Enjoy incredible animal encounters in Ecuador’s Andes, the cloud forest and on Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands. This family wildlife adventure holiday will inspire you all to become conservation champions for South America’s most iconic and vulnerable species.
Best to avoid August and September due to heavy seas and foggy conditions in the Galapagos.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on a family of four travelling for 12 nights and does not include international flights.
3 nights at Hacienda Zuleta, 2 nights at Mashpi Lodge, 2 nights in Quito, 5 nights in the Galapagos Islands
What makes this journey special?
- Join conservation leaders and top naturalist guides to learn about Ecuador's extraordinary biodiversity and the efforts that are being made to protect its natural assets.
- Participate in important conservation work from monitoring spectacled bears to releasing condors into the wild.
- The Galápagos with a difference - gain access to unspoiled parts of the islands that are normally off limits to the general public, and have a yacht at your disposal for exploring Santa Cruz's offshore islands.
- Explore Santa Cruz on foot and horseback, by bicycle and kayak with the best guides in the Galápagos.
- Get up close and personal with sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and countless birds.
- Options to include helicopter safaris, surprise gourmet picnics, go surfing and much else Enjoy Ecuador's finest accommodation with wonderfully warm hosting and delicious food.
Your Ecuador and Galápagos wildlife holiday itinerary
Conservation in the Ecuadorian Andes
Ecuadorian Andes
Beginning at a presidential country retreat in Ecuador’s spectacular highlands, you’ll learn about the important work being done to protect the Andean bear and re-introduce the condor to its former range. Head out with the research team each day into the surrounding native forest, helping them set and monitor camera traps, and track down individuals. Down time is yours to enjoy the wonderful hospitality, horse back and mountain bike rides, and visits to nearby communities to witness the inspiring work being done to support children’s education and safeguard traditional craft-making.
Adventures in the Choco cloud forest
Choco Cloud Forest
One-of-a-kind Mashpi Lodge, set in a pristine private reserve, is a magnificent place to engage inquisitive young minds about the biodiversity of Ecuador’s Choco cloud forest. When you’re not out with your guide spotting colourful endemic birds along the reserve’s trails or searching out rare tree frogs on a night walk, you can glide above the forest on the Dragonfly or ride tandem-style through the canopy on the remarkable Sky Bike. And the state-of-the-art Mashpi Laboratory offers children the chance to meet the resident biologists or study the structure a butterfly’s wings through a microscope.
Exploring Quito, the Ecuadorian capital
Quito
One of South America’s most beautiful capital cities, Quito is a great place to explore together as a family. With your private guide, begin your day with a ride over the city in the teleferico, then wander through the cobbled streets of the old quarter browsing shops and galleries before lunch. In the afternoon, dive into the world’s rarest and most highly prized cacao with a private chocolate tasting at the home of one of Ecuador’s most celebrated artists.
Extraordinary wildlife encounters in the Galápagos
Santa Cruz Island
Take on the rugged coast and highlands of Santa Cruz island in the company of the Galápagos finest naturalist guides. Head out on foot and mountain bike in search of lava tunnels, explore mangrove lagoons by kayak or paddle-board, and snorkel and dive unfrequented offshore reefs from a private yacht as you get up close and personal with everything from sea lions and marine iguanas to giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies.
Hands-on conservation engagement
Santa Cruz Island
Through our contacts in the Galápagos, we can introduce you not only to some of the archipelago’s most distinguished conservation initiatives, but you can be hands-on too. Help biologists re-introduce captive-bred giant tortoises to the wild; tag juvenile hammerhead sharks in a newly discovered natural nursery; or join community members in a beach clean-up to create smiles all round.
Where you'll stay in the Galápagos and Ecuador
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Hacienda Zuleta
Set in a lush highland valley in northern Ecuador, and once the private home of ex-President Galo Plaza, Hacienda Zuleta offers a wonderful immersion into family country living in the Andes. Roaring open fires, warm hospitality and elegant surroundings instantly make you feel at ease. Outside you can explore the sierras on horseback, visit local communities and protect the resident spectacled bears and condors.
Mashpi Lodge
Every aspect of a stay at Mashpi Lodge is designed to immerse you within the wonders of the private cloud forest reserve in which it sits, from the large picture windows in its minimalist rooms to a sky bike and gondola that transport you through the forest canopy. World-class, iconic, and bringing impeccable eco credentials, Mashpi educates as much as it delights.
Casa Gangotena
Quito’s smartest address enjoys a superb location overlooking Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the city’s colonial quarter. Delightful Art Deco public spaces, attentive service and tantalising views of Cayambe Volcano make Casa Gangotena the discerning traveller’s place of choice in the Ecuadorian capital.
Montemar Eco Luxury Villas
Owned and run by husband-and-wife biologists and super-hosts Reyna and Roberto Oleas, Montemar Eco Luxury Villas is a highly prized private launchpad for conservation-driven adventures by land, sea and air around the Galápagos. Superb food, great camaraderie and giant tortoises lumbering across the estate are guaranteed to bring a broad grin to your face.
Customise your Galápagos & Ecuador journey
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Supercharge your conservation impact: we can arrange for you to join the team at Galápagos Conservation to release captive-bred giant tortoises into the wild on Santa Cruz or tag hammerhead sharks.
Bring in helicopters as a springboard for adventure – not just great at getting you from A to B, our expert pilots can bring you to hidden gems from ancient Inca ruins to secret waterfalls.
For older children, and more than one family travelling together, consider chartering a private yacht in the Galápagos.
This itinerary can easily be adapted for couples, solo travellers and private groups.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Latin America specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Latin America team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
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