Start: 5th November 2025 | End: 13th November 2025 | Meeting location: Vientiane Capital | Spaces available: 6
Included in the tour:
- Expert herpetologist guides.
- Accommodation.
- Transportation.
- Meals & drinks.
- Insurance.
- Entry/permit fees.
Nights 1 - 4: KHAMMOUANE
Our first location on this expedition is a resort situated overlooking the incredible and seemingly endless limestone karst formations of Khammouane province, which we affectionately refer to as "nature's knives". The resort has its own extensive network of trails, including a boardwalk which leads through the peaks and valleys of the karst formations. There are several caves, both small and relatively large, in the nearby vicinity of our accommodation. Moreover, the resort is a major highlight in itself. If we want a break from looking for wildlife on foot, there are several zip-lines which allow you to 'fly' above the limestone karst formations. Furthermore, the resort restaurant (overlooking the view pictured on the banner above) serves great western and local food, with very comfortable rooms shaped like "pods".
Our primary target in this area is the three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum), a large and very impressive 'horned viper' endemic to this area and some karst massifs across the border in neighbouring Vietnam. We will search for this seldom-seen species by hiking to undisturbed cave systems, where they can be found hunting both inside the caves and on the limestone rocks adjacent to the cave entrance. Seeing such a large pit viper living inside caves is a once in a lifetime experience and essential to the novel experiences on offer via this expedition. Another huge target will be the newly described and very unique Khammouane karst dragon (Laodracon carsticola), which we will need to wake up early for and search extremely carefully along the sharp rocky pinnacles of the karst formations. This lizard is monochrome in colour and blends in almost perfectly with the karst. Although our team have seen this lizard multiple times, we are yet to catch one for photographs - a goal for this trip!
On our second or third day in the area (depending on weather), we will undertake an afternoon hike deep into the jungle to find some even more remote caves where we will target the extremely scarce and locally endemic Khammouane cave wolf snake (Lycodon banksi), a species discovered by our good friend and scientific colleague Peter Brakels in recent years. Our team has not seen this species yet, so it will be a major target of ours and will inspire us to check as many caves as possible. Other interesting species we can find dwelling in the caves is the aptly named cave flying frog (Rhacophorus speleaus), which can sometimes be found congregated in large numbers in damp crevices, along with both Aaron Bauer's gecko (Gekko aaronbaueri) and Jaeger's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus jaegeri).
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Exploring limestone karst forest
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Cave flying frog (Rhacophorus spelaeus)
View from the restaurant.
Cave flying frog (Rhacophorus spelaeus)
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Jaeger's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus jaegeri)
Aaron Bauer's gecko (Gekko aaronbaueri)
Boardwalk through the karst pinnacles.
Laodracon carsticola by Nathaniël Maury.
Our rooms.
On top of these cave-dwelling targets of ours, there is huge areas of totally open-access limestone and sandstone based forest for us to explore. The herpetofauna of Laos is very poorly studied, so new discoveries, undescribed species and mega-rarities are all possible every time we venture out into the forest. While species like common mock viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus) and golden flying snake (Chrysopelea ornata) are abundant in our resort garden, we can find very special snakes like the banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus), Guangxi cat snake (Boiga guangxiensis) and king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the forest surrounding the resort. We will absolutely maximise the opportunities available in the area, which is sure to surprise everyone with its grandiose scenery. We will visit waterfalls, enjoy non-specifically herping focused activities and surely see countless remarkable animals along the way.
King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
Limestone karst formations.
Indo-Chinese banded wolf snake (Lycodon neomaculatus)
Amalops sengae
Guangxi cat snake (Boiga guangxiensis)
Golden flying snake (Chrysopelea ornata)
Vine snake (Ahaetulla sp)
Davison's bridle snake (Dryocalamus davisonii)
Canopy view of lowland forest.
Nganson bronzeback (Dendrelaphis ngansonensis)
Painted bronzeback (Dendrelaphis pictus)
Diard's blind snake (Argyrophis diardi)
Kio flying frog (Rhacophorus kio)
Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
Mock viper (Psammodyanstes pulverulentus)
Nights 5 - 8: KONGLOR CAVE
After our first 4 days exploring the ultra-sharp karst formations in the north of Khammouane province, we drive around an hour south to our second destination: Konglor Cave. While the habitat looks superficially similar, the herping experience will be very different here. For starters, our primary mode of transport will be kayaks, which we will use to access remote llimestone karst walls and more cave systems. This area is fantastic for finding our other major viper target for this expedition, the beautiful Truong Son pit viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis). This limestone-karst loving rarity can be green, brown or even teal-blue in colouration. It occurs in sympatry with the three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum) in this area, and we expect to see both species while exploring the limestone karst habitat.
We will also extensively use our kayaks to search for wildlife. It is incredibly fun to slowly cruise through the water and spot snakes in the water, on the banks of the river and in the trees above. Large-eyed pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. macrops) are very easy to spot from the canoe, and we have found absolute giant red-tailed racers (Gonyosoma oxycephalum), sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis unicolor), various keelback species, black-bellied mud snake (Homalopsis nigroventralis) and many other species while shining at night using this method. Even though they are hunted for food, we can find Indo-Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) sleeping above the streams as well.
During the daytime, we will embark in many kayak-based endeavours, including visiting the incredible Konglor Cave itself. This truly giant river-cave stretches 7 kilometres underground and exits on the other side to an area which is fun to explore on foot while we have a break. The very rare Khammouane cave wolf snake (Lycodon banksi) mentioned previously has been seen on this side of Konglor cave, along with Trimeresurus truongsonensis. Of course, there are many other species we can see here, a few of which are featured below, while you must join us to see the rest!
Truong Son pit viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis)
Truong Son pit viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis)
Green cat snake (Boiga cyanea)
Truong Son pit viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis)
Truong Son pit viper (Trimeresurus truongsonensis)
Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)
Large-eyed pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. macrops)
Black-ventered mud snake (Homalopsis nigroventralis)
Indo-Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Mekong mud snake (Enhydris subtaeniata)
Large-eyed pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. macrops)
White-spotted slug snake (Pareas margaritophorus)
Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus)
Sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis unicolor)
Red-tailed ratsnake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum)
Striped kukri snake (Oligodon taeniatus)
Three horn-scaled lancehead (Protobothrops sieversorum)
Again, our resort is a major highlight at this destination. Extremely comfortable rooms, serving high quality western and local food, overlooking the Konglor river and dry limestone karst formations which form a natural barrier to the rest of the world. The area is truly perfect for a quiet getaway with rare snakes and good people. We can set sail directly from the resort with our kayaks and explore as far as our hearts content. The scenery in this region is truly some of the most impressive of anywhere we have been, and the rural farming landscape really gives a good idea as to what many places in Thailand would have been like more than 30 years ago. This expedition is specifically aimed towards not just finding the rare and unique endemics to this seldom-visited region, but to maximise the experience of our guests on an indulgent holiday to one of the most remarkable countries in South-East Asia. Pictured below are just a few images we took while exploring this amazing environment.
Accommodation:
The accommodation on this expedition is high quality, with a comfortable bed and good amenities at each location. You will always have access to electricity and a western bathroom, as well as air-conditioning/fan. We can take care of laundry in the local town on day 4 of 8.
Food:
As mentioned in the main body of text, both resorts have their own restaurant which serves both western and local food. They also have little 'shops' where you can buy snacks and other supplies for being in the field.
Environmental conditions & fitness:
As this expedition involves hiking to caves and around limestone karst formations, you must self-assess yourself to ensure you are capable of this endeavour. It can be slippery and sometimes treacherous in these habitats, made ever more dangerous due to the sharp limestone rocks all around. Of course, not every hike is mandatory, but being able to explore all the caves and karst habitat is essential to this expedition. While not every person needs to kayak themselves (some fit 2 people), again, being fit enough to paddle in slow-flowing (or still) water is highly recommended to get the most value from the experience.
Travel information:
All participants must arrive in Vientiane at the designated meeting location by 11:00am on the 5th November 2025. The meeting location will be communicated in private around 1 month before the start of the expedition. The best means to access Laos is by plane into Vientiane (the capital of Laos), but both buses and trains run from Bangkok to Vientiane. Most journey plans will likely take you via Thailand. We will return to Vientiane at 18:00pm on the 13th November 2025, where the tour will officially end.
It is the guests’ responsibility to meet all entry requirements needed to enter Laos, including visa procedures. Visas can be obtained online or at the border, although we recommend purchasing the tourist visa online to save time when you arrive in Laos. Make sure to check the entry requirements for your country before booking.
