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Thomson Family Adventures
Choose from two Ecuadoran itineraries for ages seven and up. One includes a four-day tour of the Galápagos Islands and four days in the Andean highlands, where guests can stay at a 17th-century hacienda, with horseback riding, mountain biking, and village visits. Thomson connects children with pen pals, whom they correspond with during the months before the journey and meet in the highlands. A second option is an eight-night tour of the islands, aboard the Coral (capacity: 26), with three nights at the Finch Bay Hotel on the Galápagos island of Santa Cruz. Trip extensions are available. Thomson Family Adventures, 800/262-6255; www.FamilyAdventures.com; doubles from $3,790 per adult, $3,090 per child for the islands-only tour, all-inclusive, excluding airfare.
Geographic Expeditions
This San Francisco tour company's Galápagos specialty is arranging chartered yachts for multi-generational groups of 12 to 32. Geo Ex sees to it that naturalist guides are well suited to the families they're matched with, and that each clan's needs are taken into account when planning excursions and on-board meals. Geographic Expeditions, 800/777-8183; www.geoex.com; 11-day tours from $3,150 per person aboard a chartered yacht, including meals, tours, and three nights at the Swissôtel in Quito.
Butterfield & Robinson
B & R's Galápagos family cruise (for kids eight and up) takes place at Christmastime, from December 20 through 31, aboard the Isabella II. Along the way there's an equator crossing party, a giant tortoise hunt on Christmas day, and a traditional Ecuadoran New Year's celebration. In other words, B & R is a company that knows how to keep adults and children equally happy. Butterfield & Robinson, 800/678-1147; www.butterfield.com; 11-day tours from $7,950 per adult, $5,160 per child, including meals, tours, and two nights at the at the Swissôtel in Quito and two nights at a Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Andean highlands.
Tauck Bridges
Tauck Bridges, a new division of Tauck devoted to family outings, is offering multi-generational four-day cruises in the Galapágos this summer aboard the 90-passenger vessel Santa Cruz. Each trip is bookended by a two-night stay in Quito at the Swissôtel—with tours of the old city and time at the hotel pool—and one night at the Hilton Colon in Guayaquil (dont miss the Malecón, the citys newly developed waterfront district, with impressive gardens and playgrounds). These voyages are ideal for those interested in a shorter time at sea and an entirely family-oriented program. Tauck Bridges, 866/636-6500; www.tauckbridges.com; eight-day cruises from $2,990 per adult, $2,490 per child 11 and under, including meals, tours, and hotel stays.
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