Galapagos Family Cruises
The Ultimate Family Adventure
Featuring the Best Family Friendly Yachts
The Ultimate Family Adventure!
Days: 7-10 | From: $5,750 per adult (child discounts available)
- Choose from our hand-picked selection of the very best family-friendly yachts and small ships
- Come face-to-face with fascinating and fearless creatures, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth
- Top naturalist guides ensure that everyone has the trip of a lifetime
Family travel, at its best, is about reconnecting with the people who matter most. Few family travel experiences offer such outstanding opportunities for reconnection as a Galapagos Islands cruise. This is a remote place where the focus is on being outside and being together. Whether you’re traveling with teens, younger kids, or adult children in their 20s and 30s, the intimate, small-ship atmosphere of a Galapagos cruise provides the perfect backdrop for a multi-generation family adventure.
Home to an astounding variety of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth, Galapagos is one of the world’s premiere wildlife watching destinations. Because the animals here evolved without natural predators, most show little or no fear of humans, allowing for surprisingly up-close, yet safe, wildlife encounters guaranteed to amaze travelers of all ages.
We delight in taking the stress and confusion out of planning multi-generational Galapagos adventures. We’ve curated a selection of the best family-friendly yachts and understand the ins and outs of what makes a family vacation great. Our family travel specialists will not only help you select the best yacht or small ship for you and your family, they can also help you plan the perfect pre- or post-cruise extension to Quito, the Amazon, Andean haciendas, and beyond. We know the best suites and family-friendly accommodations along the way, and our exceptional guides know how to make sure every member of the family gets the most out of the experience.
So give us a call today and let’s get started!
Inquire about this trip
Talk to a Family Travel Specialist
We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.
At a glance
- Quito
2 nights: Arrive to this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city and enjoy a host of kid-friendly activities - Galapagos
4-7 nights: Discover the Galapagos Islands aboard a hand-selected, family-friendly yacht
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
Customize this trip
+1 (510) 548-8487
Sample itinerary
Welcome to Quito!
Arrive to Quito, where your private guide will welcome you to the country and take you to your hotel, located in the heart of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great part of the city for walking around, with traditional squares and architecture and a variety of shops and restaurants.
Accommodations: Illa Experience, 2 nights
The Illa Experience is located in the historic Old Town district of Quito, within walking distance of cultural attractions, cafes, and restaurants. Rooms are decorated with modern, comfortable furnishings and decor. Each floor of the hotel is inspired by a different historical period, and each room offers underfloor heating and large windows with views of the iconic calle Junín or the Virgen del Panecillo. There is a heated swimming pool and a jacuzzi. The restaurant offers traditional Ecuadorian dishes crafted with local ingredients.
Upgrades and alternatives: Casa Gangotena, Plaza GrandeExplore Quito
Your Vaya family travel specialist will help you plan a perfect day in Quito and its surrounding environs based on your family’s interests and desired activity level.
Your many options for the day include mountain biking through a nearby cloud forest; a ride on the Teleférico Quito, one of the highest cable cars in South America; a visit to the Middle of the World Monument, located directly on the equator; or a tour of a historic family-owned chocolateria and café on the historic La Ronda street. Or you may just want to spend some time exploring Quito’s historic Old Town and its beguiling maze of dramatic colonial buildings and sweeping plazas.
Your private guide will make sure everything goes without a hitch and that everyone in your family has a truly unforgettable day!
Fly to the Galapagos Islands
Fly about 600 miles out over the Pacific Ocean to arrive at the Galapagos Islands. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Treasure of Galapagos or the vessel of your choice. You are about to embark on one of the world’s greatest nature voyages.
Exploring the Galapagos Islands in the company of loved ones is a magnificent and unique experience: a combination of sheer natural beauty, amazing wildlife, beautiful accommodations, and fascinating natural history. There is no better way to experience this enchanted archipelago.
Please note: for this itinerary, we highlight a 5 day/4 night cruise aboard the Treasure of Galapagos, a comfortable, family-friendly 16 passenger yacht. But please keep in mind there are many different small ships and yachts that are excellent options for family Galapagos cruises and shorter and longer itinerary options..
Accommodations: Treasure of Galapagos
The Treasure of the Galapagos is a 16 passenger first class catamaran. Its cabins are ample and bright and include a seaside door and balcony. Amenities include an outdoor whirlpool for up to 6 people, deck chairs, bbq, TV/DVD, a small library, and board games.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerUpgrades and alternatives: Galapagos Legend, Letty, Origin/Theory/Evolve
Cruising and Exploring the Galapagos Islands with Your Family
The exact itinerary varies from vessel to vessel, but you will spend these days exploring the islands in depth. Your boat will travel between several different islands so that you can experience a wide variety of the unique wildlife and environments that the Galapagos offers.
The giant Galapagos Tortoise, the marine iguana, the waved albatross, the Galapagos penguin, and flightless cormorants are just a few of the species you can come across. There will also be daily opportunities to snorkel, where you can see what’s below the surface: giant sea turtles, rays, and sea lions, to name just a few. Each day you will enjoy excellent cuisine and the company of an expert bilingual naturalist guide.
RETURN TO QUITO / DEPART FOR HOME OR YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
Enjoy a final morning in the islands before flying out from the Galapagos back to Quito, where you can connect with your international flight home or continue your trip in mainland Ecuador.
If you have a long layover before your flight, we can set up a visit to nearby hot springs or transfer you to a hotel to relax and have dinner before transferring back to the airport.
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Add a few nights in the Ecuadorian Amazon, a 30 minute flight from Quito. Our top choice is the Napo Wildlife Center, one of the top lodges anywhere in the Amazon.
Add extra days in Quito: Quito is worth exploring on your own, and we can arrange a variety of activities, including city tours, culinary excursions, visits to ruins and historical sites, and active options such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Reviews From This Trip
Why Travel with Vaya?
We're TRUE specialists
We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.
Uplifting service
From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.
Thoughtful travel
Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.