For expert help planning your South America vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| Enchanted Galapagos and Andean Highlands
A 9-Day tour starting from $4,590
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| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Y our family will experience the rich culture of the Andes and the amazing natural history of the Galapagos on this truly incredible family vacation. Our journey begins in the rolling highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes. We visit with villagers and artisans, learning about their ancient culture and shopping for crafts in colorful markets. You and the kids can join in some fun optional activities, such as horseback riding or mountain biking, and we’ll also go on a beautiful hike around Lake Cuicocha. Then we head west into the Pacific for our nature cruise among the Galapagos Islands, one of the planet's most fascinating ecosystems. Each day we disembark on a different island to explore, swim and view the almost tame wildlife. We offer two cruises, including a four-night cruise for those times of the year when families have longer vacations. 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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• 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 QUITO
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Ecuador family vacation begins. DAYS 2 TO 4 – ANDEAN HIGHLANDS Ecuador should not be known for the Galapagos Islands alone. Over the years we’ve found our families return raving about how unexpectedly wonderful the highlands experience was. Get your bargaining skills honed! Travelers young and old love to go to Otavalo Market with just a few bucks and see what they come out with. Tour of Colonial Quito Condor Project Friends Across Borders meeting (pen pals) Otavalo Market Hike at Cuicocha Lake Free afternoon at Hacienda Cusin 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 Española Island Santa Cruz & Rabida Islands DAY 8 – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS / QUITO Santa Cruz Island DAY 9 – DEPART QUITO / ARRIVE U.S.
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. All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.
Internal Air = $400 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. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
