At the present time EcoQuest Travel does not have a trip to Bolivia scheduled, but it is a destination that we offer regularly. Below is an example of the type of trip we generally offer, however, please keep in mind that Bolivia is a large country with a great diversity of habitats and we offer many different itineraries to Bolivia – the trip below is just one example. If you are interested in Bolivia as a destination, or for a more detailed itinerary, please contact EcoQuest Travel by email at: info@ecoquesttravel.net.
BIRDS & WILDLIFE OF BOLIVIA
From the Tropical Lowlands to the High Andes
With Optional 4-Day Blue-throated Macaw Pre-trip Extension
With Optional 6-Day Post-trip Extension to Salar de Uyuni
Bolivia is a fantastically diverse country where vast stretches of Amazon rainforest and tropical grasslands lie in the shadow of the soaring Andes. Where endless salt flats cover high altitude plateaus and dense, dripping cloud forests blanket the slopes. This wide range of habitats has led to incredible biodiversity. Despite this, Bolivia has largely been overlooked by ecotourists who flock to neighboring Peru and Brazil. This is an advantage for us as Bolivia harkens back to an earlier time in South America – a less trammeled time when explorers first began to uncover secrets buried in the jungles and cultures lost to the mists of time. Our trip will allow us to explore an extensive portion of Bolivia and is broken up into three parts. The main trip will concentrate on birds and wildlife from the lowlands to the highlands. We will begin in the lowlands near Santa Cruz and work our way west climbing slowly in elevation to the cloud forests. This area is rich in birdlife including many endemic and specialty species such as Red-fronted Macaw, Black-and-Chestnut Eagle and Red-tailed Comet. We eventually will turn north to La Paz, Lake Titicaca and the wet forests of the Yungas. At nearly 12,000 feet, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and is the gateway to the sacred lake of the Incas – Lake Titicaca. This huge lake is home to endemic species like the Titicaca Grebe and Titicaca Frog as well as unique cultures. The main trip will concentrate on the birds of Bolivia, but we certainly will be looking for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates as well.
We will offer a 4-day pre-trip extension to the tropical grasslands of Beni. This area is rich in wildlife and although our main goal is to observe the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaws we will also take a river cruise to see Pink River Dolphins and other wildlife. The numbers of birds in this part of Bolivia is staggering, but this area is also prime for mammals and with luck we could see Giant Anteaters, Brocket Deer and perhaps if really lucky a Jaguar.
We will also offer a 6-day post-trip extension to the high Andean plateau in the Southwest of Bolivia. This area is dominated by the hauntingly stark Salar de Uyuni – the largest salt flats in the world. The miles of flat unbroken salt, with snow-capped peaks in the background, are incredibly picturesque and a landscape photographers dream. At night the thin air, elevation and endless horizon makes for some of the best stargazing on the planet. It is one of those places that make you feel so small and insignificant yet filled with wonder. The emptiness is part of the allure, but wildlife also exists in this most improbable of places. Briny lakes are filled with three species of flamingo; herds of Vicuna and flocks of Lesser Rheas stalk the vastness; and Mountain Viscachas bound among the rocks. The updrafts could yield Andean Condor. The Salar and surrounding areas are true wilderness and we will be privileged to search for wildlife in this place of exquisite beauty.
On behalf of EcoQuest Travel we proudly invite you to join us as we explore Bolivia from the lowlands to the highlands seeking out Bolivia’s bountiful birds, wondrous wildlife and wide-open spaces.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Home City to Miami and on to Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Day 2: Arrival in Santa Cruz and the Botanical Gardens
Day 3: To Refugio Los Volcanes
Day 4: Refugio Los Volcanes
Day 5: Refugio Los Volcanes to Comarapa
Day 6: Comarapa and on to the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve
Day 7: Red-fronted Macaw Reserve
Day 8: Red-fronted Macaw Reserve & Siberia Cloud Forest and on to Cochabamba
Day 9: Upper Chapare Road
Day 10: Lower Chapare Road
Day 11: Cochabamba Area
Day 12: Cerro Tunari and then Fly to La Paz
Day 13: La Paz to Coroico
Day 14: Coroico to La Paz
Day 15: Birding Lake Titicaca and Sorata
Day 16: Lake Titicaca Culture
Day 17: Flight from La Paz to Miami or to Sucre for the extension to Salar de Uyuni
Blue-throated Macaw/Beni Grasslands Pre-trip Extension
Day 1: Home City to Miami and on to Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Day 2: Arrival in Santa Cruz and the Botanical Gardens
Day 3: Fly to Trinidad and Mamore River Cruise for Pink Dolphins
Day 4: Blue-throated Macaw at Gran Mojas Reserve
Day 1: Birding Tour in Trinidad and Afternoon Flight back to Santa Cruz
Salar de Uyuni Post-trip Extension
Day 17: Arrival in Sucre from La Paz & City Tour
Day 1: Travel from Sucre to Uyuni
Day 2: Uyuni to San Cristobal – Villamar
Day 3: Eduardo Avaroa National Park
Day 4: Siloli Desert – Laguna Hedionda, Ramaditas & the Salar
Day 5: Flight from Uyuni to Santa Cruz
Day 6: Flight from Santa Cruz to Miami