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Noel Kempff Mercado National Park - North Side
Piso Firme - North Side - Ahlfeld and Arcoiris Waterfalls
- Itinerary of 5 Days 4 Nights
From the city of Santa Cruz
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5 Days 4 Nights
1st Day
At 8:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your Hotel or residence to take you to a runway for small aircrafts; we will board a single-engine airplane there, which will take you to a community located on the Paraguá River, adjacent to Noel Kempff M. Park. It is recommended to use the toilette before boarding the airplane.
Initiating the 3-hour flight, we will have the opportunity to appreciate the City of Santa Cruz from the air, and after flying the first 30 minutes towards the Northeast, we will be able to appreciate the devastation caused by agriculture, mainly for soy and sunflower plantations. After 40 more minutes  of flight, we will be above the city of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuitical Missions of the Chiquitania. We will continue our flight for 30 more minutes and will begin to see that the exuberant green mantle becomes denser, and after approximately 60 minutes, we will be above the virgin forest of the Park.
Arrival to our destiny, a population of approximately 500 Inhabitants. Accommodation in one of the basic lodgings in this town, or if the passenger prefers to and if the adjustments have been decided previously, we can initiate trip that same day. In that case our first destination would be to the small village of Bellavista, which is located at 1½ hours by motorboat on our route. This small community has approximately 35 inhabitants and is already located within the Noel Kempff Park on the Itenez River. In Bellavista, there are tracks where it is possible to hike, although some of these may be flooded during the rainy season. Spending the night in the population of Bellavista will ease our motorboat 10 hours approximately trip to Ahlfeld camp site.
Dinner and overnight in BellaVista.
2nd Day
After breakfast, we will head to the Ahlfeld Campsite, which is near the cascade with the same name.  We will initiate a beautiful day traveling in the waters of the Itenez river for the first 3½ hours approximately, and then of the Pauserna river for other 4 hours approximately. Estimated time of 7 ½ hours by speedboat. During this trip, we will have the opportunity to observe a great variety of birds such as different kinds of Fishing Martin and diverse mammals such as Capybaras, and there is a possibility of spotting a Jaguar in the banks of the river, turning our trip an unforgettable experience, enjoying the infinity of the nature.
Arrival to the Ahlfeld Campsite and accommodation in the rustic cabin that will serve as base for our long hikes. Depending on the number of people, for some it will be necessary to sleep in tents, since the capacity of the cabin is of only 10 people.
If we arrive at this place with enough time, it will be a short hike by a track, which is parallel to the Pauserna River. This track follows the Paraguá River and is very relaxing; this hike of approximately  30 minutes leads underneath the Ahlfeld cascade whose waters form a lagoon of crystalline water. Here we will have a special view of this famous waterfall and we will even be able to photograph it from different angles.
We will enjoy this special place where it is possible to swim but NOT to come near the waterfalls; the existing signaling and indications of precaution must be respected. Keep in mind that there is a possible presence of some animals such as Stingrays in the water or even an Anaconda; although no accidents in this location because of these animals have been reported, it is our duty to inform you.
A short nocturnal safari on foot with torches is possible. Spend the night in Ahlfeld.
3rd Day
After breakfast, we will leave by a different track, although also parallel to the Pauserna River, towards the upper part of the Ahlfeld Cascade. From this point where the waterfall begins, the view is more impressive for some, although the observation angle is not as ample as from under the waterfall. PRECAUTION: do not get too close to the edge since it and other rocks around it are very SLIPPERY. This first part of the hike takes approximately 40 minutes, where we will take around 30 minutes to enjoy the location.
Later we will continue moving away from the campsite using the same track and walking through different kinds of forests; the track will become a little steep towards the Arcoiris waterfall. There are parts where this track becomes narrow, with a stone wall on one side and a fall of several meters towards the Pauserna River on the other side; we must walk very CAREFULLY. We will continue ascending by the track in the forest, which changes vegetation until we arrive to the top of the Caparu plateau, where the high forest becomes a low forest. We walk for 30 more minutes on the plateau until arriving at a point from where it is possible to have a distant but spectacular view of the Arcoiris waterfall. It is here where we will have sandwiches for lunch while we observe the immense waterfall, which creates a water spray that is part of a natural cycle worthy to appreciate and contemplate. Depending on the month in the rainy season, other streams become rivers, forming other impressive waterfalls although much smaller, but nearer and more accessible, where it is possible to swim and even to receive hydro-massages.
 Total walking time going from the Ahlfeld campsite to the observation point of the Arcoiris waterfall, is approximately 3 hours.
Sometimes the Arcoiris waterfall can be visited from below, although it is done with less frequency. This visit depends on the conditions of the Pauserna River and the available time. This would imply swimming across the Pauserna river, having great precaution with the local animals, such as the Anaconda known as "Iris", inhabitant of the lower part of the Arcoiris waterfall, seen in several opportunities from above the plateau (with binoculars), sunbathing on the rocks below.
We return to the Ahlfeld Campsite to rest and dinner. Next day we get ready for our return to the community from where we departed.
Over night in Ahlfeld camp site
4th Day
Exit by the same way we arrived, this trip will last 6 to 8 hours, depending on the place where we spent the night, and this depends on the adjustments and according to the specific program elaborated for this excursion. Supper and spend the night in the community of Piso Firme 
5th Day
After breakfast, hike through a track in the surroundings of the community or around the community itself, knowing a little about its inhabitants and/or another activity our passengers may prefer.
Lunch and after a brief rest, we will return to Santa Cruz; where we will be received on the runway and you will be taken to your hotel or domicile.
End of our service. Thanks.
Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary
Amboró Tours also offers longer tours to this destination.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
Remember that this itinerary can vary or not be fulfilled in its totality by climate factors or the conditions of the roads and of the rivers or water streams.
Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
Be prepared to protect yourself against the sun (sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others) and rain (impermeable clothes).
Remember that nothing should be removed from the park (plants or seeds)
“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
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