Country By Country Recommendations :

Ecuador Tours

Minimum age: 6

Ecuador tours offer stunning wildlife, diverse activities, and relatively short transfer times, allowing parents to find a tour that is appropriate for children of nearly any age. Some offer high intensity multi-sport adventures while others have a relaxed, unstructured pace. The family-friendly Sacha Lodge in the Amazon and unparalleled wildlife of the Galapagos make Ecuador travel one of our first choices for family adventures. These tours generally fall into three categories- sightseeing excursions, multi-sport activities, and wildlife adventures.

Sightseeing Tours:

The Andes and Amazon tour provides an opportunity for families to try new foods, see amazing sites, and stay in small, bed and breakfast style hotels that each has a distinctive flavor. The primary focus of this tour is sightseeing so it is not a good choice for young children who can be easily bored, crave high intensity activities, or have rigid schedules/ food preferences, etc. This tour can be divided into shorter segments that can be added as extensions to Galapagos or Amazon adventures.

Multi-sport Tours:

The Ecuador Adventurer tour provides a mix of activities including a multi-day trek, whitewater rafting, biking, and camping. Prepare your family by planning weekend day hikes or overnight camping trips before you go. Keep in mind that although the distances hiked each day are not especially long (6 to 9 miles typically), the altitude of this trek may make it feel almost twice as difficult as the same distance at home. Each traveler should bring a daypack with essentials such as a camera, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and snacks. This tour can be divided into shorter segments that can be added as extensions to Galapagos or Amazon adventures.

The Galapagos Multisport tour offers a similar adrenaline rush, with an additional wildlife focus. Enjoy hiking, snorkeling, sea kayaking, and horseback riding. No experience is necessary but an active mindset is a must!

Wildlife tours:

Galapagos, Wildlife Odyssey, Amazon Adventurer, Islands and Incas

These adventures are a great choice for families interested in Ecuador travel with a focus on wildlife and nature. Some, like the Islands and Incas tour, also blend in a cultural component.

The Galapagos Islands provide one of the most quintessential wildlife experiences on the planet. Children can snorkel with sea lions, step across giant land iguanas, admire newly hatched birds, and marvel at 200 year old giant tortoises. Some yachts have special family departures that include additional guides and activities for kids. Others offer suite accommodations, onboard swimming pools, games rooms, and more flexible meal options. Because of this wide range of options, children of nearly any age can be accommodated. Safety and limited facilities onboard can be concerns for very young children so most yachts have a minimum age of 6 or 7.

Sacha Lodge, one of the most comfortable jungle lodges in the Amazon, also provides a wonderful alternative (or addition for young children). It has Western-style facilities with private cabins, high thatched roofs, shaded terraces, an excellent mix of local and international cuisine, and a well-trained staff that is used to accommodating families and school groups. It can be a nice option for kids as young as six years old. The weather can commonly include heat, humidity, and rain during your stay. Please pack appropriately and don't forget the insect repellant!

Galapagos 7-10 6 Excellent wildlife option. Larger yachts tend to offer more family-friendly facilities and a better chance of having other kids onboard
Sacha Lodge and Casa del Suizo 8 6 Excellent Amazon option that caters to families and school groups. Shorter transfer times than most Amazon lodges
Hotel Silberstein 10 8 Children should be able to handle active daily excursions.
Finch Bay EcoHotel 10 6 Great choice for families. Wildlife viewing, snorkeling, time at the beach and the pool.
Ultimate Ecuador 15 10 Multi day trek, whitewater rafting, camping, and biking. Portions are very remote with two nights camping, rustic jungle lodge and kayaking- best for older kids and active families
Darwin's Islands 8 6 There is a 25% discount for children aged 6-9 years of age. Children should be able to handle active daily excursions.
Quito Easter Festival 4 0
Wildlife Odyssey 16 6 Blends wildlife of Galapagos and Sacha Lodge. See notes above.
Amazon Adventure 8 10 Active and remote with two nights camping, rustic jungle lodge and kayaking- best for older kids
Sacha Lodge - Ecuadorian Amazon 7 6 Excellent Amazon option that caters to families and school groups. Shorter transfer times than most Amazon lodges
Andes and Amazon 15 6 Sightseeing tour with cultural and historic focus. Some longer transfers
Haciendas of Ecuador - Otavalo and Cotopaxi 7 8 Cultural activities and optional horseback riding and hiking while staying at historic haciendas in the highlands.
Islands and Incas - Galapagos & Machu Picchu 16 6 Cultural and wildlife focus
Galapagos Multisport 9 10 Active multisport tour best for older kids
Hiking Galapagos 9 8 Children should be able to handle daily hiking excursions.
Corpus Christi Festival 3 6 Cultural focus
La Selva Lodge - Ecuadorian Amazon 7 6 Excellent Amazon option that caters to families and school groups. Shorter transfer times than most Amazon lodges
Ecuador Adventurer 9 10 Multi day trek, whitewater rafting, camping, and biking - best for older kids and active families

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