SAMAIPATA OBSERVATION OF CONDORS - 2 DAYS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
The archaeological site of Samaipata located in the last foothills of the eastern Andes of Bolivia, at about 1900 meters high, is commonly known as "El Fuerte de Samaipata". On this tour called Samaipata condor observation, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the condor's flight by viewing each of the specimens, its scientific name is (Vultur gryphus). It is the typical bird of the Andes and it has found in the valleys of Samaipata, an ideal place for nesting that attracts these birds in large numbers. This tourist site is known by tourists, mostly foreigners, as the best place in the world to see Andean condors, an ecotourism option offered by this beautiful region.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Although Bolivia is considered an Andean country, its territory presents a wide variety of ecosystems. Approximately 50% of the national territory is Amazonia, therefore, it has tropical humid forests that cover more than half of the country, some located near the Andes. The international scientific community considers that this region has the greatest known biological diversity on the planet. América Tours offers you the possibility of visiting regions of that Amazon (200-6000 masl), such as the Madidi National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area (PN and AMNI Madidi), located north of the Department of La Paz and with 1, 8 million hectares, the NP and AMNI Madidi is home to more than 1,000 species of birds, 44% of New World mammals, and an estimated 38% of neotropical amphibians.
OVERVIEW
Days 1 and 2:
Madidi National Park. Visit to the Caquiahuara cliff to observe macaws (Ara ararauna, Ara chloropthera) and parrots. Lodging in Tacuaral Hostel. Observation of jungle birds on trails and in the river.
INCLUDES
Lodging in our Caracoles and/or Tacuarales Eco-Lodges, according to the program.
Comfortable transportation by Boat and/or Jeep.
Mineral water, natural juices according to the season of the year, full meals on tour days.
Expeditions with bilingual native guides.
NOT INCLUDED
Entrance fee to protected areas (Madidi National Park Bs. 125 per person and Pampas del Yacuma Bs.150 per person)
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tips.
Hotel and meals in Rurrenabaque.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Our departures are according to the time of your arrival in Rurrenabaque. Also, all of our tours are personalized; this means that you carry out all trips with your own private boat and/or jeep guide. We can book your flights and hotels in Rurrenabaque, see our list of transportation and hotels.
BIRD WATCHING AND PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE JUNGLE OF BOLIVIA 5D/4N
Bolivia shows you a varied ecosystem from the high Andes to the plains of the Amazon jungle, a place full of biodiversity, flora and fauna, where each visitor who comes to our territory is left with the desire to return. Our travel agency presents a new trend in nature tourism, birdwatching, where we exclusively visit the Amazon jungle, where we can see a number of birds, endemic birds, among others, and if it is a matter of luck, we can see the cock of the rocks (Rupicola Peruviana), hummingbirds, parrots, mammals among others where describing it here would be short, that is why we invite you to see it in situ and enjoy its beauty and all the characteristics that these little creatures have .
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: LA PAZ – RURRENABAQUE – CHALALAN LODGE.
We begin by boarding the plane from El Alto to Rurrenabaque, approximately 40 min.
After arriving in Rurrenabaque we will board a canoe to the Chalalan lodge.
In the afternoon you will have an opportunity to take the best images of nature.
DAY 2: TUICHI RIVER.
After lunch we will walk along a path, photographing medicinal plants, birds, insects, butterflies, etc.
After lunch, we will go to the viewpoint to see from the viewpoint how immense the Amazon jungle is.
At night we can walk in the lagoon to be able to photograph alligators, among others.
DAY 3: TUICHI RIVER – RURRENABAQUE – PAMPAS.
After breakfast, we walk to the beach to start the return trip to Rurrenabaque.
On the way we will visit the Caquiahuara cliff.
After lunch we will continue in a motorized canoe, to be able to photograph a large number of birds, macaws, among others.
DAY 4: PAMPAS.
Early in the morning we will navigate the Yacuma river.
After lunch we will go in search of the famous pink dolphins, turtles, monkeys, etc.
At night if you want we can go for a canoe ride to photograph alligators.
DAY 5: PAMPAS – RURRENABAQUE.
breakfast
Bolivia boasts one of the largest reserves of biodiversity. In the Chiquitania region in Bolivia, four large ecoregions converge: the Chiquitano Dry Forest, the Chaco, the Pantanal and the Amazon. In this multiplicity of such different ecosystems, a great diversity of vertebrates converges, of which amphibians and reptiles are no exception.
Kimza Travel offers you a variety of options to carry out this specialized activity in the observation and conservation of these species.
1. A walk through Kaa-Iya, the master of the forest in Bolivia.
The National Park, located in the Bolivian Gran Chaco, represents the last opportunity to protect the largest representative sample of the Chaco tropical dry forest. Their records estimate 108 species of mammals, 226 of birds, 72 of reptiles, and 43 of amphibians.
The biodiversity of Kaa-Iya is impressive. The routes within its enormous territory, made up of paths between the forest and the bodies of water, provide unique experiences to its visitors. When walking through the place, you never know what will be the first surprise: hearing the chirping of a strange bird, the sight of a big cat or being accompanied on the walk by a colorful group of butterflies.
2. Specialized observation of the Giant Frog.
The Titicaca giant frog is the largest exclusively aquatic amphibian on the planet. Today it is Critically Endangered, which is why both Bolivia and Peru are taking actions to ensure that this species continues to be present in its habitat.
In the late 1960s, its population numbered in the thousands. So much so that when the French explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau and his team went on an expedition to Lake Titicaca, they were amazed at the number of specimens they saw. Today, the Titicaca giant frog (Telmatobius culeus) is Critically Endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Kimza Travel offers a tour specialized in the observation of this amphibian, which we developed in collaboration with the BOLIVIAN AMPHIBIAN INITIATIVE:
Program for the observation of the Giant Frog:
Isla de la Luna – The Frog Sanctuary of Lake Titicaca
After working for several years in one of the best areas of the lake for the Lake Titicaca frog (Telmatobius culeus), the local community of Isla de la Luna requested our support.
They wanted to establish a frog sanctuary around the island, to protect this unique and incredible species and its habitat. We were excited to partner with them and are working together with the island community to protect the Lake Titicaca frog. The project includes population surveys, education, disease monitoring, water quality sampling, and ecotourism. The activities are coordinated together with the local community. Working in this way provides a sustainable conservation initiative for this beautiful area.
Ecotourism on Lake Titicaca – We help frogs and people
In 2017 we carried out a six-month ecotourism pilot project on Isla de la Luna where we worked with the 'Coati' community to offer visitors the opportunity to snorkel at 12,500 feet asl (3810 m asl), having the opportunity to to see the Lake Titicaca frog in its natural environment.
We have assessed environmental compatibility and have observed no short-term effects on biodiversity from the snorkeling activity itself. The indigenous community participated in the transportation, food preparation and lodging of the ecotourists, receiving economic benefits. Ecotourists learned about the Lake Titicaca frog and its threats, as well as learning about the local culture.
Yucuma Pampas 2 days/ 1 night
Day 1:
Navigation and walks, wildlife observation and even a night tour to see alligators. These days will be unforgettable to share with family or friends and to enter one of the most impressive swamps in the world.
Day 2: Yacuma Pampas
The day begins intensely, with a refreshing breakfast and then a walk through the pampas to look for anacondas and lizards. Then lunch and rest at the lodge. In the afternoon there are optional activities: piranha fishing in the river or swimming with dolphins. After dinner, boat ride in search of more lizards and anacondas.
Biking on the most dangerous road in the world is a unique activity that you could practice in Bolivia! Well, there is nowhere else in the world where you can travel 62 km from the snow-capped Andean mountains at 4,700 meters / 15,419 feet, all the way to the entrance of the Amazon jungle, up to 1,300 m.s.n.m / 4,265 feet.
This bike ride beautifully showcases some of Bolivia's most impressive scenery, mountains and waterfalls. So if you like cycling or just like the idea, this full day tour is perfect for you.
The tour begins at the wet and windy summit (at 4,700 m / 15,419 ft), offering fantastic views of a number of snow-capped peaks, including Huayna Potosí (6,088 m.s.n.m. / 19,973 ft).
From here you quickly descend a winding paved road, past snow-capped mountains, grazing alpacas and llamas, small towns, and a drug control station.
There is a short undulating section before entering the jungle, known as the most difficult part of the trip, as it is a narrow mountainside with a 1,000 meter drop off and waterfalls on the other side. (Note: since March 2007, most of the traffic on this road has decreased as the new road is used, leaving it almost empty to enjoy the scenery).
As the ride continues, it gets increasingly hot and dusty. Once you have reached the end of the bike (Yolosa, 1,150 m.s.n.m. / 3,772 feet), you will continue to La Senda Verde Animal Shelter, where lunch is served (salad and pasta buffet). You can enjoy the magnificent scenery and cold refreshments while relaxing in the pool.
There is also an opportunity for you to view the rescued animals if you wish before returning to La Paz by vehicle.
Explore the colorful and exuberant architectural style of El Alto with us on a half-day Andean architecture tour. The kitschy designs of the Cholets are a mix of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations, colorful traditional fabrics, and the growing urban landscape of El Alto. The accelerated growth of El Alto has brought wealth to its inhabitants, and this new bourgeoisie shows its new economic status by building brightly colored and even futuristic mansions, in which they organize parties that mix opulence and ancient traditions.
Just outside of the Administrative Capital, La Paz, the city of El Alto rises above 4000 masl and is the youngest city in Bolivia but has already become the second most populous city in the country. In this city brimming with life, where the old meets the modern, Freddy Mamani, the most recognized Indigenous Architect in this style, has gone from being a construction assistant to showing Bolivia to the world through these exuberant architectural pieces with identity typical of the indigenous majority, who were previously marginalized for a long time.
The vibrant, captivating encounter between old and new, tradition and modernity, is uniquely Bolivian, and what better way to visit Cholets than with a local guide who loves to share his culture, his city and his home. We literally fly to El Alto using the Cable Car, once there we go to various places to see the Cholets, including some under construction. We also have the opportunity to visit the interior of a palace of this style to enjoy the bold designs and vibrant colors. Your guide will not only show you the buildings but will share his passion for the culture, traditions and beliefs that this architecture expresses, bringing Cholets and the social landscape of Bolivia to life.
