The Madidi Challange

Extended itinerary The Madidi Amazon Challange

National Madidi Amazon Reserve: Challenging the spirits of the forest!

The tour itinerary for 6 Days and 5 nights
This trip is made for those who want to see the largest possible number of wildlife and do not fear for the mysteries of the jungle. Instead this trip is for people who want to challenge the Jungle and themselves. We will walk deep into the jungle, between centuries-old trees. At night you stay in small hats or mosquiteros.  During the walks you can learn from our technical guides about survival in the jungle and much more…

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Day 1: Beni River - Madidi Reserve - Mashaquipe Hostel

We start with a boat trip over the Beni river. Our first visit is to a community dedicated to the development of honey from sugar cane. You can taste the delicious juice of cane and learn a little about the life of the community. During the boat trip on the rivers Beni and Tuichi you will enjoy incomparable landscapes such as the Canyon of the bullet. As soon as we reach the “Mashaquipe” hostel you will receive a refreshing welcome juice and lunch will be served.
In the afternoon you can join an easy walk along trails that are specially designed to teach you more about the jungle, see animals like monkeys, wild pigs and feel the nature. Our native guides will teach your how to recognize toxic plants, plants that cause allergic reactions and about plants that have an anesthetic or healing working. Dinner and rest

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Day 2: Tacana culture - Tuichi river - Martinez fishermen

We will wake up very early (05:00) to go out for a walk in the surrounding of the hostel. You will enjoy the noisy concert of howler monkeys, and a variety of birds that welcome the new day.
After breakfast, you can join an activity during which you will learn more about the ‘Tacana culture’. After some explanations from the guide you can try for yourself to manufacture crafts, or practicing marksmanship with the bow and traditional arrows.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will leave to visit an indigenous family who lives in the jungle. They will explain us more about their culture and how they practice their agriculture. You can also participate with them in their daily activities, for example by helping peeling rice with a mortero (tacu).
On our way back it is possible to see herons, martínez fishermen or even some Capybaras walking on the banks of the Tuichi River.
After dinner if you still have energy you can join a short night walk to observe eyes of caimans, lizards, frogs, snakes and others animals with the light of a lantern/ flashlight.

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Day 3: Hiking and camping in the jungle

After a good breakfast we take camping equipment with us and start hiking into the depths of the forest.
Tonight we will spend the night in a tent or just under a mosquito net. This activity is very interesting because you will have a more intimate contact with nature and can observe animals like: spider monkeys, howler monkeys, a variety of birds, etc. Before we go to sleep, you can make short walk with great potential for spotting giant armadillos, snakes and tapirs. While you are laying in your tent it is not uncommon to hear the Growl from a jaguar or puma, coming from the depths of the mysterious Amazon Jungle!

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Day 4: Hiking in the jungle and camping in The Arenalito

A nutritious breakfast will give us the energy to hike deeper into the forest, where agile monkeys live in complete harmony with nature. On our walk it is likely to cross our path with large groups of wild pigs and for sure we will see a variety of birds such as toucans and oropendulas.
After lunch we pick up our backpacks again to continue walking towards our shelter for the night “the arenalito”. We will arrive here late afternoon.
During the night, depending on the weather, it is very likely to be able to observe mammals such as deers, armadillos, tapirs and the eyes of many reptiles.

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Day 5: Hiking and camping in the jungle

After breakfast, we will continue our journey through the depths of the jungle of Madidi accompanied by the ‘music of the jungle’. This music consists ofdifferent melodies from screaming monkeys, singing birds, calling frogs and insects as the bustling cicada. On our way we have breaks to appreciate this biodiversity and learn about the jungle, its inhabitants and the many sounds.
At the end of the afternoon we will arrive at our shelter for the night, where we have dinner will rest

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Day 6: Hiking - Cliff of the Parabas - Callapo - Rurrenabaque

After breakfast we will walk toward the “Cliff of the parabas”, place of nesting and feeding of parabas, parrots and parakeets. This is one of the best places to observe these colorful and bustling birds. You can also enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Amazon rainforest.
While finishing the trip we can choose to build a “callapo”. This type of raft is the river transport for the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and you can use it to return to the hostel. After lunch we should start our journey back to Rurrenabaque. For who doesn’t want to use the raft it is of course possible to use our comfortable canoe/ boat.
We arrive in Rurrenabaque around 16: 00h.

Level of difficulty: medium – high

Included and recommended to bring into the Amazon:

Included in this Amazon Tour:
– Transfer: airport – hotel – airport
– Accommodation in our Eco hostel and camping equipment
– Private Transport 4WD jeep /Private car
– Private Boat
– Mineral water, juices and all meals during your at the lodge
– Guided expeditions with an experienced native (Spanish speaking) guide

Not Included: 
– Entrance fee to the protected areas (200 Bs. per person)
– Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
– Hotel in Rurrenabaque
– Flight tickets
– things not mentioned in the tour above
– Tips

What to bring with you into the Amazon:
– Big comfortable backpack.
– Sleeping bag (on request also for rent)
– Sleeping mat (on request also for rent)
– Comfortable Clothes of cotton, long sleeved shirts of clear colors
– Bathing suit
– Hat or cap
– Closed and comfortable shoes to walk
– Sun block/ cream
– Insect repellent
– Flashlight
– Yellow fever vaccination certificate
– Personal hygiene outfits
– Something to protect you camera equipment from the humidity and rain.

INSURANCE:
It is the responsibility of the tourist to take out travel and health insurance and to have these documents on hand.