Ecuador - Enigmatic Reptiles & Amphibians

Arrival in Quito, one of South America’s most attractive colonial capitals. Nestled at the foot of the Pichincha volcano, Quito is the second-highest capital in the world at 9,000 feet above sea level. Hotel check-in is usually available in the afternoon. Settle in and relax; dinner tonight is at your leisure. Overnight at Mercure Hotel.

It is just a one hour and 40 minute drive from Quito to our first lodge, nestled in the heart of the Mindo cloudforest. Here the chance to witness an impressive array of species begins right at a wonderful lodge with spectacular mountain views. Within easy reach of the lodge, we’ll also have the opportunity to observe two iconic and sought-after species with remarkable rostral appendages; the Pinocchio Lizard (Anolis proboscis) and the Pinocchio Rainfrog (Pristimantis appendiculatus). Locating shy and elusive snakes is always challenging, but with our expert herpetologist guide we have the best possible chance to find some stunning species; Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii), Campbell´s Toad-headed Pitviper (Bothrocophias campbelli), Osborne’s Lancehead (Bothrops osbo  rnei) and Regal Coral Snake (Micrurus ancoralis) are just a selection of the diversity here.

Anole lizards are one of Ecuador’s specialties and, along with the Pinocchio Lizard, there are some of Ecuadors’ most beautiful species in Mindo and it’s where we’ll hope to find Fraser’s Anole (Anolisfraseri), O’Shaughnessy’s Anole (Anolis gemmosus), and Equatorial Anole (Anolis aequatorialis). Glass frogs will be high on the wish-list of many tour participants and again Mindo obliges with some exquisite species such as Nicaragua Giant Glass Frog (Espadarana prosoblepon), and the Red-spotted Glassfrog (Nymphargus grandisonae). Rainfrogs are particularly numerous in this region and along with Pinocchio Rainfrog, Blue-thighed Rainfrog (Pristimantis crucifer), Mindo Rainfrog (Pristimantis mindo), Ornate Rainfrog and many more. Tadapi Treefrog (Hyloscirtus alytolylax), Executioner Treefrog (Dendropsophus carnifex) and the gorgeous Diablito ‘Little Devil’ Poison Arrow Frog (Oophaga sylvatica) are all possible during our time here. Around the lodge we can find lizards such as Western Basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus) and we’ll make an excursion to find the striking Red-eyed Woodlizard (Enyalioides oshaughnessyi).

There will be moments during the day-times for a rest as we re-charge our body (and camera!) batteries for our searches along the trails at night in search of those nocturnal species listed above. For those with endless energy, Mindo is a magnificent place to birdwatch. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded within the valley and just a few of the tantalizing possibilities are Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager; Golden, Black-capped and Summer Tanager. Velvet-purple Coronet; Brown Inca; Violet-tailed Sylph and the spectacular Empress Brilliant. The endless list continues with Crimson-mantled and Powerful Woodpeckers, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Toucan Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Red-billed Parrot, Scaly naped Amazon, Slate-throated Whitestart, Western Hemispingus, Beautiful Jay and many more, all of them are frequent visitors of feeders and hides around the lodge, so your chances to get great pictures are huge. Overnight at Sachatamia Lodge. (B, L, D)

After wonderfully exciting days in the cloud-forests of Mindo and the Chocó Bioregion, we’ll make a two- and half-hour journey to Volcan Cotopaxi where we will stop to enjoy lunch and views of the second highest summit in Ecuador, at 5,897m. From here it will be just a two-hour drive to the town of Baños where we will be based in a comfortable tourist hotel for our excursions into the Ecominga Reserve.

The full range of reptiles and amphibians inside the reserve is still being released with ongoing surveys and analysis. Searches so far have been very fruitful and there is a rich herpetofauna-biodiversity. It is just a 15-minute walk to the reserve entrance from the nearest road. Once at the entrance there are more than 10km of trail to explore. We’ll take a packed lunch with us so that we can enjoy the whole day exploring and enjoying all the reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and flora that the reserve offers.

Of the known rich amphibian diversity inside the reserve, we’ll search for such lovely species as Cochran’s Glassfrog (Nymphargus cochranae), Shreve’s Sarayacu Treefrog (Dendropsophus sarayacuensis) and Espada’s Rainfrog (Pristimantis galdi). 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.

After two exhilarating days in Baños, we’ll enjoy a restful night at the comfortable Miramelindo Hotel before continuing to our next destination – the gateway to the Amazon: Misahuallí. (B, BL, D)

After breakfast we shall head 285km east to the lower foothills of the Amazon at 500m. Here we’ll encounter a whole new range of families of reptiles and amphibians! Keep in mind the lowlands rainforest is one of the most biodiverse hotspots for reptiles & amphibians in Ecuador, and changing altitudinal ranges will provide new chances to admire other species.

A wide range of snakes are represented here and some of the varied beautiful species we can hope to find are Amazon Tree-boa (Corallus hortulana), South American Coral Snake (Micrurus lemniscatus), Boa constrictor, Black-backed Coralsnake (Micrurus melanotus), Common Lancehead (Bothrops atrox), and the mesmerizing Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria). There are plenty of special amphibians to discover here too including Brownbelly Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa tarsius), White-lined Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa vaillanti), South American Common Toad (Rhinella margaritifera), Ecuador Poison Frog (Ameerega bilinguis), Zaparo’s Poison Frog (Allobates zaparo), Variable Poison Frog (Ranitomeya variabilis), Marbled Treefrog (Dendropsophus marmoratus), Reticulate Treefrog (Dendropsophus reticulatus), Midas’ Glass Frog (Teratohyla midas), and Upper Amazon Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium munozorum) amongst many others.

In Misahualli we’ll stay at Suchipakari Lodge in the heart of the forest. (B, BL, D)

After sensational days and nights in the amazon, it will be time to leave and drive just two hours to our next stop, the Coca region in the lowlands of the Amazon.

This morning we’ll continue our journey towards the heart of the amazon, heading further east where we’ll be based on the River Napo. We’ll break the journey into two manageable journeys, stopping for lunch and a walk near Loreto Waterfall. Driving all the way through this road is just a lush experience in terms of unique landscapes.

Around Napo River, we’ll have the chance to spot some of Ecuador’s more aquatic reptiles, including the infamous Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus), Suriname Toad (Pipa pipa) and Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis) and the little-known and superbly cryptic Mata-mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata). Giant Parrot Snake (Leptophis ahaetulla), Neotropical Blunt-headed Treesnake (Imantodes cenchoa), Banded Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira annulata), and Broad-headed Woodlizard (Enyalioides laticeps) are a selection of the other reptiles we can find here.

At night we’ll enjoy searching on the trails for the exquisite Orinoco Lime Treefrog (Sphaenorhynchus lacteus), Milk Frog (Trachycephalus cunauaru), Polka-dot Treefrog (Boana punctata), Manaus Slender-legged Treefrog (Osteocephalus taurinus), Troschel’s Treefrog (Boana calcarata) and many others.

Mammals we may encounter here include Spotted Paca, South American Tapir, Common and White-bellied Spider Monkeys, Nine Banded Armadillo and even Jaguar! Some of the birds include Hoatzin, Blue-gray Tanager, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-crowned Manakin, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker and White-throated Toucan amongst many others! In Coca, we’ll be based at Yarina Lodge right on the Napo River (B, BL, D)

This morning we’ll take a short boat journey downriver to Napo. Here we have our best opportunity to find some hugely impressive Black Caiman. Here too we’ll also have another chance at Rainbow Boa, Amazon Tree-boa, Common Lancehead and Boa constrictor. We’ll also have a great chance to see Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) and Yellow footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus). Our night searches here provide the opportunity to find the splendid Two-striped Forest-pitviper (Bothrops bilineatus).

The area surrounding our lodge is home to a total of 11 species of monkeys including Squirrel Monkey, Saddle-backed Tamarin and White-fronted Capuchin Monkeys. Rarer species include Monk Saki, Spider, Woolly and Golden-mantled Tamarin Monkeys. Additionally, whilst searching for arboreal herps, we can hope to spot a wonderful Three toed Sloth. Whilst scanning the river for caiman, we’ll hope to spot a family of Giant River Otters.

Some of the beautiful birds we may find include Many-banded Aracari, White-throated Toucan, Scarlet Macaw, Paradise Tanager, Spangled Cotinga, Green Honeycreeper, Wire tailed Manakin, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Ringer Kingfisher, Crested Owl and the superbly camouflaged Great and Common Potoo.

We’ll be based at Napo Wildlife Centre, an excellent ecolodge located in the renowned Yasuni National Park. (B, BL, D)

Today will mark the beginning of our journey home, as we take a 45-minute flight from Coca to Quito, but with a final destination lined up for us to explore before our onwards journeys.

After landing in Quito, we’ll make just the one-hour transfer across to Guango in the highlands of eastern Ecuador. Here we’ll target some very special amphibians indeed. Linda’s Treefrog (Hyloscirtus lindae), the rare Papallacta Rainfrog (Pristimantis acerus), Riobamba Marsupial Frog (Gastrotheca riobambae) Papallacta Valley Rainfrog (Pristimantis gladiator) and Bruised Rainfrog (Pristimantis lividus). Reptiles here include the diminutive yet elegant Shieldhead Gecko (Gonatodes caudiscutatus), Mountain Pholiodobolus (Pholidobolus montium) and Günther’s Whorltail Iguana (Stenocercus guentheri).

Guango is exceptional for birding too, particularly for hummingbirds! Tourmaline Sunangel, Chestnut Breasted and Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar, Long-tail Sylph, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tryian Metaltail and Shining Sunbeam just part of the kaleidoscopic line-up.

We’ll be based at Guango Lodge a comfortable lodge with wonderful vistas. (B, L, D)

After an unforgettable exploration of Ecuador’s reptiles and amphibians, we’ll enjoy a final breakfast in the lush rainforest before making our way back to Quito for our onward journeys. Various trip extensions are available, including the opportunity to visit one of the world’s most iconic destinations for herpetologists -the Galapagos Islands-. For those interested, we would be delighted to arrange an extension to this extraordinary archipelago. (B)