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About | Tourism | Photography | Education | Conservation | Contact |  |
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100 species herping tour
Join this tour if you want to photograph 100 species of amphibians and reptiles in 10 nights while exploring the most iconic natural wonders of Ecuador.
Tour details
Starting date: Jan 20, 2024.
Main tour (11 nights): $5,801. $980 in single room.
Group size: 2–7 people.
Extension: For details and pricing of the Galapagos extension, please contact us.
Reviews: 5/5 (5 reviews)
| Start | Quito |
| Night 1 | Mindo cloudforest |
| Nights 2–5 | Chocó rainforest |
| Night 6 | Mindo cloudforest |
| Nights 7–10 | Amazon rainforest |
| Nights 11–17 | Galápagos extension |
| End | Quito |
or call +1-786-753-7899
How to reserve your spot?
1. Read our cancellation policy below.
2. Complete our contact form in the next step to let us know about your interests 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, apply to another Tropical Herping event, or request a refund less a handling fee of 5% or $200, whichever is more. However, because we pre-pay all local services we can only accept credit or refund requests no less than 60 business days prior to the start of the event.
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.
Domestic airfares.
Guides and tour leaders.
Park entrance fees.
What is not included?
Additional nights due to flight cancellations.
Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and snacks.
Health insurance.
International airfares.
Laundry.
Phone calls or messages.
Photo equipment.
Visa fees.
or call +1-786-753-7899
Booking form
Experts on this tour
Frank Pichardo
Tour leader, photographer, field researcher
Jose Vieira
Biologist, photographer, tour leader
Why join?
Our naturalists and photographers will take you to the best places to admire wildlife, and share our top tips to get the best photos.
Mindo cloudforest |
Mindo
Mindo is the most herpeto-diverse cloudforest in the world. This magical forest is home 120 amphibian and reptile species. You will spend two nights in this ecosystem, mostly hiking along streams at night while our guides help you photograph glassfrogs, rainfrogs, and anoles.
Chocó rainforest |
Chocó
The Chocó rainforest in Ecuador has more species of amphibians and reptiles per km2 than any other area outside the Amazon basin. Up to 130 species may be found in a single locality. Unlike the Amazon rainforest, however, the Chocó rainforest is poorly explored and, in Ecuador, less than 20% of this ecosystem remains.
Amazon rainforest |
Amazon
The upper Amazon basin is regarded as the most biodiverse region on Earth. Nowhere else on the planet can 253 species of amphibians and reptiles be found in the same locality. The Amazon rainforest is also the habitat of some of the most iconic animals, including the Green Anaconda, the Black Caiman, and the Surinam Toad. You will spend five intense days in the Ecuadorian Amazon, photographing animals found both during forest hikes or while navigating along streams on a motorized or dugout canoe.
Galápagos Islands |
Galápagos
If you join the tour extension, a two-hour in-country flight will take you to the enchanted Galápagos Islands, home to 58 species of reptiles, 48 of which found nowhere else on the planet. This includes the famous giant Galápagos tortoises, marine and land iguanas, and the colorful lava lizards.
For details and pricing of the Galapagos extension, please contact us
Where you'll stay |
At first, I didn't feel we needed a guide for what we wanted to do. However, after comparing resort prices and "touristy itineraries," we decided that having the dedicated guide services of Tropical Herping at this remote location was a no brainer! I truly feel that they provide more value than any other Amazon tour group that I am aware of. Jon and Cristina Wedow, Canada |
After going to Costa Rica and getting a taste for herping the tropics, my friends and I started looking for somewhere a littler further off the beaten path. We did some research, talked to some friends, and came to the conclusion Ecuador was going to be the spot. Tropical Herping came well recommended and definitely didn't disappoint. We were really stoked to be able to customize our trip according to the herps each of us really wanted to see, as well as our budget. Seth Cohen, United States |
Our guides Frank and Jorge were great! They managed to located our target species and many others that I didn’t expect we would find. The Chocó rainforest is an incredible place and I am happy to know that some of our money is going to conservation of that area. Sean Kite, United States |
Our guide Frank was great, talented in spotting animals, patient, and always tried to make us achieve the best photo. Thomas Andlauer, France |
I must say I had high expectations for this trip, and I was not disappointed; on the contrary! The trip, the accommodations, and not least the number of species seen and the opportunities to photograph them greatly exceeded my expectations. The very small size of the group (just two of us) yet still having two knowledgeable guides on all walk was great. Mark Marissink, Norway |
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. |
Does the tour take place during the nights? The tour includes both diurnal and nocturnal activities. |
Can I make a reservation for this tour but on 2025? Yes, you can confirm your booking now by making a 50% deposit and pay the remaining balance at least 60 days before departure. |
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 night. |
Is there a chance to arrange a private tour? Yes, most of the tours we offer are private. |
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 is the meeting point on the starting day? Our team will pick you up at your 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 required for you to enter certain areas of Ecuador, such as Yasuni National Park. |
Will the tour be cancelled if one or more participants are unable to join? This tour will run with as few as two 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). |
Will there be laundry service, electricity, and wifi at all sites? Usually there is laundry service and electricity at all of the lodges we will visit. Wifi is available only at some. |