Kid Friendly Galapagos Islands Tour: Luxury Cruise & Guided Tours

Galapagos wildlife always makes for unforgettable vacation scenes; your children walking past sea lions on the beach, penguins diving past the boat, giant tortoises filling the walking trail. There's something endearing and evocative to find everywhere in this archipelago, from bright red sandy beaches to gargantuan land iguanas. Such extraordinary wildlife is adept at keeping kids entertained. As are the expert Galapagos guides, who run tailored children's activities that reveal the natural history and evolution of this remarkable archipelago. Consider learning more about your skilled Galapagos tour operators who strive to produce a spectacular once in a lifetime exploration of the Galapagos for you and your family. This isn't a zoo experience. And it isn't just a glimpse of a few animals. For eight days, you enjoy intimate encounters with a dozen iconic species, often getting within two meters of the flamboyant wildlife.

This kid-friendly Galapagos Islands tour combines four days of relaxed land exploration on Santa Cruz Island with four nights of luxury cruising. Excursions and activities are flexible, ensuring there's always a choice about what to do and which Galapagos angle to enjoy. An oceanfront lodge on Santa Cruz is your base for the start of the trip. From here, you can enjoy unguided trips to beaches speckled with sea lions, research stations filled with tortoises, and volcanic cliffs home to iguanas and seabirds. One privately guided day trip explores the outer reaches of the island, bringing stunning encounters with mass colonies and the eclectic variety of Galapagos habitats. Interconnecting suites provide lingering ocean views, and the itinerary is fully inclusive of all meals.

Then the 4-night cruise takes you to some of the archipelago's most revered sites, locations that epitomize the hypnotic life in this isolated wilderness. Walk over ancient lava flows, visit the breeding ground of over a million birds, spot penguins diving from cliffs, and relax on pristine soft-sand beaches. There's marine exploration at each site, and you can choose to ride in a glass-bottom boat, swim from sandy shores, or go on a guided snorkel, with specialist snorkeling life jackets if required. Interconnecting cabins provide the accommodation while the boat's 90-capacity size enables it to offer tailored activities for the children, like wildlife photography and animal tracking. With multiple social areas, there's always a quiet place onboard for your family to enjoy.

Before the Galapagos, you spend two nights in the capital city Quito, a relaxed introduction to the country. A private guide arranges flexible excursions, including the recommended teleferico ride to the upper slopes of Pichincha Volcano. From here, there are wonderful views of the Andes and a safe sense of adventure. From Quito, it's a 90-minute direct flight to the islands and your immersion in this strange wildlife world. The Galapagos have never been connected to any continental landmass, meaning the wildlife has always evolved distinctly from the rest of the planet. The colors, the charm, the inquisitive stare of a creature you get close to... it makes for a wonderful experience for children of all ages, not to mention a bucket list destination for the whole family. Furthermore, the Galapagos is malaria free, and no additional vaccinations are required for travel here.