| Wilds of Madidi – sample 5 day itinerary
Madidi National Park covers 4.500.000 acres (1.8 million hectares). It is home to more than 1,000 species of birds, an estimated 44% of all New World species of mammal and 38% of New World amphibians plus several thousand plant species.
It is also a critical global hotspot for biodiversity conservation. You have the chance to visit the heart of Madidi National Park, travelling along the Tuichi River until you reach the Chalalán Ecolodge.
Day 1: La Paz – Rurrenabaque
Fly La Paz - Rurrenabaque (50 minutes). Our staff transfer you from Rurenabaque airport to the Chalalán office by bus where you fill in the forms necessary to enter Madidi National Park and receive information about your trip to the Ecolodge.
This night. You stay in a nice hotel in the centre and have the rest of the day to relax in Rurrenabaque.
Day 2: Rurrenabaque – Chalalán Ecolodge
After breakfast at the hotel, you take a boat up the River Beni and on to Chalalan. It takes 5½ hours up the rivers Beni and Tuíchi. Our boats are equipped with: roof, comfy seats, life jackets, raincoats and a first-aid kit. Snack en route.
After lunch at the lodge, there is time to rest or swim in the lagoon before you hike in the rainforest. There is a walk along the Paraba path to the viewing point where you can see the beautiful landscape across the lagoon, mountains and the Madidi rainforest.
We return by canoe along the rivers leading to the Chalalán lagoon, watching birds and monkeys on the way. Dinner at the lodge followed by a night hike to see insects, tarantulas, amphibians, mice, and nocturnal birds and monkeys.
Day 3: Chalalán Ecolodge – Madidi National Par
After breakfast, you walk through the jungle, learning about the forest and the wildlife. There are themed walks to choose from: natural interpretation of the forest, natural history, ecological processes, medicinal plants and hardwood trees, animal behaviour and bird watching.
Return to the lodge for lunch and then spend the afternoon taking a short walk in the Amazon. Late afternoon features a choice of activity: handicrafts, canoe on the lagoon or watching videos about the community and the national park.
In the evening, there is a canoe trip on Chalalán Lagoon spotting amphibians, nocturnal birds and alligators - easily seen because of their glowing eyes.
Day 4: Chalalán Ecolodge – Madidi National Park
You spend the day out and about. You walk along the rivers Rayamayo and Eslabón where you can fish and watch spider monkeys, tapirs, deer, wild boar and maybe match a glimpse of a jaguar.
Following a packed lunch on the banks of the River Eslabón, you wander back to the lodge, spotting birds, mammals and insects and catching fish if you wish.
This evening there is a traditional “dunucuabi” dinner of catfish wrapped in leaves or fish á la “tacuara”. This is followed by a traditional Quechua – Tacana night with music and dances from the San José de Uchupiamonas community.
Day 5: Chalalán Ecolodge – Rurrenabaque – La Paz
After breakfast, it’s a short walk to the river Tuíchi to take the boat back to Rurrenabaque (3 hours). At 11.30 you are at Rurrenbaque ready for your flight back to La Paz.
NB: The times can be changed as guests wish or because of the weather, flight delays, etc.
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