Ecuador Family: Galápagos Islands

Small Ship Cruise, Ecuador Family: Galápagos Islands

Ecuador Family

Galápagos Islands

overview

From your cabin aboard a classic 32-passenger sea vessel, you and your family are perfectly placed to enjoy the wonders of the Galápagos Islands. Have once-in-a-lifetime adventures in spots difficult to reach by land—snorkeling with white-tipped reef sharks and sea turtles, exploring massive lava tunnels, or reading the 200-year-old graffiti in real pirate caves. Set off on a day trip in one of the ship’s fleet of nimble zodiac and panga landing vessels to meet curious sea lions (don’t be afraid when one decides to nuzzle your foot) or darting penguins. Hike past giant iguanas to the summits of dormant volcanoes with a knowledgeable, local, naturalist guide. Set up soccer matches on exotic island beaches with friendly crewmembers. Or just soak up the views from one of your ship’s many relaxing decks. Whatever you pick, you and your loved ones are sure to experience a rare thrill—the stunning biodiversity of one of the world’s most unique island paradises.br />  

tour includes

  • Galápagos National Park tax and transit fees
  • Visits to nine islands 
  • Daily excursions
  • Seven nights on the Evolution
  • Hotel accommodations pre- and post-cruise in Guayaquil
  • All meals included except on Day 1, and lunch and dinner on Days 9 and 10
  • Two Level 3 naturalists
  • Snorkeling gear and wetsuits
  • Kayaks
  • All bottled water
  • Onboard doctor
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Tips to porters and to waiters for included meals
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From our blog

Announcing CW’s New Family Travel Line

Details

Family Adventure
Length
10 days, 9 nights
Activity Level
Easy; limited walking
Meet and Depart
Guayaquil, Ecuador

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Deck Plan

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Itinerary and Accommodations

Days
Destination
1
Guayaquil
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2
Galápagos Islands
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3
Galápagos Islands
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4
Galápagos Islands
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5
Galápagos Islands
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6
Galápagos Islands
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7
Galápagos Islands
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8
Galápagos Islands
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9
Guayaquil
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10
Guayaquil
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Day 1

Guayaquil

U.S./Guayaquil

Fly independently to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the Hotel Oro Verde. Enjoy a dip in their swimming pool before making plans for dinner. (No meals included on this day.)

Hotel Oro Verde

Guayaquil, Ecuador

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this deluxe boutique hotel combines traditional European-style service with warm Ecuadorian hospitality. The hotel is ideally situated in the Guayaquil district, within walking distance of cultural and historical sites, shopping, dining and entertainment. Amenities include a swimming pool, two restaurants, fitness center and spa. All 230 beautiful guest rooms feature the latest amenities and technology to ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay.

Day 2

Galápagos Islands

Fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the Evolution. Your ship is a 204 foot expedition boat and features a great deal of public space to explore

Fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the Evolution. Your ship is a 204 foot expedition boat and features a great deal of public space to explore, including an observation deck, open bridge, hot tub, and wood-paneled dining room. After settling in, stroll along the white-sand beach at Playa Ochoa, home to a large colony of curious sea lions. Nearby is a tidal lagoon frequented by migratory and endemic bird species, such as flamingos, finches and Chatham mockingbirds. At sunset, cruise around Kicker Rock. Your naturalists point out blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and frigate birds along the cliffs.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 3

Galápagos Islands

Streak across Banks Bay in a zodiac on your way to explore a sunken volcano at Punta Vicente Roca. In the turquoise water you can snorkel among sea turtles, penguins and possibly even sea horses

Streak across Banks Bay in a zodiac on your way to explore a sunken volcano at Punta Vicente Roca. In the turquoise water you can snorkel among sea turtles, penguins and possibly even sea horses. Hike the pahoehoe lava fields of Punta Espinosa, located on Fernandina, the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos, where you can also spot flightless cormorants and marine iguanas. Whale watch from the Evolution’s open-air decks as we cross the Bolivar Channel.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 4

Galápagos Islands

Isabela Island

Hike along an uplifted section of the sea floor in Urvina Bay at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. See tortoises, colorful land iguanas and other wildlife that feed on the vegetation—your naturalist guides will be sure to point them out. Board our zodiacs for an excursion to Tagus Cove, where you can snorkel and swim with brightly colored fish, sea stars and quick, little Galápagos penguins. This evening, take in a movie on the big screen in the ship’s comfy lounge.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 5

Galápagos Islands

Bartolomé / Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

Today you visit Bartolomé Island, hiking to the top of a dormant volcano for a dramatic panorama, including famed Pinnacle Rock. Not interested in hiking? Go for a zodiac ride around the cliffs, observing a stunning volcanic landscape and Galapagos penguins, and stopping to swim or snorkel along the way. In the afternoon you’ll hike across the lava fields of Sullivan Bay, seeing some of the hearty flora colonizing the landscapes. Stroll along the coralline beach spotting black and white oystercatchers.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 6

Galápagos Islands

Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Dragon Hill

Enjoy some quality time exploring the white sands of Bachas Beach. Look for Sally Lightfoot crabs, black necked stilts and whimbrels. Snorkel in the calm waters where sea turtles nest. Named for the area’s large land iguanas, Dragon Hill is an important nesting site for iguanas reintroduced by the Charles Darwin Research Center. Walk to a lagoon where you might find vibrant flocks of flamingos.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 7

Galápagos Islands

Santa Cruz Island

Begin your day at the Charles Darwin Research Station, famous for its tortoise breeding programs. Get up close and personal with baby tortoises and learn about vital work being done to study and preserve Galapagos wildlife. Later in the day, you can head into the forested highlands, to spot giant tortoises in the wild. Visit a family-run sugar cane farm, where you can see how this important crop is harvested with machetes.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 8

Galápagos Islands

Española Island

Wade ashore in Punta Suarez to get acquainted with a sea lion colony. Walk along the cliffs looking for waved albatrosses, Galapagos hawks, Hood mockingbirds and red-colored marine iguanas en route to Española’s blowhole, a unique spot where waves spout 90 feet into the air. After a relaxing lunch, swim, snorkel and kayak in the waters off Gardner Bay, or simply bring along your book or a camera and relax on the white sands.

M/V Evolution

The 32-guest M/V Evolution presents the perfect way to explore this spectacular archipelago with ample public space, comfortable cabins and an expert crew. Amenities include an observation deck, a canopied bar on the roof deck and an infirmary with an onboard doctor. Meals are served in one seating in the dining room, and al fresco when weather permits. An “open bridge” policy during the adventure welcomes you to visit the captain and crew to learn all about the ship’s operation and navigation. Each day, naturalist guides give talks about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Two person kayaks and snorkel gear are also available on board to enhance the journey.

Day 9

Guayaquil

Galapagos Islands / Guayaquil

Enjoy a zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, drifting silently through this area of mangroves. Fly to Guayaquil, with time to relax at the Hotel Oro Verde. (Dinner not included.)

Hotel Oro Verde

Guayaquil, Ecuador

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this deluxe boutique hotel combines traditional European-style service with warm Ecuadorian hospitality. The hotel is ideally situated in the Guayaquil district, within walking distance of cultural and historical sites, shopping, dining and entertainment. Amenities include a swimming pool, two restaurants, fitness center and spa. All 230 beautiful guest rooms feature the latest amenities and technology to ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay.

Day 10

Guayaquil

Guayaquil / U.S.

Sunday you fly to the U.S. and connect with flights home. (Lunch and Dinner not included.)

Itinerary Disclaimer

Bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience. If you are currently booked on a CW adventure, an itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call CW at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact itinerary or hotels selected for any of our tours.

Guides

Bolivar Sanchez

A true native Galapagos Naturalist, Bolivar is an expert in Earth science. He developed a strong interest in >

Alex Cox

Level 3-certified guide Alex Cox developed a strong interest in wildlife and the outdoors as a small boy on >

Bolivar Sanchez

A true native Galapagos Naturalist, Bolivar is an expert in Earth science. He developed a strong interest in wildlife and the outdoors as a small boy, and has been learning as much as possible ever since. For the past 18 years he has worked as a certified naturalist guide in Galapagos National Park, sharing his knowledge of the flora and fauna with guests of his beautiful homeland. His great personality and wonderful sense of humor make him a joy to travel with. Boli's other interests include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and hiking.

Alex Cox

Level 3-certified guide Alex Cox developed a strong interest in wildlife and the outdoors as a small boy on the island of San Cristóbal before studying at the Central University of Ecuador, where he honed his passion for Earth science. Alex has spent the past 20 years as a guide in the islands. When not guiding, look for Alex swimming, hiking or spending time with his two children.