11 Days / Starting from $5,495
Family Galapagos Adventure
The Best Yacht-Based Family Adventure in the Galapagos
There may be no better place on the planet for an intimate encounter between children and wildlife than the Galapagos Islands. Here in the remote Pacific, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the magic of nature is palpable, as sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins and blue-footed boobies entertain us at close range, nonchalant about our presence. Herman Melville called this ancient chain of submerged volcanoes “Las Islas Encantadas,” or The Enchanted Isles, an apt name for a destination that is sure to create family memories that can be found nowhere else in the world.
- On this exciting small-group family adventure, a Children’s Guide is dedicated to leading activities designed especially for them!
- Swim with sea lions, snorkel with turtles, watch iguanas bask in the sun, and meet giant tortoises up close at Charles Darwin Research Station
- Cruise among the islands’ prolific wildlife aboard our exclusive yacht, where privacy, hospitality and comfort prevail
Location of Adventure
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Group Size Limit
Approximately 20 Travelers
A very important feature of our trips is the limited group size as nature expeditions are best experienced with smaller sized groups of travelers.
Included
Accommodations, meals from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 11 (except lunch and dinner on Day 10- no lunches or dinners included in Quito for independent trips), bottled or purified water, services of NHA’s professional Expedition Leaders, local guides and boat crew, some gratuities, airport transfers, Otavalo Market or Quito City Tour excursion, use of wetsuits and snorkel gear on all scheduled departures, permit fees.
Not Included
Travel to and from Quito, R/T air Quito to Galapagos (to be added to your invoice and subject to change until day of departure), most gratuities, alcohol, Galapagos tax and transit card (approx.$110 for adults, $60 for children under 12, collected in advance), airport departure tax (approx $40), items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.), travel insurance, optional activities.
Physical Requirements
Easy / Moderate / Flexible
The activities on this trip consist of island walks, swimming and snorkeling. Trails can be rough and uneven, and walking over slippery rocks is sometimes necessary when coming ashore. Passengers must be able to walk one mile to participate in this trip, and be able to get in and out of our motorized pangas, which can be very unsteady in rough water. A few wet landings, where we disembark from the panga directly into the water and walk up onto the beach, are included. Snorkeling can be a big component of this trip with nearly daily excursions offered (no experience required). Travelers are not required to participate in every activity.
Important Information
There may be no more appropriate destination on earth for Natural Habitat travelers than the Galapagos Islands. With rare and friendly wildlife found at every turn, the beauty and intricacies of nature are unveiled here in a most unique manner. The key to the success of our Galapagos adventures is the small group size. On the Letty we accommodate just 20 guests, with two Expedition Leaders. We break down into even smaller groups ashore. Splitting the group also allows our guests to move at their chosen pace, although it is important that guests be able to walk on some uneven terrain up to a mile or two as well as disembark the panga in sometimes rough conditions. Snorkeling excursions are part of the daily itinerary while in the Galapagos. An optional stay at our campsite in the highlands of Santa Cruz, complete with permanent tents and "tree houses" (shared bath houses), is included for all guests. Some families prefer to charter their own vessel. Please call us for details: 1-800-543-8917.
Please note: The itinerary provided is meant as a guideline, and is subject to change without notice. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to deviate from our regular itinerary for reasons beyond our control. In these instances we will provide the best available alternative.
Getting There & Getting Home
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador anytime on Day 1, and depart anytime on the final day. We are prepared to handle all your round-trip travel arrangements, including flights for your extensions. We can serve you best if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you, as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient and cost effective travel for you.
Age Limit on Galapagos Trips
We are happy to welcome children ages seven and older on our scheduled Galapagos departures. However, while some seven-year-olds are well-suited for our Galapagos adventures, others may not be ready for the requirements of group travel. For this reason, we believe that it is more useful to consider this age limit a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. We believe that you, as a parent or guardian, are best qualified to decide whether or not your child would enjoy the experience without compromising the comfort of others. We strongly encourage to you call our office to speak with an Adventure Travel Specialist about the specific requirements of the trip you're considering so that you can make an informed decision about your child's participation. We are unable to allow children younger than seven on these scheduled departures due to safety regulations, physical limitations, and concerns regarding group dynamics.
