Bach Ma 2-Night Herping Tour
One of Vietnam’s most underrated endemic herping zones, this tour of the Annamite Mountains features a spectacular array of high-value target species including rare snakes, range-restricted amphibians, endemic tortoises, and even some species yet to be formally described
Details
Summary:
— 2-Night / 2-Day Tour
— Bookings Available Year-Round
— Departs from Da Nang, Hue or Hoi An
— Private Tours for Individuals or Small Groups, with Options for Larger Groups Available Upon Request
Prices From:
Single Person: $695 per person
Group of 2: $408 per person
Group of 3: $345 per person
Group of 4: $295 per person
Bach Ma 2-Night Herping Tour
Code: HUMD02 | Categories: Herping | Locations: Da Nang / Hoi An, Hue
Summary
Uncover one of Vietnam’s most underrated endemic herping zones on this focused 2-day / 2-night expedition into the heart of the Annamite Mountains. Based within the world-renowned biodiversity hotspot of Bach Ma National Park, this tour offers chance to encounter a wide variety of rare snakes, range-restricted amphibians, cripplingly rare forest tortoises, and even as-of-yet undescribed reptile species in on of Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse (and still largely unexplored) regions.
This tour is tailored for both serious herpers, wildlife photographers and naturalists, and focusses on immersive and extensive field time, maximising time in habitat-rich zones ranging from higher elevation misty montane forest, to stream corridors and lowland bamboo and broadleaf evergreen habitats. Both nights are dedicated to intensive spotlighting and stream walking, using ethical low-impact methods and red-light torches to locate as wide a variety of possible of nocturnal species. During our one full-day, diurnal searches include typical forest-styled flipping, tracking microhabitats, checking iron sheets and working edge habitat.
This section of the Annamites is home to an exceptional suite of high-priority targets, particularly for snake enthusiasts. The region supports a remarkable diversity of elusive, range-restricted, and high-value species, including several endemics and forest specialists rarely encountered elsewhere in Vietnam. Notable targets include Bungarus slowinskii, Ptyas bachmaensis, Ptyas carinata, Ovophis tonkinensis, Calamaria concolor, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Pseudoxenodon bambusicola, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Lycodon fasciatus, Lycodon paucifasciatus, Sinomicrurus macclellandi, Protobothrops mucrosquamatus, Protobothrops cornutus, Hebius annamensis, Naja kaouthia and Ophiophagus hannah. A range of notable frogs, lizards, geckoes, tortoises and other herps are highlighted in more detail further down the page.
Accommodation is provided in restored French-style villas near the summit, basic but comfortable and ideally located for early morning and late-night access to prime herping spots. All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included, along with transfers from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An.
Whether you’re chasing range-restricted targets or simply exploring some of Vietnam’s wildest herping terrain, this tour connects you with the true biological herping richness of the Annamites.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Mid-afternoon pick-up from your accommodation (Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An)
Transfer to Bach Ma National Park
Arrival and slow, low-impact ascent toward the summit with opportunities for roadside herping
Check-in at your French-style villa near the summit
Late afternoon herping around nearby forest trails for diurnal species
Dinner at the villa
Extensive night herping session focused on high-elevation species
Day 2:
Full day of tailored diurnal herping across a variety of habitats within the park (customised to your pace, target species, and interests)
Access to both summit and mid-elevation trails, depending on conditions/seasons and species activity
Lunch provided in the field or at a scenic park location
Return to the villa for rest and dinner
Second night herping session, exploring new zones and targeting species not yet encountered
Day 3:
Sleep-in and relaxed breakfast at the villa
Morning departure from the park
Transfer back to Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An, with drop-off at your accommodation by mid- to late morning
Tour Pace
Conditions in Bach Ma are typically moderate in difficulty with some nice, well-maintained paths and roads for straightforward walking. However, it should be noted that there are some optional steep climbs and more-demanding tracks. As we make our way through your tour, we’ll adapt to the best spots for you, your pace and target species.
Detailed Herping Target List
Snakes:
Indotyphlops braminus, Cylindrophis jodiae, Lygosoma siamense, Pareas formosensis, Pareas macularius, Ahaetulla prasina, Boiga guangxiensis, Calamaria concolor, Calamaria pavimentata, Chrysopelea ornata, Coelognathus radiatus, Dendrelaphis ngansonensis, Elaphe taeniura, Gonyosoma coeruleum, Liopeltis pallidonuchalis, Lycodon capucinus, Lycodon fasciatus, Lycodon paucifasciatus, Lycodon ruhstrati, Oligodon cinereus, Oligodon eberhardti, Oligodon saintgironsi, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Ptyas bachmaensis, Ptyas carinata, Ptyas korros, Pseudoxenodon bambusicola, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Rhabdophis chrysargos, Sibynophis collaris, Hebius annamensis, Hebius boulengeri, Bungarus candidus, Bungarus slowinskii, Naja kaouthia, Ophiophagus hannah, Protobothrops cornutus, Protobothrops mucrosquamatus, Sinomicrurus annularis, Sinomicrurus macclellandi, Sinomicrurus peinani, Ovophis tonkinensis, Trimeresurus albolabris, Trimeresurus vogeli
Frogs & Toads:
Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Brachytarsophrys intermedius, Leptobrachium banae, Leptobrachella crocea, Leptobrachella rowleyae, Xenophrys truongsonensis, Ophryophryne hansi, Quasipaa verrucospinosa, Limnonectes kiziriani, Occidozyga lima, Nanohyla marmorata, Microhyla butleri, Microhyla heymonsi, Kaloula pulchra, Papurana attigua, Sylvirana guentheri, Sylvirana mortenseni, Odorrana chloronota, Odorrana khalam, Odorrana livida, Gracixalus supercornutus, Kurixalus banaensis, Kurixalus verrucosus, Polypedates megacephalus, Polypedates mutus, Rhacophorus annamensis, Theloderma ryabovi, Theloderma truongsonense, Theloderma vietnamense
Turtles & Tortoises:
Manouria impressa, Cuora mouhotii
Geckos:
Cyrtodactylus pseudoquadrivirgatus, Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus, Hemidactylus frenatus, Hemidactylus platyurus, Hemiphyllodactylus banaensis
Dragons & Lizards:
Acanthosaura capra, Acanthosaura lepidogaster, Acanthosaura nataliae, Acanthosaura phongdienensis, Calotes irawadi, Calotes versicolor, Draco maculatus, Dopasia gracilis, Dopasia sokolovi, Eutropis macularia, Eutropis multifasciata, Physignathus cocincinus, Plestiodon tamdaoensis, Pseudocalotes microlepis, Sphenomorphus indicus, Takydromus hani
Other Wildlife Highlights
It’s no secret that where herping is spectacular, other wildlife experiences often follow and Bach Ma is no exception. Beyond snakes, frogs and other reptiles, the park is best known for its outstanding birding and mammal watching opportunities. Butterfly watching, rare orchids, and tropical invertebrates add even more depth to the experience. The entire Next Continent team is thoroughly trained across major wildlife groups, so whether you want to add a bit of primate watching, track down a Silver Pheasant, or search for rare tropical moths during your birding tour, we’re ready to help.
If you want to learn more, visit our Bach Ma Wildlife Tours page, or get in touch with our team directly.
Group Size
Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request.
Climate & Weather Conditions
Cool and temperate year-round. Misty mornings with frequent fog in the highlands. Humid conditions with regular rain showers, especially from October to December.
Tour Inclusions
- Private guide specialising in herping, natural history and other wildlife
- Dedicated driver for convenience
- Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation
- All meals during your tour
- Non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day
- Water bottles and snacks available in the vehicle
- All necessary entrance tickets and permits
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- First aid and a COVID-safe environment
Photography Opportunites & Notes
Superb photographic opportunities for a wide range of species. As photo opportunities and targets can vary greatly depending on seasons and the time of year, we recommend discussing your goals with the Next Continent team in advance so we can tailor the best possible plan for your photography experience. As with most herping, we suggest a macro setup with reliable flash, lots of spare batteries, and diffusion for optimal results in low-light and nocturnal conditions.
Discover More in Central Vietnam
If this tour caught your eye, you might also enjoy some of our other herping experiences in the region, each with its own unique focus and highlights. Below are some of our most popular and recommended options, perfect for discovering more of what Central Vietnam has to offer. Thinking of doing more than one? Let us know and we’ll be happy to create a customised package to suit your journey.
Da Nang Peninsula: 1-Night Herping Tour
Step into the spectacular nocturnal world of the Da Nang Peninsula, where the forest comes alive after sunset. This short but high-yield herping adventure offers the chance to encounter a remarkable array of reptiles and amphibians including leaf turtles, vipers, pythons, geckos, frogs, toads, and more! Whether you’re a dedicated herper, wildlife photographer, curious traveler, or family with a taste for the wild, this popular tour provides a rare window into the extraordinary diversity of Vietnam’s often-overlooked nighttime herpetofauna.
Duy Son: 1-Night Herping Tour
Go deeper into central Vietnam’s untamed wilds on this specialist 1-night herping tour in the Duy Son Highlands. Far from the city lights and tourist trails, this off-the-beaten-track experience is designed for serious herpers and reptile-focused photographers in search of Vietnam’s rarer and more cryptic targets. From pit vipers and bubble-nest frogs to endemic geckos and other forest specialists, this intense one-night outing is one of our most popular herping tours in Central Vietnam.
Beyond the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An’s ancient town lies a world of extraordinary and rare wildlife. Designed for herpers, wildlife photographers, tourists, and families alike, this nocturnal experience reveals an opportunity to connect with spectacular creatures such as pit vipers, keelbacks, tree snakes, pipe snakes, tropical frogs, endemic geckos, and more. You might even spot the elusive Mainland Leopard Cat or catch a glimpse of an owl or nightjar, as no two nights are ever the same! So come see the wild side of Hoi An after dark and experience with nature like never before.
Tailor Your Experience
Looking to enhance your experience? Whether it’s adding an extra day, making an additional stop, arranging pick-up from a distant location, hiring a camera, or combining your tour with another one of our amazing experiences, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today, and let our experts craft a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices tailored to your needs
Tour Reviews
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