The Madidi National Park in the heart of the Vilcabamba-Amboró corridor extends over 1,895,750 hectares. This is one of the regions with the greatest biodiversity on our planet. It includes protected areas in both Peru and Bolivia and serves as a link between two of the most famous ecosystems in South America: the Andes and the Amazon region, which are habitats for unique fauna and flora.
The Madidi National Park is home to ethnic groups such as Tacanas, Chimanes, Mosetenes and Esse Ejas, descendants of the first Arawak incursions in the area over 5,000 years ago. These are the indigenous communities living here that continue to preserve their lifestyle, cosmovision and traditions. These people, as the region's native guides, give visitors an interpretation of the forest with a good mix of scientific knowledge and wisdom from their ancestors.

Description

Chalalán Ecolodge in Madidi National Park is the oldest and most important community tourism project in Bolivia. The community of San José de Uchupiamonas, located about 3 hours upstream (by motorboat) on the banks of the Tuichi River, is of both Tacana and Quechua ethnic origin. They started this project with the desire to be pioneers of community tourism in Bolivia.

Program

First day: Flight from La Paz to Rurrenabaque, and boat ride into Madidi National Park

It takes just 50 minutes to fly from La Paz (El Alto international airport) to Rurrenabaque, enjoying a wonderful view of the Andean Cordillera and then of the rivers and jungle of the Bolivian Amazon region. Your local guide will be waiting for you in Rurrenabaque and drive you to the Chalalán Lodge office, where you complete the formalities for entry to Madidi National Park and receive initial information about your trip to the Chalalán ecolodge. Your local guide will then accompany you to the Río Beni, where you will board a boat that will take you to Chalalán. (The boats are covered and offer comfortable seating, life jackets, rain poncho and first aid kit, a maximum of 10 passengers are allowed per boat). The river trip to Chalalán ecolodge offers wonderful views of the Cañón del Bala, a bottleneck of the Río Beni, and then you continue on the Tuichi River into Madidi National Park. Flora, fauna and the Bolivian Amazonian landscape are simply spectacular. If you have binoculars with you - so much the better. The river trip takes around 5½ hours in the rainy season and around 6 hours in the dry season (especially in July, August and September). A box lunch or snack is served on the way. After arriving at the Chalalán jetty, you will reach the lodge in 25 minutes via a wide path - the jaguar path - where you will be welcomed and your room / bungalow will be assigned to you. The staff will help you with your luggage. Lunch at the lodge. Afterwards, enjoy a siesta in the hammock or a refreshing bath in the Laguna Chalalán lake. Short walk in the afternoon on the “Paraba” path. Your guide will tell you about plants, timber, palm trees and the sustainable use of existing natural resources. The viewpoint at the lake offers a beautiful view of the landscape around the Laguna Chalalán and the Madidi National Park. Your guide will inform you about the park, the lodge and other interesting topics. Afterwards you return to the lake and get into a canoe for an exciting trip along the banks of the Laguna Chalalán. You will enjoy the sunset and watch monkeys, birds, insects, bats, etc. Return to the lodge, dinner. Afterwards, you have the possibility for a short night trip (1 - 2 hours) by canoe. Look out for amphibians, night birds, fishing bats and caimans. You can't miss them because their eyes shine brightly at night. (-/L/D)

Second day: Chalalán Ecolodge/Madidi National Park

Optional: Start early if you and your guide would like to watch birds and get back to the ecolodge for breakfast. Morning hike on the Tapacare path (3-4 hours). You will learn interesting facts about the forest and the plant and animal life in Madidi National Park. Other possible topics: "reading" the forest, animal behavior, bird watching, etc. Lunch. Siesta in the hammock or a refreshing swim in the Laguna Chalalán. Afternoon hike along various learning paths. You will learn a lot about medicinal plants and other topics of your interest. Return to the lodge. For the late afternoon and early evening, there are several activities to choose from: learn to make local handicrafts, canoeing on the lake, video presentation about the village community and the park. Afterwards dinner. Savor the typical "dunucuabi" (fish cooked in heliconia leaves) or fish "à la Tacuara" (fish cooked in a bamboo stick - *Please note that the typical fish dinner is dependent on fishing and is served if the appropriate fish is available). In the evening, a short night walk on the Paraba or Silbador path. Look for amphibians, reptiles, insects, spiders, rodents, birds and nocturnal monkey species and listen intently to the noises of the jungle at night. Back at the lodge, a cultural evening surprises you with music and dance from the Quechua and Tacana cultures. Your guide will explain various rituals and cultural practices of the Uchupiamonas villagers. (* The cultural evening depends on the number of guests in the lodge and can take place on any evening.) (B/L/D).

Third day: Chalalán Ecolodge – Rurrenabaque – La Paz

After breakfast you have the opportunity for a short hike in the vicinity of the lodge. Then walk to the Chalalán jetty and start the approx. 3-hour return trip to Rurrenabaque. The exact departure time depends on the availability of boats and the departure times of passengers from Rurrenabaque. Once again, it is worth keeping your eyes and ears open and enjoying the impressive flora and fauna of the Bolivian Amazon region. Arrival in Rurrenabaque and transfer to the airport. Flight to La Paz. (B/-/-) - END OF OUR SERVICES

Note

This itinerary is an example and depends on different factors such as water levels, weather and the interests of the passengers.

Included in the package

- Airport transfers (in and out) with Spanish-speaking driver from/to Rurrenabaque airport
- Small group tour with English-speaking guide during the whole tour (max. 6 guests per local guide, max. 8 guests + boat escort during the river trips)
- 2x or 3x overnight stay in bungalow with private bathroom
- Meals according to program (B= breakfast; L= lunch; D= Dinner)

Reservation

Please do not hesitate to contact us for price requests, reservation, general question, and individual tour inquiries, at: contact(at)landmarktravelbolivia.com

Link

www.landmarktravelbolivia.com/madidi-nationalpark