Family Fun in Galapagos & Ecuador
Quito, Mindo Cloud Forest, Galapagos IslandsEcuador is a wonderful destination for families, with an incredible array of wildlife to be found, adventure activities galore and short traveling times in between destinations. This itinerary includes time in the mysterious cloudforest and a cruise around the Galapagos Islands where you can get up close to wildlife both on land and in the water for an unforgettable experience. A perfect introduction to Ecuador for those traveling with children or teenagers.
At a glance
Snorkel, kayak and hike on the Galapagos Islands with fearless and unique wildlife
Stay at Mashpi Lodge in the cloudforest and enjoy adventures up in the canopy on the lodge's sky bike
Highly qualified naturalist guides make for an awe-inspiring and educational experience
Spend four nights cruising the enchanting Galapagos Islands aboard one of the best expedition vessels, La Pinta, which offers a wonderful interactive family program
Journey highlights
-
Snorkel, kayak and hike on the Galapagos Islands with fearless and unique wildlife
-
Stay at Mashpi Lodge in the cloudforest and enjoy adventures up in the canopy on the lodge's sky bike
-
Highly qualified naturalist guides make for an awe-inspiring and educational experience
-
Spend four nights cruising the enchanting Galapagos Islands aboard one of the best expedition vessels, La Pinta, which offers a wonderful interactive family program
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
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
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.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| February | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| March | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| April | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| May | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| June | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| July | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| August | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
| September | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| October | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| November | $13,700 | $3,400 | plan your trip |
| December | $14,400 | $3,600 | plan your trip |
-
January
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
February
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
March
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
April
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
May
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
June
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
July
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
August
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
-
September
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
October
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
November
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$13,700
Deposit from*$3,400
-
December
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 vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$14,400
Deposit from*$3,600
- plan your trip
Itinerary
Fly to Quito
Quito
Become acquainted with Ecuador’s enchanting capital, Quito, with two nights in the city’s historic quarter. Explore the picturesque Old Town and stroll around pretty plazas, perhaps taking the cable car up over the city for incredible views. A privately guided tour has been included to bring the city to life, taking in its historic center, as well as the Middle of the World monument where kids can get stuck in with a selection of games and experiments on the equator line.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena ( 2 nights )
Quito
From Quito you will be driven into the heart of the cloud forest by your private guide for a three night stay at Mashpi Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. Masphi's setting is atmospheric and enthralling as it blends into the forest of ferns, bromeliads and orchids with its architecturally impressive glass design. With a staggering 500 species of birds, it is the perfect place to head up into the misty tree-top canopy or embark on a wildlife hike through the forest, binoculars in hand. Naturalist guides accompany you through the forest to watch for howler monkeys, peccaries and hummingbirds, toucans and tanagers. Discover waterfalls and wade through rivers, climb observation towers, take the gondola as you rest weary legs, visit the hummingbird station or the butterfly research facilities to chat with resident biologists and head out by night to experience this magical setting from an entirely different perspective.
Accommodation: Mashpi Lodge ( 3 nights )
Quito
Head back to Quito for one more night and enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the many international standard restaurants, or get an early night ready for your flight in the morning.
Accommodation: Casa Gangotena ( 1 night )
Galapagos
This morning you will fly to the Galapagos Islands, a cluster of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador which is home to a high concentration of endemic wildlife. Encounter sea lions and iguanas from the moment you arrive and embark on snorkeling or kayaking excursions for a face to face experience with sea turtles and sharks, as well as manta rays, fur seals and comical blue footed boobies. Spend four nights cruising the archipelago aboard La Pinta, a spacious mid-size yacht which carries no more than 48 guests with expert naturalists guides on board to escort you onto the islands and enthral with talks on board the boat. The ship has a fantastic family program, as well as interconnecting cabins which makes it a wonderful choice when traveling with younger kids.
Activities aboard La Pinta include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Center, walks on land to impressive volcanic sinkholes, kayaking and snorkeling and trips out on the glass-bottom boat to take in the underwater world. In your free time enjoy the facilities which include a Jacuzzi and natural history library. On the final morning, fly back to Quito or Guayaquil on the mainland to connect with your flight back home.
If you wish to spend more than four nights in the Galapagos then La Pinta also offers a seven night itinerary covering the western islands in depth. Alternatively, there are some great hotel options on the island of Santa Cruz which are perfect for an extension to your trip and allow an ideal opportunity to relax.
Accommodation: La Pinta ( 4 nights )
Fly home
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
-
![Colonial Quito - Quito & Centre of the World]()
Read moreExplore Quito & the Middle of the World
A private half day guided tour of Quito exploring the colonial center, monasteries and churches, before heading to the "Middle of the World" monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere on the equatorial line!
-
![Cloudforest - Mashpi Life Centre]()
Read moreMashpi Life Center
A center for learning and research, the Life Center at Mashpi is a great place from which to observe wildlife and learn more about the surrounding cloudforest which is brimming with birdlife and rare species of flora.
-
![Walks - Night walks at Mashpi]()
Read moreNight walks at Mashpi
Embark on walks within the cloudforest at night as it undergoes a transformation and the nocturnal creatures come out of hiding. Observe tree frogs, owls, toads and a variety of mammals with assistance from your naturalist guide and a flashlight.
-
![Travelling through the forest - Sky bike at Mashpi Lodge]()
Read moreSky bike at Mashpi Lodge
A unique way to explore the cloudforest canopy, pedal a sky bike along a cable stretched at treetop level through the forest. Imagine ziplining but traveling at your own pace, silently passing birds and primates.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
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.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind