| Rio Tuichi. Madidi National Park. Bolivian Amazon basin
For those looking for a profoundly real Amazon experience. Bolivia’s
Madidi National Park has been described as the archetypal
experience of what the Amazon used to be like and it has it all; dense
rain-forest, vast open savannas, winding tropical rivers, large numbers
of birds and mammals, and the seldom seen indigenous people of the
tropical rainforest. This is a true wilderness area. Human
encroachment is in many parts, non-existent.
Madidi was featured in the March 2000 issue of National Geographic
Magazine which rated it as one of the most biologically diverse
environments on the planet.
This jungle trip starts with a transfer to the gold mining town of Apollo where we spend a night. The next morning we
travel along a rough 4 x 4 track to the Rio Tuichi, the gate way to the Madidi National Park. Once on the Rio Tuichi
you will spend 7 days journeying down the river in the Bolivian Amazon. During the trip you will have the opportunity
to see diverse flora and fauna such as jaguars, giant anteaters and anaconda’s orchids and piranhas.
Day 1: Fly from the UK to La Paz.
La Paz is a spectacularly located city in a deep gorge with a stunning Andean backdrop.
Day 2: La Paz (3600m) – Apollo (1500m)
We will leave La Paz and head up to El Alto and across the dry Altiplano (4000m), heading towards Lake
Titikaka (3810m). We will spend the night in the gold mining town of Apollo.
6 – 7 hours of driving (LD) Hostel
Day 3: Apollo – Rio Tuichi (1300m)
This day will be spent on a 4WD road that will take us from Apollo to the Rio Tuichi. Once we arrive at the river's
edge just outside the National park we get the expedition ready to enter this area and truly step off the map. We will
construct the ‘balsa de goma’; a sturdy craft made of inner truck tubes and slender tree trunks, which will be our
vessel for the next few days as we float down the river. We will set up camp along the river’s edge or on any
sandbanks we might find en-route.
6 hours driving and 30 minutes walking (BLD)
Day 4 – 10: Rafting down the Rio Tuichi – Rurrenabaque (400m)
We will flow downriver through the pristine, untouched and wildlife rich rainforest, with side hikes into the jungle and to
swimming pools. We will fish for dinner and camp on the beaches down the river. During the 7 days on the river we
will have the opportunity to visit the jungle villages off Challana and Santa Rosa before joining the Rio Beni near to
the larger jungle town of Rurrenabaque.
6 – 7 hours on the raft a day (BLD)
Day 11: Transfer from Rurrenabaque to La Paz.
Today we say good bye to the jungle and hop on a one hour flight to La Paz. Rest of the day in La Paz. Hotel for
the night.
Day 12: Free day in La Paz
A free day in this amazing city. A chance to visit the colourful witches market and to see the many sights. (B)
Day 13: Return flight to the UK.
Day 14: Arrive in the UK
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