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This is a starting point built from our own bucket list, not a booking. Check travel times, opening hours and current travel advice, and ask your pediatrician about altitude before you go.
- Quito's Historic CenterOne of the best-preserved colonial centers in the Americas and the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Mitad del MundoThe monument on the equator just north of Quito, plus the Intiñan museum where you can balance an egg on a nail.
- Otavalo MarketThe famous Saturday market of Kichwa textiles, weavings and crafts, plus the lakes and waterfalls around town.
- Mindo Cloud ForestMisty forest about two hours from Quito, full of hummingbirds, butterflies, waterfalls and chocolate farms.
- Cotopaxi National ParkOne of the world's highest active volcanoes, with a near-perfect snow cone, wild horses and the Limpiopungo lagoon.
- Quilotoa LagoonA turquoise crater lake inside a collapsed volcano.
- BañosThe adventure capital, between the Andes and the Amazon.
- ChimborazoEcuador's highest peak.
- Tena & the Napo RiverThe gateway to the Amazon from the highlands.
- Cuyabeno Wildlife ReserveFlooded forest and blackwater lagoons with pink river dolphins, monkeys and hundreds of bird species.
- Yasuní National ParkOne of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
- CuencaA UNESCO-listed colonial city with blue-domed cathedrals, four rivers and a big expat community.
- IngapircaThe largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, built around a Cañari site.
- El Cajas National ParkWild páramo with hundreds of glacial lakes, about 45 minutes from Cuenca.
- Guayaquil & the Malecón 2000Ecuador's largest city.
- MontañitaThe coast's famous surf town, laid-back by day and lively at night.
- Puerto López & Isla de la PlataBase for humpback whale watching (roughly June to September) and a smaller-scale Galápagos with blue-footed boobies.
- Los Frailes BeachA protected crescent beach inside Machalilla National Park, with no buildings in sight.
- Santa Cruz IslandThe hub of the islands.
- San Cristóbal IslandSea lions on every bench, Kicker Rock and some of the best snorkeling in the islands.
- Quito
- Otavalo & Mindo
- Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Baños
- the Amazon
- Cuenca
- the Pacific coast
- Galápagos
DayTravel dayTravel toRest dayA slow day with no plans. Naps, a park, a long lunch. Little travelers need these.Free dayRoom to explore, revisit a favorite or simply rest.Fly to the GalápagosFlights leave from Quito or Guayaquil. Arrive, settle in and see the harbor.Head homeBack to Quito or Guayaquil for your flight.Arrive in QuitoLand, rest and let everyone adjust to the altitude.Your {d}-day family planThe Galápagos need at least 7 days, so we left them out of this plan.CopiedCopy my planWhy go:We skipped the deep jungle lodges and Chimborazo's high refuge, which aren't a good fit for babies and toddlers.