[2] Until recently it was only known from its type locality in the Lamas Province in Peru;[3][4] however, it is now known to occur more widely in the northern San Martín Region of Peru, extending into the Cordillera del Cóndor in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, Ecuador.

The tympanum is visible, with its upper hidden by the supra-tympanic fold and tubercles.

[4] There are distinct yellow flecks on the dorsum, which can occasionally belarge and bright.

[3] Nymphargus chancas is an arboreal frog found in montane cloud forests near streams.

[1] The Cordillera del Cóndor population is threatened by habitat destruction and pollution associated with mining.