Explore the spectacular Madidi National Park in Bilivia, the most diverse park in South America and the world, with about 1,000 species of bird, the highest number of birds’ species in the world. Over 4,739 species of plants, 1,370 species of vertebrates this park is a paradise for nature lovers.

Full Intinerary
Day 1: La Paz – Hotel
Day 2: La Paz – Tour
Day 3: Tihuanaco
Day 4: La Paz – Rurrenabaque – Pampas
Day 5: Pampas
Day 6: Pampas – Rurrenabaque
Day 7: Rurrenabaque – Chalalán Ecolodge
Day 8: Chalalán Ecolodge (Madidi NP)
Day 9: Chalalán Ecolodge – Rurrenabaque – La Paz
Day 10: La Paz - Home

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at La Paz
Transfer to our hotel. We will have a short briefing and rest of the day to acclimate.

Day 2: La Paz
City tour and tour to the Moon Valley (B)

Day 3: Tihuanaco
After breakfast, we will board our bus for a trip to the ancient site of Tihuanaco, a ceremonial center some 1,500 years old. (B)

Day 4: La Paz – Rurrenabaque – Pampas
Early flight from La Paz to Rurrenabaque (50 minutes). Our staff will be waiting at the 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 depart around 9 am. After an approximate 3½ hours drive on a dirt road, we arrive, via the village of Santa Rosa, at Caracoles Lodge, on the banks of the Yacuma River. In the afternoon, we will take an excursion by motorboat to observe animal life on the riverbanks. We will be able to observe numerous animals among including many different species of birds, (toucans, parrots, king fisher, herons and other wading birds), freshwater turtles, caimans, and monkeys. We return to the Lodge at the end of the afternoon, enjoy dinner and then an evening stroll to observe nocturnal wildlife patterns. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Pampas
In the morning, we follow a local trail to search for the famous anaconda that can reach a length of up to 5 meters and live up to a hundred years. During this hike, we may also see some capybaras (the biggest rodent in the world), tapirs (if we are very lucky) and discover medicinal plants, still in use by the local inhabitants. In the afternoon, we can leave for another canoe or motorboat excursion. Upon return to lodge, we can safely swim in the Yacuma River with the bufeos (pink dolphins). They are found in almost all of the rivers in the great Amazonian basin. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Pampas – Rurrenabaque
We return by 4WD to Rurrenabaque. Along the way, there is a stop by the riverbank where with light fishing rods, we attempt to catch piranhas or bentons, small carnivorous fish that find themselves prisoners of the small lagoons left after the rainy season. Transfer to the hotel. You will stay in a hotel in the centre and have the rest of the day to relax in Rurrenabaque. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Rurrenabaque – Chalalán Ecolodge
Continental breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the river Beni to take a boat to Chalalán. Boat trip to the Chalalán Ecolodge (5 ½ hours) up the rivers Beni and Tuíchi. Our boats are equipped with a roof, comfy seats, life jackets, raincoats and a first-aid kit. We will eat a packed lunch midway. We arrive at the port of Chalalán and take a 25-minute walk to the Ecolodge. The staff will help you with your luggage. Settle in at your cabin or room and join the Welcome Lunch in the Ecolodge. Time to rest or swim in the lagoon. Short walk along the Paraba path to the viewing point where you can see the beautiful landscape across the lagoon, mountains and Madidi rainforest. Return by canoe along the rivers leading to the Chalalán lagoon to watch birds and monkeys. Themes: hardwood trees and wildlife. Dinner in the Ecolodge dining room.
Night hike to see insects, tarantulas, amphibians, mice, and nocturnal birds and monkeys. Also available if you would prefer is a canoe trip to see amphibians, nocturnal birds and alligators, which are easily seen because of their glowing eyes. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Chalalán Ecolodge (Madidi NP)
Breakfast in the Ecolodge dining room. Walk through the jungle along the themed paths to see and learn about the forest and the wildlife. Themes: natural interpretation of the forest, natural history, ecological processes, medicinal plants and hardwood trees, animal behavior and bird watching. Return to the Ecolodge. Lunch in the Ecolodge dining room. Time to rest or swim in the lagoon. Short walk along one of the paths. Themes: medicinal and tropical plants, hardwood trees, bird watching and insect watching. Optional Activities: An afternoon of handicrafts, trips on the lagoon by canoe or videos about the community and the Madidi National Park. Traditional “dunucuabi” dinner of catfish wrapped in leaves or fish á la “tacuara”. (B, L, D)
Optional activity: Traditional Quechua – Tacana night with music and dances from the San José de Uchupiamonas community.

Day 9: Chalalán Ecolodge – Rurrenabaque – La Paz
Early breakfast in the Ecolodge dining room. Short walk to the river Tuíchi to take the boat back to Rurrenabaque. Trip to Rurrenabaque (3h). Arrive at Rurrenabaque. Transfer to the airport and return to the city of La Paz. (B)

Day 10: La Paz – Home.
Transfer to the Airport for a flight home. (B)

Price Per Person: $1,706
Best time to travel: April-October
Departure date 2011: May 6, Jun 10, Jul 15, Aug 19, Sep 16, Oct 7

Included:
All ground transportations
5 nights hotel accommodations
4 nights Jungle lodge accommodations
Meals as in Itinerary: 9 - breakfast, 5 - lunch, 5- dinner
Different guided activities (Jungle & Pampas)

Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)

Bottled water and natural juices

Travel Insurance

Not included:
International Airfare
Bolivian tourist visa and fees
Airfare tickets La Paz - Rurrenabaque – La Paz (USD 150) 

Airport and municipal taxes

Meal not in itinerary
Drinks
Entrance fee to Madidi NP (USD 13.5)
Entrance fee to Pampas Reserve
(USD 21.5)
Gratuities

Gear:
A small daypack
A bag that can be locked to leave unnecessary belongings

Clothes
2-3 pairs of cotton pants
2-3 long-sleeve cotton shirts
Sunhat or baseball cap
T-shirt
Pair of shorts
Light jacket
Swimwear
Cotton socks
Raincoat
Footwear
Hiking boots
Sandals
Sunglasses with neck cord
Torch with spare batteries
Camera with a waterproof cover
Sun block (factor 30 or 45 recommended)
Insect repellent