DAY 1

09:30 Check in. The tour begins at this hour so that you have the chance to arrive on the first flight of the day. You’ll need to show your voucher, leave any extra baggage in the storage zone (we advise you to travel light and leave your valuables behind), and double check you have everything you need. Now’s the time to make last minute purchases.
You’ll be given your water as well.

10:00 Boat departs. You’ll voyage on the waters from the last foothills of the Andes into the varzea (floodplain) forest, in the headwaters of the Amazon. Enjoy the breeze from the speed of the boat, which will cool you down during the hottest hours of the day. Observe the changing landscape, and look out for the camps of Bolivia’s last nomads. You’ll also see signs of mining activities and wood extraction from these remarkable, bio-diverse forests. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as caiman, turtles, capybaras, sloths, and a variety of birds.

12:00 Eat lunch on the boat.

13:00 Arrival at Serere Reserve. There’ll be a short (2 km) walk to the main lodge and cabins. With so much to see around you, try to focus on one thing at a time, such as the vines.

14:00 Now’s the moment to check into your cabin, get settled, and freshen up. You’ll start to feel more used to being in the forest – take a look out from your screened-in cabins. You may become the object of attention for the curious animals.

15:00 Go to the Casa Grande (main lodge), just 400 metres away. Here you will meet the rest of your group, along with your guide. You’ll get a tour of the main lodge, and be shown the facilities available for you to enjoy. There’ll be the opportunity to see some of the rescued animals, which are in the process of re-insertion (macaws, tapir, capybara, monkeys, and others).

16:30 Head to the Information Centre. In this place, you’ll find information about the reserve, as well as our work in the Madidi Mosaic. This will be followed with a wander down our trails, to discover the uses of the forest. Stay on the lookout for animals!

18:30 Take in the beautiful sunset at the port of San Fernando Lake.

19:30 Dinner at Casa Grande.

20:30 There’ll be a meeting with your group and guide. Now’s the time to let your guide know about your main interests, which will allow him/her to better focus on the things which matter to you. After, join our short night walk, hunting for insects, amphibians, and other night life.

DAY 2

8:00 Breakfast (fruit salad, granola, yogurt, pancakes or similar local food, eggs, breads).

9:00 Boat trip of Lake San Fernando / Pinky Lake. Voyage across Lake San Fernando, and observe the animals and birdlife (there are around 300 types of birds in Serere) by the lake. Disembark at the other end of the lake where the port is, and start the walk to Pinky Lake. During this walk, keep a lookout for wildlife: Monkeys, turtles, wild boar, coati, and others.
You’ll also pass by a mud lick, go through high forest, and low flooded forest.

12:00 Reach Pinky Lake. Make and eat lunch, then relax while you wait for the afternoon heat to subside. After, hop on a canoe to explore the lake and fish for piranha.

16:00 Make the return walk to San Fernando Lake (about 2 hours).

18:00 Journey back to Casa Grande. Watch the bats flying over the lake, among other animals.

19:30 Enjoy dinner (which could include the piranha you caught earlier)!

20:30 Voyage on San Fernando Lake to look for caiman.

DAY 3

05:30 Meet at Casa Grande for some bird watching, and looking for howler monkeys (depending on the season).

08:00 Breakfast.

09:00 Learn how to make handicrafts, such as rings, necklaces, or other trinkets with the seeds which you have gathered during your walks. There’s time to walk by yourself on the wide trails if you fancy it. This is a special, re-energising experience.

12:00 Lunch.

13:00 Rest during the hot hours. You can go to the Information Centre, rest in the hammock areas, take a short walk to find a place to meditate, or explore a little on your own.

16:00 Boat trip on Lake San Fernando. Navigate around San Fernando Lake, discovering the bird life, monkeys, and other mammals which use the lake. Look out for caiman and other wildlife.

18:30 Enjoy the sunset at the port of San Fernando Lake.

19:30 Dinner.

DAY 4

05:30 Sunrise sightseeing: Walk to Gringo Lake to watch the sunrise. View the spider monkeys that have been rescued and are in the process of being re-introduced, then return to Casa Grande.

09:00 Breakfast.

10:00 Agroforestry tour. Cross San Fernando Lake, and visit our Chaco (agro-forestry plot). Here, you may run into animals feeding on some of our production. Harvest and enjoy the fruit in season, and observe our efforts to eat organically. Continue a walk down our trails, and look out for some of our re-forestation efforts. You’ll arrive at our observation platform, which is in front of a mud lick. Make yourself comfortable, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see the wild boar rolling in the mud to cool off. Return to Casa Grande.

11:30 Lunch.

12:00 Walk to the port.

13:00 Board the boat to return to Rurrenabaque. You get to see different animals along the way, and the afternoon lighting should be favourable for good photos.

16:00 Arrival in Rurrenabaque.

Note: If you are a solo traveller you'll be sharing a room with another 3 people. More than one person please specify the room type. The activities are flexible. Make sure you let your guide know your interests.

DAY 1: 09:00

Meeting point at Madidi Travel Office

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DAY 1: 09:30

Depart Rurrenabaque by boat, where you may also see capybaras, caiman, turtles, sloths, and a variety of birds

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DAY 1: 12:00

Lunch on the boat

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DAY 1: 13:00

Arrive to Serere Reserve and walk 2 km to your cabin and the main lodge

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DAY 1: 14:00

Check in and get settled into your cabins

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DAY 1: 15:00

Meet your guide and the rest of the group at Casa Grande (main lodge)

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DAY 1: 16:30

Visit the Information Centre and then walk along the trails looking for animals

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DAY 1: 18:30

Enjoy the sunset at the port of San Fernando Lake

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DAY 1: 19:30

Dinner at Casa Grande

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DAY 1: 20:30

Group meeting, followed by a short, guided night walk to look for insects, amphibians, and other night life

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DAY 2: 08:00

Breakfast

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DAY 2: 09:00

Take a boat ride to cross Lake San Fernando. Once at the port on the other side of the lake, walk to Pinky Lake

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DAY 2: 12:00

Arrive to Pinky Lake to have lunch. After lunch, you will be able to explore the lake, and fish for piranhas

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DAY 2: 16:00

Walk back to the port of Lake San Fernando

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DAY 2: 18:00

Take a boat ride back to Casa Grande

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DAY 2: 19:30

Dinner (which could include the piranha you caught earlier)

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DAY 2: 20:30

Navigate on San Fernando Lake to look for caiman

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DAY 3: 05:30

Depending on the season, meet at Casa Grande to begin bird watching and search for howler monkeys

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DAY 3: 08:00

Breakfast

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DAY 3: 09:00

Learn to make handicrafts, such as rings, necklaces or other things with the seeds that you have gathered during your walks

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DAY 3: 12:00

Lunch

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DAY 3: 13:00

Free time to relax and explore a little on your own

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DAY 3: 16:00

Take a boat ride on Lake San Fernando and search for birds, monkeys and other wildlife

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DAY 3: 18:30

Enjoy the sunset at the port of San Fernando Lake

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DAY 3: 19:30

Dinner

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DAY 4: 05:30

Walk to Gringo Lake to watch the sunrise. View the spider monkeys that have been rescued and are in the process of being re-introduced

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DAY 4: 09:00

Breakfast

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DAY 4: 10:00

Cross San Fernando Lake and visit our Chaco (agro-forestry plot). Harvest and enjoy the fruit in season, and observe our efforts to eat organically

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DAY 4: 11:30

Lunch

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DAY 4: 12:00

Walk to the port

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DAY 4: 13:00

Return to Rurrenabaque by boat

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DAY 4: 16:00

Arrive back to Rurrenabaque

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- Transport between Rurrenabaque – Serere – Rurrenabaque by boat
- Accommodation in Serere Reserve (with linen, towels and mosquito nets)
- Meals during your stay at Serere Reserve
- Water
- A porter service
- An English or Spanish speaking guide
- Activities inside Serere Reserve
- Serere Reserve entrance fee

- Airline tickets between La Paz – Rurrenabaque – La Paz
- Airport transfer between Rurrenabaque – Aeropuerto Rurrenabaque
- Accommodation in Rurrenabaque
- Meals in Rurrenabaque
- Consumption at the bar or kiosk in Serere Reserve
- Tips for the guide and staff

- Long sleeved shirts and trousers
- Trekking boots or trainers
- A hat (to protect you from the sun)
- A raincoat or poncho (during the wet season)
- A sweater or fleece (to be prepared for a cold front)
- A backpack for daytrips
- A camera (with fully charged batteries)
- Plastic bags (for your camera on the boat)
- A flashlight
- Personal medicine
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Snacks

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

CHANGES: It is FREE to change the tour date before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 3 days before the tour begins.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 3 days before the tour begins or earlier, a 35% administration fee will apply (+ the card fee). After this time, there is a 100% no show or cancellation fee.

You must email bookings@findlocaltrips.com (include the name of the tour and the reservation number) to cancel this tour or to make any changes.

1. How does the wet season affect Rurrenabaque and tours?

   These tours run year-round, and in general rain does not stop tours from going. The exception is when there has been very heavy, sustained rainfall, and the Rurrenabaque area becomes flooded (the pampas, the jungle floor, the local roads and even the town itself). This is not common but has happened in recent years, and you just have to check the local news prior to departure times, or ask us for the latest info. The main issues caused during wet season for Rurrenabaque are delays to the flights between La Paz – Rurre, and Rurre - La Paz, which can regularly be affected due to weather. We advise flying out the day before your tour, and flying back in the early morning the day after you tour, in order to give yourself some time in case of delays. Also, if there is something you have to be back for, such as an international flight, we recommended having one more buffer day beforehand, just to make sure. Delays of a whole day are also possible. We recommend Amaszonas Airline to travel to Rurrenabaque. Most people fly to Rurrenabaque, but there is also a bus service that takes about 18 hours during dry season. During the wet season, the journey can take as much as 40 hours, as the road is washed away, blocked by landslides, and becomes a river of mud. We strongly recommend against trying to take this bus during the wet season (we don't really recommend it during the dry season either!).

2. Which is the best season to visit the Bolivian Jungle and Pampas?

   The climate is mostly tropical all year round, and therefore it is possible to visit during any season. However, the best time is in the dry season, from the beginning of April to the end of October.

3. What are the essentials to bring to the tour?

   One backpack, sturdy duffel bag, or easily managed suitcase, a daypack, sturdy shoes or hiking boots comfortable enough for walking, sandals or shoes you don't mind getting wet, a money belt or pouch (leave your wallet at home - they make easy targets for pickpockets in the city), personal medications, a camera, film, and a waterproof case, and clothing. Generally, the Amazon is quite hot, but during the evenings if it rains it can cool down quite a bit. Fast drying clothes that can be layered work best. Don’t forget anti-bacterial soap, wipes, or gel such as Purell, sunblock of at least SPF 15 (the tropical sun is strong), insect repellent with DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide), anti-itch cream for insects bites, a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, a toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries, etc, sunglasses, a swiss army style knife, a sun/rain hat, plastic bags (zip lock bags and a larger trash bag), a water bottle, a small padlock to lock your bag shut, a travel alarm clock, and a first aid kid.

4. What clothes should I bring to the tour?

   You should bring: A light, water-resistant jacket that will keep you warm on a cool evening or during a sudden downpour, yet which can be stuffed away or worn loosely on a warm day, a cheap rain poncho (the lodges have ponchos, but it's best to be prepared!), a fleece or wool sweater, two pair of shorts and/or swimming trunks, a bathing suit, one to two pairs of pants (one that can be worn to a nice restaurant or club, and another rugged pair for hiking in the rainforest), one long-sleeved shirt or blouse (a long-sleeved cotton shirt is great for the jungle), and 2 to 3 short-sleeved shirts, cotton socks, and underwear.

5. Is there malaria in Rurrenabaque and in the areas where pampas and jungle tours take place?

   Whilst it is feasible that malaria could exist in Rurrenabaque, the pampas, and the jungle areas nearby because there are plenty of mosquitoes, there have not been any reported instances of malaria. We do not consider it necessary to take malaria tablets for our tours, but if you wish to do so then you should bring them with you, as you might not be able to get the brand you want in Bolivia. There is also the possibility of Dengue Fever and Yellow Fever, so you must protect yourself from insect bites as much as possible. You should bring a good insect repellent with you, as there are not many good options available to purchase in Bolivia.

6. I want to be really safe. Which things should I put in my own first aid kid?

   A first aid kit could include: Pepto-Bismol for mild diarrhoea, throat lozenges, motion sickness medication, sunburn salve such as aloe vera gel, aspirin or other painkillers, antibiotics for travellers’ diarrhoea (TD), antacid tablets, band-aids/plasters/bandages, ACE bandage, mole skin for blisters/blister plasters.

7. Why book with FindLocalTrips.com?

   Apart from our low-price guarantee, with us you are 100% assured that your booking is made. We provide an instant email confirmation, and have live spaces and availability for each tour. If you have any queries, you are in the hands of our team of 20 local experts here on the ground, who speak perfect Spanish and English. We guarantee quick responses to any questions or queries. Tour operators are experts at operating their tours... We are the experts at reservations, organisation and assistance with your plans for these tours.