Ecuador Family Adventure

Ecuador Family Adventure
The smallest of the Andean countries, Ecuador nevertheless punches well above its weight. Straddling the
Equator, this tiny gem is packed with cloud forests and snow-capped mountains, shimmering jungles and
colonial cities. With UNESCO World Heritage sites, Amazonian rainforests and the unique wildlife of the
Galapagos on offer, it is perfect for adventurers of all ages!
In colonial Quito you’ll get a chance to take a cable car up Pichincha Volcano and visit the ‘Middle of World’,
before heading south to take a bike ride through the stunning Cotopaxi National Park. Driving through the
‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ and into the Amazon Basin, there will then be a chance for horse riding, swimming
and an exhilarating white-water rafting trip down the Jatunyacu River before returning to Quito.
The second part of the adventure then takes you on to the remarkable Galapagos Islands, one of the world’s
last great natural wonders. A unique living laboratory, it is home to giant Galapagos tortoises and marine
iguanas, and you will get a chance to swim with penguins and sea lions and take a tour of the fascinating
Charles Darwin Research Station.
Highlights
Experiment at zero latitude and stand with one foot on either side of the equator
Zip-wire through the forest canopy and get close to hummingbirds and giant butterflies in the Cloud
Forest
Mountain bike or trek around the spectacular Cotopaxi National Park
Explore the rainforest, horse ride and tackle white-water rapids in the Amazon
Step over iguanas, snorkel with sea lions and discover the extra-ordinary wildlife of the Galapagos
Islands
Tour includes:
12 nights hotels/guesthouses, 1 night traditional hacienda
13 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
Internal flights to/from the Galapagos Islands
4 day/3 nights Jungle Experience (full board) including activities
5 day/4 nights land-based Galapagos Adventure (full board)
Entrance fees (except Galapagos conservation fee: paid locally)
Private guided sightseeing/excursions including all entrance fees
Private driver and vehicle
Private guided transfers to and from all airports
Please note the prices shown above are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Upon arrival you will be met by your driver and transfer straight to your
hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, acclimatise and explore Quito.
Day 2: Quito
Today you explore the countries diverse capital and visit the equator. Starting off with a city tour of the old
town, packed with vintage facades, churches and plazas, you'll then take the teleférico (the cities impressive
4000m cablecar) up Pichincha Volcano to see the spectacular views down the valley. A short drive from Quito
is Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world), the equator monument where you can stand with one foot in the
northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere. After a visit to the science museum, and some
interesting tests at zero latitude, you return to Quito for the night. (B)
Day 3: Quito - Mindo - Quito
Mindo is a tiny town reknowned for it's incredible bio-diversity, set amidst the spectacular cloud forest, popular
with both nature and adventure lovers alike. Starting at a butterfly farm, you will be be dazzled by the many
species and see orchids and an array of colourful humming birds. Heading into the heart of the cloud forest,
you then embark on a unique adrenaline fuelled 'flying fox' experience high in the tree-tops, sailing on a
network of zip wires from tower to tower through the forest canopy. Finally, before returning to Quito for the
night, you take a chocolate making tour, learning about the production process from bean to bar, and sampling
the local delicacies! (B)
Day 4: Quito - Cotopaxi
Departing Quito on the Panamerican Highway, you head 80km south to
Cotopaxi National Park, paying a short visit to the local museum.
Ascending to 4500m above sea level, you are greeted by great views of
11 surrounding mountains (including Antisana, Cayambe, and Illinizas),
as you don your safety equipment and mount your bike. This spectacular
down-hill ride onto the high plains allows you to immerse yourself in the
beauty of Ecuador's premier park. Enjoying a picnic lunch and snacks
enroute, you spend the night at a local ecolodge. (B,L)
Day 5: Cotopaxi - Tena
Departing Cotopaxi, your journey takes you along the awe-inspiring 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' and the
scenery changes dramatically as you descend from the Andes to the Amazon Basin. After checking in to your
lodge, you'll start your jungle adventure, horse-riding through the lush forest and along rivers. This activity is
guided, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders alike. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Tena
Today you learn about the incredibly diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, as you venture into the wilds.
You will be accompanied by a native guide/naturalist who can explain about the flora and fauna you
encounter, as well as some interesting insights into medicinal properties of the plants. Returning to the lodge
there is time to swim in the pool or river before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Tena
An adrenalin-packed day today, as you take on the Jatunyacu river for a spot of white-water rafting. As well as
navigating some of the exhilarating grade 3 rapids with your experienced rafting guide, you'll also get to drift
down the calmer stretches where you can appreciate the passing scenery. Again this activity is suitable for
beginners as well as experienced rafters. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Tena - Papallacta - Quito
After breakfast you begin your return journey to Quito, stopping en route to enjoy a spot of pampering at
Papallacta. Famed for exquisite hot-springs boasting renowned curative properties, there are over 15 pools
fed by natural springs, heated by the nearby volcanoes with temperatures of between 36 and 40 degrees
Celsius. There is also an on-site spa offering an excellent array of treatments and a small network of trekking
trails. (B)
Day 9: Quito - Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz)
Today you'll fly from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands, before
taking a short ferry across to the island of Santa Cruz, where you will
check into your accommodation. After lunch you head to Garrapatero
beach, famed for it's tropical white sands and abundant flamingoes and
mockingbirds. Taking an easy trail, you'll also visit a freshwater lake to
spot a wild array of other bird life, before returning to the hotel for a
welcome cocktail and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz - Floreana)
Today you'll embark on the 'Tortoise Quest Tour', starting at "Los Gemelos" (The Twins). These two enormous
collapsed lava chambers are an awe-inspiring reminder of the power of nature, and the walk to get there is
swarming with endemic flora and fauna. After a visit to a private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises
freely roam, you'll arrive at a 450m (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel, where stalagmites, stalactites, sulphur
and mineral coloured walls all await you on this uniquely Galapagos experience. Sailing on to the island of
Floreana, you visit Black Beach to enjoy a spot of snorkelling or simply relaxing, before returning to your
lodge and enjoy a tradition Galapaguena dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Galapagos Islands (Floreana - Isabela)
After breakfast you'll depart to the highlands of Floreana, where you'll walk up to see the Peace Asylum
spring, Pirate's Cave and Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) - a great spot to watch the antics of the famous Galapagos
finches. After a visit to a tortoise reserve, you board a boat for the island of Isabela, spotting blue-footed
boobies and penguins en-route. After a bay tour of Las Tintoreras littered with marine iguanas, you return to
the dock for an opportunity to swim with sea lions, penguins and more. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Galapagos Islands (Isabela - Santa Cruz)
You'll begin today with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in all of
Galapagos, Long Beach. From here you walk up the trail for astounding views from the top of Cerro Orchilla
and visit the "Wall of Tears", stepping over the lava lizards that congregate on the path. Departing by
speedboat to Santa Cruz, you'll take a tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station, and then
have free time to shop for souvenirs, before returning to the lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Galapagos Islands - Quito
Returning to the domestic airport you'll board your flight back to the sprawling metropolis of Quito, arriving in
the late afternoon. (B)
Day 14: Quito
Day 14: After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
Accommodation
Quito
Patio Andaluz Hotel
Galapagos
Red Mangrove Aventura Hotel
Cotopaxi National Park
Hacienda El Porvenir
Tena
Hakuna Matata Lodge