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Herping

South America has some of the richest diversity when it comes to reptiles and amphibians, and the Andes-Amazon gradient is no exception! Our herp tours take us from low Amazon jungle to high Andean páramo and puna habitats where we encounter a diverse, ever-growing list of remarkable snakes, lizards, frogs, salamanders, turtles, and crocodilians. New species are continually being discovered in this region, and there is always the very real possibility of finding a new species on one of our tours! Herping in the Andes-Amazon region is not always easy, but it is well worth it, and our site selection is geared to maximize species encounters.

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  1. ​Discounted prices available for groups of over 3 persons.

  2. National flights, transportation, food, and lodging are included in trip prices.

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Herping Tambopata, Madre de Dios

The Madre de Dios region is a legendary expanse of lowland Amazon rainforest bordering Brazil and Bolivia. Highlights for this trip are bushmaster (Lachesis muta), two-striped forest viper (Bothrops bilineatus), yellow tailed cribo (Drymarchon corais), smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) and many more, not to mention poorly-known frogs like Pristimantis divnae and the giant tree frogs Cruziohyla craspedopus & Phyllomedusa bicolor. We will stay in a biological research station with very knowledgeable staff who allow us to get directly involved in their research. The site is possibly the best place on earth to see the western emerald tree boa (Corallus batesii)!

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Duration: 7 days/6 nights

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Fare: $1050

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The Poison Frogs of San Martín

The San Martín region is the epicenter for poison frog diversity in Peru, particularly the genus Ranitomeya. On this route, we could potentially see up to 13 different species (and up to 25 different morphs), significantly higher than anywhere else in Peru. The species we stand a great chance of finding are:

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  Ranitomeya

  • imitator

  • fantastica

  • variabilis

  • summersi

  • benedicta

  Ameerega

  • pongoensis

  • altamazonica

  • cainarachi

  • trivittata

  • bassleri

  Hyloxalus

  • azureiventris

  • nexipus

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Duration: 14 days/13 nights

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Fare: $2940

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Cordillera Escalera to Cordillera Cóndor

Explore the diversity-rich forests of the mythical selva alta, or high jungle, that will take you from the Cordillera Escalera in San Martín state to the Cordillera Cóndor in Amazonas state. The area is excellent for finding rare, range-restricted frog species like the glassfrogs Cochranella guayasamini and Centrolene charapita, not to mention the incredible leaf frogs Phyllomedusa tarsius & Agalychnis hullii, & the toads Atelopus pulcher & Atelopus seminiferus 'dorado". Snakes include Bothrops pulcher & B. taeniatus, two species of toad-headed vipers (Bothrocophias),   Micrurus bocourtii, and countless more. The area is also thought to harbor new salamander species in the genus Bolitoglossa. 

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Duration: 16 days/15 nights

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Fare: $3360

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Herping the Majestic Cordillera Sira

The Cordillera Sira is renowned for its rugged terrain and high level of endemism, albeit rarely visited by outsiders. Highlight species for the area are Ranitomeya sirensis 'nominal morph', Phyllomedusa baltea, Rhinella nesiotes, new species of Anolis and Potamites, the bushmaster (Lachesis muta), the speckled forest viper (Bothrops taeniatus), and many more. This trip is not for the weak minded--the Cordillera Sira is a tough place! This trip requires all necessary gear for camping, as there are no hotels or lodges here. 

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Duration: 11 days/10 nights

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Fare: $2310

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