Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Wildlife Holiday Trip Report from Royle Safaris

In June/July Royle Safaris ran a very generalist wildlife watching tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The 3 week trip incorporated the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos. It was very generalist and a private tour and so we didnt focus hard for mammals and therefore missed some species that I would have expected if we had tried harder (with more mammal focused clients). However we still saw 37 species of mammals including Andean Bear, Northern Pudu, Lowland Paca, Red Mouse Opossum, Pygmy Marmoset and Stump-tailed Porcupine among others.

Whilst very poor for mammals, it was my second time to the Galapagos Islands and I managed to visit nearly all of the islands I had missed on my previous trip and complete the one non-mammal wish I had on this trip; which was to snorkel with a flightless cormorant. The Galapagos is just incredible, nowhere else can you get in the water with over 50 turtles, then swim with sharks, manta rays, penguins, avoid boobies and pelicans dive bombing from above before enjoying the company of playful sea lions! All in one hour and then do that twice a day, every day! Awesome.

Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Wildlife Tour Trip Report from Royle Safaris