Chalalan ecolodge in Bolivia, Madidi National Park
| country: | Bolivia |
| departures: | Departures all year round |
| price: | From US $379 (5 days) excluding flights. An additional cost will be the air fare La Paz - Rurrenabaque - La Paz (approx US $120.00) |
the amazing things you'll be doing
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. Set in the heart of the Amazon rainforest Chalalan has been built using the philosophy of minimum impact, using local materials and traditional techniques. The design also includes the treatment of all waste waters and the use of solar energy. 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. 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.
Madidi National Park was established in 1995 in the Northwestern section of Bolivia. It protects a full array of ecosystems, from the high Andes to the Amazon basin, a vast wilderness of 4,500,000 acres of unparalleled biological diversity ranging from cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland rainforest to savannah, and from wild rivers to lakes. 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 neotropical amphibians. It is also a critical global hotspot for endemic plants.
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. 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.
Madidi National Park was established in 1995 in the Northwestern section of Bolivia. It protects a full array of ecosystems, from the high Andes to the Amazon basin, a vast wilderness of 4,500,000 acres of unparalleled biological diversity ranging from cloud forest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland rainforest to savannah, and from wild rivers to lakes. 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 neotropical amphibians. It is also a critical global hotspot for endemic plants.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | La Paz - Rurrenabaque. 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. |
| 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 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. |
| Day 4: | Chalalan - Madidi National Park. 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! |
| Day 5: | Chalalan - Rurrenabaque - La Paz. 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. |
Highly Commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Chalalan Ecolodge
One of the many communities we support as operators support, is the village of San Jose de Uchupiamonas, a Quechua-Tacana ethnic group. This community 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 waste waters 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.  This holiday is part of the responsibletravel.com and Conservation International Community Based Tourism Programme to support and promote community based tourism ventures that offer significant conservation and development benefits to local communities. To see other community based tourism holidays and find out more about the programme click here. |
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