r/ecuador • u/cat_lives_upstairs • 1d ago
Itinerary feedback - 3 wks with kids/teens
I would love feedback on my itinerary for March/April! Family of five - kids will be 10, 13, 15. The only thing booked so far is the Galapagos liveaboard cruise and our flights, but I'm about ready to book the rest. Let me know if you have any suggestions. We haven't decided how we're getting around either (rental vs driver vs buses - possibly a mix). Very excited about this trip. Thanks!
Day 1
Toronto-Quito
Arrive early evening
Sleep Quito
Day 2
Quito - Quilotoa
Sleep Black Sheep Inn (probably)
Day 3
Quilotoa - acclimatize
AM: Zumbahua for the market
Sleep Black Sheep Inn (probably)
Day 4
Quilotoa main day - hike if acclimatized, car tour if not
Quilotoa Lake
Sleep Black Sheep Inn (probably)
Day 5
Travel between Quilotoa and Cotopaxi
Sleep Hacienda el Porvenir, Cotopaxi Lodge or Tambopaxi Lodge
Day 6
Cotopaxi - Quito
Day trip to Cotopaxi, ending in Quito
Sleep Quito
Day 7
Quito - Coca - Limoncocha
Tentative booking for an overnight at Limoncocha to see the caimans and fireflies
Day 8
Limoncocha - Coca
Wild Mandari Amazon Jungle Express Day 1
Day 9
Amazon Jungle Express Day 2
Day 10
Amazon Jungle Express Day 3
Day 11
Amazon Jungle Express Day 4 - return to Coca
Sleep Coca
Day 12
Coca- Quito
Keep unplanned
Sleep Quito
Day 13
Quito - could do a day trip to Papallacta Hot Springs but I think the day is better spent in the city - keep unplanned
Sleep Quito
Day 14
Quito-Baltra-Puerto Ayora
Sleep Puerto Ayora
Day 15
Puerto Ayora
Keep unplanned
Sleep Puerto Ayora
Beach Day/relax
Keep unplanned
Day 16
Puerto Ayora
Keep unplanned
Sleep Puerto Ayora
Day 17-21
Galapagos Liveaboard 5 Days / 4 Nights (leaves from Santa Cruz)
Bachas, Bartolome, Sullivan Bay, South Plazas Island, Santa Fe Island, Witch Hill, Pitt Point, San Cristobal Highlands
Day 21
Finish in San Cristobal – fly to Quito
Sleep Quito
Day 22
Quito-Toronto
2
u/FHOCJD 1d ago
Looks great. 3 weeks is a nice amount of time. The kids will be amazed. I haven't been to the Black Sheep Inn but I was given their business card...back in 1995. Your jungle trip should be great. Great idea to leave unplanned time too.
Ecuador is relatively easy to travel around in. You'll be more comfortable arranging private transportation and it gives you the option to just stop anywhere which is great for a family with young kids. Try to at least give the kids the adventure of a regular public bus trip so they can see it's how the locals do it.