If your family loved Paddington in Peru, why not take inspiration from the movie and embark on your own family adventure deep into the Amazon rainforest and high into the Andes mountains?
While the film is, of course, set in Peru, neighboring Ecuador provides families with the opportunity to enjoy a similar journey, with two distinct advantages: easy access to both the Amazon and Andes and with the added bonus of a side trip to the Galapagos Islands!
If you haven’t yet seen the movie, here is a little taster ….
Paddington in Peru premiered in UK cinemas on November 8, 2024. It was scheduled to hit cinemas in the US and Canada on January 17, 2025 but according to Variety has been postponed to February 14. Valentine’s Day!
Ecuador: One Country, Four Worlds
Ecuador shines as a family travel destination thanks to its compact size and excellent connectivity, making it simple to combine three extraordinary ecosystems into one trip: The Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest and the Andes. Or four, if your trip includes its cloud-forest. Each offers a distinct yet equally thrilling experience, perfect for families seeking both adventure and connection.
The Andes: Peaks of Adventure
The Ecuadorian Andes
If you fly into Quito, your journey will begin high in the Andes. At 2,800 meters, the UNESCO-protected city sits even higher than Machu Picchu—one of the locations featured in Paddington in Peru. However, families can ease into their trip by spending their first night in one of the lower valleys surrounding the capital. From here, you can explore Quito’s colonial charm or head to nearby Andean villages known for their vibrant markets and traditional handicrafts.
An Andean Adventure for the Whole Family
A family adventure for all ages
For an immersive experience in the Andes, we recommend a stay at Hacienda Zuleta, where your family can enjoy:
- Horseback riding through picturesque landscapes.
- Dressing up like a chagra cowboy and learning to use a lasso (huasca)
- Stories and songs around the bonfire
- Visits to condor rehabilitation programs to learn about Andean wildlife.
- Hiking and biking trails that wind through the hacienda’s sprawling grounds, perfect for adventurers of all ages.
Horse riding at Hacienda Zuleta
Enjoy stories and marshmallows around the bonfire at Hacienda Zuleta
The Amazon: A Jungle Adventure
The Amazon Rainforest. Photo: La Selva Lodge
Alternatively, or in addition to the Andes, families can hop on a quick 30-minute flight from Quito to the edge of the Amazon rainforest. From there, your journey continues with a boat ride down the Napo River, straight into Yasuni National Park—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Ecuador’s Amazon offers the same incredible biodiversity as other Amazonian regions but with shorter travel times, making it ideal for families who want to maximize their adventure without spending days in transit.
A Jungle Adventure for the Whole Family
The canopy walk at Sacha Lodge
In Paddington in Peru, the rainforest comes alive as a place of discovery, humor, and bonding. Your own Amazon adventure promises to capture that same spirit, with activities such as:
- Wildlife encounters: Spot monkeys swinging through the treetops, colorful parrots feeding at dawn, and quirky “stinky turkeys” (hoatzins) perched on the riverbanks.
- River exploration: Glide down the Napo River and canoe through its serene backwaters
- Immersive jungle hikes: Follow expert naturalists on trails that reveal the secrets of the rainforest, from towering ceiba trees to tiny, fascinating insects.
- Cultural connections: Visit local communities who share their traditions and knowledge of the jungle, enriching your family’s understanding of this extraordinary ecosystem
Exploring the backwaters by canoe. Photo: La Selva Lodge
The Galapagos: A Wildlife Wonderland
Giant galapagos tortoises in a reserve near Galapagos Safari Camp
The Galapagos Islands, easily accessible from mainland Ecuador, are the perfect complement to your family adventure. The Browns, with their openness to new experiences, would undoubtedly have jumped at the chance to include these iconic islands on their journey.
A Wildlife Adventure for the Whole Family
Our Galapagos Safaris incorporates both land and sea excursions
Our Galapagos Family Safari offers experiences such as :
- Wildlife encounters: Discover the unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin, including playful sea lions, gentle giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
- Snorkeling adventures: A chance to swim alongside sea turtles, rays, iguanas, penguins and a host of tropical fish.
- Kayaking: Explore the coastline and its wildlife by kayak.
Find fun and adventure in The Galapagos Islands!
A Story of Family and Connection
A family vacation for connection
At its core, Paddington in Peru is about the bonds that tie us together, and an Ecuadorian adventure is the perfect setting to strengthen those connections. Laugh together over jungle discoveries, share stories under starry skies, and experience the joy of exploring South America’s most extraordinary landscapes as a family.
Paddington-Inspired Itineraries
While the Browns in Paddington in Peru faced their share of mishaps, your Ecuadorian journey offers the best of both worlds: thrilling adventure and eco-luxury comforts, with every detail expertly handled by Galapagos Safari Camp, so your family can relax and enjoy every moment of the experience.
The following are the minimum number of nights we suggest for each ‘world’. They can be done in any order but we recommend starting in the Andes and/or Amazon, and ending in the Galapagos.
- 3D/2N in the Andes: Stay in Hacienda Zuleta, where modern comforts blend seamlessly with the region’s rich heritage.
- 3D/2D in the Amazon: Stay in eco-lodges that immerse you in the heart of the rainforest, offering front-row wildlife encounters and all the amenities your family needs. While this tour is possible in 3D/2D, we highly recommend 4D/3N if you can spare the extra day, as it allows for a deeper exploration of the Amazon’s wonders.
- Alternatively, for a slightly different but equally thrilling jungle experience, you could spend 3D/2D in Ecuador’s cloud forest. While it doesn’t include the iconic boat or canoe journeys of the Amazon, the cloud forest offers its own unique adventures, such as swimming under waterfalls, peddling through the mist-covered canopy on a ‘Sky Bike’ and perhaps even the chance to spot a real-life Paddington bear—the Andean spectacled bear, South America’s only native bear species.)
- 6D/5N in the Galapagos: Enjoy a Family Safari of a lifetime at Galapagos Safari Camp.
“A Holiday To Remember”
A South American holiday to remember!
Pairing a Galapagos Family Safari with a few nights in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest and/or Andes mountains will, in Paddington’s words, offer your family “a holiday to remember”.
With over a decade of experience, we specialize in crafting tailormade adventures that bring together Ecuador’s four worlds. From the the lush Amazon rainforest and undulating hills of the Andes (including the cloudforest that spans its western slopes), to the famed Galapagos Islands we’ll take care of all your accommodations, transport and activities, ensuring your journey is stress-free and with just the right amount of adventure for your family.
Galapagos Safari Camp
While your adventure may not include a Singing Nun, it might include Jorge, our singing barman!
Ready for Your Paddington-Inspired Adventure?
Visit ALL OUR SAFARIS or contact our Safari Designers to start planning your family’s next great story!