Noel
Kempff Mercado National Park
Flor de Oro and Los Fierros
7 Days / 6 Nights
Noel Kempff Mercado
National Park
It is a spectacular biological reserve of 1.5 million hectares located
in the northeastern corner of Bolivia, with more than, in the Department
of Santa Cruz. Due to its unique bio-geographical location and the rich
and extraordinary diversity of species and habitats found in the park,
Noel Kempff attained status as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
With an evolutionary history dating back a billion years to the pre-Cambrian
period, Noel Kempff Park provides ideal conditions for the study of
evolutionary processes. Its Cerrado habitats have been isolated for
millions of years, enabling a rich investigation of the evolution of
this ecosystem.
Nowhere else in South America can you see such a wide variety of habitat
with so little effort - humid tropical rainforests, seasonally flooded
savannah, Brazilian Cerrado, gallery forests, thorn scrub, dry forests,
and large expanses of wetlands similar to the Pantanal areas found in
Brazil. The landscapes within the park are spectacular - numerous beautiful
waterfalls cascade from the Huanchaca Plateau to the humid rainforests
below.
Noel Kempff is believed to contain some of the highest levels of biological
diversity in the world. For example, the park currently has a bird list
of over 630 species, and about 130 mammals have been identified, including
abundant populations of the giant otter, river dolphins, jaguars, giant
anteater, and the very rare and endangered manned wolf.
Flor de Oro
The "Flor de Oro" lodge is the canter of ecotourism in
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. It is easily accessed, and offers
comfortable accommodations. There are large expanses of cerrado vegetation,
periodically inundated savannas, riverine forests, terra firme and igapo
rainforests, oxbow lakes, semi-deciduous woodlands, and the majestic
Arco Iris and Ahlfeld waterfalls of the Paucerna River.
Los Fierros
"Los Fierros" is the name given to the gateway for the large
expanses of cerrado, periodically inundated savannas, terra firme and
periodically flooded rainforests, semi-deciduous woodland, the savannas
and gallery forests found on top of the Huanchaca Plateau, and the spectacular
waterfall, El Encanto. Here you have another lodge, which gives access
to the southern parts of the park.
Day 1 - Santa Cruz / Los Fierros
In the morning you will be transferred from your hotel to "Km.
7" Airstrip, on the road to Samaipata. The flight will take you
to the southern part of the national park until Los Fierros Lodge. Upon
arrival to Los Fierros, you will spend the afternoon exploring the forests
and expansive grasslands found close to the lodge. These forests have
an Amazonian affinity and with regards to birds, are incredibly diverse
- more than 350 bird species have been recorded within walking distance
of Los Fierros alone! Plants have played an integral role in the history.
Walks in always prove to be one of the more interesting educational
aspects of trips to Los Fierros. Optional night hike will be offered.
Night at Los Fierros. (L,D)
Day 2 - Los Fierros: Periodically Inundated Savannah, Terra Firme
Forests, and the Caparush Plateau
The early morning will be spent traveling to the Caparush, hilly forests
that are found on the way to the Caparush Plateau. The hike will take
you through some excellent pristine forest and after negotiating a gradual
climb, you will reach the foot of the Caparush Plateau. Visitors in
excellent physical condition will have the option to continue the hike
in search of the ultimate view of the surrounding forests, while those
that stay back will relax while enjoying an incredible view and the
sounds of a small waterfall close by. The return trip to Los Fierros
will be equally exciting as the area supports an abundance of large
mammals. You will have a very good chance of seeing a large cat (Jaguar
and Puma are surprisingly numerous in the area!), Tapir, or Crab-eating
Fox. This day promises to be one to remember! Night at Los Fierros.
(B,L,D).
Note: During the wet season, due to rains, DAY 2 will be an extra day
in Flor de Oro Lodge.
Day 3 - Los Fierros: El Encanto Waterfall and the Savanna
After breakfast you will travel crossing the savannahs near Los Fierros
on your way to visit the El Encanto Waterfall. You will have the chance
to see some species that you may not have seen during the previous day
and will travel the best rainforests found in the Noel Kempff Mercado
National Park. Large and playful spider monkeys travelling in the high
canopies and also herds of white-lipped and collared peccaries might
be seen. This trip to El Encanto is very good for landscape photography
and birding. Big raptors such as the Harpy Eagle are commonly sighted.
After the drive through the savannahs and the tall forests, a nice walk
under the forest will gradually take you to the El Encanto Waterfall;
an 80-meter waterfall that spills over the side of the Caparush Plateau
into an inviting pool of water that has formed at its base. The late
afternoon will be spent returning to Los Fierrros with a planned evening
arrival, giving you another opportunity to see a large cat, Tapir or
the very rare Maned Wolf - an example of the many rare and endangered
mammal species that thrive in the national park. Night at Los Fierros.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 - Transfer from Los Fierros to Flor de Oro
Your final morning in Los Fierros will take you in search of the species
that may have eluded you during the previous three days. Flight to Flor
de Oro Lodge. This center of ecotourism in Noel Kempff Mercado National
Park is located right on the banks of the Iténez River in the
extreme north section of the park. Therefore, you will fly over hundreds
of kilometers of pristine rainforest, as well as the magnificent Caparush
Plateau with its steep cliffs and two very impressive waterfalls Ahlfeld
and Arco Iris. An optional night hike will be offered. Night at Flor
de Oro. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Flor
de Oro and Las Torres
Oxbow Lakes, Gallery Forests, and Periodically Inundated Savannah. Your
first full day in Noel Kempff Mercado will be spent exploring some of
the oxbow lakes, gallery forests, and periodically inundated savannahs
located near Flor de Oro. During the morning hrs you will walk through
savannah and some pristine riverine forests en route to one of the bays
located close to Flor de Oro where motorized boats will be waiting to
take you on an expedition of the black waters of the local system of
lakes and rivers; if lucky you may spot a family of Giant Otters. The
afternoon will be spent traveling to the Iténez River to Las
Torres, providing amazing views of the Caparush Plateau. Night at Flor
de Oro. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Flor de Oro and Mirador de los Monos
This day at Noel Kempff Mercado will be completely spent further exploring
the periodically inundated savannahs and tall humid tropical rainforests
that lie between Flor de Oro and the Campamento Lago Caiman. More than
300 bird species have been recorded within walking distance of Flor
de Oro. There are two options for this day: (1) exploring the trails
during the early morning hrs and then returning to Flor de Oro in time
for lunch; or (2) hiking all the way to Lago Caiman (an old scientific
research station), which provides access to the Caparush Plateau. It
is important to note that this is a long hike (10 hrs in total). The
late afternoon may be spent once again on the rivers looking for fresh
water dolphins, families of Giant Otters, or endangered Black Caiman.
Night at Flor de Oro. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Noel Kempff Mercado National Park / Santa Cruz
Your final morning in Noel Kempff will take you in search of the species
that may have eluded you during the previous three days spent at Flor
de Oro. That means that you could be visiting any of the trails located
around Los Flor de Oro in search of monkeys, before your flight back
to Santa Cruz. Following an early lunch, you will depart for the city
of Santa Cruz with the balance of the day for relaxing or preparing
for departures later this evening or the following day. Transfer to
your hotel in Santa Cruz. (B)
***
End Of Our Services ***
2010
Prices per person: |
1
pax
|
2
pax
|
3
pax
|
4-10
pax
|
$1987
|
$1394
|
$1200
|
$1114
|
Charter
flight Santa Cruz-Flor de Oro-Santa Cruz:
1 airplane 1 to 5 pax $1934
2 airplanes 1 to 10 pax $3734 |
Tour
includes: transfers in/out from hotel to FAN's airport in Santa
Cruz, 7d/6n in Flor de Oro Ecolodge and Los Fierros, meals, local
guide, accommodation and boat transport.
Not included: entrance fee to Noel Kempff National Park ($Us
20.00 per person), airport taxes, alcoholic beverages, sodas, insurance,
laundry and personal expenses.
What to take:
Luggage:
1 backpack or dufflebag, small day pack
Clothes:
- 2 pairs of long pants (loose, fast-drying, cotton is ideal)
- 1 light, long-sleeved cotton shirt
- 4 short-sleeve cotton shirts
- 1 pair of walking/swimming shorts
- 4 sets of underwear (cotton is best; avoid heavy synthetics)
- 6 pairs of socks (avoid heavy synthetics)
- 1 pair of sneakers or thongs for use around the lodge
- 1 waterproof folding sun hat with brim (very important for travel
along the river and on top of the plateau)
- 1 rain poncho (if desired)
- 1 bandanna or handkerchief
Other items:
- 1 pair of binoculars (these will prove to be one of your most
important pieces of equipment)
- 1 camera, flash and film (400 speed is recommended for use under
the canopy, 100 in the savanna or on top of the plateau)
- 1 flashlight for night hikes and canoe rides (plus several sets
of batteries)
- 1 pocket knife
- 1 cigarette lighter (even if you don’t smoke it will come in handy
- candles, etc.)
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- a photocopy of your passport
- 1 bottle of insect repellent (those with 90-100% DEET will be
the most effective)
- 1 bottle of Sun block (the sun near the equator is VERY strong
- 1 water bottle (it is important to drink plenty of fluids)
- 6 large plastic bags (to protect equipment)
- 1 garbage bag (to transport wet clothes)
- Bottle of aspirin and any other medications and vitamins you normally
use |
All our tour packages
include: Please
click here
CODE:
AMETOU
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