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Asian Congress of Herpetology2027

Asian Congress of Herpetology2027
T−377 DAYS26–29 AUG 2027THE ALANA YOGYAKARTA HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER, SLEMAN, YOGYAKARTAABSTRACTS CLOSE 30 APR

Information

Post-Congress Excursions

Biodiversity Excursions

Extend your ACH 2027 experience beyond the meeting rooms and discover some of Java's remarkable landscapes and herpetofauna. Following the Congress, a series of small-group, scientifically guided biodiversity excursions will take participants into contrasting ecosystems—from forested hills and limestone karst to volcanic highlands and East Java's lowland rainforest.

Excursions are designed for participants interested in field herpetology, biodiversity, natural history, conservation, landscape ecology, and nature photography.

Places are strictly limited to 30 participants per excursion.

Important Information

All excursions are optional add-on activities and require separate registration.

Each excursion is limited to 30 paid participants and will close automatically once capacity is reached.

The final itinerary may be adjusted according to weather, field conditions, access restrictions, wildlife regulations, safety considerations, and instructions from relevant authorities.

Wildlife observations cannot be guaranteed. These excursions take place in natural environments, and the presence and detectability of individual species depend on weather, season, habitat conditions, and animal activity.

All participants must follow the instructions of excursion leaders and comply with the ACH Code of Conduct, field-safety procedures, wildlife regulations, protected-area rules, and responsible field-herpetology practices.

Participation in an ACH excursion does not constitute permission to collect, capture, retain, transport, or export wildlife, specimens, tissues, or other biological material.

Detailed itineraries, transportation arrangements, accommodation, meals, equipment recommendations, physical requirements, meeting points, and field-safety instructions will be provided to registered participants before the excursions.

Excursion A — Menoreh Hills Herpetological Survey

Explore the lush Menoreh Hills, west of Yogyakarta, through guided day and night herpetological surveys across forest edges, streams, agricultural landscapes, and rural habitats. This relatively accessible excursion provides an excellent introduction to field herping in Java, with opportunities to observe amphibians and reptiles while learning about survey methods, habitat associations, and biodiversity within human-modified tropical landscapes.

  • 30–31 August 2027 | 2 Days / 1 Night
  • Fee: USD 120 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Forest and stream surveys • Night herping • Amphibians and reptiles • Rural landscapes • Field photography • Suitable for students and participants with moderate field experience

Excursion B — Gunung Sewu Karst Expedition

Discover the extraordinary limestone landscapes of the Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark, where thousands of karst hills, caves, underground drainage systems, seasonal streams, and forest patches create specialized habitats for wildlife. Participants will explore the relationship between geology, caves, karst ecosystems, and herpetofaunal diversity, with guided surveys targeting reptiles and amphibians associated with these distinctive southern Javan landscapes.

  • 30–31 August 2027 | 2 Days / 1 Night
  • Fee: USD 160 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Limestone karst • Caves and rocky habitats • Night surveys • Specialized herpetofauna • Geological landscapes • Biodiversity photography

Excursion C — Dieng Plateau Montane Biodiversity Expedition

Journey into the cool volcanic highlands of the Dieng Plateau, one of Central Java's most distinctive montane landscapes. Surveys will explore high-elevation habitats, forest remnants, wetlands, streams, agricultural mosaics, and volcanic environments while examining how elevation, temperature, land use, and isolation influence montane biodiversity. The expedition combines field herpetology with spectacular highland scenery and an opportunity to experience a very different ecological environment from lowland Java.

  • 30 August–1 September 2027 | 3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Fee: USD 220 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Montane herpetofauna • High-elevation ecosystems • Volcanic landscapes • Streams and wetlands • Night surveys • Highland biodiversity • Scenic photography

Excursion D — Mount Merbabu Biodiversity Trek

Experience the changing ecosystems of Mount Merbabu, one of Central Java's prominent volcanic mountains. This more physically demanding excursion combines biodiversity surveys with trekking through agricultural foothills, montane vegetation, forest habitats, and higher-elevation landscapes. Participants will explore how amphibian and reptile communities change along elevational and habitat gradients, while experiencing one of Java's impressive volcanic mountain environments.

  • 30 August–1 September 2027 | 3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Fee: USD 260 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Mountain trekking • Montane forests • Elevational gradients • Amphibian and reptile surveys • Volcanic landscapes • Night herping • Panoramic scenery
  • Activity Level: Moderate to challenging; suitable physical fitness is recommended.

Excursion E — Meru Betiri Rainforest Expedition, East Java

For participants seeking the most immersive post-congress field experience, this expedition travels east to Meru Betiri National Park, where lowland tropical rainforest, rivers, plantations, coastal habitats, and remote beaches create one of Java's richest natural landscapes. Guided day and night surveys will focus on lowland forest amphibians and reptiles, habitat diversity, conservation, and tropical field ecology, complemented by exploration of the park's coastal ecosystems and sea-turtle conservation landscapes.

  • 30 August–2 September 2027 | 4 Days / 3 Nights
  • Fee: USD 420 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Lowland tropical rainforest • Intensive day and night herping • Forest amphibians and reptiles • Rivers and coastal habitats • Sea-turtle conservation landscapes • National park biodiversity • Extended field experience
  • Activity Level: Moderate; participants should be comfortable with tropical field conditions, night surveys, walking on uneven terrain, and longer road travel.

Cultural Excursions

Discover the cultural heritage of Yogyakarta and Central Java through specially arranged ACH excursions combining ancient monuments, Javanese royal traditions, archaeology, and performing arts. These optional tours are designed for participants, accompanying persons, and families who wish to experience the cultural landscape surrounding the Congress.

These cultural excursions will be offered as optional ACH add-on activities and will be subject to minimum participation, transportation capacity, attraction availability, and performance schedules. Final itineraries, prices, departure times, inclusions, and registration limits will be announced through the ACH registration system.

Excursion F — World Heritage Tour

Experience two of Indonesia's greatest monuments in a single journey. Visit the magnificent Borobudur Temple, the world's largest Buddhist temple and a masterpiece of 9th-century Javanese Buddhist architecture, before continuing to Prambanan, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex. The excursion offers an exceptional introduction to the Buddhist and Hindu civilizations that shaped ancient Java, set against the volcanic landscapes of Central Java.

  • 30 August 2027 | Full-Day
  • Fee: USD 120 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Borobudur • Prambanan • UNESCO World Heritage • Buddhist & Hindu heritage • Ancient Javanese architecture • Cultural landscapes • Photography

Excursion G — Keraton, Prambanan & Ramayana Ballet

Discover the living traditions of Yogyakarta with a visit to the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, the historic palace and cultural heart of the Yogyakarta Sultanate. Continue to the spectacular Prambanan Temple complex before concluding the evening with the celebrated Ramayana Ballet, where classical Javanese dance, music, costume, and drama bring the ancient Ramayana epic to life against the dramatic setting of Prambanan.

  • 30 August 2027 | Full-Day & Evening Cultural Experience
  • Fee: USD 120 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Yogyakarta Palace • Javanese royal heritage • Prambanan • Ramayana Ballet • Traditional dance & music • Evening cultural performance

Excursion H — Keraton, Ratu Boko & Ramayana Ballet

Explore the royal and archaeological heritage of Yogyakarta, beginning at the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, where Javanese court traditions remain alive today. Continue to the hilltop archaeological complex of Ratu Boko, renowned for its monumental gateways, ancient Buddhist and Hindu connections, and panoramic views across the Prambanan Plain. The journey concludes with an evening performance of the Ramayana Ballet, combining traditional Javanese dance, music, storytelling, and spectacular theatrical artistry.

  • 31 August 2027 | Full-Day & Evening Cultural Experience
  • Fee: USD 120 + applicable tax
  • Highlights: Yogyakarta Palace • Javanese culture • Ratu Boko archaeological complex • Panoramic landscapes • Sunset atmosphere • Ramayana Ballet • Traditional performing arts