ECUADOR: Galapagos Multi Sport Adventure
ECUAD OR:
Galap agos Multi Sp or t Ad vent u re
With this Galapagos Multi-Sport itinerary, we’ve
replaced your typical cruise ship with charming
hotel stays on the islands. Leave the crowds of
visitors and well-worn paths behind and spend
time with your family actively exploring the
islands.
This trip is for the adventurous family that is
eager to trade the confines of a cruise ship for
quaint bed and breakfasts in order to discover
the flora and fauna of the Galapagos in a unique
and active way. If it’s luxury you’re looking for,
you may want to join one of our cruises, but if
you want to maximize opportunities for wildlife
viewing and adventurous exploration, this is
your family’s dream trip!
Highlights:
• Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano
• Sea Kayak in Academy Bay
• Bike to El Garrapatero
• See incredible wildlife
DIFFICULTY
800.262.6255
Thomson Family Adventures
RECOMMENDED age :10+
www.familyadventures.com
ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador
Touch down in tropical Guayaquil, where you’ll be met and
transferred to your hotel to check in and rest up for your flight to
Darwin’s natural laboratory the next day.
Accommodations: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar.
Day 2 Guayaquil to Isabela
Get to know your guide and fellow travelers at a welcome breakfast,
then take the quick flight to Baltra in the magical Galapagos Islands.
Board a speedboat at Baltra and ride out to Isabela. Our first activity
here will be seeing the famous Giant Galapagos Tortoise. These
majestic giant tortoises of Santa Cruz - part of a family best known
for their dome-shaped shell and gigantic form - are often found partly
submerged in mud ponds to combat skin parasites or to regulate
body temperature on warm and sunny days.
Accommodations: Hotel La Casa de Marita, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Isabela Island
Hike this morning to Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active
in the Galapagos Islands. Sierra Negra has the earth’s second-largest
active volcanic caldera whose rim can be seen. Afterwards, head to
one of Isabela’s beautiful beaches for a surf lesson with an expert
instructor.
Accommodations: Hotel La Casa de Marita, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Isabela Island
A short ride on a small boat known as a panga brings you and your
family to the unique volcanic island of Tintoreras, where a primitive
species of lichen flourishes in the moisture brought by the prevailing
winds. Over the course of your easy 40-minute hike, you’ll see young
marine iguanas (the world’s only sea-going lizard), a small colony of
sea lions, and maybe even white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the
waters around the island. In the quiet lagoon here, observe the bizarre
behavior of the blue-footed boobies – and with luck, spot the Galapagos penguin. This afternoon embark on mountain bike ride past
beautiful beaches and eco-diverse swamps, leading uphill to a wall
known as the “Wall of Tears.” The story behind this site is fascinating
and devastating: during penal colonial times, prisoners were forced to
build this mighty wall using lava rocks for absolutely no reason other
than as a cruel, backbreaking punishment. Our ride will also present
us with the sight of enormous black mangroves, fiddler crabs, giant
tortoises, and fluttering finches.
Accommodations: Hotel La Casa de Marita, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Isabela to Santa Cruz
Fly to Santa Cruz today, connecting in Baltra. Travel by bus from
the island’s dry, sunbaked shoreline and up into the cooler, lusher
highlands. These highlands are home to an abundance of giant
Galapagos tortoises – some over 100 years old – that meander slowly
and without a care in their perfect protected habitat. Later on, embark
out of Academy Bay in Santa Cruz Island’s port city of Puerto Ayora
on a challenging sea kayaking expedition. Paddle around Finch Bay
Beach, encountering blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, and
continue to Punta Estrada – a serene bay where you’ll kayak around
marvelous mangroves. Head down a tranquil canal and observe
prickly pear opuntia cacti sticking out of solid rock and loads of
fascinating birds nesting.
Accommodations: Hotel La Casa de Marita, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
800.262.6255
Thomson Family Adventures
www.familyadventures.com
Day 6 Santa Cruz Island
Today your family will visit El Garrapatero, a bay on Santa Cruz
with beaches perfect for swimming and relaxing. The area also has
a lake frequented by shorebirds like pink flamingoes, herons, and
stilts. You’ll have the chance to go for a bike ride in this delightful
environment.
Accommodations: Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Santa Cruz Island
Visit Bahía Ballena (Whale Bay) this morning and go for a short walk,
during which you may stumble upon Galapagos sea lions and marine
iguanas basking in the sun. The endemic Darwin`s finches and yellow
warbler subspecies fly among candelabra and prickly pear opuntia
cacti to search for food and nesting sites. Frigate birds perch on mangrove trees and circle the sky, trying to steal fish from the blue-footed
boobies as they hunt by plunging into the water. Here, different
species of mangroves such as red, black, and white grow among the
lava fields providing nutrients into the water that attract colorful
tropical fish. Afterwards, snorkel around the nutrient-rich mangroves
surrounded by feeding king angel fish, damselfish, barberfish, and
surgeonfish. Snorkel through channels with small reefs formed by
clusters of volcanic rock, seeing green and Pacific leatherback sea
turtles and Galapagos sea lions. Tonight enjoy dinner with a local
fisherman.
Day 8 Santa Cruz to Guayaquil
Transfer to Baltra and fly back to Guayaquil, where your family will
have some free time to relax or explore the city before a special farewell dinner with your guide and fellow travelers.
Accommodations: Wyndham Guayaquil, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 Depart Ecuador
All great adventures must one day come to an end. This morning,
enjoy your last breakfast in Ecuador and say “hasta luego” to your
new friends before departing for the airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
800.262.6255
Thomson Family Adventures www.familyadventures.com
Why choose Thomson Family Adventures?
Because we know families… we were the first and remain the only
company devoted exclusively to family travel. Adult tour companies
have imitated us, but we are still – as we were in 1998 – the only one
to offer strictly family adventures.
We offer meaningful family experiences like horizon-broadening
encounters with local children.
Our Guides are all native to the country you are visiting, so you
gain real knowledge of local life from the get-go—something a
non-local, no matter how scholarly, could never match.
Our rafikis, in addition to our guide travel with almost all of our
groups of eight or more. Their job is to engage the kids in fun
games and activities to help break the ice among families and make
sure everyone’s entertained.
Grandparents and Family Reunions—nothing can bring a family
together like a shared travel experience. No matter the age difference
—be it a parent and child, grandparent and grandchild or multiple
generations—observing how we each see the world is not only remarkable but a sweet reminder that certain things in this world are,
and will always be, totally ineffable.
Relax—you’re with Thomson—our expertise in this specialized
field is unmatched, and we spend every minute of every day coming up
with new ways to make family travel more fun, eye-opening and safe.
Accommodations – We’ve personally visited every ship, hotel, and
campsite to be sure they all meet our family travel standards.
Meals – We know hungry kids and fussy eaters can make travel
difficult, so our meals and buffets are carefully selected.
Transportation – It’s all taken care of: airport transfers, ground
transportation, plenty of snacks on the vehicles, and no overly long
drives—because nobody wants to hear, “Are we there yet?!”
Included travel insurance – If the unexpected should arise—no
worries, we have you covered.
Guaranteed departures – It’s tough to find time out of your busy
schedule; school vacation is when it is, the kids’ summer camp is
not going to move to a different week… Once you’ve confirmed a
trip that works for your family, we won’t cancel on you.
Let us take care of all the details for you.
Parenting is hard work—vacationing doesn’t need to be.
800.262.6255
ACCOMMODATIONS
Wyndham Guayaquil
The Wyndham Hotel in Guayaquil is located just steps from the historic
Santa Anna Hill, its famous lighthouse, and the Malecón 2000. Guests
of this hotel can stay fit at the fitness center or relax with a swim in the
heated outdoor pool, which offers glorious views of the city from the
9th floor terrace. Each of the hotel’s 179 over-sized guest rooms include
thoughtful amenities like plush pillow top bedding, down pillows,
mini-bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, bathrobe, digital safe and 43-inch flat
screen satellite TV.
Hotel La Casa de Marita
Hotel La Casa de Marita is a charming boutique hotel on the island of
Isabela, surrounded by white sand beaches, dazzling turquoise waters,
and lush vegetation and gardens. The serene hotel is the perfect place for
quiet reflection and relaxation, with inviting tropical colors and decorations, and hammocks and parasols on the beach to enjoy the golden
sunshine. Amenities include laundry service, a library, room service,
mini-bars, restaurant, bar, and Wi-Fi in public areas.
Angermeyer Waterfront Inn
The Angermeyer Waterfront Inn offers top-notch comfort and all the necessary amenities amid constant reminders that you’re still in the Galapagos
Islands, one of the most unique places in the world. The inn was built
using lava rocks and drift wood for that authentic Galapagos feel, and each
spacious room is equipped with cable television, air conditioning, and a
private bathroom. Located just a 2-minute water taxi ride from the bustling
Puerto Ayora, the property has its own dock and a waterfront restaurant
prime for observing sea lions, sea turtles, and marine iguanas.
CLIMATE
Ecuador:
While Ecuador’s tropical weather has some seasonal variations, weather
on the equator is highly variable. For the Ecuadorians, the rainy season
is called winter, and the dry season is summer. Rain occurs throughout
the year. Plan your field clothing for a variety of conditions; a compact,
rainproof jacket or poncho in your daypack is the best insurance for an
enjoyable day.
The Galapagos Islands:
The cold Humboldt Current and the warm El Niño current regulate the
tropical climate in the Galapagos. From December to May it is hot and
humid, with temperatures ranging from low 70s to low 80s, with the
possibility of rain. From June to September, temperatures vary from low
60s to high 70s. This is the garua season, with mist in the mornings.
From January to April, water temperatures are in the mid 70s. The rest
of the year it is in the low 70s and high 60s. If you plan on doing a lot
of snorkeling and get chilled easily, you may wish to pack a wet suit top.
There are a limited number of wetsuits available for rent on board the
ship–please contact us in advance if you are interested in this.
Thomson Family Adventures
www.familyadventures.com
TRIP DETAILS
Included
• All entrance fees for sites indicated in the itinerary
• Accommodations based on double and triple occupancy at
comfortable and distinctive tourist level hotels
• Meals as per the above itinerary
• Services of a bilingual guide who will accompany you
throughout your trip
• Land transportation, airport transfers and internal air
• All excursions as listed in the itinerary
• Bottled water for the land portion of your tour
• Travel Insurance for your family
• Groups of 8 or more will be accompanied by one of our rafikis
• Trip journal including bird lists, mammal lists, sketchpads
and address lists
­Not Included
• Soda, beer, wine and spirits (where we include dinner,
you will need to pay the bar tab)
• Fees for passports, visas and immunizations
• Meals and expenses en route to your destination
• Laundry, phone/fax/email, and other items of a personal nature
• Additional activities not listed on this itinerary
• Departure taxes
• Tips for your guide(s), rafiki (if applicable), and driver(s)
• $100 Galapagos National Park fee
Dates and Prices:
2016
10 or more
travelers Dec. 17-25
$6,390
Dec. 25-Jan. 2 $6,390
2017
10 or more
travelers Mar. 18-26
Apr. 16-23
Jul. 22-30
Dec. 26-Jan. 3
$5,840
$5,840
$5,840
$6,540
6 to 9 2 to 5
travelers travelers
$6,790
$6,790
$7,190
$7,190
6 to 9 2 to 5
travelers travelers
Internal
Air
$700
$700
Internal
Air
$6,165
$6,490
$750
$6,165
$6,490
$750
$6,165
$6,490
$750
$6,915 $7,290 $750
Child Discount: $200 per child under 12
Triple Discount: $500 for children under 12 sharing with 2 adults
Alumni Discount: $500 per family for returning Thomson guests
*Be sure to check our website for newly added & sold out dates.
If you don’t see a date that works for you, call us; we can
personalize any trip to meet your travel needs.
BOOKING YOUR TRIP IS EASY
Just give us a call at 800-262-6255. Our family travel
advisors are here to help you choose and prepare for your family’s
adventure. We are a special group of world travelers, many of us
parents ourselves, who are here for you every step of the way. We
provide personal attention to every detail, and we really do get to
know all of our travelers as individuals—no phone banks, no
voicemail, no scripting—just real live people who want your
family to have the best adventure possible!
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Deposit: A 20% per person non-refundable deposit, payable
by check or credit card, is due at the time of booking.
Final Payments: The balance is due no less than 90 days prior
to departure (120 prior to departure for December trips) and is
payable by personal check, money order, or wire transfer.
Cancellation & Refunds: Notification of cancellation must be
made in writing to Thomson Family Adventures. Once notice
is received, the following per person cancellation fees will apply.
Number of days
Cancellation December
Before Departure
Fee
Departures Only
121+:
DepositDeposit
120-91:
Deposit 50% of the
package price
90 – 61:
50% of the 65% of the
package price package price
60 days or less:
100% of the 100% of the
package price package price
In order to offer the best trip possible, Thomson Family
Adventures reserves the right to change trip itineraries,
prices and/or departure dates.
©Thomson Family Adventures
800.262.6255
Thomson Family Adventures
www.familyadventures.com