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FLOR DE ORO TOUR (ATFL
020)
Avalilable throughout the year
PROGRAM 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Day- 1: Santa Cruz - Flor de Oro
(Noel Kempff Mercado National Park). In the morning, you will be transferred
from your hotel to the Samaipata airport for your charter flight (2.5 hrs) to
Flor de Oro, the center of ecotourism in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.
Flor de Oro is located on the banks of the Itenez River in the extreme
north-central section of the park. You will fly over hundreds of miles
of pristine rainforest, as well as the magnificent Huanchaca Plateau
with its red cliffs and two very impressive waterfalls, Ahlfeld and Arco
Iris. This plateau, along with the surrounding rainforests make
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park what it is - a large, diverse, and
well-protected area encompassing more than 3.8 million acres of wilderness.
The afternoon will be spent exploring gallery forests found along the
Itenez River and the large expanse of savannah located close to Flor de Oro,
offering the opportunity to see toco toucan, white woodpecker, and a variety
of insects and mammal species, including South American coatimundis and
the beautiful silvery marmoset. An optional night hike will be offered.
Overnight - Flor de Oro
Day- 2: Flor de Oro and Las Torres:
Oxbow Lakes, Gallery Forests, and Periodically Inundated Savanna. Your
first full day in Noel Kempff will be spent exploring some of the oxbow
lakes, gallery forests, and periodically inundated savannas located near
Flor de Oro. During the morning you will walk through savanna 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.
During the trip you will have the opportunity to see the rufescent tiger-heron,
both scarlet and blue and yellow macaws, the white-faced whistling duck,
the sunbittern, and if you are lucky you may also spot a family of giant
otters. The giant otter is just one example of the many endangered mammal
species that thrive in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Following a
return to Flor de Oro you will be served lunch and have a siesta to relax.
The afternoon will be spent travelling to Las Torres, a park protection
station that gives access to a rocky outcrop, providing amazing views
of the Huanchaca Plateau and the humid tropical rainforests found in the
northern section of the park. Jaguars have been spotted more than five
times along the river to Las Torres so you will have to keep alert! Overnight
- Flor de Oro.
Day- 3: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.
Your third day in Noel Kempff will be dedicated to further exploring the
periodically inundated savannahs and tall humid tropical rainforest that lie
between Flor de Oro and the Campamento Lago Caiman which is located further
to the east. More than 300 bird species have been recorded within walking
distance of Flor de Oro, and your transfer by tractor to the trail leading
to Lago Caiman will provide you with numerous opportunities to see many
exciting bird species, such as the horned sungem, black and tawny seedeater,
red-necked aracari, and the snow-capped manakin. The opportunity to admire
all of these species, combined with the chance to see spider monkeys, tapir,
both white-lipped and collared peccaries, and jaguars will definitely make
this an unforgettable hike. There are two options for this day: (1) exploring
the trails during the early morning hours and then returning to Flor de Oro
in time for lunch or (2) hiking all the way to Lago Caiman. Following your
hike back down the plateau and through the tall humid tropical forest,
you will be taken back to Flor de Oro by tractor. The late afternoon may
be spent once again on the rivers looking for fresh water dolphins,
families of giant otters, or the endangered black caiman.
Day- 4: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park -
Santa Cruz. Your final morning in Noel Kempff will take you in search of some
of the species that may have eluded you during the previous three days. That
means you could be visiting any of the bays or trails located around Flor de
Oro before your flight back to Santa Cruz. Following a late breakfast, you will
depart for Santa Cruz city, with the rest of the day for relaxing or preparing
for departures later in the evening or the following day. Transfer to your hotel.
WATERFALLS TOUR (ATWA 021)
Only available from late November through
early May
PROGRAM 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Day- 1: Santa Cruz - Flor de Oro
(Noel Kempff Mercado National Park). In the morning, you will be transferred from
your hotel to the Samaipata airport for your charter flight (2.5 hrs) to Flor de Oro,
the center of ecotourism in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Flor de Oro is
located on the bank of Itenez River in the extreme north-central section of the
park. You will fly over hundreds of miles of pristine rainforest, as well as
the magnificent Huanchaca Plateau with its red cliffs and two very impressive
waterfalls, Ahlfeld and Arco Iris. This plateau, along with the surrounding
rainforests make Noel Kempff Mercado National Park what it is: a large,
diverse and well-protected area encompassing more than 3.8 million acres of
wilderness. The afternoon will be spent exploring gallery forests found along
the Itenez River and the large expanse of savannah located close to Flor de Oro,
offering the opportunity to see toco toucan, white woodpecker, and a variety of
insects and mammal species, including South American coatimundis and the beautiful
silvery marmoset. An optional night hike will be offered. Overnight - Flor de Oro
Day- 2: The Waterfalls of the Paucerna River.
Today will be dedicated entirely to getting to the Ahlfeld Waterfall, the first
of two magnificent waterfalls found along the Paucerna River. The trip by
motorized canoe will be long (sometimes up to 5 hours), but the time spent
on the river will increase your chances of getting excellent views of some
incredible wildlife. Along the way to the camp you can hope to see capybaras,
tapir, jaguar, and an unbelievable variety of birds, including blue and
yellow macaws, the rare zig-zag heron, and a variety of kingfishers. We
guarantee that the wildlife and wilderness scenery during this trip will
be spectacular. However, we want to make sure that all interested persons
understand that the accommodations are rustic and may include camping
(depending on the number of participants). Taking into consideration the
accessibility of the waterfalls and the logistics of getting food and
staff to them, we hope that all who contemplate this trip will do so
in a spirit of adventure and exploration. Following arrival to the
Ahlfeld Camp, you will spend the rest of the afternoon hiking along the
river to a breathtaking 35 meter high waterfall, Ahlfeld, where you will
be able to swim in the large pool of water that has formed around the
base of the waterfall. An optional night hike will be offered. Overnight:
Ahlfeld Camp.
Day- 3: Ahlfeld Camp and the Arco
Iris Waterfalls. You will leave early in the morning. Throughout the
4-hour hike to Arco Iris you will be provided with great opportunities
to see at least one of the eleven species of monkeys that inhabit the park.
Great views of the waterfalls.
Day- 4: Ahlfeld Camp - Flor de Oro;
the Bays of the Itenez River. This day of travel will signify the end of
the heart of your trip to Noel Kempff; however, the wildlife which may
present itself throughout the day will undoubtedly provide you with the
opportunity to view some of the additional exciting bird and mammal species
that make Noel Kempff their home. The early morning and afternoon will be
spent traveling back to Flor de Oro, and you should be on the look-out for
giant otters, black howler monkeys, and spectacled caiman - all of which
are often seen while traveling along the Paucerna River. Then, following
a late lunch and afternoon siesta you will depart on a voyage to some of
the bays located close to Flor de Oro in search of the freshwater dolphins
and caiman that inhabit the bays found close to Flor de Oro. An optional
night hike will be offered. Overnight: Flor de Oro
Day- 5: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park -
Santa Cruz. Your final morning in Noel Kempff will take you in search of some
of the species that may have eluded you during the previous four days. That
means you could be visiting any of the bays or trails located around Flor de Oro
before your flight back to Santa Cruz. Following a late breakfast, you will depart
for the city of Santa Cruz with the balance of the day for relaxing or preparing
for departures later in the evening or the following day. Transfer to your hotel.
FLOR DE ORO AND LOS FIERROS
(ATFF 022)
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR
PROGRAM 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Day- 1 :
Flight to Los Fierros, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. In the morning, you
will be transferred to Samaipata airport for your charter flight to Los Fierros,
which will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival at Los Fierros, you will spend the
afternoon exploring the forests and expansive grasslands found close to the lodge.
You will also have an opportunity to learn about the local cultures as you pass
through the interpretive natural history trail that the ecotourism program and
members of the local communities are currently developing. Plants have played an
integral role in the history of the region and this trail, which explains some
of the traditional uses, always proves to be one of the more interesting educational
aspects of trips to Los Fierros. .
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Day- 2 : Los Fierros: Periodically
Inundated Savannah, Terra Firme Forests. Your second day in Noel Kempff,
you will spend traveling through the periodically flooded savannahs on
your way to the pristine forests found near El Encanto Waterfall. This
waterfall is located 38 Km from Los Fierros, 32 of which you will be
traveling by truck through the savannah, and the remaining 6 Km you
will hike through the tall humid tropical rainforest that leads up
to the Caparú Plateau. The wildlife that presents itself throughout
the hike will be the main attraction; however, the goal will be El
Encanto, an 80 meter high waterfall that spills over the edge of the
Caparú Plateau into a very inviting pool of water that is formed at
its base. We guarantee that the cool refreshing swim will be a welcome
treat after the hot hike up to the waterfall.
Day- 3 : Los Fierros: Periodically
Inundated Savannah, Terra Firme Forests, and the Caparú Plateau. The
early morning will be spent traveling to the lush, hilly forests that
are found on the way to the Caparú Plateau. This trip will provide you
with some of the most incredible natural history and scenery that the
park has to offer. By traveling through the open savannahs in the morning,
you will have excellent opportunities to see groups of Macaws. As you enter
the forests found on the eastern side of the large expansive savannah you
will be presented with a plethora of opportunities to see some more of
the exciting bird and mammal species that make Noel Kempff their home.
The hike will take you through some excellent pristine forest and after
negotiating a gradual climb, you will reach the foot of the Caparú 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.
Day- 4 : Transfer from Los Fierros to
Flor de Oro. You will depart to Campamento Flor de Oro. You will fly over
the magnificent Caparú Plateau with red cliffs and two very impressive waterfalls,
Ahlfeld and Arco Iris. Arrival at Flor de Oro, presentation, welcome reception
and a walk around the facilities. At the Visitors Center you will observe an
extensive photo collection of the park. The morning will be spent on a hike on
the Northern trail, where you will receive an introduction to humid tropical
rainforests and savannahs close to Flor de Oro, which offer the opportunity
to see toucans, turtles, woodpeckers, squirrels and a wide variety of insects
and different bird species. The hike will last for approximately 2 ˝ hours.
Hike along the southern trial, on the Itenez River shore. You will hike through
the forest gallery, and end the journey with a trip by motorized canoe to the bays
(about 2 hours). You can expect to see a variety of birds, including blue and
yellow macaws, white-faced whistling ducks, and if you are lucky, you may also
spot a family of giant otters. The giant otters and the fresh water dolphins
are just some examples of the many endangered mammal species that thrive in
Noel Kempff Mercado Park.
Day- 5 : Flor de Oro and Las Torres:
Oxbow Lakes, Gallery Forests, and Periodically Inundated Savannah. You will
be spending the morning on a motorized canoe trip to Las Torres, a park
protection station. You will climb to a rocky outcrop that provides amazing
views of the Caparu Plateau and the humid tropical rainforests of the northern
areas of the park. Picnic at Las Torres. Return to Flor de Oro.
Day- 6 : Flor de Oro and Mirador de los Monos:
Periodically Inundated Savannah and Terra Firme Forests. Your third day in Noel Kempff
will be completely spent further exploring the savannahs and tall humid tropical
rainforests that lie between Flor de Oro and the Campamento Lago Caiman which is
located further to the east. More than 300 bird species have been recorded within
walking distance of Flor de Oro. You will transfer by tractor to the trail leading
to Lago Caiman where you will have the opportunity to see black spider monkey, tapir,
both white-lipped and collared peccaries, and jaguar. This will definitely be an
unforgettable hike. There are two options for this day (1) exploring the trails
during the early morning hours 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 Caparú Plateau. It is important to note that this is
a long hike (10 hours in total) and should only be attempted by the most fit of
travelers. An evening return in the dark is possible; however, for those who can
handle it, the trip is definitely worth the effort! During the hour hike up the
plateau, savannahs are found below and, if you are lucky, you will be able to
spot the black spider monkeys which were extensively studied during the mid 1990´s.
Back to Flor de Oro by tractor.
Day- 7 : Return flight from Noel Kempff Mercado
National Park to Santa Cruz. You will spend the morning on a hike at the "Isla de
las Orquideas" trail and Pauserna river. Following an early lunch you will depart
to the city of Santa Cruz
(ATFF 023)
Prices per person $US.
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS 2 PAX $US1170
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS 3 PAX $US1000
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS 4 PAX $US914
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS 5 PAX $US1009
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS 6-10 PAX $US945
prices include transfers in/out from hotel to
FAN's airport in Santa Cruz, 7days and 6 nights in Flor de Oro and Los Fierros
Ecolodges, meals, local guide, accommodations, boat transport.
prices do not include the entrance fee to
Noel Kemff National Park ($US 8.00 per person), alcoholic beverages, and laundry.
** additional cost is charged for the flight
Santa Cruz- Los Fierros-Flor de Oro- Santa Cruz:
1 airplane 1 to 5 pax $US 1,787
2 airplanes 6 to 10 pax $US 3,574
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