Adventure Ecotourism

Entrance; Lodge Refugio H. Caparu Plateau  

- 4 Days 3 Nights   By Air

Destination; Refugio Huanchaca -  Laguna Chaplin
 
- 7 Days 6 Nights  By Air 

- Photos

 Noel Kempf N. Park
South Side 

 Lodge R. Huanchaca 

- Noel Kempf National  Park South Side

- Video

 Maps

Excursion from Santa Cruz City

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

4 Days 3 Nights 

1st Day

At 08:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel or residence in order to take you to a private airfield or to small airport where we will board a single-engine airplane, which will fly us to the Southern side of the Noel Kempf Mercado Park.

It is advisable to make use of the hygienic installations before boarding the airplane.

Noel kempf tours

At the beginning of the two-hour flight, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the city of Santa Cruz from the air, and after the first 40 minutes, we will be able to notice the devastation caused by the agriculture on the Northeastern areas, mostly for the plantations of soy and sunflower.

After the first hour of flight, we will be above the town of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuitical Missions of the Chiquitania.

In  30 more minutes of flight, we will notice how the exuberant green mantle becomes denser.

Noel kempf tours

We will be landing inside Noel Kempf Mercado National park at “Refugio Huanchaca”   after approximately 2 hours of flight. 

After a short relaxing  at Refugio Huancha time we get ready to departure in a vehicle towards Caparu plateau to start this remote travel adventure.

The point that we plan to go on a vehicle is about 27 Kilometers  away from Refugio Hanchaca lodge. At this point is where the road get into the forest  and we should continue on foot.

Once start the trip by land leaving Refugio, The first 5 kilometers  crosses a part of forest.  And then for about 22 kilometers  it goes on a land of pampas.

These pampas get overflowed on raining seasons. But during dry season the pampas very dried and   easily may get on fire

The heat in this area is very high and the temperature gets to 43 centigrades grades or more

In dry season during any trips it is necessary to carry enough water.  Because it may be hard to find it down the road,

On the pampas there are a lot of chance of spotting some mammals like;  giant ant eaters, deer,  jaguars and  others. 

Once we get to the end of the road in las pampas we should start hiking. This first hike should be done for about 10 kms or to the first or second stream with water.

Once in the right place we set up the tent 

During this walk there are some parts with big chances of watching some mammals like Giant Armadillo

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

Close by this camping site and after a walk at night of about 30 minutes we may find  glowing termites during the months of October or November.

Termites - Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

During some months of the year the activity of moths is very annoying

Moths - Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

Overnight in the forest in tents

2nd Day

From this point it  takes approximately 2 hours to hike to  the base of the plateau

During these hikes you will realized that this destination is very remote travel adventure and that very few visitors get all the way to the plateau

During this hike, we need to have our senses alert in order to listen to, smell or see interesting particularities of this jungle. 

We also need to pay attention to the gradual change from forest of high trees to very low vegetation.

the visitors must beware of the thorns and tips of the branches in many sections of the paths within the park.

Once we reach the base of the plateau, if it is hot or still it is not evening we should not be in this place  longer than thirty minutes.

The ideal time to arrive at this place known as “Las Lajas” is in the dusk, because during the day and with the presence of people, very annoying bees (especially for the eyes) begin to arrive at the place. 

But this time we are only resting in Las Lajas for about 20 minutes

Depending on the time of arrival to Las Lajas and on the conditions that we are, we will climb the plateau on this day or we will leave it for the following day early in the morning.

After the rest we proceed on our hiking to caparuch  plateau

The ascent to the plateau is a rustic footpath in zigzag, steep and almost without any vegetation to cover us from the sun, which is why the conditions of the ascent can be unfriendly,

Especially if there is not enough wind and the sun is strong. In any case, it is necessary to be in good physical condition for this part of the trip,

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

But as we climb the view of the forest of the park becomes wider and the immense “Chaplin” lake can be seen amidst the exuberant vegetation. 

Likewise, depending on the time of ascent, we will have the opportunity to see the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) sometimes flying at a lower height from us.

Once on top of the plateau, we will have a hike of about one hour in order to appreciate the view of the waved green landscape

spotted with virgin forest, water streams and palm trees.

If we are lucky enough, we will be able to see deer, or even the macaws nesting in palms that are about 30 minutes away from the edge of the plateau.

Hiking to others edges of the plateau caparucú, nearby we can appreciate different views of green forest around us

Marcos Velasco Caparu Platea - Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

You can program a longer visit to the plateau, because after one hour and a half hiking on top of the plateau is possible to get the a part of the plateau  covered with a beautiful  jungle and to a place where Amboro Tours used to set up the tents next to a nice stream 

In this place is possible to see monkeys and others mammals.

From this point, that used to be or still is the camping site on top of the plateau. It was possible to do some trekking in the pampas for about 40 minute to a beautiful natural pool.

Caparu Platea - Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

on the way to this pool we will see a burned motorcycle 

and a short distance away we also can see parts of a small crashed airplane.

Both the motorcycle and the airplane used to belong to a drug factory installed in forest nearby where still is possible to see   some remains of it.

A well-known bolivian conservationists named Noel Kempf Mercado was killed in the airfield of one of these factories on top of Caparuch plateau when his small plane landed with a team of nature researchers. It happened  the 5th of September of 1986. 

Besides of Noel kempf Mercado also were killed at the same time,  Juan Cochamanidis, Franklin Parada Auclos. Vicente Castelló, a Spaniard scientist, was the only survivor.

Getting back on our itinerary. And because this program does not include more days and after about one or one hour and a half on top of caparuch,  we should return  by the same footpath. On the way down hill we must take care of loosen stones.

We arrive at Las Lajas This is a camping spot next to a small stream. It located in the bottom of the Plateau

Overnight in Las Lajas

3rd Day

Early in the morning breakfast. Then we should keep hiking to the place where we left the vehicle to  return to Refugio Huanchaca

The hiking distance of today to the vehicle is approximately 12 or 15 kilometers. 

We should be arriving to Refugio Huanchaca at end of the day 

Dinner and overnight in Refugio Huanchaca

 4th Day

Early in the morning we can take a boat ride on Paragua river to try to see some birds, yacares and giant river otters

After  lunch we have to fly back to  the City of Santa Cruz

Once we arrive in the city  a vehicle will  take you to your hotel

Thanks

End of our Remote Travel Adventure tour.

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 entirety by climate factors and/or the conditions of the ways and rivers or water streams.

Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expand kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually that not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle on the Plateau.

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”

7 Days 6 Nights

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

From Santa Cruz City

By Air Transport

1st Day

At 08:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel or residence in order to take you to a private airfield or to small airport where we will board a single-engine airplane, which will fly us to the Southern side of the Noel Kempff Mercado Park.

It is advisable to make use of the hygienic installations before boarding the airplane.

Excursion in to Noel Kempf Mercado National park – South Side – Laguna Chaplin Lake

At the beginning of the two-hour flight, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the city of Santa Cruz from the air, and after the first 40 minutes, we will be able to notice the devastation caused by the agriculture on the Northeastern areas, mostly for the plantations of soy and sunflower.

After the first hour of flight, we will be above the town of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania.

After other 30 minutes of flight, we will notice how the exuberant green mantle becomes denser.

We will be landing at “Refugio Huanchaca”   after approximately 2 hours of flight.

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

Once we arrive at Refugio H.  We plan to have lunch to continue this adventure on the ground to Chaplin Lake.

We need some time to get things ready to departure in a vehicle towards Los Fierros.  Which is an old abandoned cabins site. Los Fierros is located about 37 kilometers from Refugio and 33 kilometers to Laguna Chaplin.

After leaving Refugio Huanchaca, the first 5 kilometers  the road crosses a part of forest  And then for about 29 kilometers it goes on a land of pampas.

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

These pampas get overflowed on raining seasons. But during dry season are very dried and   easily may get on fire

The heat in this area is very high and the temperature may  gets to 43 centigrade grades

In dry season, during It is necessary to carry plenty of  water.  Because it may be hard to find it in long distances

After 29 kilometers the road leave las pampas behind  to enter  the jungle for about 3 kilometers   to  pass by Los Fierros. Be aware that sometimes we may have to walk without a path

In these last 3 kilometers to Los Fierros is possible to find many logs blocking the road or almost no road..   And also there is an old bridge in not good conditions. Also about the last 10 kms in las pampas may be cover with vegetation

Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

Due to these reasons  it may be a better idea to leave the vehicle 10 or more  kms away from Los Fierros.  

We are supposed   to arrive to Los Fierros at the end of the day or late at night

During the day at Los Fierros and in many places during this excursion  it is possible to find thousands of bees

Thousands of sting Bees - Adventure Ecotourism Bolivia

Also the small ants y some place  can be a big problem. We recommend you to take some diesel with you to keep the ants away.

Overnight in tents in Los Fierros

2nd Day

After breakfast we start the hiking in the jungle towards Laguna Chaplin Lake.

Chaplin lake is located about 33 kilometers from Los Fierros. 

The first day we plan to hike for about 15 kilometers to a water point.

Keep in mind that the sources of water in this area are only two.

Overnight in tents in somewhere in the jungle towards Chaplin.

3rd

After breakfast we have to continue on our way to Chaplin lake.

The remaining distance is about 18 kilometres.

Once we arrive to Chaplin we set up the tents in a good place

Overnight in Laguna Chaplin 

4th Day

On this day we have to enjoy all the possibilities of being in this paradise.

One of the main activities would  be to try to  see  the most of the wild life.

Overnight in Chaplin Lake in tents

5th Day

After breakfast we should start our way back to Los Fierros .

The hiking back is on the same trail

Overnight  somewhere in the jungle,

6th Day

After breakfast we keep hiking back

We are supposed to arrive to Los Fierros about noon.

From Los Fierros we should return to Refugio  Huanchaca

Overnight in the lodge

7th Day

After breakfast we  may have some boat rides on Paragua river

After  lunch we have to fly back to  the City of Santa Cruz.

Once we arrive in the city  a vehicle will  take you to your hotel

Thanks

End of our services Noel Kempf Tours

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 entirety by climate factors and/or the conditions of the ways and rivers or water streams.

Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expand kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually does not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle.

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 with sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others.  Take some rain closthes. 

Remember that nothing should be removed from the park (plants or seeds)

“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”