Bolivia: Amazon Jungle Short Break

On arrival to La Paz, head to the hotel. A group meeting will take place at 6 pm with an Intrepid representative. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you arrive early, perhaps head to the centre of the city to the Plaza Murillo. As the huge cathedral of the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Presidential Palace overlook the square, it’s a great spot to relax and grab something to eat.

Note: If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

In the morning, take a short flight to the small town of Rurrenabaque (approximately 45 minutes). From here a motor-boat will take you up the river to Madidi. The three-hour trip offers a great opportunity to enjoy the flora, fauna and landscapes of the region, especially as you pass through Bala Canyon. Stop over in Caquiahuara to observe the nesting wall of red and green macaws, before continuing to the Madidi Jungle Eco Lodge. The group will stay here for the next few days in traditional cabins with private bathrooms.

After lunch, we set out for a 3 hour walk along the Wabu Trail, where you will visit a salt lick locally known as 'Cullpana' Along he trail you will also have the opportunity to see white-lipped peccary, red howler monkeys, brown capuchin monkeys, toucan, guans, and many different birds.
Late we return to the Ecolodge along the Tuichi Trail.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the lodge with group, with the chance to go on a short night walk afterwards.

Notes: Bird watching can be done at any time of the year, however it’s more frequent from May to December.

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge this morning, before a four-hour guided walk along the Mapajo Trail through the giant trees of the Amazon. Your local guide will teach you about the ecosystems of the unspoiled rainforest around you.

Along these trails, you’ll appreciate the Giant Kapok Tree, Almendrillo Tree and the Strangler Fig Tree. Your guide will give an in-depth explanation of the diverse species of plants used for medicinal purposes and ancestral benefits. It is a great opportunity to understand and learn about the Amazon ecosystems while observing the pristine environment and different species of wildlife.

Head back to the lodge for lunch and enjoy a few free hours to relax.

In the afternoon we will take a short boat trip upstream along river Tuichi to the Serere Trail for a short hike beside the riverside jungle to a floodplain. Here you will have a chance to see yellow squirrel monkeys and Hoatzin birds, the most ancient bird species in South America (related to the dinosaur). We will stop at the Piraña lagoon to fish for piranhas. After this (optional) activity you will continue the hike reaching a recently discovered salt lick. Return to the river and travel back to the ecolodge by boat.

After dinner at the lodge this evening, take a night walk into the rainforest to see nocturnal wildlife. During this walk, the native guide will explain more about animal behaviour such as tapir and red deer.

After breakfast, take a four to five hour guided walk along the Mapajo and Pavacullpana Trails, considered the longest hike. This route is a great opportunity to observe tapir, white lipped peccary, brown capuchin monkey, red howler monkey, black spider monkey, saddleback tamarin monkey, guans and toucans. During the itinerary you will stop at a platform to observe the largest salt lick in the area, locally called “Cullpana” where animals gather to take in minerals. Return back on a short hike before taking the boat back to the Eco Lodge.
We enjoy some lunch back at the lodge, after we have some free time. Perhaps grab a book and head to the hammocks.

In the afternoon, you can choose between two options available. The first is learning how to make traditional handicrafts, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Assisted by your guide, and using seeds from the rainforest, you can spend time creating your own jungle souvenir. Alternatively, you can go on a short walk along the Dati Trail and Almendrillo Trail to a salt lick frequently visited by Red Howler Monkeys. You will return on the Mapajo Trail and have time to relax before dinner.
For dinner tonight, you will sample the local dish “Dunucuabi” (catfish wrapped in leaves). After eating, guides can optionally chat to you about their ancestral history and explain more about the local Uchupiamonas and Tacana cultures.

We enjoy breakfast at the ecolodge.
Soon after we head out on a short boat trip upstream along the River Tuichi, followed by a short hike near the stream. You will learn about the secondary forest and the characteristics of the floodplain. Back on the river, you will have the option to try Tubing, an exciting ride in rubber inner tubes along the fast-paced rapids and calmer waters of the river. We provide life jackets for your safety. Tubing is an optional activity that can be substituted for a return boat trip to the ecolodge. Tubing is dependant on weather and river conditions.
We head back to the lodge for Lunch. When lunch is over you will have some free time before returning to Rurrenabaque.
On the way back to Rurrenabaque you will optionally visit Caquiahuara where you will have the chance to observe the ed and green macaws and other species of parrot. Birdwatching can be done anytime of year, however, it is more frequent from May to December. The trip is a great opportunity to see exotic species such as the capybaras, tapirs, turtles or caimans. The return boat trip takes only 2 hours.
Arrival in Rurrenabaque in the later afternoon. Transfer to your hotel or airport.
From Rurrenabaque, take you'll take a flight back to La Paz airport where your trip ends. Please let your agent know if you wish to book additional accommodation or a transfer.

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