The Ultimate Family Adventure

Duration: 12 nights

Take your family on a voyage of discovery through World Heritage Sites and explore our ultimate family adventure with fun filled educational activities in Ecuador and the magical Galapagos Islands.

Day 01 - MONDAY - ARRIVAL IN QUITO

Upon arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Rich in history, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benalcázar. For nearly three centuries, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish colonial rule until 1809, when Quito established the first self-governing junta (assembly) in the colonies. Liberator Simon Bolivar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence with the adoption of the Constitution signed in Riobamba. Due to the city’s preservation of its past, UNESCO declared Quito as the very first “Cultural World Heritage Site” in 1978. 

Accommodation is at the Swissotel, where you will stay at the FAMILY FRIENDLY KIDS ROOMS, specially decorated and set-up to make your children feel at home with special bed covers, teddy bears, sweets and chocolate-covered fruits, crayons, balloons, and more…

Overnight: Swissotel Quito (partner hotel)

Day 02 - TUESDAY - QUITO COLONIAL DOWNTOWN

After breakfast you will enjoy a tour at the city’s colonial downtown. This sightseeing demonstrates some of the reasons why Ecuador's capital has earned its honour as a world cultural site. Marvel at the city’s ornate churches such as the Cathedral or La Compañia de Jesus and San Francisco, before experiencing the long history of local culture in Quito’s “Old Town”.  

During your city tour Mr. Jorge Rivadeneira, a local celebrity, will meet you for a very special demonstration of his spectacular skills with his spinning tops. Mr. Rivadeneira spent his childhood at his father’s workshop. He learned to play with these toys at a very young age and has since then become an expert. He is now able to perform more than 100 tricks with tops of different sizes, which he still makes himself at his own workshop. Children are very welcome to try spinning the tops too!

Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito (partner hotel)

Day 03 - WEDNESDAY - OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET

Today you will explore the Otavalo area. Drive along the Panamericana road for your first stop at the Quitsato Sundial, located 70 kilometres from Quito. This monument to the “middle of the world” is located right on the Equator. A short visit will provide you with insight into the magnificent astronomic knowledge that was part of the pre-Hispanic population of the Andes.

Continue to the Otavalo area for your next stop at the Otavalo market. Besides the textile market, you can visit the produce market which is very colourful and will give you the opportunity to get to know many of the delicious and exotic fruits you will taste during your stay in Ecuador.

After lunch at a local hacienda, you will make a stop at the village of Peguche, where you will spend some time with a local family, the Pichambas. They will share their age-old knowledge of the creation of pan flutes.You will actually have the option to participate and maybe even learn to play some notes on a traditional Andean “rondador”.

Return to Quito.  

Should you wish to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Northern Andes from above, please ask about a helicopter ride.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito (partner hotel)

Day 04 - THURSDAY - COTOPAXI VOLCANO

Ecuador’s central highlands consist of a valley flanked by two parallel ranges of the Andes. Massive yet exquisite, the volcanoes provide brooding, snow-covered contrast to the green equatorial lushness. Here you can see eleven major peaks; many of these are still active volcanoes of which Cotopaxi is the most famous. At 19,700 feet is it considered one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and is part of the chain along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Lunch will be at a cozy hacienda located next to the National Park. Delicious and homemade Ecuadorian cuisine awaits you.

In the afternoon, and before returning to Quito, your family may want to relax after a morning full of excitement. Apart from being the most important day-to-day event at the hacienda, cow milking is actually quite a relaxing activity! You can even help to milk the Normand cows or feed their young lively calves.

At the Cotopaxi National Park it is possible to take 2-3 hour horse riding tours or you may choose to descend the slopes by mountain bike. Both activities are very safe and lots of fun.

Return to Quito in the afternoon.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito (partner hotel)

Day 05 - FRIDAY - MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Depart your hotel and drive north to the iconic “middle of the world” monument, where you will be able to straddle both hemispheres at once. Visit the Inti Ñan Museum to see samples of how life was in pre-Hispanic times. Easy and educational fun experiments will show you how gravity works at the Equator.

Before returning to Quito, stop for a demonstration of the preparation of traditional and irresistible Ecuadorian ice cream.

Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Swissotel Quito (partner hotel)

Day 06 - DAY 13 SATURDAY TO SATURDAY - 7 NIGHT GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION

After breakfast an inspector from the Galapagos National Park will come to the hotel to check all luggage prior to the transfer to the airport. This is a normal procedure that all passengers need to comply with at the airport. However, we will do it exclusively at the hotel which allows us to offer a later transfer to the airport.

The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos Islands takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be met by your guide who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour. Motorised dinghies, known locally as “pangas”, will transport you to the Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard. After departure there will be a briefing, lunch and a safety drill.

Depending on the itinerary you have chosen, your first visit will be done in the afternoon. Have a look at our ESPANOLA and GENOVESA itineraries and find your favourite Galapagos experience.

After your last early morning visit in the islands you will be transferred to Baltra airport to board your return flight to Guayaquil, where you will be assisted by one of our guides to connect with your onward flight back home.

What makes our family cruise different?

From the first moment that children step on board the M.V. Eclipse, they will be warmly greeted as such: kids embarking on a new, exciting and educational once in a lifetime adventure! We know that kinds have a different perspective and see things from their own point of view. We also know what a tremendous positive impact a Galapagos experience can have on children.

It is due to this that we have put together a truly unique package for families travelling with children on selected cruise departures during vacation periods throughout the year. So, read on and immerse yourself in our wonderful Ultimate Family Galapagos Adventure.

Upon entering their cabins, children are given their first treat. We prepare cabins especially for kids. Their cabins are colourful and include cheerful bathroom amenities such as kid-friendly toothbrush holders, cups, trash cans and more. Their beds are decorated and they will even find Galapagos themed stuffed animals which they can take home with them.

Also, on scheduled family departures, our Child Coordinator, a certified Galapagos Naturalist Guide, organizes discovery and learning exercises throughout the cruise that allow children to learn about the unique species found only in these islands while mom and dad can also maximize their Galapagos experience.

Kids get their own child-friendly briefings during which they can take full advantage of our logbook for children, called “Following Darwin’s Footsteps”. This fun-filled book features a section on each site showing the most iconic animal or attraction of this visit point and offering children the opportunity to talk about their experiences.

Additionally the book features information about the location of the Galapagos, National Park rules, the origin of the islands, Charles Darwin and the meaning of evolution in a didactic and child-friendly manner. The logbook allows children to explore their new home for the next 7 nights, trace the route of the cruise, learn about interesting facts and entertain themselves with our Galapagos Quiz, crossword puzzles and a word search grid. This booklet is used by the guides in their daily briefings and kid’s can use it as a personal cruise diary. We even give kids Galapagos postcards which they can colour in at will.
    
The M.V. Eclipse offers child-friendly menu selections including “Making your own pizza day” and not one, but two “Ice Cream Festivals”. Earlier meal times for kids allow both children and parents to enjoy dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. However, children can also accompany their parents for dinner buffet if they choose to do so.

Numerous games, hikes and snorkelling activities are part of the twice daily shore excursions.

      

Onboard, various children’s activities are offered. Some of these activities include, Movie Night, Children’s Game Night, Galapagos postcard coloring and more.

We also provide an Equatorial Certificate to each of our young guests that certifies they have crossed the Equator. This is presented in a formal ceremony on the Ship’s Bridge with the Captain and a snack at the stern of the ship. Plus all children receive a gift at the end of the cruise.

Parents can join kid-oriented activities during the excursions or on board if they wish. All offered children’s services & activities depend on the age of the children, and the number of kids on board. There are no fixed programs and each family departure is operated according to the children’s preferences and group dynamics.

So, adults are welcome to join children groups during excursions or kids can have lunch and/or dinner with their parents or participate in earlier meal times instead.

     

As safety is our number one priority, there are certain sites and/or activities to which certain age or experience restrictions may apply, especially for snorkelling and kayaking. However, there are plenty of options and opportunities for all guests, regardless of age, to safely enjoy every day to the fullest.

Overnight: M.V. Eclipse

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