MADIDI NATIONAL PARK – BOLIVIAN AMAZON
(P4) WABU PROGRAM
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Day 1: Rurrenabaque – Madidi National Park
08:30 Departure by motorboat from Rurrenabaque to the Madidi National Park. The trip up the Beni and TuichiRivers takes 3 hours and is a great opportunity to see wildlife and the impressive landscape of the Amazon, such as the Bala Canyon.
12:30: Arrival to Madidi Jungle Ecolodge and accommodation in traditional style cabins.
13:00: Lunch and opportunity to relax in the hammocks.
15:00: We set out for a 3 hours guided hike along the Wabu Trail, where you will visit a salt lick, locally known as “Cullpana”. This is a strategic area in the rainforest where various animal gather to take in important mineral salts from the substrata. Some animals also use the area for its mud pools as a bathing area. The trail offers the possibility to observe white-lipped peccary, red howler monkey, brown capuchin monkey, toucan, guans, and many different birds. Return to the Ecolodge along the Tuichi Trail.
19:30: Dinner and free time.
Day 2: Madidi National Park
07:30: Breakfast at the Ecolodge. After breakfast, we will start a 3 or 4 hour guided walk via the Mapajo and Almendrillo Trails. 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. Return to the Ecolodge along the Matapalo and Dati Trails.
12:30: Lunch and opportunity to relax in the hammocks
15:00: 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.
19:30: Dinner at the ecolodge. After dinner you will have the opportunity to take a night hike into the jungle to observe the nocturnal wildlife. During this walk you will be able to see many species of insect, amphibian and reptile, such us tarantulas and frogs. Listen to the jungle symphony produced by the uncountable variety of wildlife.
Day 3: Madidi National Park
07:30: Breakfast at the ecolodge. Then we will begin a 4-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 to the ecolodge.
13:00: Lunch and opportunity to relax in the hammocks.
15:30: 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.
19:30 For dinner, 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 Uchupiamonas local culture.
Day 3: (Alternative option) Lake Santa Rosa – Madidi National Park
Full Day trip to Santa Rosa Lake. A 2-hour boat trip along the Tuichi river, followed by a short walk, will lead us to the spectacular Santa Rosa Lake. The lake is a natural paradise where you can enjoy canoeing, fishing for piranhas and wildlife viewing in the deepest Amazon. We will have lunch on the shores of the lake. After resting, we will go on a short hike to visit citrus fruit and coffee plantations. Along this way, you 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 hopefully spot the famous Jaguar.
Please note that this activity has an extra cost of USD.30/person (minimum 2 people) to cover boat transport costs.
Day 4: Madidi National Park – Rurrenabaque
07:30: Breakfast at the ecolodge.
08:00: We go 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 returnboat trip to the ecolodge. Tubing is dependant on weather and river conditions.
12:30: Lunch at the ecolodge. When lunch is over you will have some free time before returning to Rurrenabaque.
13:45: Boat trip to Rurrenabaque. Optional: On the way you will optionally visit Caquiahuara where you will have the chance to observe the red 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 return boat trip takes only 2 hours.
16:00: Arrival in Rurrenabaque. Transfer to your hotel, bus terminal or airport.
N.B: Please note this program is flexible, and we are happy to discuss any special requirements with you.
