Ecuador & Galapagos

Ecuador and Galapagos family holidays

Ecuador is South America’s best kept secret and has the WOW factor for a truly exciting family holiday. Perhaps the country’s most famous attraction are the extraordinary and unique wildlife experiences that can be found on the Galapagos Islands. Here you can swim with marine iguanas (or sharks for daredevil teenagers) and snorkel with sea turtles. You can spend the morning sunbathing with sea lions and the afternoon on a leisurely walk along the beach, marvelling at giant tortoises.

Family wildlife holidays in the Galapagos - girl on white sand beach with relaxed sea lion

Get close to wildlife on a Galapagos family holiday

Whilst mainland Ecuador is often overshadowed by the allure of the Galapagos, it can more than hold its own in terms of scenery and activities. The jaw-dropping ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ offers snow-capped volcanic peaks that drop down to gorgeous green patchwork-quilt fields. There are lively highland markets with brightly coloured textiles and a soundtrack of pan pipes. Inland the steamy jungles and waterways of the Amazon offer unique wildlife experiences that rival those of Peru (without the crowds) or Brazil (without the price tag).

Ecuador and Galapagos family holidays can be enjoyed separately but why not combine them together? After all, once you’ve flown all this way, it would be a shame not to!

Why take the kids?

Our top activities on an Ecuador and Galapagos family holiday include:

  1. Snorkelling with seals, penguins and turtles
  2. Admiring snow-capped peaks on the Avenue of Volcanoes
  3. Lounging on the beach on Espanola Island
  4. Seeing a Giant Tortoise amble laboriously past
  5. Hiking to emerald green Quilotoa crater lake
  6. Learning to make tasty empanadas
  7. Straddling the Equator outside Quito
  8. Adrenaline activities beneath a live volcano in Banos
  9. Spotting monkeys, toucans and crocodiles in the Amazon

Banos - Pailon del Diablo waterfall - Ecuador family holidays

Hike to the Devil’s Throat waterfall at Banos and try other activities like the swings, zip lines, or cycling

There aren’t many countries that can rival Ecuador and the Galapagos for the sheer range of child-friendly activities on offer.

Starting with the Galapagos, your days here will be filled with the winning combination of wildlife and swimming. You can watch whales and dolphins cavort in the sea, scamper along sandy beaches in the company of playful seal pups or snorkel in an underwater coral-filled crater. Whether you choose to explore from land or on board a specialised vessel, there is adventure enough for even the most active family.

Child in boat exploring the Amazon - family wildlife holidays, Ecuador with kids

Explore Ecuador’s Amazon by boat and stay in an eco-lodge

Hop across to the mainland and your trip heads to new heights. Quito is an extremely hilly city with a live volcano on one side and the Equatorial Line running across the top. There are colourful Andean markets where you can teach the kids to haggle. You can wander cobbled streets past restored colonial buildings and travel along one of the most scenic highways in the world, the famous Avenue of Volcanoes.

Children will come into their own in the Amazon jungle. Even those who usually squeal at the sight of a spider at home will be fascinated by creepy crawlies in the rainforest. Head out on night safaris and spot luminous frogs hiding under monster vines and tree trunks. Enthusiastic ‘hunters’ will master the skill of the blowpipe and all ages will love falling asleep to the magical sounds of the jungle.

Check out our two blogs,  Galapagos with Kids and Ecuador with Kids, for more activity ideas and inspiring photos.

And if you are considering a trip to the Galapagos, you can’t afford to miss our Ultimate Guide to the Galapagos. This gives you firsthand advice on how to make this a trip of a lifetime for all the family.

Spot many types of monkey on an Ecuador family holiday

Ecuador’s wildlife is prolific, with many types of monkeys, birds, lizards, frogs and more

Example Ecuador and Galapagos itineraries

All of our Ecuador and the Galapagos family holidays are bespoke. This means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family. We will take into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on Ecuador and Galapagos family holidays, have a look at our sample itineraries Volcanoes and Jungle and Ecuador & the Galapagos Highlights.

Also check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on your family holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos. If you need further inspiration, have a look at our photo gallery at the top right hand side of this page.

Lastly, don’t forget to see what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos for your family.

PS. If you have booked with us, have a look at our handy Ecuador and Galapagos packing list.

Seal snoozing snapped on a Galapagos family holiday

Snapped by one of our young travellers in the Galapagos, sleepy seals mix happily with visitors

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Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.

01728 752751

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