Madidi
National Park
Chalalan Tour
5 Days / 4 Nights
Madidi National
Park
Bolivia created Madidi National Park in 1995 in order to protect a full
array of ecosystems from the high Andes to the Amazon basin. Spread
over a vast wilderness of 1.8 million hectares in the northwest region,
the landscapes range from cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid
lowland rainforest to savannah, and wild rivers to lakes. Ancient geological
and glacial processes have shaped these landscapes, endowing the park
with such exotic scenery you must see to believe!
Madidi is a planetary treasure of flora and fauna. The sheer numbers
of species is gigantic: 1,000 kinds of birds, 44% of mammals native
to the Western Hemisphere, and 38% of amphibians, which inhabit both
North and South America live here. Exciting new discoveries include
a colorful titi monkey and a night roaming tree toad. Large Latin American
mammals, like the jaguar, speckled bear, manned wolf, vicuña
and giant otter dwell in the park. Madidi is particularly rich in native
plant species, which do not grow anywhere else. One rare blue orchid
has only been found five times. Potential plant species in the reserve
is estimated at 5,000.
Our clients can experience Madidi National Park at Chalalan Ecolodge
in the heart of the park, the new Tacuaral Lodge, a great small lodge
conveniently located, on the River Tuichi, or San Miguel del Bala Lodge
near the fabulous Bala Gorge out side Madidi. All destinations are reached
by motorized canoe travel on Madidi Park's wild, scenic Tuichi River.
Chalalan Ecolodge
One of the many communities we support as operators is the village
of San Jose de Uchupiamonas, a Quechua-Tacana ethnic group. Since 1998
America Tours has been part of Chalalan´s success since we have
been selling 60% of their sales year by year and since 1998 we participated
on training women and men. The community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas
owns and runs the Chalalan Ecolodge. The Ecolodge has been built using
the philosophy of minimum impact, using local materials and traditional
techniques. The design also includes the treatment of all wastewaters
and the use of solar energy.
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. Therefore, their operations were developed under standards
that respect local culture, traditions and the amazing natural surroundings.
Day 1 - La Paz / Rurrenabaque
Most people prefer to fly, so a 45-minute flight to Rurrenabaque
takes you over the Andean Cordillera Real. Welcome and transfer to hotel
and explore this colorful town on the Beni River bank.
Day 2 - Rurrenabaque / Chalalan / Madidi National Park
Travel early up the Beni River in a dugout canoe, navigating the
spectacular Bala Gorge. We enter the wild Tuichi River, a Madidi Park
gateway and access to Chalalan. It takes about 5 hrs followed by an
easy 30-min. hike from the river bank to the lodge, nestled in the rainforest
on Lake Chalalan´s shore. You will have all afternoon to explore
forest trails, including a stop at El Mirador, a super view of the lake
and central mountain ranges of the park. After dinner, take an optional
night walk or look for wildlife by canoe on the lake, such as black
caimans, frogs and nocturnal birds. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Chalalan / Madidi National Park
After breakfast, take an early trek through the rainforest. You may
observe macaws, guans, antbirds, trogons and other birds, as well as
troops of brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys, or with more luck cross
a tapir or herds of white-lipped peccaries. Our local guides will share
their rich knowledge of plants and their uses, natural history and animal
behavior. Back at the lodge after lunch, you might relax in a hammock,
go for a lake swim or hike another Chalalan trail in search of more
wildlife. After dinner, you will learn about the San Jose Community,
its history, stories and traditions. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Chalalan / Madidi National Park
Today you will penetrate other rainforests further from the lodge. On
trails that pass through primary rainforest, you will behold beautiful
tall and columnar trees on the way to the Rayamayo and Eslabon Rivers.
With some luck on this half-day hike, you will see red howler and black
spider monkeys and other wildlife, as well as learn more about our rainforest
ecology. After a box lunch return to the lodge, relax, and join a guide
handicraft session to make traditional objects such as a chonta seed
ring. Dinner is a feast, featuring "dumoquavi", traditional
river catfish wrapped in leaves, a great last night! (B,L,D)
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 down-river return trip is fast,
about 3 hrs. Transfer to Rurrenabaque´s airport and flight to
La Paz. (B)
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End Of Our Services ***
Departures
2010: We have daily departures and also fixed departure dates,
as below:
Jul 4 to Jul 8; Aug 4 to Aug 8; Aug 18 to Aug 22; Sep 1 to Sep 5;
Sep 15 to Sep 19; Oct 13 to Oct 17; Oct 27 to Nov 1; Nov 10 to Nov
14;
Nov 24 to Nov 28 |
2010
Rates per person:
Low Season (January to March)
Option 1: Hotel: 3 stars in Rurrenabaque: (Hotel Safari or
similar)
Matrimonial cabins with private bath: From 2 to 30: $660
Cabins with private bath (doubles and triples): 1 pax: $798. From
2 to 30: $607
Cabins with shared bathroom in Chalalan: 1 pax: $727. From 2 to
30: $554
Option
2: Hotel: 3 stars in Rurrenabaque:
Matrimonial cabins with private bath: From 2 to 30: $640
Cabins with private bath (doubles and triples): 1 pax: $767. From
2 to 30: $587
Cabins with shared bathroom in Chalalan: 1 pax: $694. From 2 to
30: $532
High Season
(April to December)
Option 1: Hotel: 3 stars in Rurrenabaque: (Hotel Safari or
similar)
Matrimonial cabins with private bath: From 2 to 30 paxs: $687
Cabins with private bath (doubles and triples): 1 pax: $826.
From 2 to 30 paxs: $634
Cabins with shared bathroom in Chalalan: 1 pax: $754. From 2 to
30 paxs: $580
Option
2: Hotel: 3 stars in Rurrenabaque:
Matrimonial cabins with private bath: From 2 to 30 paxs: $666
Cabins with private bath (doubles and triples): 1 pax: $794.
From 2 to 30 paxs: $614
Cabins with shared bathroom in Chalalan: 1 pax: $720. From 2 to
30 paxs: $559
NOTE:
Additional cost is airline ticket: La Paz- Rurrenabaque- La Paz,
(Bs. 1´050.00 aprox. US$ 150.00) in Amaszonas, or (Bs. 960.00
aprox. US$ 130.00) in TAM. We now offer daily flights. This price
is subject to increase.
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Tour includes:
1night accommodation in Rurrenabaque, airport transfers in Rurrenabaque,
Chalalan Ecolodge 4d/3n, meals and accommodation in Chalalan,
boat transport to Chalalan and local bilingual guide.
Not included: Rurrenabaque meals, sodas, alcoholic drinks,
insurance, airport taxes US$ 3/person each way; Madidi National
Park entrance fee US$18.00/person or Bs. 125.00 and personal expenses.
What to take:
Luggage:
1 backpack or dufflebag, small day pack
Clothes:
- long-sleeved shirts, preferably cotton (to protect yourself
from mosquitoes and the sun)
- long cotton pants, shorts
- T-shirts, sweater or fleece/polartec (to be prepared for a cold
front)
- windbreaker/rain poncho
- pair of hiking boots
- pair of sneakers
- pair of sandals or Tevas (river crossings, casual wear around
the lodge)
- swimsuit
- socks
- underwear
- sleepwear
- casual clothes for Rurrenabaque
- waterproof folding sun hat with brim
Other items:
- binoculars, best 8x or 10x
- camera film (ASA 50, 100 and 200 are recommended)
- sun block
- mosquito repellent (30% DEET -100% DEET could be too much for
your skin)
- flashlight sunglasses
- pocket knife
- a bandanna
- plastic bags (for your camera in the boat and for dirty clothes)
- a photocopy of your passport
- water bottle
- cigarette lighter (even if you don't smoke it will come in handy
- candles, etc.)
- bottle of aspirin and any other medications and vitamins you
normally use
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All our tour packages
include: Please
click here
CODE:
AMETOU
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