7-Nights Family Galapagos-Luxury Family Journeys from $11,690

Abercrombie & Kent: Family Galápagos

DAY 1 Quito, Ecuador

Arrive in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, where you are metand transferred to your hotel.

Start your day with a visit to La Mitad del Mundo EquatorialLine Monument, dedicated to the 18th-century Frenchexpedition that first established the position of the equator.Then, transfer north to the edge of the city for an awesomeRide Like a Local on TelefériQo, an aerial gondola offeringbreathtaking views over Quito. The gondola deposits youat the top of an active volcano, 12,950 feet above sea level,where you take in the marvelous vistas. After lunch, have funin a desserts class featuring traditional and local desserts.Return to Quito to walk its historic district with its beautifulchurches and colorful plazas, and take in firsthand viewsof local life and the city’s charming colonial architecture.Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Fly to Baltra in the Galápagos Islands, where you board ‘LaPinta.’ After a welcome briefing, enjoy lunch on board. Thisafternoon, begin exploring the Galápagos, starting at SouthPlaza Island. Observe the native flora, such as the pricklypear cactus, a favorite snack of the land iguana that roam theisland like real-life dragons. Scan the coastline for playfulsea lion and colorful wild birds. Tonight (and each evening)back aboard ‘La Pinta,’ enjoy a variety of all-ages activitiesdesigned to capture the imaginations of young explorers,including fun quizzes, making handicrafts and learningsome Spanish words.

Today, discover Santa Fe Island, boarding a panga (smallboat) for a brief ride to its idyllic sandy-white beaches. Walkthe onshore terrain, keeping a lookout for wild residents:a curious sea lion coming to greet you, a Galápagos hawkperched atop salt bushes or a Santa Fe land iguana sunningitself on a rock. Then, snorkel and swim along a natural wavebarrier or ride in a glass-bottom boat for a cool glimpse intolife beneath the waves. Break for lunch back on board asyou set a course toward San Cristobal Island. Disembark atPuerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive to the breeding centerfor highly endangered giant tortoise at Cerro Colorado, setin a fantastic deciduous forest.

Land on San Cristobal Island and set out on a trail thatascends from the beach to a lookout offering you spectacularshoreline views. Observe frigatebird and a colony of sealion, and, if conditions are favorable, swim from the beach. After lunch on board, take a panga to Cerro Brujo and walkthe same sandy shore once trod by Charles Darwin, the19th-century English naturalist whose theory of evolutionbegan with the firsthand observations he made of life in theGalápagos.

Begin at Punta Suárez, walking on lava terrain to visit theisland’s seabird colonies. Depending on the time of year, youmay spy soaring waved albatross, booby or swallow-tail gull;watch for marine iguana, too. After lunch aboard, cruiseGardner Bay and go ashore to observe sea lion, mockingbirdand various species of finch. The bay has a magnificentbeach, a great place to snorkel, kayak or ride a glass-bottomedboat.

Disembark on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles DarwinResearch Station and learn about the captive rearingprogram for giant tortoise. Afterward, ferry to Baltra andfly to Quito for a farewell dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart.