Red Mangrove and Ecuador Lodges is offering a variety of land-based itineraries with multi-island room capacity in five separate lodges. The program is designed for active young families. Because most cruise ships exclude young children and Galapagos land stays are often scarce, families with toddlers to ’tweens had found the Galapagos nearly off limits.

A seven-night, three-island, Full Galapagos Adventure program, featuring a short navigation from island to island, is designed for families with children from toddler to age 12. A seven-night, multi-island, multi-sport Soft Adventure program featuring three islands plus biking, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and trekking is designed for families with kids ages 12 to 18. Younger children are welcome on any of Red Mangrove’s year-round, land-based tour programs and baby-sitting services for infants are also available.

Diving classes with PADI-certified instructors and available for underwater enthusiasts including families with young children. Diving parents can also participate in dive excursions while their children are taken care of ashore. There is a 25 percent discount off the package price for children under age 10. Per-person rates begin at $340 per day and include deluxe lodging, meals, excursions with English-speaking naturalist guides, free Internet wireless service while in Santa Cruz, free use of bikes when in Puerto Ayora and Isabela, all snorkeling gear and 10 percent service charge. For more information, visit www.redmangrove.com.