DAY 1

Your 4-day adventure will commence at 9:00am, as we journey by mini-bus from Rurrenabaque to the area of the Pampas. This trip will take about three hours in order to get to ‘Caracoles’, which is our eco-friendly housing, situated inside the Municipal Reservation of the River Yacuma. Enjoy a tasty lunch, and spend some time settling in, or relaxing in the outdoor hammocks.

There’ll be a boat trip in the afternoon to observe the wild fauna and flora that grow in these parts. Our guide will give you some interesting facts about the wildlife living here. The dry season is the perfect time to spot a variety of wildlife, such as caiman, anacondas, turtles, capybaras, the endangered pink dolphins, different species of monkeys, and countless types of exotic-looking birds. However, the increase in river levels during the rainy season makes it more difficult to see some of the riverside creatures, including the caiman and the anaconda.

DAY 2

We will take an adventurous hike for approximately 3 or 4 hours on the pampas, in search of the anacondas and alligators. The anacondas are shy creatures, and love to hide among the reeds in the swampy areas, but with the help of our expert guides you will be able to see them.

After exploring, we will return to our lodging for lunch and to kick back and relax for a while. For the afternoon activity, we will navigate on the river Yacuma and fish the famous piranha. Be careful, they bite! You will also get the chance to swim with the lovable, yet endangered pink dolphins that inhabit the river. Upon our return to the lodge, you will ease your appetite with a delicious dinner, and later in the evening we offer a guided walk to search for nocturnal animals. Look out for the shiny eyes of the alligators and caiman, as they emerge for their evening hunt.

DAY 3

Start your day with a hearty breakfast, after which we will hop on a boat, and head down the Yacuma river. The trip will take us to a place where many yellow squirrel monkeys can be seen, playfully scampering among the trees. This monkey is a native species to the South American rainforests, and have made the dense canopy of trees their home.

Following lunch, two separate activities are available: with binoculars in hand, you can either take a walk in the savannah to observe the many species of birds and monkeys that live there, or you can opt to fish in the river Yacuma, where a number of native fish can be found, including blanquillo, bentones or piranhas.

DAY 4

The final activity of the day will be to visit a lagoon where you will be able to view pink dolphins. You will also have the chance to observe different species of birds and monkeys in their natural habitat.
Returning to the lodge, you will enjoy a final lunch, before making the return trip by mini-bus to Rurrenabaque, where we will arrive at approximately 5:00 pm.

DAY 1: 08:30 - 08:45

Meeting point at Bala Tours Office

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DAY 1: 09:00

Depart Rurrenabaque by car to Pampas

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DAY 1: 12:00

Arrive to Caracoles Lodge, where you will be spending the night

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DAY 1: 12:30

Lunch

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DAY 1: 13:30

Free time to rest in a hammock

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DAY 1: 14:30

Take a boat ride to see the wildlife. During dry season you may see anacondas, turtles, pink dolphins, different species of monkeys and countless species of birds. During rainy season it may be more difficult

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DAY 1: 19:00

Dinner

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DAY 2: 07:30

Breakfast

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DAY 2: 08:30

Take a morning walk to look for anacondas and alligators

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DAY 2: 11:30

Return to Caracoles Lodge

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DAY 3: 12:00

Lunch

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DAY 2: 13:00

Free time to relax

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DAY 2: 14:00

Take a boat ride up Yacuma River to fish for piranhas and swim with the pink dolphins

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DAY 2: 19:00

Dinner

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DAY 2: 20:00

Guided night walk to see the nocturnal animals

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DAY 3: 07:30

Breakfast

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DAY 3: 08:30

Take a boat ride up Yacuma River to see the yellow monkey

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DAY 3: 11:30

Return to Caracoles Lodge

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DAY 3: 12:00

Lunch

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DAY 3: 14:00

Choose to walk through the savanna to see the birds and monkeys, or fish in the Yacuma River

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DAY 3: 19:00

Dinner

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DAY 4: 07:30

Breakfast

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DAY 4: 08:30

Go through the Pampas on horseback - the typical transport of the region

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DAY 4: 11:30

Return to Caracoles Lodge

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DAY 4: 12:00

Lunch

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DAY 4: 14:00

Depart Caracoles Lodge

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DAY 4: 17:00

Arrive to Rurrenabaque

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- Accommodation in housing or tarp according to the itinerary
- Transport according to the itinerary
- Mineral water, juice and meals during your stay at the lodge
- Trips with native and bilingual guides

- Entrance to the protected area
- Alcoholic and soda water drinks
- Accommodation in Rurrenabaque
- Aeroplane tickets

- Camera
- Binoculars
- Sleeping bag
- Lantern
- Insect repellent
- Cap
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Long sleeved shirt (made of cotton)
- Pants/trousers
- Sleeping mat
- Toiletries

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD (UP TO 11 YRS OLD)
In order to obtain this discount, the child must be up to 11 years of age on the date they are due to take the tour.

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

CHANGES: Any changes to the tour date need to be done before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 4 days before the tour begins.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 4 days before the tour begins or earlier, a 10% 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. What is the difference between a Pampas Tour and a Jungle Tour in the Bolivian Amazon?

   All Pampas Tours take place off of the Yacuma River, a wetland Savannah within the Amazon basin. There is a higher chance of seeing more wildlife with this tour option, as there is less vegetation in the Pampas region. Activities include swimming with pink dolphins, piranha fishing, exploring in a motor canoe, and spotting caiman and squirrel monkeys. On the other hand, the Jungle Tours all take place in the Madidi National Park. It is right in the middle of the Bolivian Amazon, and is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with millions of plant and animal species. With this tour, it is more of a challenge to see a variety of wildlife due to the very dense vegetation, but with a bit of patience it is possible to find caimans, amphibians, nocturnal birds, fish-eating bats, and if lucky, jaguars.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

   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. 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.

8. 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.