Loading search...
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
The Reptiles & Amphibians of the Italian Alps
Tour Code: ITA23A 14-day appreciation of the reptiles, amphibians, mountains and cuisine of the entire Italian Alps arc!
£3,895
£3,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
The Alps are the highest mountain massif in Europe, forming a natural border between Italy and the rest of the continent, but more importantly, acting as a strong physical barrier separating the Mediterranean region from the temperate zone. Situated on the southern slopes of the Alps, facing the Mediterranean, the Italian Alps host an exceptionally rich variety of environments shaped by the combined influence of both climatic regions.
Searching for reptiles and amphibians will be the perfect pretext to spend two weeks immersed in beautiful alpine and pre-alpine landscapes, traversing the entire Italian Alpine arc, from Piedmont in the west to Friuli Venezia Giulia in the east. From crystalline alpine lakes high above the treeline to open pastures and coniferous forests at lower elevations, we will explore a wide range of habitats in search of local herpetofauna, tasting the regional cuisine, and admiring traditional alpine landscapes shaped by millennia of coexistence between humans and nature.
Our daily schedule will remain flexible and weather-dependent: sunny days will be dedicated primarily to searching for snakes and other reptiles, while rainy days will be perfect for amphibians such as alpine and fire salamanders. Night walks will offer further opportunities to find amphibians, especially if rain is scarce.
- Learn about the herpetofauna of the Italian Alps
- Prime time for alpine vipers and salamanders
- Traverse all the Italian Alps exploring five different locations
- Stay in agriturismos and enjoy the regional cuisines
- Alpine sceneries from the siliceous mountain of the west to the dolomitic peaks of the east
- Led by an expert local herpetologist
Dates & Prices
2026
Tour Leader: Simone Giachello
Simone Giachello is a naturalist and passionate photographer from northern Italy, with a soft spot for herpetofauna and montane habitats. Born in Milan, his love for nature has been strong since childhood but truly blossomed during his university years when he approached nature photography and began traveling around Italy, discovering a, for him, unexpected biodiversity. After completing his master’s degree in Natural Sciences, he couldn’t resist the call of the mountains and moved from the city to a village in the heart of the Bergamasque Alps.
Nature conservation has played a key role in shaping his career and life. Simone works as an ecologist at the University of Milan, where he studies how high-altitude ecosystems and amphibian populations are impacted by anthropogenic threats such as climate change, habitat degradation, and invasive species, with the aim of developing effective conservation strategies. He loves merging scientific research with hands-on field experience to raise awareness in the general public by showcasing the beauty of nature through photography and guided excursions and trips.
His work and passion have taken him around Italy and the world, from the cave systems of Sardinia to the Sahel of Mauritania, from the snowy peaks of the Alps to the Danube Delta in Romania, from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the desert of southern Morocco. Whether it's a brief one-day excursion or a three-week expedition, he thrives on exploring remote areas in search of rare and elusive species but also loves to rediscover and appreciate the beauty of the most common ones we have right outside our door. Yet, what he cherishes most is not just finding the target species, but experiencing the immense variety of habitats that blanket our planet.
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
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!
