Chalalan Tour
4 Days / 3 Nights
Chalalan Ecolodge
You will go to this Amazonian region (400 -1600 ft. above sea level). You will visit the heart of Madidi National Park where the Tuichi River is located, with the final destination in the Chalalan Lake and Chalalan Ecolodge. The scenery in this region was shaped by ancient geological and glacial processes, resulting in spectacular views. One of the many communities that we support is the village of San José de Uchupiamonas, a Quechua-Tacana ethnic group. This community owns Chalalán Ecolodge, which was built with a "minimum impact" philosophy, using local materials and traditional techniques, as well as solar energy and treatment of all waste waters. 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. Their operations are developed under standards that respect local culture and traditions as well as the amazing natural surroundings.
Day 1 - La
Paz - Rurrenabaque
Transfer from your hotel to the airport. Flight to Rurrenabaque. Transfer
from your 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.
Day 2 - Rurrenabaque
- Chalalan - Madidi National Park
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 your gateway to Madidi National Park,
and your access to the Chalalan Ecolodge, our well-designed and comfortable
accommodation. 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.
Day 3 - Chalalan
- Madidi National Park
After breakfast, you will take an early morning trek through primary rainforest
and gallery forest on your way to the Rayamayo and Eslabon Rivers. If
you are alert and with luck, you may observe a large variety of birds
(for example macaws and other parrots, guans) as well as brown capuchin
and yellow squirrel monkeys and also black spider-monkeys, or with more
luck cross herds of white-lipped peccary or tapirs. Your local guides
will share their extensive knowledge of plants, natural history, and wildlife
behavior on your 5-hour trek. Boxed lunch. You will return to the lodge
in the early afternoon, stopping off at the "Mirador" (lookout), which
offers spectacular views of Chalalan Lake and some of the mountain ranges
of Madidi National Park. 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!
Day 4 - Chalalan
- Rurrenabaque - La Paz
After breakfast, you will take an early morning trek through primary rainforest
and gallery forest on your way to the Rayamayo and Eslabon Rivers. If
you are alert and with luck, you may observe a large variety of birds
(for example macaws and other parrots, guans) as well as brown capuchin
and yellow squirrel monkeys and also black spider-monkeys, or with more
luck cross herds of white-lipped peccary or tapirs. Your local guides
will share their extensive knowledge of plants, natural history, and wildlife
behavior on your 5-hour trek. Boxed lunch. You will return to the lodge
in the early afternoon, stopping off at the "Mirador" (lookout), which
offers spectacular views of Chalalan Lake and some of the mountain ranges
of Madidi National Park. 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!