CHALALAN LODGE

This trip is an odessy deep into some of the least visited parts of the Bolivian Amazon. It includes a 5 night stay at a community built and run lodge located in Madidi national Park (see notes below). and two nights accommodation in the highest capital city in the world, La Paz (see notes below). An awesome flight over the Cordillera Blanca Andeean Mountains and superb bird watching and wildlife viewing opportunites at a very reasonable price make this trip particularly attractive.

The Quechua-Tacana ethnic group community owns and runs the Chalalan Ecolodge. The Ecolodge has been built using the philosophy of minimum impact with local materials and traditional techniques. The design also includes the treatment of all waste waters and the use of solar energy. The community hopes that by participating in responsible tourism, it can successfully preserve thousands of hectares of pristine rainforest that were inherited from their ancestors and still belong to them. The lodge, it's development and operation is run using standards that respect local culture, traditions and the amazing natural surroundings.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Flight to Rurrenabaque. Transfer to the hotel, where you will have lunch. Free afternoon to explore this colorful town on the bank of the Beni River. Dinner.

La Paz - Rurrenabaque

Day 2

After an early breakfast, you will travel up the Beni River in a dugout canoe, passing through the spectacular Cañón del Bala (Bala Gorge). The wild and scenic Tuichi River is the gateway to Madidi National Park, and our route to the Chalalan Ecolodge. The lodge is well-designed and comfortable. The river trip to Chalalan takes about 5 hours, followed by an easy 30-minute hike from the river's edge to the lodge, which is nestled in the rainforest on the shores of Chalalan Lake.

After checking in, guests will have the opportunity to explore several short forest trails, including a stop off at the "Mirador" (lookout), which offers spectacular views of Chalalan Lake and some of the mountain ranges in the area. After dinner, an optional night walk or canoe trip on the lake to look for wildlife such as caiman, frogs and nocturnal birds.

Rurrenabaque - Chalalan - Madidi National Park.

Day 3

After breakfast, you will take an early morning trek through the forest. If you are alert, you may observe macaws, guans, and a variety of other birds, as well as brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys, or with more luck cross herds of white-lipped peccary or tapirs. Your local guides will share their extensive knowledge of plants (including their traditional medicinal uses), natural history, and animal behavior. After lunch at the lodge and a relaxing afternoon (a swim in the lake is recommended), you can walk another of Chalalan´s trails to observe some of the amazing variety of birds found in the area. After dinner, learn about the San José community, its history, stories and traditions.

Chalalan - Madidi National Park.

Day 4

Today you will go on the longest of our hikes, passing through primary rainforest and gallery forest on your way to the Rayamayo and Eslabon Rivers. On this 5-hour trip, you will explore some of the rainforest further from the lodge, and hence with luck, you can see howler and spider monkeys, and a variety of other wildlife, as well as learn more about the ecology of the forest. Boxed lunch. Return to Chalalan in the afternoon. Participate in and learn about the making of traditional Tacana handicrafts, for example chonta seed rings. Dinner tonight is "dumoquavi", a traditional dish (river catfish wrapped in leaves), a delicious feast and a great way to spend your last evening in Chalalan!

Chalalan - Madidi National Park.

Day 5

After an early breakfast, you will walk to the Tuichi River, where you will board the boat to return to Rurrenabaque. The return trip (down-river) is fast; it takes only about three hours. Transfer to Rurrenabaque airport and flight to La Paz. Transfer to your hotel.

Chalalan - Rurrenabaque - La Paz.

PRICE: US$895.00 per person.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED:

All in-country ground transport, including airport transfer.

Accommodation in La Paz.

Accommodation in the Refugee.

Internal flights.

Park enterance fee.

Fully guided service.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

International Flights.

Travel and Medical Insurance.

Meals in the hotel.

Alcoholic drinks.

Tips (If warrented).

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK

Madidi National Park was established in 1995 in the North western section of Bolivia. It protects a full array of ecosystems, from the high Andes to the Amazon basin,. Within this vast 4.5 million acre wilderness lies unparalleled biological diversity ranging from cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland rainforest to savannah, and from wild rivers to lakes.

The scenery in this region was shaped by ancient geological and glacial processes, resulting in spectacular views. 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 neo-tropical amphibians. It is also a critical global hotspot for endemic plants.

LA PAZ

La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. It’s airport stands at a breathtaking 4,100 meters and is flanked by the Andean mountains of the Cordillera Real some of which reach 6,400 meters. La Paz, like Bolivia is home to Aymara and Quechua Indians that still make up 90% of the population. Of all the Latin American countries, Bolivia displays more unique and original culture than any other. Women wear brightly coloured skirts and multiple petticoats, topped off by a bowler hat.

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