Ecuador

Ecuador for an ideal family vacation

Ecuador felt like a big trip and as it approached I was oddly nervous. But it quickly skyrocketed to the top of my favorite places list. We couldn’t get enough of the unique Galapagos wildlife, while in the mountain town of Zuleta, outside of Quito, we savored “slow travel,” riding horses, cooking and learning traditional crafts. It was a fantastic opportunity to unplug and reconnect. 

Galapagos Safari - a bucket list trip that lives up to the hype

We decided on a land-based tented safari camp nestled in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, and we adored it. Each tent is set on a platform on the hillside, with sweeping views of the valley below and no sounds but the humming of the insects and the calls of the birds. It was magical. And yes, there was running water, and each tent had a private bathroom.

The Galapagos takes its land and animals very seriously. Movement is restricted unless you are with a guide—the islands have 700, all trained in the biodiversity and animals of the island. The unique, isolated nature of the islands means that the animals do not fear humans, so when you visit, it feels almost like you are part of the place, encountering the animals up close (but not too close!) without disturbing them. In the four days that we were there we saw giant craters full of tree life, countless giant tortoises, unique marine life, playful sea lions and incredible birds, from soaring frigates to the charming and iconic blue footed boobies. We toured a coffee farm, rode bikes to a spectacular beach with the softest sand and bluest water, and of course visited the Charles Darwin Research Station. If you have mobility issues, many of these excursions will be challenging, but we can work through them.

Zuleta and the magic of “Slow Travel”

After the Galapagos we flew back to the mainland to Hacienda Zuleta, outside of Quito. Words can barely describe the beauty and feel of this hotel. The grounds are truly spectacular—green, lush, full of flowers. It is a wonderful place to escape the world, relax, reconnect with family, and be with friends. With wood burning fireplaces and firepits throughout the property it is all just perfectly cozy. The Hacienda offered tons of activities, letting us keep it simple as we did things together as a family. Our highlights were horseback riding through the Andes and a class on the traditional embroidery techniques of the region - not only great fun but a chance to support the local community and culture. We had two full days here and did a lot, but it was just not enough time. I can't wait to return to enjoy it all over again and do some more hiking.

The possibilities are endless. Schedule a call with me to start planning the trip that’s perfect for you!

Getting to the Galapagos is hard to do without a night in an airport hotel.  But lucky for you, I know all the good ones.