Ecotourism
Bolivia has over 22 protected areas and among them, many of the most important in the world
Scroll down to see our programs for this type of experience
Our Programs for La Paz
- Madidi National Park
- Sajama National Park
- Amboró and Carrasco
- Toro Toro National Park
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Madidi National Park
MADIDI NATIONAL PARK -CHALALAN ECOLODGE
DURATION: 4 DAYS
DAY 1: LA PAZ – RURRENABAQUE
Flight from La Paz (El Alto International Airport) to Rurrenabaque (50 minutes). The flight is a fabulous opportunity to see the Andes Mountain Range and a panoramic view of the Amazon rivers and forests. Our staff will be waiting at Rurrenabaque airport to transfer you by bus to the Chalalán office, where you will fill in the forms to enter the Madidi National Park and receive information about your trip to the Ecolodge. We will recommend accommodation in a tourist class hotel. Free afternoon in Rurrenabaque.
OVERNIGHT IN RURRENABAQUE
DAY 2: RURRENABAQUE – CHALALÁN ECOLODGE
A guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the River Beni where you will get on the boat for Chalalán. Our boats are equipped with a roof, comfy seats, life jackets, raincoats and a first-aid kit. The maximum seating capacity on the boats is 10 people. Travel by motor boat to the Chalalán Ecolodge. The trip is a great way of seeing the Bala Canyon around the River Beni. The Madidi NP is accessed by going up the River Tuichi. On your way you’ll see different animals and get a feel for the spectacular landscape of the Bolivian Amazon. We recommend you take binoculars. The trip takes around 5½ hours during the rainy season and 6 hours in the dry season (July, August and September). Packed lunch midway.
Arrival at the port of Chalalán. 25-minute walk to the Ecolodge along a wide, easy, jaguar path. Welcome snack on the shores of Lake Chalalán. Our logistics staff will help you with your luggage. Time to settle in at your cabin or room. Welcome lunch in the Ecolodge. After lunch relax in a hammock or swim in Lake Chalalán. Short walk along one of the theme paths to learn about medicinal plants and more about personal interests. Return to the Ecolodge and choose from the following optional activities: Handicrafts, canoe trip, videos about the community and the Madidi National Park. Dinner in the Ecolodge dining room.
Short night walk along the Paraba or Silbador path to see amphibians, reptiles, insects, tarantulas, rodents, birds and nocturnal monkeys. This is a great chance to hear the sounds of the jungle.
OVERNIGHT IN CHALALAN ECOLODGE
DAY 3: CHALALÁN ECOLODGE – MADIDI NATIONAL PARK
Buffet breakfast in Ecolodge dining room. You can talk to your guide about changing the time depending on your interests. (E.g. breakfast at 5:30 am for birdwatchers.)
Morning walk along the Tapacare path or another of similar length where you can see and learn about the forest and the wildlife surrounding you. Optional themes: natural interpretation of the forest, natural history, ecological processes, medicinal plants and hardwood trees, animal behaviour and bird and mammal watching. Return to the lodge, have a snack.
Lunch in the Ecolodge dining room. After lunch, relax in a hammock or swim in Lake Chalalán. You will coordinate optional activities with your guide.
Short walk along the Paraba path to the viewing point where you can see the beautiful landscape across Lake Chalalán, the mountains and the Madidi rainforest. Your guide will explain about the plants used for building - both hardwoods and palms - and the traditional and sustainable use of natural resources. Here your guide will talk about the park, our Ecolodge and the community. You return to the lake to go on a canoe trip along the shores of Lake Chalalán where you will be able to enjoy the sunset and see monkeys, birds, insects, bats, etc. Return to the Ecolodge for a traditional “dunucuabi” dinner of catfish wrapped in leaves or fish á la “tacuara” inside bamboo from the Bolivian Amazon. *This traditional dinner depends on the availability of the fish and may be offered any night during your stay.
Short night-time activity (1 to 2 hours). Night trip by canoe to see amphibians, nocturnal birds, fish-eating bats and caimans easily spotted because of their glowing eyes. Upon your return to the Ecolodge you can take part in a traditional Quechua – Tacana night with music and dances from the San José de Uchupiamonas community. Your guide will explain the traditions of the Uchupiamonas people.
*This activity will depend on the number of guests staying at the Ecolodge and may be offered any night during your stay.
OVERNIGHT IN CHALALAN ECOLODGE
DAY 4: CHALALÁN ECOLODGE – RURRENABAQUE – LA PAZ
Buffet breakfast in Ecolodge dining room and then a short walk to spot wildlife. Lunch time: 11:00 am. Last walk to the River Tuíchi to take the boat back to Rurrenabaque. The return walk along the Jaguar or Wichi path can be modified to suit your interests. Please coordinate with your guide.
Return by boat to Rurrenabaque (only 3 hours). The time is subject to the availability of boats and flights. We recommend you are alert during the boat trip in order that you can make the most of your last chance to see the animals.
Arrive at Rurrenabaque. Transfer to airport and return to the city of La Paz.
NB: All of the walks described above are rated as easy. The activities and times may change depending on the weather, the interests of our guests or other factors. The Chalalan programmes can be shortened or lengthened depending on the guests.MADIDI NATIONAL PARK AND PAMPAS
DURATION: 5 DAYS
DAY 1. MADIDI NATIONAL PARK
Early departure by boat up the Beni River to the entrance to the Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. The boat ride will take around 3 hours until we reach the Tacuaral Lodge, on the Tuichi River. Lunch. Hike along a rainforest trail to see wildlife: monkeys, deer, wild peccaries, capybara, and several different species of birds. Dinner at the lodge. Night walk in the jungle to discover nocturnal wildlife.
OVERNIGHT IN TACUARAL LODGE
DAY 2. CAQUIAHUARA
After breakfast, we take a boat up the Tuichi River to Caquiahuara, a clay cliff where macaws and parrots nest and feed. Great photograph opportunities from the observation deck. Interpretative trail. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, sport fishing and swimming in the river
OVERNIGHT IN TACUARAL LODGE
DAY 3. SANTA ROSA DE YACUMA
Early breakfast and boat ride back to Rurrenabaque, where we will board a 4x4 jeep for a 3-hour trip to Santa Rosa de Yacuma. Lunch at Caracoles Lodge. In the afternoon, boat ride to look at the wildlife in and around the river: pink river dolphin, capybaras, turtles, black caiman, monkeys and many bird species.
OVERNIGHT CARACOLES
DAY 4. YACUMA RIVER
Morning hike through the Pampas in search of the mighty anaconda, black caimans and alligators. Lunch at the lodge. After a short rest, boat ride along the Yacuma River to fish for piranhas and swim with pink dolphins. After dinner, night-time boat ride to see the eyes of the caimans with the help of a torch.
OVERNIGHT IN CARACOLES
DAY 5. RURRENABAQUE
Morning boat ride to see troops of squirrel monkeys or chichilos. Lunch at the lodge before heading back to Rurrenabaque. Arrive at around 5 pm.
MADIDI NATIONAL PARK FROM SAN MIGUEL DEL BALA
DURATION: 3 DAYS
DAY 1
Fly into Rurrenabaque and transfer to the riverside to take a motorboat up the Beni River for 45 minutes to the San Miguel del Bala Ecolodge. This lodge is in a small Tacana community that works with community-based ecotourism and forest conservation. We will take a walk through the community to see how the locals weave, fish and prepare food for their family. This is a very interactive experience as you can take part in any of the activities that grab your attention. In the afternoon we will walk through the jungle in the protected area to the 150 m-long canyon down to the river.
01 OVERNIGHT IN SAN MIGUEL DEL BALA
DAY 2
After breakfast we will take a boat for about 2½ hours up the Beni and Tuichi rivers until we reach the Caquiahuara Lodge in the Madidi National Park. Along the way you can sit back and enjoy watching wild animals and looking at unforgettable scenery. We will have lunch in Caquiahuara and then explore this protected area in search of monkeys, peccaries, reptiles and countless bird species. Possibly the most wonderful part of this trip will be the information your local guide will give you on his people’s traditions and way of life, as well as the community’s sustainable management and use of the jungle that is their home.
In the evening you will go for a walk to see caimans and listen out for and identify the sounds of the jungle wildlife.
01 OVERNIGHT IN CAQUIAWARA
DAY 3
Very early in the morning before breakfast we will go by boat to the parrot wall to see macaws in their natural habitat. We will walk up for about 30 m to the wall to watch the macaws fly about. Return to Caquiawara for breakfast and then do some fishing before returning to Rurrenabaque. -
Sajama National Park
SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK, MOUNTAIN and IDENTITY
LA PAZ – TOMARAPI- La Paz
DAY 1.
Leave La Paz for Curahuara de Carangas where we will visit the church known as the Sistine Chapel of Bolivia, go on to see chullpas (burial towers) and continue to the Sajama National Park. We will arrive at the community-run eco-lodge in Tomarapi where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we will walk to Caripe to watch how the region’s llama, alpaca and vicuña wool is spun and made into different products. We will also visit the local school where, if classes are being held, you can go in and chat with the children. The children love having visitors and it is always a good idea to take a small present, such as a toy or school supplies – pens, pencils, etc.
01 OVERNIGHT TOMARAPI ECOLODGE
DAY 2.
After a traditional breakfast in Tomarapi we will visit Laguna Huayñakota, a protected area where you will be able to see a variety of Andean birds and fauna. Then we will go for a dip in the thermal waters and walk through native queñua forests to the geysers where we will have a packed lunch before walking to the village of Sajama where we will visit the church. On the way you will see alpacas, llamas and vicuñas. At the end of the day we will return to La Paz.
SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK, COLOUR and DIVERSITY of the ANDES
LA PAZ- TOMARAPI – CIRCUIT LAUCA – La Paz
DAY 1.
From La Paz, we will leave for Curahuara de Carangas, where we will visit the church known as the Sistine Chapel of Bolivia, and see chullpas (burial towers) as we continue our journey to the Sajama National Park. During the tour we will go through queñua forests and see the different flora and fauna found in the Sajama National Park, such as vicuñas and the Suri (Andean ostrich). We will visit the church of Sajama and continue our journey to the geysers. Later, we will take a walk to the queñua forest, arriving finally at the village of Tomarapi.
01 OVERNIGHT TOMARAPI ECOLODGE
DAY 2.
Our morning begins very early; we will set off for the border with Chile and the small community-based Lauca River Cultural Circuit, where we will learn about the culture and nature in the region. After two hours we will reach the community of Macaya, where you can enjoy a visit to the chapel on the banks of the Laguna Macaya and see Andean birds and fauna. After this we will continue our trip south, as far as the multi-coloured chullpas from Inca times. These are beautiful burial towers painted in different colours as a clear display of respect for those buried within. After a snack, we will continue our trip towards the Laguna Saquewa where you will be able to see the three varieties of flamingo from a vantage point. A box lunch awaits us at this lagoon. In the afternoon we will return to Sajama National Park
01 OVERNIGHT TOMARAPI ECOLODGE
DAY 3
In the morning after breakfast, we will visit the village of Caripe, where garments are made using alpaca wool. A family from the area will give us an explanation of how the community farms llamas and alpacas. We will also visit the local school where, if classes are being held, you can go in and chat with the children. Only about 60 children go to this school, and they all love having visitors. It is always a good idea to take a small present, such as a toy or school supplies – pens, pencils, etc. We will stay in Tomarapi for lunch and then visit Laguna Huaynacota where we will be able to see certain bird species such as Chilean flamingos, crested ducks, eagles, woodpeckers and small falcons. Later, return to La Paz.SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK IN BOLIVIA AND LAUCA NATIONAL PARK IN CHILE
DURATION: 4 DAYS
DAY 1
After breakfast, we will head north, crossing the valley of Azapa and visiting the geoglyphs and the local museum. From km 12 you will see the majestic valley spread out before you before we enter Lluta. On the way you will see the Candelabra Cactus and the Pukara of Copaquilla before we have lunch in Zapahuira. In the afternoon we will visit the village of Socoroma before we arrive at our hotel in Putre.
01 OVERNIGHT IN PUTRE
DAY 2
We leave very early for the Lauca National Park, where we will visit the caves, the Mirador (lookout point) of Chucuyo, the village of Chucuyo, community of Parinacota, the Mirador (lookout point) of Cotacotani, Lake Chungará and the Payachata volcanoes. After a packed lunch we will go to the Chungara border point and continue our journey towards Tambo Quemado on the Bolivian border. After this we will continue on to the Sajama National Park and arrive at our accommodation in Tomarapi.
01 OVERNIGHT TOMARAPI ECOLODGE
DAY 3.
In the morning after breakfast, we will visit Caripe, where garments are made using alpaca wool. A family from the area will give us an explanation of how the community farms llamas and alpacas. During the tour we will go through queñua forests and see the different flora and fauna found in the Sajama National Park, such as vicuñas and the Suri (Andean ostrich). We will visit the church of Sajama and continue our journey to the geysers. Later, on our return to Tomarapi, we will take a walk to the queñua forest, arriving finally at the village of Tomarapi where dinner will be served around a bonfire.
01 OVERNIGHT TOMARAPI ECOLODGE
DAY 4
Our morning begins with a traditional breakfast in Tomarapi and a visit to the local church, after which we will learn about local Aymara traditions and way of life. On the return trip to La Paz we will visit Curahuara de Carangas, known as the Sistine Chapel of Bolivia. Finally we will arrive at our hotel in La Paz. -
Amboró National Park
AMBORO NATIONAL PARK
DURATION: 3 DAYS
DAY 1
Very early in the morning leave Santa Cruz for Buena Vista passing through the towns of Warnes, Montero, and Portachuelo to reach the Mataracú Tent Camp. We will see the “Ecological Eiffel Tower” strangler fig and take a guided tour along the Las Pozas trail through primary and secondary forests and by natural pools. Transfer to Mataracu in the evening and have dinner.
01 OVERNIGHT IN MATARACU TENT CAMP
DAY 2
After breakfast we will set off along the Dinosaur Path going deep into the rainforest to listen to and look out for the tracks of some of the wildlife that lives in this ecosystem. We will pass through caves and over huge rocky outcrops where dinosaur fossils were found. We will arrive at the Mataracu waterfall and return to Mataracu in the afternoon to enjoy freshly-baked local cheese pastries straight from the oven. In the evening we will go for a walk to discover the nocturnal habits of the local wildlife.
01 OVERNIGHT IN MATARACU TENT CAMP
DAY 3
In the morning we will walk to Los Cajones de Yapacani. This day-long walk will enable us to really get to know the park, and we will take a moment to rest on the banks of the Yapacani River. We will return to the Mataracu Tent Camp to continue on to Santa Cruz in the late afternoon.
NB. The Amboro National Park has different entry points to the north and the south. There are many different ways of extending or shortening the programme depending on what the group wishes to do and see.
CARRASCO NATIONAL PARK
DURATION: 2 DAYS
DAY 1
After breakfast we will leave Cochabamba for Villa Tunari 157 km from the city of Cochabamba. In the early afternoon, we will visit the “Cavern of Oil Birds”, (Steatornis caripensis) an endemic species. These birds are the only nocturnal flying fruit-eating birds in the world. We will walk along paths to look at the flora in this subtropical area.
DAY 2
We will take a trip down Chapare River as far as Puerto Aurora, enjoying the scenery and return to Cochabamba in the late afternoon. -
Toro Toro and Carrasco National Parks
TORO TORO NATIONAL PARK
DURATION: 4 DAYS
DAY 1
Set out from Cochabamba in the morning for the Toro Toro National Park passing though the villages of Tarata and Anzaldo, and crossing the Caine River. After around 4 hours we will arrive at Toro Toro and have lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Umajalanta Cave, 10 km from Toro Toro. This cave is thought to be the deepest cave in Bolivia and reaches around 7 km in depth. You will see amazing stalactites and stalagmites, flowstones, gours and columns. In the cave there is a small lake which is home to blind fish. Dinner.
01 OVERNIGHT IN TORO TORO
DAY 2
After breakfast visit the museum and walk along the Toro Toro River to the Toro Toro Canyon looking out for dinosaur prints and water holes. We will continue on to the lookout point for an impressive view out over the canyon with red-fronted macaws wheeling around below you. We will continue on through this stunning landscape until El Vergel where you can take a dip in pools of crystalline water. At the end of the afternoon descend around 1000 stone steps to the bottom of the canyon. Dinner.
01 OVERNIGHT IN TORO TORODAY 3
Leave early from Toro Toro for Itas at about 3800 m.a.s.l. to the villages of Yunguma and Ovejería. On the outskirts of the villages is an amazing range of sedimentary rocks called the City of Itas where we will stop to have a box lunch and enjoy the spectacular view out over the valleys. In the “city” you will be able to explore labyrinths and galleries carved out of the rocks to form gothic city. You will also find rust-coloured rock paintings and see Andean fauna. Return to Toro Toro at the end of the day.
01 OVERNIGHT IN TORO TORO
DAY 4
After breakfast leave for Siete Vueltas (Seven Turns on the path), which is one of Bolivia’s largest fossil deposits where you will see thousands of brachiopods, cephalopods and even chrimonide stalks embedded in the rocks. In “Wiliu”, before going up the Siete Vueltas, you can see petrified tortoises and fish teeth. Lunch in the hotel before returning to Cochabamba. (B, L)
