Bolivian Amazon wildlife tour

Environment
There has been growing concern towards severe impact from poor-yielding agriculture, wrong government schemes implementing a destructive and poor-yielding agriculture, extensive cattle ranching development and lately bad tourism practices that affect fragile ecosystems of the Bolivian savannah or pampas and protected rainforests that host an impressive set of wildlife, the main reason for the arrival of thousands of tourist to this part of the Amazon. Since year 2000, operators, municipalities and conservation programs are developing common agreements to care for several charismatic species and unprotected savannah habitats of the Yacuma River and Madidi National Park.

We are using tourism as the main tool to save the nature of two remarkable ecosystems such as the Madidi rainforest and Yacuma River savannahs not far from Rurrenabaque. Two small lodges built for low-impact operations, with recycling and waste water treatment programs are used for your nights. All services are given by locals. One of these lodges is located inside Madidi National Park; the richest in the Amazon, and the other is found inside the new Yacuma River´s municipal protected area, dedicated to preserve river and savannah habitats. Our tours support the development of Rurrenabaque and surrounding areas as a destination that practices responsible tourism.

All trips and lodges in our tours in Bolivia and Peru are located in remote locations in the high Andes or hidden rainforest or savannahs, where the value of biodiversity conservation, efforts in saving water and energy are highly precious. Trip routines will explore amazing places respecting wildlife and local people and environmental policies. Lodges were built using local materials, based on traditional architecture that resulted low-impact or non-invasive with spectacular pristine ecosystems or biodiversity rich environments, both home of many threatened charismatic wild flora and fauna. Operations run by trained locals are using alternative energy sources and have implemented garbage, solid, and water waste management to greatly reduce and mitigate undesirable pollution effects. We are committed not to sell tours that represent a threat to nature preserves, historical and cultural destinations we invite travellers to visit.

My husband David G. Ricalde and I, are tourism and conservation consultants with more than 20 yrs of experience in selling eco-tours, and have been involved in building local capacities and the making of tourism projects neighboring nature preserves or buffer zones. In Bolivia, our small company have been the most important factor for the success of the famed and awarded Chalalan Ecolodge, property of Quechua-Tacana people, also known as a model in rainforest tourism in South America. Since this lodge started in 1998, we have been responsible for selling 80-65% of the arrivals to this rainforest lodge nested in Madidi National Park. Profits are helping the development of 500 families dedicated to low-yielding agriculture and subsistence. Presently, we continue our work as consultants and instructors for conservation projects implementing nature tourism as an alternative to save fine ecosystems and local cultures in Bolivia and Peru.

Community
All trips and lodges in our tours in Bolivia and Peru are located in remote locations in the high Andes or hidden rainforest or savannahs, where the value of biodiversity conservation, efforts in saving water and energy are highly precious. Trip routines will explore amazing places respecting wildlife and local people and environmental policies. Lodges were built using local materials, based on traditional architecture that resulted low-impact or non-invasive with spectacular pristine ecosystems or biodiversity rich environments, both home of many threatened charismatic wild flora and fauna. Operations run by trained locals are using alternative energy sources and have implemented garbage, solid, and water waste management to greatly reduce and mitigate undesirable pollution effects. We are committed not to sell tours that represent a threat to nature preserves, historical and cultural destinations we invite travellers to visit.