This extension to our Bolivian Highlands tour visits Madidi National Park, one of the most bio-diverse of the rainforest areas.
Madidi National Park was formed in 1995 to protect almost 2 million hectares of pristine
Land. It covers a wide range of habitats from the forested Andean
foothills down into the lowland tropical forests and savannas of the
Amazon basin.
Wildlife
Madidi is home to over a
thousand species of birds and more than half of all neotropical bird
species. It also contains 44% of neotropical mammals and 38% of neotropical
amphibians.
The richness of the flora is equally astounding with a large number of endemics. In combination with the neighbouring Tambopata-Candamo Reserve, in
Peru, it is thought to be the most bio-diverse of all the South
American national parks.
Probably because of the
very low numbers of mahogany found here, Madidi has escaped the
destruction by loggers which many other rich tropical forests have
suffered.
The community of a few
hundred Quetchua-Tacana Indians living in San José is the only
settlement within the park. They have lived here for over 200 years
in harmony with the jungle around them surviving from subsistence
farming.
Outline itinerary
We fly to the small lowland town of Rurrenabaque, on the banks of the river Beni. Next, we travel by boat on the Beni and Tuichi into Madidi National Park. The trip takes 3-4 hours, depending on river conditions.
We stay at the Chalalán Lodge, a project designed to benefit the whole community creating an
alternative sustainable economic activity while preserving the resources of the park.
Chalalan cabins
Chalalán cabins are
nestled in mature rainforest gaps adjacent to Chalalán lake. The cabins are
connected by short trails and are a 30 minutes hike from the Tuichi
River.
We have the opportunity
to explore the varied ecosystems of the rainforest. We spend time at
important features such as streams, dominant fruiting trees,
claylicks and wetlands, where wildlife forages and congregates.
Local guides will
introduce us to the subtle and intricate beauty within Madidi's
forest, explain the the behavior and ecology of local wildlife and
the use of plants in the lives of native people for sustenance,
construction, art and medicine.
Environmentally Friendly
The Chalalan Eco-Lodge is a project designed to benefit the local community of Quetchua-Tacana Indians. Its aim is to create a sustainable and viable alternative economic activity while preserving the resources of the park. This helps to prevent destructive logging and hunting.
Chalalan is now completely administered by the local community and all of the personnel, from cooks and boatmen to guides and office personnel are fully trained local community members.
The lodge is built with the almost exclusive use of materials that could be sustainably harvested in the surrounding forest, solar panels were set up throughout the complex to provide adequate electricity and an ecological sewage disposal system was created. All profits go straight back into the community.
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Rurrenabaque from La Paz. Full day in Rurre. with option to visit the wildlife rich Pampas, or just chill out in this laid back jungle town.
Day 2
Boat from Rurrenabaque to Chalalan. Afternoon swim and local hikes.
Day 3
Local forest hikes to spot wildlife and learn about the forest.
Day 4
Return by boat to Rurrenabaque. Fly to La Paz.
Included
All land transfers, return flights from La Paz to Rurrenabaque, river transfers by boat, all meals while in Madidi from lunch day 1 to breakfast on departure day, lodge accommodation, local English speaking guide in Madidi.
Not included
International flights (we can look for these for you), insurance, personal items, alcoholic and soft drinks.
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