly staff do their best to ensure families have an enjoyable and comfortable stay. Four of the ocean view rooms are connecting and the pool is great for children. The Galapagos is home to a wealth of fascinating wildlife and is a truly idyllic destination for lovers of nature and the outdoors. Various activities can be organised by the expeditions team at Finch Bay. Finch Bay has its own motor yacht, the Sea Lion, which visits nearby islands. Other activities on Santa Cruz island itself include mountain biking, scuba diving, visits to ranches, bird watching and kayaking. A trip to the Galapagos is both educational and fun, with great opportunities to learn about the local flora and fauna and enjoy activities such as snorkelling with sea lions and sea turtles and coming face-to-face with ancient giant tortoises.

Children and families are welcome throughout the year on the Sea Star Journey. With children in mind, the ship has a twin connecting cabin, the Galapagos Grand Odyssey suite. The boat also has a play zone during family departures, which includes a Nintendo Wii, board games, movies and other entertainment. The Galapagos Islands are a must for wildlife lovers who will be enthralled by the curious nature of many of the unique inhabitants such as blue-footed boobies, penguins, giant tortoises and sea lions. Being in the Galapagos is much like a safari, the crew includes a bilingual Galapagos National Park Naturalist Guide who will explain the fantastic flora and fauna that you will see on the islands. If your family members are active enthusiasts, certain islands offer more adventure than others such as longer hikes or cave rappelling.

Hacienda Zuleta is a colonial working ranch surrounded by the natural beauty of the Andes Mountains and fertile farming valleys. Local farm workers are only too pleased to show guests the dairy and cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, an embroidery workshop owned by the indigenous community, and the successful condor-recuperation and raising project. Wonderful Ecuadorian cuisine is created from fresh ingredients from Zuleta's organic garden and farm, and all meals are carefully prepared by hand. Other facilities include lovely gardens, cosy living and reading rooms, horse-riding, mountain bikes and horse drawn carriage rides. Children are very welcome at Hacienda Zuleta. Babysitting can be arranged upon request, and suites for families and adjoining rooms are available.

Quito Polo Club sits in the small neighborhood of La Palma in Puembo, a region of beautiful rolling scenery which benefits from the dramatic Andes Mountains as a backdrop. Quito Polo Club feels miles away from anything, yet sits conveniently close to Quito's International Airport, making it a fantastic place to unwind before or after a long-haul flight. Quito Polo Club itself is a great option for families, offering luxurious and comfortable accommodation, along with plenty of facilities to fill your days. As well as polo classes, you can enjoy playing tennis, or even use the football fields. Children especially will love the outdoor activities here and can make the most of the outdoor pools, riding lessons and extensive grounds.