Family Land Galápagos — Multi-Activities
Overview
Itinerary
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.
- Quito City Tour & Equator Line: 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: 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 early evening.
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 the beach and keep your eyes open for marine life while you chill out in the sand. 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: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Free Time: 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.
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: Climb aboard and get your float on.
- Snorkelling (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.
- Interpretation Center Visit: 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: 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.
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island. On arrival, visit the highlands of the island to see Galápagos giant tortoises in the wild.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion: Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife.
Take a sea kayaking adventure at Tortuga Bay to explore the mangroves. Opt for a surf lesson in the afternoon.
- Tortuga Bay Kayaking: 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.
- Surfing Lesson: 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.
In the morning, walk to "Las Grietas" located across Academy Bay. Pass through a rugged cactus forest on the way to this stunning lagoon. Afterwards, enjoy time to relax at the Playa de los Alemanes. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, one of the places where you can easily spot the famous Galápagos tortoises.
- Swimming at Las Grietas: Cross a cactus forest looking for Darwin finches and lava lizards on the way to Las Grietas, a local swimming hole. The cool, bright turquoise water separates two volcanic cliffs. Fed by the ocean from one end and a river from the other this unique brackish pool is perfect for swimming.
- Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit: 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.
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: Transfer over the island of Santa Cruz to Baltra Island to catch our flight back to Quito.
- Free Time: Explore the city of Quito at leisure and enjoy the best of this cosmopolitan city.
Depart at any time.
- Quito City Tour & Equator Line: 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: 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 early evening.
Trip Inclusions
- Encounter incredible wildlife.
- Snorkel and swim with sea turtles and manta rays.
- Kayak at Tortuga Bay.
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
- See giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
- Visit to a wildlife interpretation centre (San Cristóbal Island)
- Snorkelling trip to Isla Lobos (San Cristóbal Island)
- Visit to Las Grietas
- Excursion to see giant tortoises in the wild (Santa Cruz Island)
- Tortuga Bay walk and kayaking excursion (Santa Cruz Island)
- Charles Darwin Research Station visit (Santa Cruz Island)
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Plane, speedboat, van, pickup truck, local bus, panga
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer)/Naturalist Guide while in the Galápagos Islands (certified by the Galápagos National Park Authority), local G Adventures Rep in Quito
- Hotels (7 Nights)
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
G's Family Tours are designed for younger travellers, offering age-appropriate activities, family friendly accommodations, and guides who know how to engage both children and adults. With a focus on culture through language, food, sports, and crafts, these trips create space for learning, connection, and fun. Travelling alongside other families, children make fast friends and everyone leaves with lasting memories.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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