| Madidi
National Park
was established in 1995 in the Northwestern section of Bolivia. It protects
a full array of ecosystems, from the high Andes to the Amazon basin, a
vast wilderness of 4,500,000 acres of unparalleled biological diversity
ranging from cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland rainforest
to savannah, and from wild rivers to lakes. This park is home to more than 1,000 species of birds, 44% of all New World species of mammals and an estimated 38% of neotropical amphibians. It is also a critical global hotspot for endemic plants. Chalalan Ecolodge Y ou will go to this Amazonian region (400 -1600 ft. above sea level). You will visit the heart of Madidi National Park where the Tuichi River is located, with the final destination in the Chalalan Lake and Chalalan Ecolodge. The scenery in this region was shaped by ancient geological and glacial processes, resulting in spectacular views. One of the many communities that we support is the village of San José de Uchupiamonas, a Quechua-Tacana ethnic group. This community owns Chalalán Ecolodge, which was built with a "minimum impact" philosophy, using local materials and traditional techniques, as well as solar energy and treatment of all waste waters. The San Jose community hopes that by participating in responsible tourism, it can be successful in the preservation of thousands of hectares of pristine rainforest that belong to them and were inherited from their ancestors. Their operations are developed under standards that respect local culture and traditions as well as the amazing natural surroundings. |
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| Day
1: La Paz / Rurrenabaque A 55-minute flight to Rurrenabaque over the Andean Cordillera Real and the Amazon lowlands. Transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to explore this colourful town on the bank of the Beni River. |
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| Day
2: Rurrenabaque / Chalalan / Madidi
National Park Early in the morning, travel up the Beni River in a dugout canoe, passing through the spectacular Bala Gorge. The wild and scenic Tuichi River is our gateway to Madidi National Park, and our access to the Chalalán Ecolodge. The river trip to Chalalán takes about 5 hours followed by an easy 30-minute hike from the river's edge to the lodge. The lodge is nestled in the rainforest on the shores of beautiful Lake Chalalán. Later, guests will have the opportunity to explore the forest trails, including a stop at the Mirador (lookout), which offers incredible views of Lake Chalalán and the central mountain ranges of the national park. After dinner, have an optional night walk or canoe trip on the lake to look for wildlife such as black caimans, frogs and nocturnal birds. (B,L,D) |
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3: Chalalan / Madidi National Park After breakfast, an early morning trek through the rainforest starts. Our local guides will share their extensive knowledge of plants (including their traditional medicinal uses), natural history, and animal behaviour. Lunch at the lodge and a relaxing afternoon; a swim in the lake is recommended. Or you can walk another of Chalalan's trails to observe some of the amazing number of birds found in the area. After dinner, you will learn about the San José Community, its history, stories and traditions. (B,L,D) |
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4: Chalalan / Madidi National Park Today you will go on the longest of our hikes, passing through primary rainforest showing beautiful tall and columnar trees on our way to the Penena saltlick. On this 5-hour trip, you explore other rainforests farther from the lodge, and hence with luck, you can see red howler and black spider monkeys, and other wildlife, as well as learn more about the ecology of these forests. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon participate in the making of traditional Tacana handicrafts, like the chonta seed rings. Last evening in Chalalán! (B,L,D) |
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| Day
5: Chalalan / Rurrenabaque / La Paz After an early breakfast, walk to the Tuichi River, where you board the boat to return to Rurrenabaque. The return trip (down-river) is faster; it takes about three hours. Transfer to Rurrenabaque´s airport and flight to La Paz. (B) |
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| Departures: All year | |
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2008
Rates per person: B.
Shared Bathrooms: NOTE: An additional
cost will be the airplane ticket La Paz-Rurrenabaque-La Paz: $124 per
person |
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| Tour includes: 1 night accommodation in Rurrenabaque, airport transfers in Rurrenabaque, 4d/3n in Chalalan Ecolodge with accommodations and meals, local bilingual guide, accommodations, boat transport to Chalalan. | |
| Not included: meals in Rurrenabaque, airport taxes ($3.00 each way per person), entrance fee to the Madidi National Park ($10.00 per person). | |
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What
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