Take a second look at the Bolivian Amazon for pristine wildlife and true community involvement.

Where to go? Madidi National Park covers 1.8 million hectares and is one of the most intact ecosystems in South America. Here there is a great diversity of flora and fauna thanks to the variety of habitats, from the low jungle to the mountains that reach 5500 m. The park protects more species than any other in the world; There are over 45,000 different plant species and over 1,000 tropical bird species, making it a great place to visit the Amazon.

Where to stay? There are some excellent projects in the Bolivian Amazon. One of the best is the Chalalan Lodge in Madidi National Park. In 2010 it was included in Lonely Planet’s 10 best sustainable travel experiences in the world. While many jungle lodges are jumping on the bandwagon of “Sustainable Tourism” these days, this project truly is worthy of the title. Sustainable Tourism Community Owned The lodge was established and is owned by Quechua-Tacana people who live in the community of San José de Uchupiamonas. The Quechua-Tacana whose people have lived in harmony with the surrounding jungle for more than 300 years. 20 years ago they realized that ecotourism was a way to protect their land and traditions from the threats of deforestation and the migration of young people to cities. The lodge is owned and managed 100% by the local community and the benefits already include clean water and better standards of health, education and training.

How is the accommodation? Often in such a project, it is difficult to strike the right balance between the needs of the community and the local environment and the demands of tourists who want to visit the area. Here the staff have excelled in providing clean and comfortable accommodations, knowledgeable local guides, and a very welcoming atmosphere. The passion for his environment and his project shows in every detail that it is probably what makes Chalalan so special. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable with cold showers (but high temperatures are welcome!). Your stay includes 3 delicious meals a day so you can try many local specialties.

How to get there? Most people fly from La Paz to Rurrenebaque, a jungle town on the Yacuma River. From here, a motorized canoe takes you upriver for a few hours. The lodge staff is waiting to help you with your luggage, leaving you free to follow your guide along the forest path to the lodge.

What can you see and do there? Activities included; nature walks, bird watching, night canoe rides, nature talks, hikes, handicraft demonstrations, canoe rides and a farewell ceremony on the last night where you can taste the local drink “leche de tigre”. Madidi is home to 340 species of birds, including parakeets, parrots, toucans, wild turkeys, and woodpeckers. Animals include the spectacular bear, Andean cat, Andean deer, white-tailed deer, puma, jaguar, white-lipped peccary, spider monkey, and red howler monkey; Not to mention more bugs and frogs than you can imagine.

A truly unforgettable trip to the Amazon in Bolivia.