Family Encounters at the Middle of the World - Galapagos & Ecuador First Class

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Price from:
5,592.00 US$
per person

A unique opportunity for Family travel, this 13-days special program has been carefully tailored to provide families with a fascinating voyage of discovery, exploration and fun. Special activities are organized for the enjoyment of kids and youngsters, as well as for the adults, some together, some separately. The venues for this outstanding trip are four of Ecuador’s tourism jewels: the historic capital city of Quito; the Middle of the World; the mighty Amazon Rainforest and the unique Galapagos Islands.

Product themes: Culture and History; Nature and Wildlife; Expedition Cruises; Landscapes and Scenery; Especially Crafted for Families, but couples and small parties are equally welcome.  

Locations:  Quito; Amazon raiforest and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Activities:  City Tours; Nature Walks; Bird watching; Volcano watching; River and Lake Boating; Snorkeling; Whale watching, (seasonal); Scuba Diving, (on request, by special arrangements and extra cost).

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1:

• Arrival to Quito.
• A private transfer brings us to the exclusive Hilton Colòn Hotel.

 Day 2:

• Private city tour of Quito plus the Equator, including lunch.
• Overnight at the Hilton Colòn Hotel.

Day 3:

• Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana. 
• We are transferred to the river port, to board the boats which take us down the immense Napo River, observing the dense rainforest along its shores. 
• We arrive at Sacha Lodge, settle in and get briefed about the activities, safety and conservation regulations, before starting our unique exploration of the area.

 Day 4: 

• Exploring the Amazon Rainforest from Sacha Lodge.

 Day 5:   

• Exploring the Amazon Rainforest from Sacha Lodge.

 Day 6:    

• Transfer back from Sacha Lodge to the airport for the return flight to Quito. 
• On arrival, escorted transfer to the Hilton Colòn Hotel.

Day 7:

• Transfer from the Hotel to Quito’s Airport for the flight to Galapagos.
• Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz.
• The afternoon features a first visit to one of to the islands **.

Day 8:                

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. M/V Santa Cruz. 
  

Day 9:                   

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands. M/V Santa Cruz.

Day 10: 

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands.  M/V Santa Cruz.

Day 11:           

• Exploring the Galapagos Islands.  M/V Santa Cruz.

Day 12:       

• Transfer for flight back to Quito.
• Transfer to the Hilton Colòn Hotel for overnight.

Day 13:       

• Transfer from Hotel to Quito’s Airport for departure flight.

** Please inquire for detailed itinerary and specific Island visits in Galapagos (depends on departure dates).

Tour Highlights

Quito City: World Heritage Site and best preserved colonial city in South America.

Middle of the World: Earth’s Latitude 0º 0º 0º.

Galapagos Islands: For many, the most unique natural environment in the world.

Amazon Rainforest: One of the Earth’s “hot spots” of biodiversity

M/V Santa Cruz: The best First Class vessel in the Galapagos.

Sacha Lodge:  One of the most exclusive facilities in the Amazon Region of Ecuador.

Tour Summary

The Tour begins with a full day, exploring and discovering the fabulous architecture and colonial features of Quito, capital of Ecuador and the first city to be declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1978. Stunning churches, convents, plazas and monuments, along with the narrow streets, lined with colonial houses and balconies gave Quito the well-deserved title of best preserved colonial city of South America. The city is located amidst an Andean valley, surrounded by spectacular views of volcanoes and snow-covered peaks.  The city’s irregular topography provides superb natural observatories, which allow for stunning sights and scenes of the city and its imposing Andean surroundings.

Less than 30 minutes from Quito’s centre, stands the Equator Line, popularly known as the “Middle of the World”; the place where our planet brings together the South and North Hemispheres.  Here we will stand with one foot on each Hemisphere, explore the large Equatorial Monument with its Ethnic Museum and the surrounding plaza teeming with small restaurants and souvenir shops.  Lunch is featured at one of the area’s fine restaurants.

The following three days are dedicated to explore the amazing world of the Amazon Rainforest.  A short flight brings us to the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon Region and upon arrival, a scenic two-hour boar ride along the mythical Napo River, takes us to Sacha Lodge, our comfortable home base for a relaxed yet thrilling adventure which includes hikes along jungle trails, paddling on dugout canoes at lagoons and waterways; observation of fascinating birds and a host of animal and plant species, in one of the planet’s most extraordinary “hot spots” of biodiversity; guided tours with native and bilingual naturalist guides who will enhance the voyage with their knowledge and enthusiasm, providing guests with intense learning about the exuberant nature and wildlife of the rainforest and its different habitats, as well as about the native cultures which are the millenary inhabitants of the zone.

The last segment of the voyage is dedicated to a six days expedition of discovery and uniqueness in the magic world of the famous Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s land of evolution, a real living laboratory of nature. The Islands, located 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, to whom they belong, are considered the most unique natural environment in the world, with animal and plant species found nowhere else on earth.  For scientists, biologists, naturalists and nature lovers, the islands are an undisputed “must see”.  Because of their uniqueness, UNESCO declared the Galapagos as the first “World Natural Heritage Site” in 1979.  The days in the islands feature encounters with centenary giant tortoises; marine iguanas; blue-footed or red-footed boobies; flamingos, penguins; flightless cormorants, frolicking sea lions, the famous Darwin’s finches and an equally awesome underwater life on the Archipelago’s Marine Reserve, also declared as a World Natural Heritage Site.

Include:

• Accommodations in Quito, Deluxe rooms at the Hilton Colòn Hotel, including breakfasts.
• City tour of Quito and the Equator Line, including lunch.
• All transfers in Ecuador as described on itinerary.
• All transfers in Amazonia and Galapagos.
• Accommodations at Standard rooms in Sacha Lodge and Main Deck cabins on board the M/V Santa Cruz.
• All meals and guided tours, as per the respective programs, in Galapagos and Amazonia.

Not Included:

• International air tickets
• Air transportation to/from Amazonia
• Air transportation to/from Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park Entrance fee
• Transit control card for Galapagos
• International departure tax
• Meals not specified in the program (Please note that full board applies for Amazonia and Galapagos)
• Bar expenses (drinks and soft drinks)
• Parrot lick tax in Amazonia (USD 25.00 per person)
• Wet suits; Internet; telephone communications
• Gratuities, gifts and other items of personal nature

Notes:

• Operational Days:  Operates all year.
• Length:  13 Days and 12 Nights.
• Minimum age:  6 years.   
• Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum for program operation: 2 passengers 
• Special Surcharge applies for departures on Christmas and New Year’s Eve
• Some churches may not be available for tour visits in Quito on Sundays, due to religious services

Travel Facts

• Shorts (Bermudas or other)
• Long and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts
• Sweater and/or jacket (For Quito and the highlands)
• Long pants for outdoor exploration and slightly “smarter” pants for evenings
• Good walking shoes                 
• Sneakers with rubber soles      
• Tevas or sport sandals with a Velcro strap for wading ashore
• Windbreaker jacket
• Rain poncho or similar
• Small pair of binoculars
• Refillable bottle for water
• Wide brimmed hat, bandana     
• Bathing suits                            
• Suntan Lotion or strong sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof backpack (light and small for camera &/or other personal items)
• Camera
• Seasickness medication
• Personal medications

Please check with us for further details about climate and clothing suggestions for Quito and some additional tips for the Amazon rainforest. Sacha Lodge provides, free of charge, rubber boots (several “normal” sizes) and rain ponchos for guests’ use.

For Safety, Dietary and Medical Restrictions and facilities and other travel facts, please consult the relevant section of Ecuador’s Country Information section on our website, or inquire us. 

Special amenities included:

Young Pirates Program in Galapagos: This program is provided for children between 7 and 12 years of age and features a fun and exciting way to absorb the uniqueness of Galapagos, kid’s style.  The program includes specially designed menus and differentiated meal times; “Special Moments” and activities such as coloring; Ecua-memory cards; maps and animal puzzles; treasure hunts; Galapagos trivia; stargazing; quizzes; handicraft learning and a host of other activities all planed and fully supervised by trained personnel and our naturalist guides.

Accomodation & Hotels

Hilton Colòn Hotel Quito:

An icon of Ecuador’s capital city, the Hilton Colòn was the first five-star hotel in the city and has maintained its top quality for over three decades.  Completely refurbished and renovated in 2008; the Hotel is now par with any five-star property of its kind in the world.  The 255 spacious, luxurious and modernly equipped rooms offer the discerning traveler with all the comfort, facilities and amenities for a pleasant stay. Many of the rooms have spectacular views of the city and the mountains nearby.  Conveniently located near the borderline between the “old” and the “modern” Quito, the Hilton is just 15 minutes away from the international airport and a short distance from the Historic Centre of the city. Several restaurants and bars, a fully equipped business center and some of the city’s largest meetings and conventions facilities complement the Hotel’s excellence.

Sacha Lodge, Amazon Rainforest:

The Lodge was carefully designed to offer comfort to the traveler while preserving the natural environment. The well equipped 26 passenger cabins-rooms feature single, double or triple (on request) accommodations and include a private bathroom with a flushing toilet and hot shower. The cabins sport thatched-roofs and private shaded terraces, all built with traditional materials which blend in nicely with the natural surroundings.  All cabins are screened against insects and have ceiling fans.

M/V Santa Cruz, Galapagos:

One of the best choices for cruising the Galapagos Islands is the 43-cabins, 90-passengers’ motor vessel (M/V) Santa Cruz.  Built in Spain, tailor-made for cruising the islands; the ship has been fully renovated in 1998 and 2010, to keep up with the highest standards of safety, smooth navigation and great comfort for its guests on its charming cabins, along with its indoor and outdoor public areas.  The vessel has earned a worldwide recognition for its superb service, delicious food, expert and hospitable crew and the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist guides, providing a unique and pioneer island expedition model, enhanced by state-of-the-art expedition equipment for greater enjoyment of the terrestrial and aquatic outings.