Galapagos Islands and Inca Ruins

• All entrance fees

• Accommodations based on double and triple occupancy at comfortable and distinctive tourist level hotels

• Most meals; we leave off a couple so your family can explore on your own.

• Travel in groups of 15 to 25 people

• Services of a bilingual guide who will accompany you throughout your trip

• Land transportation, airport transfers and internal air

• All excursions

• Bottled water and snacks

• Travel insurance – Travel Insured International policy

• Groups of 8 or more will be accompanied by a mentor whose primary jobs will be to provide kid-friendly enrichment activities for up to an hour each day that enhance the overall trip experience; to provide organized fun for kids that helps them get to know each other; to provide things for kids to do during delays, flights and long bus trips (our teen trips don’t include mentors)

• Ages 6 to 16 will be matched with pen pals with whom they can correspond and then meet in country (our cruises of Inside Passage of Alaska and our teen trips don’t include penpals)

• There may be slight variations to this listing for certain adventures

Day 1 – Depart U.S. /Arrive Guayaquil
Welcome to Ecuador! With a stunning landscape and a history dating as far back as 3,500 B.C., the first leg of your two-part adventure has much to offer. From ancient archeological sites of the Cañari and the Inca to modern villages where locals are happy to share their traditions, you and your family will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage waiting to be discovered in Ecuador.

Days 2 to 4 – Andean Highlands
Leaving behind coastal Guayaquil, we’ll venture up into the Andean Highlands. Rolling hillsides nestle the ruins of lost civilizations such as the Cañari, a sophisticated society of astronomers who ruled this area for a thousand years before being conquered by the Incas. The Incas controlled the Andean Highlands for less than a century; the Spanish arrived in the 1530s, and by 1557 the rubble of Incan buildings was being used to create the colonial city of Cuenca.
Hike the Highlands
Enjoy a short hike along the trails of the Andean Highlands and be amazed by the views of the valley and local fields. Along the way you'll learn about the indigenous tribes that once ruled the area.
Friends Across Borders
Thomson families love this program! Children traveling with us can choose to exchange letters with a local child of a similar age before leaving for their adventure. Then, while on the trip, kids can meet their new friend during a scheduled activity, like soccer or hacky sacking. It’s amazing how such interaction can be a real eye-opener for everyone involved.
Rock climbing at Cojitambo Mountain
Our expert mountaineers will teach you the ins and outs of rock climbing at Cojitambo, a mountain sacred to the native Cañari Indians.
Bargain at Mercado 10 de Agosto in Cuenca
Get a feel for the local way of life by going bargain shopping at Mercado 10 de Agosto, one of Cuenca’s largest markets.

Days 5 to 7 – Galapagos Islands Cruise
Board the Galapagos Explorer II for a first-class, three-night cruise through one of the true wonders of the natural world. Our cruise ship is 293 feet long and holds only 100 passengers, so families have plenty of room to spread out and can enjoy the journey without experiencing the motion of a smaller vessel. Experienced naturalists lead two shore expeditions per day to seek out wildlife and help our families learn about the fascinating natural history of these volcanic islands.

Welcome to Darwin’s Enchanted Islands…
San Cristobal Island
Some say these Islands are like zoos without the bars, and San Cristobal is a great place to get started. Look for land iguanas at Dragon Hill and marine life as you snorkel along the coastline, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see the rare Chatham mockingbird.
Española Island
Its remote location helps make it the jewel of all wildlife viewing. On your walking adventures look for sea lions, iguanas, masked and blue-footed boobies, sea turtles and views of lava cliffs where sea water jets high in the air.
Santa Cruz & Rabida Islands
See enormous tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station on the larger Santa Cruz Island, and look for pelicans, pink flamingos and pintail ducks in the shallow salt water lagoons on the red sand beaches of tiny Rabida Island. This is an ideal spot to swim with the sea lions, so don’t forget your underwater cameras!

Day 8 – Galapagos Islands / Guayaquil
After one more activity in the Galapagos, we say goodbye to these enchanted isles and hello to mainland Ecuador once again!
Farewell dinner
Say good-bye to your guide and fellow travelers while sharing your favorite moments from your adventure.
Day 9 – Depart Guayaquil / Arrive U.S.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/3/2012 - 3/11/2012	$5,390
4/14/2012 - 4/22/2012	$5,390
6/8/2012 - 6/16/2012	$5,590
6/22/2012 - 6/30/2012	$5,590
7/6/2012 - 7/14/2012	$5,590
7/20/2012 - 7/28/2012	$5,590
8/3/2012 - 8/11/2012	$5,590
8/17/2012 - 8/25/2012	$5,590
12/21/2012 - 12/29/2012	$5,790
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

When you think of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands surely come to mind. Stunning beauty and an abundance of wildlife are the trademarks of these volcanic islands. For years to come, you and your children will reminisce about all of the wonderful species you saw on these islands – many of which are found nowhere else on earth.

The Galapagos Islands are home to more than 25,000 species of plants, 6,000 species of butterflies and 1,600 species of birds. On Santa Cruz Island, enormous tortoises find refuge at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Tiny Rabida Island is home to pelicans, pink flamingos and pintail ducks in its shallow salt water lagoons and red sand beaches. On San Cristobal, the incredible wildlife includes iguanas and the rare Chatham mockingbird. Walking on lovely, remote Española Island, your family may encounter sea lions, blue-footed boobies or sea turtles as you stroll past lava cliffs where sea water jets high in the air.

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 6+

Teen Rate (12-17) 2012: $5290 - $5690

Child Rate (<12) 2012: $4540 - $5340

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

Internal Air Discount: Children under 12 subtract $200

Extensions: This trip is great in combination with one of our Peru adventures. International air to/from Lima and Quito not included.

If you have a few more vacation days to take advantage of while you’re in South America, go on our Peru extension. A family adventure that includes the Galapagos Islands AND Machu Picchu can’t be beat.

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