T his teen trip is ideal for the family who wants to do it all. You can hop on a mountain bike and go for a ride through the stunning Andean Highlands, learn how to use a handheld GPS and read topographical maps for a treasure hunt, and of course snorkel, swim and hike among the planet’s most fascinating ecosystem – the Galapagos Islands. Each day we disembark on a different island to explore, swim and view the almost tame wildlife. Ecuador is one place where “been there, done that” just does not apply, so get your teens ready for a vacation where each day is filled with discovery and adventure.

If you have a few more vacation days to take advantage of while you’re in South America, go on our Peru extension. A family adventure that includes the Galapagos Islands AND Machu Picchu can’t be beat.

2012 Dates

Alumni Discount: if you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices

Large Group Discount, if the departure you choose has six or more travelers (including your family) the following discounts will apply.

$550 - 600 per person for 11 or more travelers (depending on time of travel)

Price includes: All entrance and park fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation; private bi-lingual guide while on the mainland and a Galapagos National Park guide on the cruise, area specialists, all meals, bottled water & snacks in the vehicle, Comprehensive Travel Insurance.

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Extensions

This trip is great in combination with one of our Peru adventures. International air to/from Lima and Quito not included.

Day 1 – Depart U.S. / Arrive Guayaquil

Welcome to Ecuador!  With a stunning landscape and a history dating as far back as 3,500 B.C., the first leg of your two-part adventure has much to offer.  From ancient archeological sites of the Cañari and the Inca to modern villages where locals are happy to share their traditions, you and your family will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage waiting to be discovered in Ecuador.

Days 2 to 4 – Andean Highlands

Leaving behind coastal Guayaquil, we’ll venture up into the Andean Highlands.  Rolling hillsides nestle ruins of lost civilizations such as the Cañari, a sophisticated society of astronomers who ruled this area for a thousand years before being conquered by the Incas.  The Incas controlled the Andean Highlands for less than a century; the Spanish arrived in the 1530s, and by 1557 the rubble of Incan buildings was being used to create the colonial city of Cuenca.

Aguarongo Forest hike  We’ll hike for about an hour through the Aguarango Forest. On the trails you can see a great cross section of Andean ecosystems, enjoy views across the ancient indigenous Cañari homeland and learn about the special types of trees found in this area. Your guide will tell you about the medicinal properties of the local plants. Rock climbing at Cojitambo Mountain Our expert mountaineers will teach you the ins and outs of rock climbing at Cojitambo, a mountain sacred to the native Cañari Indians. Explore the Cojitambo ruins Investigate the pre-Incan ruins at Cojitambo and take in the breathtaking 360-degree views of the Andes. Bargain at Mercado 10 de Agosto in Cuenca Get a feel for the local way of life by going bargain shopping at Mercado 10 de Agosto, one of Cuenca’s largest markets. Pumapungo Inca ruins   Pumapungo is an archaeological park located in the historic center of the city of Cuenca. Inside are the Temple of the Sun and the Convent of the Virgins of the Sun, which date to the fifteenth century and were part of one of the most imposing and beautiful cities of the ancient Inca empire. Learn about the Inca's Heliocentric system, the sun at the center of their vision of the universe, and their use of ceques (imaginary lines drawn from the stars and constellations) that indicated their places of worship and principal cities. Find a treasure using GPS Discover a treasure hidden amongst the Inca ruins at Pumapungo using a GPS device. Artisan villages   We'll travel by car to the remote countryside of Azuay province, reaching our highest point at over 10,000 feet before descending to town. We will visit one of the artisan villages. Here women wear traditional dress and Panama hats. The villages are renowed for their guitarmakers, whose products go all over the world. Orchid greenhouses   If time permits, we’ll visit the local orchid greenhouses. Ecuador is home to 4,200 varieties of orchids, and you’ll be amazed to see where the flowers you buy back home got their start.

Days 5 to 7 – Galapagos Islands Cruise

Let’s go island hopping! Board the Cormorant Luxury Catamaran for four days of incredible land and sea explorations. The ship’s naturalists will be your guides in the Galapagos and will lead two shore expeditions per day to seek out wildlife and learn about the natural history of these fascinating volcanic islands. When not snorkeling or discovering the islands on foot, you can enjoy all the amenities this first class ship has to offer – a Jacuzzi, solarium, reading room, internet access and your comfortable air-conditioned cabins.

Welcome to Darwin’s Enchanted Islands…

Fly into Baltra Island The small island of Baltra – also known as South Seymour Island – is flat and arid, standing in stark contrast to the lush vegetation found on some of the other islands. Baltra is home to the Galapagos’ main airport, where we’ll begin our Galapagos family adventure, and serves as a portal for most visitors to all the nearby ecological marvels. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station We'll take a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where scientific information is gathered for conservation efforts throughout the islands. Here, we’ll meet the illustrious Lonesome George, a hit with the children and one of the last survivors of a subspecies of Galapagos tortoises now living at the station’s tortoise breeding center! South Plaza Island South Plaza Island was formed by intense lava currents streaming up from the depths of the ocean. The vegetation here changes from a rich green in the rainy season to fiery orange and red in the dry season, making it beautiful at all times of the year. Santa Fé Island After a wet landing, we’ll be set to explore Santa Fé, AKA “Barrington Island.” We’ll hike along the two trails leading from the beach on Santa Fé, where sea lions lounge in the bay, and two species can be found that don’t exist anywhere but this small island: the Barrington Land Iguana and the Santa Fé Rice Rat. Relax at Gardner Bay Gardner Bay on Española Island offers the perfect intersection of characteristically Galapagos wildlife and much sought-after rest and free time. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to stretch out among lava lizards and friendly mockingbirds on the soft white sand of the longest beach in the archipelago or swim at our own pace. Suárez Point Everyone from children, to teens, to 80-year-old grandparents will be fascinated by the marine iguanas and countless blue-footed boobies that inhabit the area. We’ll also see the albatross' mating grounds, where there is a waterspout known as “the blowhole” that shoots water over sixty feet in the air as the waves crash on jagged volcanic rocks.

Day 8 – Galapagos Islands /Guayaquil

After one more activity in the Galapagos, we say goodbye to these enchanted isles and hello to mainland Ecuador once again!

North Seymour Island Because North Seymour Island was created by the rising of a submarine lava formation, coral and scattered bones are easy to locate all along the island’s frigate colonies. We may even witness the animal kingdom’s own version of a family adventure as Galapagos sea lions jump off the rocks into the ocean and blue-footed boobies perform their majestic mating dance! Farewell dinner Say good-bye to your guide and fellow travelers while sharing your favorite moments from your adventure. Transfer to the airport  Return to Baltra Island, where we’ll transfer to the airport and depart the one-of-a-kind Galapagos Islands archipelago.

Day 9 – Depart Guayaquil / Arrive U.S.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Ecuador and the Galapagos?

Galapagos Islands geography When you think of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands surely come to mind. Stunning beauty and an abundance of wildlife are the trademarks of these volcanic islands. For years to come, you and your children will reminisce about all of the wonderful species you saw on these islands – many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Galapagos Islands wildlife The Galapagos Islands are home to more than 25,000 species of plants, 6,000 species of butterflies and 1,600 species of birds. On Santa Cruz Island, enormous tortoises find refuge at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Tiny Rabida Island is home to pelicans, pink flamingos and pintail ducks in its shallow salt water lagoons and red sand beaches. On San Cristobal, the incredible wildlife includes iguanas and the rare Chatham mockingbird. Walking on lovely, remote Española Island, your family may encounter sea lions, blue-footed boobies or sea turtles as you stroll past lava cliffs where sea water jets high in the air. Darwin’s Theory Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands in 1835 on his return to England after repatriating the Fuegians. He collected various birds, which he took back to John Gould, a famous ornithologist, in England. While Darwin initially thought the birds were not closely related, Gould concluded that the birds were in fact, "a series of ground Finches which are so peculiar" as to form "an entirely new group, containing 12 species." This story made the newspapers and formed the basis for Darwin’s groundbreaking theory. Culture and history of the Andean Highlands Famous for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador’s Andean Highlands are often overlooked. With a history dating as far back as 3,500 B.C. and a stunning landscape, the area north of Quito is a hidden gem. From the rolling highlands and snow capped peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes to the villages where locals are happy to share their ancient culture and traditions, to Latin America’s second largest indigenous market where local artisans sell Panama hats, colorful handmade weavings and sweaters, the highlands are not to be missed. Seclusion We take family vacations to get away from the daily grind of our normal lives and just be with our families. The Galápagos Islands offer the perfect opportunity to leave it all behind and enjoy each other’s company. Many of the islands you’ll visit are virtually uninhabited by humans, because they are protected lands of delicate ecological splendor, so you will be far away from any kind of hustle and bustle.

Why Ecuador and the Galapagos with Thomson?

Perfect combination of Galapagos and Andean Highlands   Our adventure offers you the best of all worlds. In the Andean Highlands you'll spend time in Cuenca, where you’ll tour the colonial sites of the city and stay at Hosteria Uzhupud.  Set on the grounds of an old hacienda,  your home base will offer opportunities for games, swimming and relaxing. Our families return raving about how unexpectedly wonderful their time in the Andean Highlands was.
Next we head west into the Pacific for our three or four night nature cruise among the Galapagos Islands. Our ship holds only 100 passengers, so you have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the passage. Experienced naturalists will take you on shore to seek out, and learn about, the wildlife on these volcanic islands. You will visit San Cristobal and Espanola islands, where you will enjoy exploring, swimming and interacting with wildlife that is unfazed by your presence. And three or four nights in the Galapagos is perfect for most families; enough time to see the highlights and the vast array of wildlife, but not so much time that kids start to get bored. Staying at Hosteria Uzhupud This old hacienda has been family-owned since the end of the colonial era in Ecuador. The grounds here feature various playing fields, beautiful gardens, a pool, and an outdoor dining area. You'll have plenty of opportunities to play or relax here while taking in the amazing scenery. You can even head out through the grounds on horseback if you're feeling adventurous! Mercado 10 de Agosto No visit is complete without a trip to Mercado 10 de Agosto, which proudly contains the only escalator in any market in Cuenca. Here you will be amazed by the organization and order of such a large marketplace. Test out your bargaining skills here, where you can shop for local crafts, textiles, handmade weavings, sweaters and panama hats. Extra special treatment on board the Galapagos Explorer II! On board the Galapagos Explorer II, the wonderful crew gives you VIP treatment. The cruise ship is 293 feet long and holds only 100 passengers, so families have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the journey. Our experienced naturalists lead two onshore expeditions each day, to help you seek out wildlife and learn about the fascinating natural history of these volcanic islands. When not snorkeling or discovering the islands on foot, you can enjoy all the amenities this first class ship has to offer — a Jacuzzi, solarium, reading room, internet access and comfortable air-conditioned cabins. Friends Across Borders meeting Thomson families love this program! Children traveling with us can choose to exchange letters with a local child of a similar age before leaving on their adventure. In Ecuador, your child will get to meet his or her pen pal through a fun activity like soccer or hacky sack. It’s amazing how much kids learn about one another — and the appreciation they gain for one another’s culture — when they meet through this eye-opening program. Perfect place for a Family Reunion When was the last time your extended family got together? A Thomson trip is the perfect way for your entire family – near and far – to spend time with relatives that you might not see as often as you would like. Pick a destination and a date, and we’ll do the rest! Let Thomson help you plan the perfect family reunion amidst the beauty and splendor of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Mountain biking, volunteer activity and orienteering for teens Thomson has created a bunch of great activities for teens to enjoy in the Andean Highlands. Novice or experienced bikers will enjoy mountain biking through the countryside and centuries-old villages. Or you can try their hand at orienteering. After your teens have learned how to use a handheld GPS device and read topographical maps, we will put their new skills to work as we set out on a hike in search of a buried treasure.
Ever think of “giving back to the community” while on vacation? We can help you and your teen choose an activity that supports sustainable tourism — and your family will feel good knowing you’ve made a difference. Rock climbing at Cojitambo Mountain While in the Andean highlands, our expert mountaineers (yes, we even have expert mountaineers!) will show you the ropes and help you learn how to rock climb at Cojitambo – a mountain sacred to the area’s Cañari people. Rock climbing is phenomenal exercise, a rewarding challenge, and an excellent way to experience the region’s scenery.