Galapagos Family Adventure 7 Days

Galapagos Family Adventure

from $3,536.00

This week long adventure takes you and your family kayaking with friendly sea turtles, harmless sharks, and playful sea lions. Walk through active volcanoes while you treasure hunt with your guide and fill fun wildlife and nature check lists. Mountain bike along coastlines, and snorkel tropical waters alive with beautiful and colorful fish and relax on sandy beaches next to marine iguanas. Your family´s adventure is led by the best adventure and local certified naturalists guides.

Our Family Adventure provides the perfect opportunity for parents, small kids and teens to try new experiences in a safe and inspiring environment. You could plunge into the ocean surrounded by darting sea lions, feel the rush of the wind as you hurtle towards the beach on a mountain bike, hear the amplified drip of water as you duck through a cave, or climb to the top of a lookout point and feel like the king of the archipelago. These are the moments that build confidence and breed joy, allowing families to bond in the spirit of adventure.

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  • Tour by
    Neotropic
  • Travel Style Holiday Type
  • Activity Level Moderate
    3/8
  • Group Size Small Group
    2-12
All about the Galapagos Family Adventure.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Recommended for families.
  • Sea kayak with sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and sea lions, tandem kayaks available
  • Kids love pizza, enjoy pizza nights after a day of adventure
  • Walk among giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.
  • Snorkel with tropical colorful fish, rays, sea lions, and sharks.
  • Walk the rim of an enormous, active caldera and discover extraordinary lava formations.
  • Easy Mountain bike with fat bikes along pristine coastline.
  • Relax on beautiful beaches
  • Enjoy exceptional service, comfort, and cuisine at quality eco-hotels in Galapagos.
  • Award-winning guides serve as your liaison to the local culture and wildlife.
  • North American safety standards and liability insurance coverage.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Accommodations in comfort or premium class hotels, meals as listed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = Dinner), bilingual Galapagos naturalist guide/adventure guide, all sea and land transportation during the tour. Junior Galapagos expeditioner Kit

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Flights to and from Galapagos, entrance fee to Galapagos National Park, Galapagos transit card, tips, hotel & restaurant beverages.

  1. Day 1 INTERPRETATION CENTER, HIKE AND SNORKEL TIJERETAS

    After a morning flight to San Cristobal Island, we’ll greet you at the airport and head to our hotel. After lunch and a quick introduction, the youngest ones will get their expeditionary kit and get ready for their quest. We begin our journey at the Galapagos Interpretation Center to learn about the unique wildlife, geology, history, and social dynamics of the Galapagos.

    After our visit, we hike to Tijeretas along natural trails formed of lava rocks. The path is surrounded by native plants like Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti, and we will spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches in the vegetation and sea cliffs.

    We cool off from our hike with a refreshing and fun snorkeling session at postcard-worthy Carola Beach, surrounded by friendly sea turtles, playful sea lions, and marine iguanas, and bask in the setting sun. After dinner, we’ll explore the friendly, laid-back beach town and stroll down the boardwalk to visit the neighboring colony of Galapagos sea lions. (L, D).

  2. Day 2 KAYAK AND SNORKEL IN SAN CRISTOBAL’S NORTHERN COAST

    Our second day begins with a nutritious breakfast for a busy morning of kayaking along the coastal bays and coves of San Cristobal’s north coast, full of funny looking bluefooted boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, and gentle sea turtles. We may visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) or Punta Pitt. The visiting site will depend on the week day and Galapagos National Park regulations.

    We’ll put on snorkels and fins to interact with sea lions, as well as marine iguanas and countless colorful reef fish.

    We’ll swim with serene spotted eagle rays, golden rays, harmless Galapagos sharks, unique starfish, clams, and fish of every shape, size, and color. With luck, we might even see some hammerhead sharks! After a full day spent exploring the seas, we head back to town for a delicious island pizza party night and a well-earned rest. (B, L, D)

  3. Day 3 WILDLIFE WALK, BIKE, EXPLORE TINTORERAS ISLETS AND STARGAZING

    After breakfast, we say goodbye to San Cristobal and take a quick small-plane 40 minutes ride to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and is still being formed by six active shield volcanoes. In fact, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet.

    Upon arrival, we embark on an exciting bike ride that will take us through a wide variety of environments and ecosystems. Along the way, we’ll pass through white sand beaches, mangrove forests and brackish lagoons, and a lava tube cave! As we ride, we’ll pass giant tortoises, flamingos, and other wildlife where you will clearly notice the evolution process and learn as you fill your check-list material. Optional biking ride through the beach.

    After lunch, we explore Tintoreras, a set of small islets filled with hidden coves and beaches. Here, we will find the peculiar, endemic Galapagos penguin and other marine life. At the end of the day, we head to our hotel and after our delicious dinner, we will learn a bit more about the constellations with a stargazing activity led by your guide. (B, L, D)

  4. Day 4 HIKING IN ISABELA’S HIGHLANDS, SAND GAMES AND BOOGIE BOARD LESSONS

    Rise and shine, today we´ll enjoy a delicious breakfast to get ready for an entertaining drive up to the flanks of the Sierra Negra volcano until the road ends. Here, we continue on foot and hike into a surreal world of geological history that reveals the ominous black streaks of cooled lava. On the hike up, we can admire incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes and sea, as well as the distinctive highland ecosystem around us. But the real prize is at the top – when we arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano, we are treated to a truly breathtaking vista.

    Sierra Negra is the second largest active caldera on the planet, over six miles at its widest point. We’ll hike the rim of this enormous crater and, if we feel energetic, continue on to the caldera of Volcan Chico, an otherworldly landscape of vibrant hues created by sulfur deposits. The landscape marked in the different shades of millennia of fire activity from deep within the planet’s belly and the rocks themselves seem to be alive, with the puffs of fumaroles sometimes announcing their presence like a disappearing magician.

    After a stop at an idyllic tortoise reserve for lunch, we’ll head back to the lowlands in time to spend our last afternoon on Isabela and participate in a fun sand figures contest, easy boogie board lessons optional. Finally, relax on perfect beaches and soak up the island-life atmosphere. (B, L, D)

  5. Day 5 HIKE THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS, TORTOISES RESERVE

    After breakfast, we prepared to travel by speedboat or internal flight to Santa Cruz Island, keeping an eye out for whales and dolphins along the way. After checking in at the hotel we head to El Chato in the Santa Cruz highlands to find the famous giant tortoise in its natural habitat. It is truly an honor to walk in the stately presence of these gentle giants, who can live to be over 175 years old. We will also see pintail ducks, Darwin’s finches, frigate birds, egrets, and the vermillion flycatcher.

    Our next stop is the incredible and mysterious lava tunnels, which formed an ideal hideout for the pirates that once frequented the Galapagos. Get bewitched with all the magical tales and legends that your guide will share with you about how the caves were also used to hide Inca gold stolen from Spanish ships. We then hike on to Los Gemelos, two deep volcanic sinkholes at the top of the island, with rocky cliffs surrounding the huge pits of empty magma chambers. Our path takes us through a forest of endemic Scalesia trees, where we will be on the lookout for the elusive short-eared owl. The trees are covered with ferns and epiphytes, and lend the forest a quiet, eerie feel. Dinner and accommodations in Puerto Ayora.  (B, L, D)

  6. Day 6 HIKE TO TORTUGA BAY, CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP AND CHARLES DARWIN STATION

    This morning, we will enjoy the beach at Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. Its calm waters and soft, fine sand make Tortuga Bay a preferred nesting site for the black turtle, hence its name. To reach this spot we will hike through unique dry forest, where we will find flocks of birds and many interesting plants.

    After lunch, we’ll go for dessert in a confectionary chocolate workshop! Learn what is “fine Aroma” cacao and join a chocolate master chef as he demonstrates how to make truffles. Have him guide you as you discover all flavors good chocolate have to offer.

     

    On our way back we’ll stop for a visit at the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn from local scientists about the ongoing conservation efforts on these enchanted islands. The Research Station rears endemic plants, land iguanas, and giant tortoises for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. Here, we can learn more about the diverse evolutionary paths and characteristics of the animals and plants that we just met. As evening comes, we´ll return to our hotel to celebrate a wonderful trip and enjoy our last evening in the Galapagos.

    (B, L, D)

  7. Day 7 TRANSFER TO BALTRA’S AIRPORT

    We transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland and bid a fond farewell to the Galapagos. (B)

WHERE WILL YOU STAY?

Opuntia Hotels, a network of quality Galapagos hotels with eco-initiatives, exceptional service, comfort, all close to the ocean. Or similar comfort class hotel.

Learn More About Opuntia Hotels

This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, inclement weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.

The Weight restriction per person for the Inner Island flight from San Cristobal to Isabela is 25 pounds in one piece of luggage.

  • BOAT TRAVEL TIME: Two hours
  • SMALL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TIME: 40 minutes
  • ACTIVITY DURATION (PADDLE, GHIKE, BIKE, SNORKEL): Two to four hours per activity
  • SEASON: Year-round
  • ALTITUDE: 0 – 3,688 feet (1,124 meters) above sea level
  • WEATHER: During the warm season from January to May, air temperature is around 77 to 83 F (25 to 8 C) at sea level. During the cool season from June to December, air temperature is around 70 to 75 F (21 to 24 C) at sea level. Temperature decreases with altitude.
  • WATER TEMPERATURE: During the warm season from January to May, water temperature hovers around 77 F (25 C). During the cool season from June to December, average water temperature is about 72 F (22 C). Water temperature also varies significantly by location.
  • SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK: Hiking shoes, rain jacket, water bottle, non-cotton trekking clothes, sunblock, sun hat, and repellent.

info@neotropicexpeditions.com

PHONE: (593-2) 604.6800/ TOLL FREE: 1-888.234.3413

www.neotropicexpeditions.com

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