MADIDI NATIONAL PARK – WABU PROGRAMME
CAT-MNPWP/4D3N
4 days 3 nights
INTRODUCING:
The Bolivian Amazon offers a wide variety of destinations and places for lovers of nature.
For those who seek a unique experience in the Amazon, the Madidi National Park is the choice, because it is one of the most biodiverse areas of the world and according to many experts keeps the authenticity of the Forest. It is plagued by rainforests, savannas, tropical rivers flowing, amazing animals and primary forests. Within its domains communities live in harmony with nature and who are carriers of knowledge and traditions.
This park covers 18,957.40 square kilometers and is one of the largest protected areas in Bolivia, it has five accesses, essentially mountainous, with steep slopes and deep canyons, is a great diversity of ecological zones.
More information at http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_Nacional_Madidi
HIGHLIGHTS:
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It is one of the most intact forest ecosystems of South America.
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It is the home of 44% of mammal species in the New World.
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It is the home of 38% of the species of frogs in the tropical forest.
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It is home of nearly 1,000 species of birds as in any national park in the world.
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Guided walks through the jungle with the interpretation and exploration of the rainforest.
PROGRAMME:
DAY 1: At 08:30 hours will leave on a boat Rurrenabaque to the Madidi National Park. Our boats are equipped with comfortable seats, life vests, rain ponchos and a roof. The trip upstream the Beni and Tuichi Rivers takes three and a half hours and is a great opportunity to see the fauna and an impressive landscape of the Amazon Jungle, such as the Bala Canyon.
Around 12:00 hours, will arrive to Madidi Jungle Ecolodge and will have accommodation in traditional style cabins.
Around 13:00 hours, will have Lunch and after that a relax time on hammocks.
Around 14:30 hours, we will have a three hours walk through the Wabu Path, arriving to a Mammals Salt Lick, locally called “Cullpana”, an strategic area in the rainforest where various animals gather to obtain important salt minerals from the soil. Also in this area some animals use the mud pools as bathing areas. This trail offers the possibility to observe white-lipped peccary, red howler monkey, brown capuchin monkey, toucans, guans, and many other birds. We will return to the Ecolodge along the Tuichi Trail.
Around 19:30 hours, will have dinner at Ecolodge. (L/D)
DAY 2: At 07:30 hours will have breakfast at the Ecolodge. After breakfast, we will start a three or four hours guided walk by the Mapajo and Matapalo Trails. Along these trails, you will be able to see the Giant Kapok Tree, Almendrillo Tree and the Strangler Fig Tree. Our local guides will provide an in-depth explanation of the diverse species of plants used for medicinal purposes and ancestral benefits. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Amazon ecosystems, while one enjoys being at a pristine environment and sees different species of wildlife. We will return to the Ecolodge along the Matapalo and Dati Trails.
Around 12:30 hours will have lunch and the opportunity to relax in the hammocks.
Around 15:00 hours will make a short boat trip upstream the Tuichi River that will take us to the Serere Trail, where we will enjoy a short hike through the riverside jungle to the floodplains. Here we will have a chance to see yellow squirrel monkeys and Hoatzin birds, the most ancient bird species in South America (related with dinosaurs). Once arriving at the Piranha lagoon you will have the possibility to fish for piranhas. After this optional activity we will continue the hike until another new Mammals Salt Lick Source that has been recently discovered. We will return to the river and take the short boat trip back to the Ecolodge.
Around 19:30 hours will have dinner at the Ecolodge. After dinner, we will have the opportunity to participate in a night hike into the jungle to observe the nocturnal wildlife. During this walk you will be able to see many species of insects, amphibians and reptiles, such us tarantulas and frogs. We’ll listen to the jungle’s symphony made by the infinite variety of wildlife. (B/L/D)
DAY 3: At 07:00 hours will have breakfast at the Ecolodge. After breakfast we will make a four hours guided walk along the Mapajo and Pavacullpana Trails. This is considered the longest hike of the tour. The route is a great opportunity to observe the tapir, white lipped peccary, brown capuchin monkey, red howler monkey, black spider monkey, saddleback tamarind monkey, guans and toucans. During the route we will stop at an observation platform from where we will have the chance to observe the largest Mammal Salt Lick Source in the area, locally called “Cullpana”; a strategic point in the rainforest where various animals gather to ingest important mineral salt from the soil or have a bath; a wide range of animal prints can be seen there. After that, we will make a short hike to the Tuichi River. During the boat trip to the Ecolodge we will be able to enjoy the relaxing breeze of the jungle.
Around 13:00 hours will have lunch and the opportunity to relax in the hammocks.
Around 15:30 hours we will learn, with the assistance of our guide, how to make traditional handicrafts, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings made of seeds found in the rainforest, you will step by step create your own souvenir to remember your time in the Jungle. Another optional activity is to go on a short walk on the Dati Trail, following the Almendrillo Trail and arrive to a strategic Mammal Salt Lick Source, frequented by Red howler monkeys. The way back is through the Mapajo Trail and ones has time to relax before dinner.
At 19:30 hours will have a traditional dinner called: “Dunucuabi” (catfish wrapped in leaves). After dinner, guides can optionally share in a chat about local cultures such as Uchupiamonas and Tacana. (B/L/D)
DAY 3: (Optional) Santa Rosa Lagoon.
The trip will start with a two hours boat trip upstream the Tuichi River. The boat trip is followed by a short walk that will lead us to Santa Rosa’s spectacular Lagoon. The lagoon is a paradise where you can enjoy canoeing, fishing for piranhas and wildlife viewing in the deep Amazon. We will have lunch on the shores of the lake. After resting, we will go on a short hike to visit citric and coffee plantations. Along this walk, we will have the opportunity to see Yellow Squirrel monkeys, Brown Capuchin monkeys and Titi monkeys (Lucachi). The boat trip upstream and downstream is a great opportunity to see the capybaras, caimans, tapirs, and the famous Jaguar. (B/L/D)
Note: This activity has an extra charge of USD 30.- per person (minimum 2 people) to cover the boat transportation expenditures.
DAY 4: At 07:30 hours we will have breakfast at the Ecolodge.
At 08:00 hours we will go on board on a short boat trip upstream the Tuichi River, followed by a short hike nearby the stream. Here we will learn more about the secondary forest and the characteristics of the floodplain. Once we return to the river you will have the chance to experience Tubing; an exciting ride in rubber inner tubes, combining the fast streams of the Tuichi River with peaceful periods. This is a relaxing and unique adventure through the pristine Amazon environment. We will provide you some life jackets for your safety. Tubing is an optional activity that can be substituted by a boat trip return to the Ecolodge. Tubing activity is offered depending on weather and river conditions.
Around 12:30 hours will have lunch at the Ecolodge and then we will have the chance to relax on the hammocks before going back to Rurrenabaque.
At 13:30 hours will return to Rurrenabaque. On the way, we will optionally visit Caquiahuara where we will have the chance to observe the red and green macaws and other species of parrots. Bird sighting can be done anytime during the year, however, it is more frequent from May to December. The trip is a great opportunity to see some exotic species such as the capybaras, tapirs, turtles or caimans. The return trip takes only two hours.
Around 15:30 hours will arrive to Rurrenabaque. Transfer to the Hotel or the Airport. (B/L)
INCLUDES:
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Airline Tickets. La Paz-Rurrenabaque-La Paz.
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Transfer In/Out at La Paz and Rurrenabaque airports.
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Touristic Shared Boat Rurrenabaque/Madidi Jungle/Rurrenabaque.
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03 Night of traditional style cabin Accommodation with shared bathroom. (With private bathroom USD 30.-)
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Fruit Juices according the season.
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Indigenous Multilingual Tour Guide.
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Water Bottles during the staying.
NOT INCLUDES:
