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Join La Paz on Foot and discover the spectacular and fascinating biodiversity of Bolivia and the Central Andes. Visit national parks, natural history museums, rural communities and incredible landscapes on our 18-day, cross-country expedition that takes you from the highlands of the Andes to the lowlands of the rainforest. You’ll see dozens of species of animals and hundreds of species of plants and learn about the conservation challenges and successes faced by locals and conservation practitioners working to protect the region’s flora and fauna.

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                          OVERVIEW click for printable version​

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Duration: 18 days (arrival in La Paz 1+ days prior to start date)
Maximum group size: 8
Ecosystems: La Paz Valley – Yungas Cloud Forest - Madidi Rainforest – Beni Pampas - Altiplano - Lake Titicaca
Themes: Andean biodiversity, flora and fauna, biodiversity conservation challenges and successes, biodiversity uses in the Andes
 

ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrivals, La Paz City 
Program: Arrivals La Paz, acclimatization, briefing with La Paz on Foot expert guides, optional biodiversity photography workshop (extra cost)

Lodging: Hotel Oberland
 

Day 1: La Paz Valley
Program: Round table discussion with local biodiversity experts, mobile tour of La Paz Valley with observation stops, including the Urban Central Park and Mecapaca Forest for bird observation.

Lodging: Hotel Oberland
 

Day 2: La Paz Valley - High Andes - Yungas Cloud Forest (Chulumani)
Program: Morning guided visit to Natural History Museum, afternoon travel from La Paz to Yungas Cloud Forest with stops, including 4500m pass prior to descending into cloud forest.

Lodging: Tarapari Biodiversity Garden and Hostal
 

Day 3: Yungas Cloud Forest (Chulumani)

Program: Day hike for biodiversity observation in Yungas Cloud Forest, free evening

Lodging: Tarapari Biodiversity Garden and Hostal
 

Day 4: Yungas Cloud Forest (Chulumani)
Program: Day trip to San Isidro Cloud Forest for biodiversity observation, evening presentation and group discussion, video night

Lodging: Tarapari Biodiversity Garden and Hostal

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Day 5: Yungas Cloud Forest - La Paz
Program: Free morning, travel Yungas - La Paz, round table discussion with local conservation eNGOs on threats to Andean biodiversity and projects in the region

Lodging: Hostal Naira
 

Day 6: Rurrenabaque - Madidi Rainforest
Program: Morning flight from La Paz to the town of Rurrenabaque, gateway to Madidi National Park and the Beni Pampas. Tour of town in the afternoon and evening discussion group with local eNGOs and eco-tourism companies

​Lodging: Hotel Oriental or equivalent​
 

Day 7: Madidi National Park
Program: Departure in river boat with outboard motor and roof. Installation in rainforest cabins and meeting with San Miguel del Bala community hosts and planning of activities for following 2 days in the protected area. After lunch a community tour visiting community forest, farm land, school and meeting center.

Lodging: San Miguel del Bala rainforest cabins 
 

Day 8: Madidi National Park

Program: Day-trip to rainforest hiking trails and Caquiahuira macaw and parrot nesting wall, optional river swimming. NIght time jungle walk after dinner.

Lodging: San Miguel del Bala rainforest cabins

 

Day 9: Madidi National Park
Program: Today's morning program is open and will be planned according to group member interests. Options include medicinal plant walk, fishing trip and handicraft-making workshop. Return to Rurrenabaque after lunch, free evening.

Lodging: Hotel Oriental or equivalent
 

Day 10: Beni Pampas
Program: Depart in 4WD jeeps for the Santa Rosa de Yacuma Municipal Protected Area in the heart of the Beni Pampas. After a 2 hour journey in the jeeps we arrive in Santa Rosa and depart for the Caracol lodge. After lunch we meet with our local guides and learn about the options: river trips to observe wildlife, swimming with river dolphins, night walks and sunrise/sunset birding trips.

Lodging: Caracol Lodge



Day 11: Beni Pampas
Program: Day-trip along Pampas rivers to observe wildlife.

Lodging: Caracol Lodge
 

Day 12: Beni Pampas
Program: Today's morning program is open and will be planned according to group member interests. Options include an expedition to look for caymans and anacondas or simply swinging in  hammock along the riverside listening to birds and relaxing. Return to Rurrenabaque after lunch, free evening.

Lodging: Hotel Oriental or equivalent
 

Day 13: Lake Titicaca
Program: Morning flight from Rurrenabaque to La Paz, travel to Copacabana, Lake Titicaca. After lunch you have free time to explore Copacabana and ascend the Calvario for fantastic views the lake and the Cordillera Real. After dinner presentation and discussion on Lake Titicaca ecology, biodiversity and conservation issues.

Lodging: La Cupula 



Day 14: Lake Titicaca
Program: Morning hike along the coastline of Lake Titicaca, biodiversity observation and landscape interpretation. Picnic lunch followed by boat trip to community of Santiago de Okola and the Sleeping Dragon protected area. Free afternoon in Santiago de Okola and family homestay meal.

Lodging: Santiago de Okola family homestays



Day 15: Lake Titicaca
Program: Morning hike to observe biodiversity and learn about medicinal plants used in the community. Traditional Titicaca lunch followed by return trip to La Paz with stops along the way for aquatic bird observation.

Lodging: Hostal Naira
 

Day 16: La Paz
Program: La Paz city tour with a focus on the uses of biodiversity of the Andes in the day to day life of Paceños. From light posts to love potions to delicious foods, you'll see all the ways that Andean biodiversity is used in La Paz. Free afternoon.

Lodging: Hostal Naira 
 

Day 17: La Paz
Program: Morning hike with a picnic to Hampaturi Valley for "valley head" ecosystem observation. Afternoon ​workshop with guides to discuss the expedition, share photos and get some help with species identification. ​

​Lodging: Hostal Naira



Day 18: Departures or add-ons*

 

*The types of biodiversity (plants, animals) can be adapted to the group’s interests or can focus on all types of biodiversity.
*Add-ons can include Uyuni Salt Flats, Santa Cruz City and Missions, Sucre/Potosi and others.