Itinerary Notes
Family adventures are designed for groups travelling with children between the ages of 6 and 17. Your group must have a child in order to book a Family tour, and anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The itinerary has been designed with the needs of the whole family in mind.
Day 1 : Quito
Arrive at any time.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative
The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.
Acommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito
Optional Activities - Day 1
Quito City Tour & Equator Line
Quito 9h
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day Trip
Cotopaxi - Alausí
Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the afternoon. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travellers in the group**
Acommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito
Day 2 : Quito/San Cristóbal Island
Fly to San Cristóbal, the easternmost island of Galápagos and one of the oldest. The principal town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galápagos. Visit La Lobería beach and keep your eyes open for marine life while you snorkel.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on Mann Beach or swimming with playful sea lions as the frigate birds glide on the thermals.
In the evening, opt for a dinner and sample some of the island's fresh fish and produce.
Plane
Quito - San Cristóbal Island 3h
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Snorkelling From La Lobería beach
San Cristóbal Island 3h
Visit La Lobería beach and be greeted by a colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open for marine iguanas on the black rocks and search for sea turtles in the shallow bay while you snorkel.
Free time:
San Cristóbal Island Afternoon
Free time on San Cristóbal gives an opportunity to make the most of the variety of activities available here. Hire a bike for a ride around the island or rent snorkelling equipment and search for marine life. Choose to take a walk around the area and enjoy island life.
Acommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel
Acommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 3 : San Cristóbal Island
Snorkelling trip to Isla Lobos to search for marine life like sea turtles and manta rays and swim with sea lions. In the afternoon
visit the Interpretation Centre and learn more about the history of the Galápagos, sometimes referred to as “the Enchanted Islands.” Spend the rest of the remainder of the day relaxing on Mann Beach or swimming with playful sea lions as the frigate birds glide on the thermals.
The day begins with a short boat ride to Isla Lobos, an islet populated by numerous sea lions, which give the island its name. Spend the day snorkelling – a fantastic opportunity to observe the abundant marine life that Galápagos is renowned for. Back aboard the boat, sail to San Cristóbal, visit the Interpretation Center and then have free time to enjoy the beaches and surrounding areas.
Boat
San Cristóbal Island - Isla Lobos 1h
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Snorkelling (Isla Lobos)
Isla Lobos
Snorkel the waters of peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigatebirds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife watching haven.
Boat
Isla Lobos - San Cristóbal Island
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Interpretation Center Visit
San Cristóbal Island 1h - 2h
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.
Free time:
San Cristóbal Island Afternoon
Free time on San Cristóbal gives an opportunity to make the most of the variety of activities available here. Hire a bike for a ride around the island or rent snorkelling equipment and search for marine life. Choose to take a walk around the area and enjoy island life.
Acommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel
Acommodation
Blue Marlin Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 4 : San Cristóbal Island/Santa Cruz Island
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island. On arrival, visit the highlands of the island to see Galápagos giant tortoises in the wild.
Please note: Seas can be rough during this voyage. Please bring sea sickness medication if you need it.
Speedboat
San Cristóbal Island - Santa Cruz Island 2h 46km
Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion
Santa Cruz Island 2h - 3h
Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife.
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 5 : Santa Cruz Island
Take a sea kayaking adventure at Tortuga Bay to explore the mangroves. Opt for a surf lesson in the afternoon.
Tortuga Bay Kayaking
Santa Cruz Island 2h - 3h
Grab a life jacket and go for a kayak adventure in the mangroves of Tortuga Bay. Keep an eye out for a wide variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, rays, and sea turtles, as you paddle the blue waters. Relax after on a beautiful fine white sand beach, and soak up some sun – you may spot some iguanas also trying to catch some rays on the shore.
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Optional Activities - Day 5
Surfing Lesson
Puerto Ayora - Isabela Island 2h - 2h30m
Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 6 : Santa Cruz Island
Head out on a bay boat tour to Playa de los Perros, Canal del Amor, and Las Grietas where there's time for some swimming or snorkelling. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Start the day on a boat tour around the bay to Playa de los Perros, Canal del Amor, and Las Grietas, spending time exploring, swimming, and snorkelling in the crystal clear water. Afterwards, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, one of the places where you can easily spot the famous Galápagos tortoises.
Tour de bahía en Academy Bay
La Loberia - Santa Cruz Island
Take a boat ride around the Bay and enjoy the amazing wildlife and scenery at Playa de Los Perros, Canal del Amor (Love's Canal) and Las Grietas. Playa de Los Perros is named for the crabs that inhabit this coral sand beach with amazing views.
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit
Puerto Ayora 0h45m
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.
This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Acommodation
Hotel Dejavu
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 7 : Santa Cruz Island/Quito
Fly back to Quito, where the rest of the day is free to explore the city.
After a transfer over the island of Santa Cruz, arrive at Baltra Island for our return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel for free time and one last night with newfound friends.
G Adventures strongly recommends not booking departure flights on the day the group returns to Quito. Local flight times are often subject to change and could potentially cause issues if delayed. We recommend booking flights on the last day of the tour as noted on the Full itinerary page.
Plane
San Cristóbal Island - Quito 3h 970km
Transfer over the island of Santa Cruz to Baltra Island to catch our flight back to Quito.
Free time:
Quito Afternoon
Explore the city of Quito at leisure and enjoy the best of this cosmopolitan city.
Acommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito
Acommodation
NH Collection Royal Quito
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Day 8 : Quito
Depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Optional Activities - Day 8
Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day Trip
Cotopaxi - Alausí
Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the afternoon. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travellers in the group**
Quito City Tour & Equator Line
Quito 9h
Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Please note that this tour starts at 8 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
