Tropical Herping’s Ecuador wildlife photography and herping tour is our flagship fieldtrip, which combines our popular 100 Species Herping Tour with all-around wildlife photography. It is open to a select group of 2–8 participants who want photograph the incredibly biodiversity of Ecuador’s four ecosystems while learning side-by-side from our team of award-winning wildlife photographers.

Image showing Lucas Bustamante photographing a giant tortoise

Lucas Bustamante
Tour leader, photo instructor
World-renowned Ecuadorian photographer and co-founder of Tropical Herping.

Image showing tour leader Frank Pichardo walking on a beach

Frank Pichardo
Tour leader, photo instructor
Wildlife photographer with more than 10 years of experience leading Tropical Herping tours.

Image showing herpetologist Jose Vieira holding an Anolis

Jose Vieira
Tour leader, photo instructor
Herpetologist with more than 10 years of experience leading photographic herping tours.

Image showing biologist Amanda Quezada holding a harlequin toad

Amanda Quezada
Tour leader
Herpetologist with more than 10 years of experience leading photographic herping tours.

Tour details

Description: A wildlife photography and herping tour open to a select group of 2–6 participants who want photograph the incredibly biodiversity of Ecuador’s four ecosystems while learning from our team of award-winning wildlife photographers.

Main tour (12 nights): $6,945. $1,375 in single room.

Galápagos extension (7 nights): $4,895. $985 in single room.

Dates: May 26, 2026. Feb 13, 2027.

Group size: 2–8 people.

Day 1Quito
Days 2–5Yasuní National Park
Days 6–8Mindo
Days 9–10Chocó rainforest
Days 11–12High Andes
Days 13–19Galápagos extension
Day 20Departure flights

How to reserve your spot?

  1. Read our cancellation policy below.

  2. Complete the contact form in the next step to let us know about your interests and experience and so we can check availability and give you further information about the tour.

  3. Review and approve the itinerary, invoice, and release of liability form we will send you.

  4. Make payment to confirm your booking.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend the tour, you are welcome to send someone in your place or apply to another Tropical Herping event. Given that we pre-pay all local services months in advance, credit or refund requests are not offered.

Important! Read the rules and recommendations.

What to bring? Check out our suggested packing list.

What is included?

Package based on two people sharing a room.

All meals and accommodation.

All river and road transfers.

Guides and tour leaders.

Domestic airfares.

National park entrance fees.

What is not included?

Additional nights due to flight cancellations.

Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and snacks.

Health/travel insurance.

International airfares.

Laundry.

Photo equipment.

Visa processing fees.

Booking form

Tour description

The tour will start at Yasuní National Park, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, regarded as the most species-rich region of the planet. The park’s rich biodiversity includes most of the Amazon’s iconic rainforest wildlife, from minute poison frogs to anacondas and jaguars. You will then visit the mist-covered Mindo cloud forest, world-renowed as a birding hotspot and home to some of Ecuador’s most charismatic reptiles, such as the Pinocchio Anole. The third spot will be the Chocó rainforest, which rivals the Amazon in biodiversity levels and is home to some of the most beautiful amphibians and tropical birds on the planet. The fourth destination will be the high and cold páramo ecosystem, home to iconic wildlife such as the Andean Cóndor and Andean Bear. Finally, this tour’s extension will take place in the Galápagos National Park, with its giant tortoises, sea-going iguanas, and volcanic landscapes.

Image of a Fringed Leaf Frog (Cruziohyla craspedopus)
Image of a Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Image of a Northern Eyelash-Boa (Trachyboa boulengeri)
Image of a Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Image of a Galápagos Land-Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus)
Image of a Pinocchio Anole (Anolis proboscis)
Image of an Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo)
Image of an Amazonian Poison Frog (Ranitomeya ventrimaculata)
Image of a Spiny Orbweaver (Micrathena sp.)
Image of a Pale-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus erythropygius)
Image of a Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Image of a Santa Cruz Giant-Tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri)
Image of a Treehopper (Alchisme grossa)
Image of a South American Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
Image of an Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
Image of an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana)
Image of a Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Image of a Yellow-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus)
Image of a Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
Image of a Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
Image of a Rusty Whipsnake (Chironius scurrula)
Image of a Tarsier Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa tarsius)
Image of a Golden-mantled Tamarin (Saguinus tripartitus)
Image of a Two-lined Forest-Pitviper (Bothrops bilineatus)
Image of a Matamata (Chelus fimbriatus)
Image of a Spix’s Night Monkey (Aotus vociferans)
Image of a Jumping Spider (Psecas viridipurpureus)
Image of a Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)
Image of a Red-tailed Boa (Boa constrictor)
Image of a Broad-nosed Weevil (Compsus sp.)
Image of a Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
Image of a Red-spotted Glassfrog (Nymphargus grandisonae)
Image of a Tiger-striped Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa tomopterna)
Image of a Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)
Image of a Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)
Image of an Ornate Rainfrog (Pristimantis ornatissimus)
Image of a Santa Cruz Giant-Tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri)
Image of a Black-mantled Tamarin (Saguinus nigricollis)
Image of a Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus)

Frequently asked questions

Am I supposed to pay the tour price at once?

You can confirm your booking by making a 50% deposit and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before departure.

Can I make a reservation for this tour but on 2027?

Yes, you can confirm your booking now by making a 20% deposit and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before departure.

Does the tour take place during the nights?

The tour includes both diurnal and nocturnal activities.

How do I book my spot?

The first thing you need to do to reserve your spot in this tour is contact us using our booking form. Second, you will need to review and approve the itinerary, invoice, and release of liability we will send you. Finally, you will have to make a deposit to confirm your booking.

Can you get rubber boots for me?

We suggest you bring your own rubber boots as you should test whether they fit comfortably before arriving in Ecuador, where you will used them every day.

Is there any chance to rent a snake hook?

You are welcome to borrow one of our snake hooks during the mainland part of the tour.

Is there a chance to arrange a private tour?

Yes, most of the tours we offer are private.

Will the tour be cancelled if one or more participants are unable to join?

This tour will run with no less than three participants. If one of two participants makes a reservation and then cancels, it would affect the tour if no payment has been made to lodges, transports, and guides (which usually cannot be refunded).

Which domestic flights should I purchase?

None. Domestic flights are included in the price of the tour.

What herping gear do you recommend?

We recommend that you bring a durable waterproof headlamp, a rain poncho, and a DSLR camera, ideally one with a macro lens and off-camera flash.

What if there is no other participant willing to share a room?

If you are willing to share the room, you do not have to pay the single supplement fee, regardless of whether you end up sharing the room or not.

What is the meeting point on the starting day?

Our team will pick you up at the Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO). The next day, the meeting point will be at the hotel.

What kind of trouser is needed?

You can bring any durable but lightweight trousers that are easy to dry.

Which vaccination certificates do I need?

The three most important vaccines to get before visiting the tropics are against yellow fever, tetanus, and hepatitis. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is typicall required to enter Yasuní National Park.

Is there malaria in Ecuador?

Malaria is present in some areas of Ecuador, although not particularly abundant in the sites we will be visiting during this tour, with the exception of Yasuní National Park. The decision to take anti-malaria prophylaxis is left to each participant. Please consult your physician regarding which tablets will be most suitable for you.

Will the guides catch the animals for the participants to take close-up pictures?

Whenever possible, all photography by participants will be done in-situ. Animals will only be handled if they are the focus of a research or conservation project.

Will there be laundry service, electricity, and wifi at all sites?

Usually there is electricity at all of the lodges we will visit. Wifi is available only around the reception area at some. Laundry service is available, but not included in the booking price.

Will you pick us up at the airport upon arrival?

Yes, a member of our team will pick you up at the airport.