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There was never a dull day: I have never in my entire life dropped my jaw in amazement as many times as I did on this trip. Every time I turned around there was something new and exciting to see or learn about, so even though we were constantly on the move there was plenty of good anticipatory energy about the next wonderful thing we were going to experience. It was fantastic and our trip leader and Dan, the Naturetrek representative along on our tour, were a big part of the reason why. I feel very fortunate to have had both of them as part of our group.
E.S, USA, February '24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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The Reptiles & Amphibians of Ecuador
Tour Code: ECU18A 17-day holiday through the spectacularly diverse habitats of Ecuador, featuring an exciting exploration of the Naturetrek Reserve!
17 days
from
£6,995 (Inc flights)
£6,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£5,995
£5,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Ecuador is endowed with the awe-inspiring Andes, the coastal west and the luxuriant Amazonian rainforest. Ecuador’s rich mosaic of habitats host a wealth of herpetofauna diversity. On this exciting herping tour we'll go in search of the country’s most spectacular reptile and amphibian species including Pinocchio Lizard, Two-striped Forest-pitviper, Diablito Poison Frog, Linda's Treefrog and many more!
We'll explore the cloudforests of Mindo, the Rio Pastaza watershed and the Naturetrek Reserve, the Amazon in Misahuallí, fauna- and flora-rich forests surrounding River Napo and Guango in the highlands of eastern Ecuador, staying at wonderful accommodation throughout. For more information, please click the 'Detailed Information' button below, or download the full itinerary above.
- Incredible reptiles including Pinocchio Lizard, Two-striped Forest-pitviper, Mata-mata Turtle and Broad-headed Woodlizard
- Exquisite amphibians including Diablito Poison Frog, Upper Amazon Glass Frog and Linda's Treefrog
- Explore the Naturetrek Reserve!
- Enjoy the best of cloud and rainforest herping
- Superb fauna- and flora-rich habitats to explore diurnally and nocturnally
- Birds could include Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Black-and-chestnut Eagle and a huge further diversity
- Mammals possible include Three-toed Sloth, Woolly Monkey, Spectacled Bear amongst many others
- Comfortable en suite accommodation throughout
This exciting tour is part of our portfolio of herpetology holidays.
Grading
On a typical day on our herpetology tours we’ll begin searching in the field after breakfast, when the sun has warmed the substrates and landscapes, often getting into the vehicles at 9am and, after stopping for approximately one hour for lunch, we’ll continue into early-evening when we will stop for a rest and dinner. Most evenings it will be possible to do excursions in search of nocturnal species, which will on average be for three hours after dinner. With an equal percentage of the target reptile and amphibian species likely to be nocturnal, these night searches are an important part of the tour but are optional, with some participants preferring to rest on some of the days. On average, 5-8 miles are walked per day.
We’ll focus our time in the field on building an enviable list of reptile and amphibian species seen. Whilst searching, there is no doubt we’ll come across a huge variety of amazing fauna and flora, which we’ll also take time to enjoy, but reptiles and amphibians will strongly remain our focus. Sensitively checking under stones, logs and other refugia is an effective way of finding many species. Some of the target reptile or amphibian species may require longer field hours to locate and therefore this tour is suitable, and most enjoyable, for experienced herpetologists or naturalists who, aside from wishing to see the region’s rarely-seen reptiles and amphibians, relish being in the field searching for and identifying the vast array of birds, mammals, butterflies, invertebrates, orchids and other wildlife which can be found sharing the wonderful habitats that we’ll explore on the tour.
In summary, Naturetrek herpetology holidays are suitable, and offer tremendous value, for those who spend most of their holiday time in wildlife habitats and for whom seeing some of the world’s superb reptiles and amphibians is the focus of their time away.
This is a traditional lodge-based wildlife tour. Whilst some of the lodges are appointed simply, each is comfortable and has en suite facilities. A certain level of fitness is required for the tour, as the terrain may be rough, steep, or slippery in parts.
Commencing our tour in the renowned cloudforests of Mindo, we’ll search for the enigmatic Pinocchio Lizard (Anolis proboscis) and its amphibian counterpart, the Pinocchio Rainfrog (Pristimantis appendiculatus). Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii), Campbell´s Toad-headed Pitviper (Bothrocophias campbelli) and Osborne's Lancehead (Bothrops osbornei) are the phenomenal vipers we have a chance to find here along with special amphibians such as Red-spotted Glassfrog (Nymphargus grandisonae) and Diablito ‘Little Devil’ Poison Frog (Oophaga sylvatica).
Moving east, and pausing en-route for lunch in the foothills of the mighty Volcán Cotopaxi, an active, snow-capped, stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, to our next destination – exploring the Rio Pastaza watershed and the Naturetrek Reserve! From our lovely spa ecolodge, nestled in the Tungurahua valley with stunning views, we’ll make exciting explorations of the Naturetrek Reserve and the surrounding Amazon lowlands. Here we can find lovely amphibians such as Naturetrek Leaf Frog (Noblella naturetrekii), described in 2019 and named after Naturetrek in recognition of our role in saving this species. Of the known rich amphibian diversity inside the reserve we’ll search for such superb species as Cochran's Glassfrog (Nymphargus cochranae), Shreve's Sarayacu Treefrog (Dendropsophus sarayacuensis) and Espada's Rainfrog (Pristimantis galdi). Inside the reserve there is also still-to-be-named species, and amongst them is another new frog and a new lizard species. Other highlights in the reserve include Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Giant Antpitta, the endangered Black-and-chestnut Eagle and a beautiful, rare, tree named after Sir David Attenborough, Blakea attenboroughi.
In the lower foothills of the Amazon at 500m, we’ll explore Misahuallí where we can find South American Coral Snake (Micrurus lemniscatus), Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria), White-lined Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa vaillanti), Ecuador Poison Frog (Ameerega bilinguis) and Upper Amazon Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium munozorum) amongst many others.
In fauna-and-flora rich forests surrounding River Napo we can carefully search for the superbly cryptic Mata-mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata), Two-striped Forest-pitviper (Bothrops bilineatus), Broad-headed Woodlizard (Enyalioides laticeps) and the wonderful Orinoco Lime Treefrog (Sphaenorhynchus lacteus). We’ll search for the endangered Black Caiman at Napo Wildlife Centre, one of the wonderful lodges used on this tour, located in the beating heart of a pristine 52,000-acre private Amazonian rainforest reserve forming part of the Yasuni National Park, the largest in Ecuador.
Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) and Yellow-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus) are the charismatic chelonians we’ll hope to find during our wonderful stay here.
The final piece to this exceptional herping tour is at Guango in the highlands of eastern Ecuador. Reptiles here include the diminutive but elegant Shieldhead Gecko (Gonatodes caudiscutatus), Mountain Pholiodobolus (Pholidobolus montium) and Günther's Whorltail Iguana (Stenocercus guentheri). Here we’ll search for some very special amphibians; Linda's Treefrog (Hyloscirtus lindae), the rare Papallacta Rainfrog (Pristimantis acerus) and Riobamba Marsupial Frog (Gastrotheca riobambae) to name a few.
There are a number of options available to extend this wonderful holiday including visiting the Galápagos Islands, extending your stay in Ecuador at Mashpi Lodge or an exciting herping extension to neighboring Colombia.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Quito
Day 2/4
Mindo
Day 5/6
The Naturetrek Reserve
Day 7/8
Misahuallí
Day 9/11
Coca
Day 12/14
Napo
Day 15
Guango
Day 16/17
Depart Quito, inbound flights
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Comfortable lodges and hotels with private facilities.
- Food:
All included, except evening meal in Quito airport on the final day.
Reviews
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An amazing trip, jam-packed with the sights, sounds and aromas of the tropics. We were very fortunate to have the combined talents, enthusiasm and humour of such knowledgeable and friendly guides. We should also make a special mention of our driver, Tito, who also slotted seamlessly into the group. Every single day brought something new, and even when leaving our last Amazonian lodge (Napo) at 4.30 am, the sadness at leaving was countered by the magical experience of gliding for an hour and a half along a rainforest creek by canoe in total darkness, with nothing but the splashing of the paddles and the sounds of the wakening jungle to break the silence. This holiday fulfilled our expectations and more. We would not have changed a thing.
M. & J. Turner, Cheshire, February '22 -
My service from Naturetrek has been wonderful from the get go. Dan has been great and helpful every step of the way. The information provided with trying times to travel was great. Sebastian was excellent and Jaime was equally as good. They were both extremely knowledgeable about wildlife in Ecuador, not just the herpetofauna. Also were attentive and flexible, when we were tired they went out their way to find easier routes or alternate things to do, they also took on board what wildlife we wanted to see and went out their way to speak with other local guides to find it. Like finding a sloth! All in all I couldn't fault them in any way wonderful people and excellent guides. The trip on the whole was excellent, I got to see some of the reptiles I've always wanted to see. In particular the caimans, rainbow boa and Linda's tree frogs. The knowledge of the guides and the planning of the trip was such that although the focus was on reptiles we also got to enjoy seeing other wildlife such as the monkeys in napo or the hummingbirds.
T.H. Essex, February '22
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 13th Feb – Sat 1st Mar
4
£6,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Jaime Culebras
Tour Leader: Jaime Culebras
Jaime is a Spanish biologist and herpetologist with a MSc in Environmental Education and MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation of Tropical Areas. He has lived in Ecuador for more than 9 years, where he works as a reptile and amphibian researcher and nature photographer.
His photographic work has been recognised by numerous photography and conservation awards; winning the Reptile and Amphibian category of the 2020 Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the German Society for Nature Photography European Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Montphoto International Photography Contest for his amphibian projects. He was granted the “Montphoto Grant – WWF 2017” award to promote the conservation of reptiles and amphibians of Chocó in Ecuador, Colombia and Panama in addition to winning the 2018 Conservation Photographer Award for the Spanish Association of Nature Photographers, for their work in spreading Ecuador’s biodiversity and its threats.
As a scientist, he works in expeditions to rescue threatened species as well as searching for amphibians and reptiles for natural history research. This work has led to the description of seven new species of frogs.
His greatest passion is to spread the importance of threatened species and their conservation, promoting love towards reptiles and amphibians, as well as aiding the fight against illegal trafficking of species and conflicts between humans and snakes. He is always researching new trips to prepare in order to photograph threatened species and the conservationists who work with the species.
As a Naturetrek tour leader, Jaime is excited to share his passion for reptiles and amphibians on our herping tours.
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 12th Feb – Sat 28th Feb
SPACES
£7,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£6,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
Related articles
Our recently returned 'The Reptiles & Amphibians of Ecuador' holiday had wildlife highlights in abundance across all taxa. In this article we share a gallery of stunning images produced by the leaders during the tour.
