bolivia: andes to the amazon

8/9/2019 Bolivia: Andes to the Amazon

1/10

ANDES TO THE AMAZON

BOLIVIA


2/10

Im thrilled to invite you to join me or our return to Boliviaa wonderland o astonish-ing diversity that stretches rom the high Andean Altiplano to the lush and wildlie-richlowlands o the Amazon. Our expedition highlights some o the oldest cultures in the New

World, the most dramatic landscapes in South America, the largest lake on the continent,and perhaps the greatest variety o ora and auna on the planet.

We begin our adventure in La Paz, which, at over 11,000 eet, is the highest capital cityin the world. Te stupendous, snow-capped volcanic peak o Mt. Illimani reigns over thecity rom 21,200 eet. A jumble o architecture, including many ne colonial buildings,lines the warren o narrow streets that spill into sun-splashed plazas. In colorul and highlyphotogenic markets, including the abled Witch Doctors Market, local indigenous womensell produce and potions, attired in voluminous skirts and black bowler hats.

By private train car we ride to the ancient Uyuni Salt Flat which stretches betweenhorizons in a glittering sea o crystals, creating one o the most spectacular landscapesin the Americas. Our unique hotel here is built almost entirely o salt; at sunset, thesurrounding white landscape takes on every imaginable sky-lit hue.

wo phenomenal World Heritage Sites await our exploration as we travel northeast, rst

toward the pink conical Cerro Rico Mountain and Potosi, whose silver mines made it thelargest and richest city in the New World in the 17th century. At Sucre, the white city,

we stroll historic streets that wind among the brilliantly whitewashed buildings o Boliviascolonial gem.

Te natural centerpiece o our itineraryand among my personal avorite places on theplanetis the remote, biodiverse wilderness o Madidi National Park, a 4.7 million acretract o rainorest, glacier-clad mountains, and cloud orest. Eight hundred species obirdsalmost 10 percent o the worlds totalmake their home here, along with the

amazing spectacled bear, Brazilian tapir, white-lipped peccary, giant otter, and elusivejaguar. By longboat, canoe, and on hikes we discover the wonders o this special placewhich, thanks to a multi-national efort, is a recent addition to the national park system.Te innovative and comortable Chalalan Ecolodgeis our home base during our stay atMadidi, a truly revolutionary accommodation situated organically within the orest.

Te nale o our journey transitions us rom the natural world to the cosmic center o theIncan worldLake iticaca. Here, reed boats sail across the ethereal reecting waters andalpacas wander along ancient terraces that pre-date the rise o the Incan empire. During ourvisit we stay on board a luxurious catamaran and visit the Isla del Sol, the island where theIncan sun god emerged rom the icy deep to create the universe.

I look orward to sharing this South American gem with you. Its ancient cultures and thevast diversity o its little-known natural wonders truly make Bolivia one o the specialplaces in our world.

Warmest regards,

Jonathan Rossouw

DEAR ADVENTURER

UyUni Salt Flat


3/10

DAY 1USA / LA PAZ, BOLIVIADepart the USA on your independent ight toBolivia. Arrive in La Paz in the early eveningand transer to the Hotel Europa or overnight.

DAY 2LA PAZAter breakast the morning is at leisure toinvestigate the vibrant streets and markets othe highest capital city in the world. In theaternoon we travel through the suburbs oLa Paz and out o town to tour the Valley othe Moon, aptly named or the eroded rockyormations reminiscent o a lunar landscape.We explore the site on oot then visit a ceramicsworkshop where we learn about local pottery.Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Europa.

DAY 3

LA PAZ / TIWANAKU

Ater breakast we depart or an exploration oiwanaku, the ancient capital o a civilizationthat rose around 700 B.C. Radiocarbon testshave dated the pre-Incan ruins to 1580 B.C. At

the site, we visit the Kalasasaya Sun emple,the semi-subterranean Earth emple, AkapanaPyramid, and the legendary Sun Gate. Wealso tour an impressive museum lled withancient objects and toolstestimony to justhow advanced this early civilization really was.

We return to La Paz or lunch and then set outor an aternoon tour o the city, visiting theamous Witch Doctors Market, a lively, color-ul corner o the sprawling main market whereboxes and baskets display charms, herbs, andolk remedies or every possible ailment, andeven airy tale-like ingredients or spells. Wecontinue to Plaza Murillo, the traditionalcenter o the city, bordered by the Cathedral,Presidential Palace, and National Congressbuildings. From there we explore the amousCalle Jan, home to the nest examples o

colonial architecture in La Paz. Overnight atour hotel.

DAY 4

LA PAZ / ORURO / UYUNI /COLCHANIIn the morning we depart by motorcoachto Oruro, the largest settlement on Bolivias

altiplano and considered the olklore capitalo the country due to its vibrant Carnivalcelebration. We have lunch in town beoreboarding a private train car or our journeysouth through golden puna grasslands toUyuni. A special dinner is served on boardwhile we enjoy the passing view. Upon arrivalin Uyuni we continue on to Colchani and ourhotel built almost entirely o salt. Overnight atLuna Salada Hotel.

DAY 5

COLCHANI / UYUNI SALT FLATAter breakast we set out to explore theUyuni Salt Flat, or Salar, the largest salt panin the world. Tis is a landscape o snow-whitecrystals, which take various orms and glitterin the clear high-altitude sunshine. Te scen-ery, consisting o bright white salt, deep blue

sky, and hot pink amingoes is truly stun-ning. We visit Incahuasi Island, one o manymountain islands that rise above the levelo the salt pan. Incahuasi is a unique ecosys-tem which includes a stranded colony o thechinchilla-related viscacha and, most impres-sively, ancient columnar cacti, some more thanthirty eet tall.

Ater a ull day viewing the spectacular Salar,we return to our hotel. Te sunset is sure tobe phenomenal as salt crystals reect the pinkand orange o the parting daylight. Dinner

and overnight at Luna Salada Hotel.

DAY 6COLCHANI / POTOSILeaving the salt ats, we depart by motorcoach or Potosia ull days transect o thedry valleys o the East Andes. On our waywe stop at the colonial mining settlemento Pullacayo, its abandoned buildings andrusting steam engines bearing witness to its

historic past. Llamas graze on high altitudebogs dotted with Andean geese, puna teals,

BOLIVIAANDES TO THE AMAZON

16 TOUR DAYS

UyUni Salt Flat

lake titiCaCa


4/10

and ground tyrants. We arrive at Potosi in thelate aternoon; dinner and overnight at Coloso

Potosi Hotel.

DAY 7

POTOSI

Potosi has a rich and complex colonial historyand was once one o the richest cities in theworld. It now boasts many beautiully restoredbuildings, including several ornate religiousbuildings, and colorul winding streets ull o

charming vendors.We have breakast at our hotel beore we set outor a tour o Potosis colonial mines. Silver putPotosi on the map in the mid-16th century andit quickly became the Americas largest city andthe worlds largest source o the precious metal.Te mines o Cerro Rico unortunately oundtheir inamy in their inhumane mining prac-tices and have been operating, in various degrees

o success, or over our hundred years. We tourthe mines, which are both ascinating and so-bering, and have the opportunity to witness thecurrent state o mining in South America.

Ater lunch we explore the most important andinteresting landmarks o Potosi, collectivelydeclared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wevisit the 18th-century San Lorenzo Church with

its beautiul mestizo-baroque aade and thehuge Casa de la Moneda where all silver romCerro Rico was minted into ingots. We alsoexplore the artisans market in the colonial areao the city. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 8

POTOSI / SUCREAter breakast at our hotel, we travel northeastto Sucre. Te World Heritage city o Sucre, thebirthplace o Bolivian Independence, is knownas the White City, and, since the 17th century,all o its central buildings are whitewashedannually. On our city tour we visit the House

o Freedom Historical Museum, where Boliviasdeclaration o independence was signed in 1825

(the document is on display); the Convent oLa Recoleta, which is known or its beautiulgardens and cloisters; and the church o SanLazaro, Sucres rst cathedral. Dinner andovernight at Hotel Parador Santa Maria La Real.

DAY 9

SUCRE / TARABUCOAter breakast we depart or arabuco, wellknown or its handsome hand-made textilesand the unique arabuqueo style o dress.Men wear short pants, sandals, richly wovenponchos, and decorative monteras(leatherhelmets), and the women wear elaborate over-skirts called axsu. All o these cultural curiositiesare magnicently displayed every Sunday at thelocal market. Locals and tourists alike ock hereto sell and purchase goods produced in the townand surrounding communities. We have lunchat the market and return to Sucre or dinnerand overnight.

PERU

PARAGUAY

BRAZIL

PACIFIC

OCEAN

La Paz

Sucre

Lake Titicaca

Oruro

Uyuni

Potosi

Tarabuco

Tiwanaku

BOLIVIA

CHILE

Rurrenabaque

UyuniSalt Flat

Island of the Sun

Copacabana

Railroad

Driving

Flying

Colchani

Madidi National Park

Coquesa

Isla delPescadores

CopaCabana SanCtUary


5/10

DAY 10

SUCRE / LA PAZ /RURRENABAQUETis morning, ater breakast,we transer to the airport or our

ight back to La Paz. Upon ar-rival, lunch is at a local restaurant.Aterwards we board our ightor Rurrenabaque, gateway to theBolivian Amazon. Overnight atJatuba Lodge.

DAY 11

RURRENABAQUE /

MADIDI NATIONAL PARKIn the morning we head up theBeni River in local longboats.Te Beni leads us through thespectacular Bala Gorge and into the wildand scenic uichi River system, which takesus into Madidi National Park. A one-milewalk brings us to the Chalalan Ecolodge,an innovative lodge, built utilizing orest

materials and local construction methods.

Ater lunch and check-in, we enjoy thesurrounding environs looking or wildlieresidents around the lodge, includingtapirs, howler monkeys, and peccaries.In the evening we have the opportunityto take a sunset canoe ride around nearbyChalalan Lake, home to caimans, turtles,

and macaws. Dinner and overnight atChalalan Ecolodge.

DAY 12MADIDI NATIONAL PARKMadidi National Park is one o the mostbiodiverse areas on Earth. About 800species o birds have been identied here,and nearly hal o all New World mammal

species live in the park.

We take an early morning trek through therain orest on our way to the Rayamayo andEslabon Rivers. I we are alert we may ob-serve macaws, guans, and brown capuchin,yellow squirrel, and black spider monkeys.We eat lunch in the eld and return to thelodge in early aternoon, stopping of at a

viewpoint with spectacular views o Chala-lan Lake and the surrounding mountains.Dinner and overnight at our lodge.

DAY 13

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK /RURRENABAQUE / LA PAZAter breakast we walk to the shores o theuichi River to board our return boat to

Rurrenabaque, where, ater lunch in a localrestaurant, we transer to the airport orour ight to La Paz. In the aternoon weexplore Palca Canyon, to the east o thecity, with stunning views o the snow-capped 21,200 oot Mt. Illimani. Dinnerand overnight at Hotel Europa.

DAY 14

LA PAZ / LAKE TITICACAWe depart early or Lake iticaca, wherewe board a catamaran and enjoy breakastwhile we sail to the Island o the Sun,the center o the Incan creation myth.

On the island we walk up a steep set oIncan steps to the Inca Fountain, which isthree natural springs said to have healingpowers. We continue on to the Inti WataCultural Complex, where we learn abouttraditional medicine and visit the itikakaReed Shipbuilders display center. We havea special opportunity to sail aboard one othe traditional itikaka vessels or a scenicride to the Pilkakaina Inca Palace ruins.

We reboard our catamaran and enjoy lunchwhile we cruise to the Sun Islands isolatedChallapampa Village, one o the most un-spoiled villages in the Lake iticaca region.We witness olkloric demonstrations; visitmuseums, houses, a chapel, and school; sailin a local vessel to an Incan holy temple;

and receive a traditional welcome git.Dinner tonight is by candlelight on boardour vessel.

DAY 15

LAKE TITICACA / LA PAZEnjoy breakast and panoramic views othe lake, beore disembarking and transer-ring to the Copacabana Sanctuary, where

huge numbers o pilgrims ocked in theearly 17th century to see a black woodenstatue o the Virgin Mary that broughtmiracles to the community. Te DarkVirgin o the Lake, as she is known, isthe patron saint o Bolivia, and her statueis on display. Aterwards depart or LaPaz, where we have a late lunch beore anaternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight

at Hotel Europa.

DAY 16LA PAZ / USAAter an early breakast transer to theairport or your independent ightshomeward.

SpeCtaCled Caiman


6/10

o put Bolivias Madidi National Parks wildlie numbers in perspective, the whole o

North America holds about 700 bird species. Madidi is one-tenth o one percent the

size and contains over 800 conrmed species, although it is believed there are actu-ally more than 1,000. Tis number includes such charismatic species as green-winged

macaw, cock o the rock, and harpy eagle, as well as various endangered endemics.

Te most remarkable o Madidis mammalian inhabitants include spectacled bear,

Andean deer, white-lipped peccary, giant otter, and o course, jaguar. Madidi s status

as a national park helps protect its orests and wildlie rom logging and poaching.

Species such as the giant river otter, which was hunted almost to extinction, are already

nding their way back to their newly-protected homes. A variety o primates are well-

represented in the park, too, including red howler monkey, white-ronted capuchin,

squirrel monkey, and a very newly discovered species o titi monkey.

Te 4.7 million acre section o rain orest, glacier-capped mountains, pampas, cloud

forest,anddryforestbecameanationalparkin1995animportantdedicationfora

swath o land well-represented by several entirely distinct ecosystems. Te variety o

habitats in Madidi signies its importance as one o the most biodiverse areas in South

America, and possibly even the planet.

Te areas encompassed by the park are clearly the most valuable natural regions in

Bolivia, and a number o national and international organizations came together to

survey the land and its wildlie in order to ensure a quick and efective conservation

plan. Tere are several groups o human inhabitants who have long subsisted in the or-

ests within the park. Outside visitors and tourism are new to Madidi, and well-planned

eco-lodges, like Chalalan, are giving visitors a chance to experience one o the globes

most special places as well as ensuring that the indigenous tenants, who own and man-

age many o the lodges, eel connected to and in control o Madidis uture.

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK

Hoatzin

Giant river otter CoCk oF tHe roCkbUtterFly


7/10

MEET OUR LEADER

JONATHAN ROSSOUW Zegrahm & EcoExpeditions Director Jonathan Rossouw is a medical

doctor by proession. However, his lielong passion orwildlie led him to trade in his stethoscope or binoculars

and take up a ull-time career in the expedition travel

industry.Since1997hehasguidedwildlifeexpeditions

throughout the globe, and has logged over 7,200 bird and

700 mammal species sightings in the process. Jonathan

has co-authored birding site guides to Southern Arica

and Madagascar, and his guidebook, Where to Watch

Birds in Uganda, is widely acclaimed as one o the nest site guides ever published. Jona-

than is equally enthusiastic about mammals and coral ree shes as he is with his special-ties, birds and reptiles; indeed, he has an inectious curiosity and passion or all aspects

o natural history. Tis serves him in good stead as he leads travelers on expeditions to all

seven continents and scouts new destinations or Eco-Expeditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We will be visiting tropical rain orest areas, where rain is a possibility any time o the year,and high-altitude dry areas with cool temperatures at night, so you should be prepared or

all types o weather. emperatures can range rom the mid-30s to the mid-80sF depend-

ing on the altitude and location. Te areas on the rst hal o the itinerary, especially La Paz

and Potosi, are set at a high elevation, and altitude sickness may occur with some individu-

als. Te drug Diamox (Acetazolamide) has been ound to help alleviate symptoms consider-

ably, and participants should consult with their physicians on the use o this medication.

For most activities a moderate level o exertion is required. Some motorcoach rides may be

over roads that are unpaved and bumpy. We will also have a ull-day train ride through thecountryside. You must be able to walk moderate distances over sometimes rough terrain.

Comortable and waterproo hiking shoes and raincoat are a must.

We will mail a complete list o recommended clothing and a suggested reading list to you

approximately ve months prior to departure. Participants will most enjoy the remarkable

opportunities this expedition ofers i they travel with a spirit o adventure.

Giving You the World

UyUni Salt Flat

192 Nickerson Street #200 Seattle, WA 98109 USATel:206-285-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-628-8747Fax:206-285-5037 E-mail:[email protected] site:www.zeco.com

Allphotos:

JonathanRossouw

excep

twherenoted;squirrelmonkeyoncover

Sh

irleyMetz


8/10

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. RESERVATIONS: 25% o the expeditionare, along with a completed and signed Reservation

Form, will reserve a place or you on this ZegrahmHoldings LLC, d/b/a Eco-Expeditions (ECO),program. Te balance o the expedition are is due120 days prior to departure. Air are is also due atthis time. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars andmust be paid in U.S. dollars. Credit cards acceptedor deposit only.

2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND

POLICY: Notication o cancellation o thisprogram and any independent travel arrangementsmust be received in writing by ECO. At the time

we receive your written cancellation, the ollowingpenalties will apply:

120ormoredayspriortodeparture:$500 per person

60through119dayspriortodeparture:50% o expedition are

59dayspriortodeparturethroughdayofdeparture: 100% o expedition are

Some air are may be nonreundable. Once anexpedition has departed, there will be no reunds

rom ECO or any unused portions o the trip.Te above policy also applies to all extensions andindependent travel arrangements made in conjunc-tion with this program.

3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND

INTERRUPTION INSURANCE: We stronglyadvise that all travelers purchase trip cancellationand interruption insurance as protection againstan emergency that may orce you to cancel orleave rom an expedition while it is in progress. A

brochure describing coverage will be sent to youupon receipt o your reservation.

4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on allECO programs are based on double occupancy.I you are traveling alone and wish to shareaccommodations, a roommate will be assigned toyou whenever possible. When pairing roommates,

we will always pair participants o the same sex.All shared accommodations are nonsmoking.Upon booking you will be required to pay a SingleSupplement, i we are able to pair you with a room-mate the supplement will be reunded. Please notethat single accommodations are limited and cannotbe guaranteed throughout.

5. MEDICAL INFORMATION: Participation onan ECO program requires that you be in generallygood health. It is essential that persons with anymedical problems and related dietary restrictionsmake them known to us well beore departure. Wecan counsel you on whether the expedition youhave selected is appropriate or you.

Te tour leader has the right to disqualiy anyparticipant at any time during the tour i he/she eels the participant is physically incapableand/or i a participants continued participation

will jeopardize either the individual involved orthe group. Tere will be no reund given underthese circumstances.

6. LUggAgE RESTRICTIONS: Luggagesize and weight limitations or both checkedand carry-on luggage, imposed by the airlines

or as an operational requirement due to type oaircrat, will apply or ights to/rom/within thisprogram. Specications will be provided withpre-departure materials.

7. FUEL COST INCREASES AND

CURRENCY FLUCTUATION: In order to keeprates as low as possible, we do not build into the trip

are an allowance to cover possible increases romuel costs or currency uctuations. Tereore, as

uel-cost increases may occur and currencies dofuctuate around the world, it may be necessaryor us to initiate a rate surcharge at any timebeore departure i there are exceptional costincreases beyond our control.

8. ITINERARY CHANgES & TRIP DELAY:Itineraries are based on inormation available atthe time o printing and are subject to change.ECO reserves the right to change a programsdates, staf, itineraries, or accommodations as

conditions warrant. I a trip must be delayed,or the itinerary changed due to bad weather,road conditions, transportation delays, airlineschedules, government intervention, sickness,or any other contingency or which ECO or itsagents cannot make provision, the cost o delays orchanges is not included.

9. ITINERARY CANCELLATION:ECOreserves the right to cancel an itinerary beoredeparture or any reason whatsoever, includingtoo ew par ticipants or logistical problemssuch as strikes, wars, acts o God, or any othercircumstances that may make operation o thetrip inadvisable. All trip payments received will bepromptly reunded, and this reund will be the limito ECOs liability. ECO is not responsible or anyexpenses incurred by trip members in preparingor the trip, including nonreundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa orpassport ees, or other trip-related expenses.

10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves theright to decline to accept any individual as anexpedition member or any reason whatsoever.

11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Tissection denes ECOs responsibility with respect toall o our trips, including extensions and indepen-dent arrangements. Please read it careully.

ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees givenotice that they act only as the agent or theowners, contractors, and suppliers providing means

o transportation and/or all other related travelservices and assume no responsibility howsoevercaused or injury, loss, or damage to person orproperty in connection with any service resultingdirectly rom: acts o God, detention, annoy-ance, delays, expenses arising rom quarantine,strikes, thets, pilerage, orce majeure, ailure oany means o conveyance to arrive or depart asscheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, govern-ment restrictions or regulations, and discrepanciesor changes in transit or hotel services over which it

has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerarymay be made where deemed advisable or thecomort and well-being o the passengers.

As described in item 7 above, all prices are subjectto change.

Asdescribedinitem9above,intheeventthatan expedition must be cancelled, ECO is notresponsible or any personal expenses incurred bytrip members in preparing or the program.

On advancement o deposit to ECO, the depositoracknowledges that he/she has read and understandsthe aboverecited termsand conditions,and agrees to bebound by them.


9/10

MAY 8 23, 2010NAME #1(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

NAME #2(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY

PHONE(home) (ofce)

FAX E-MAIL

ACCOMMODATIONS: o Twin o Share(roommate to be assigned) oSingle

I AM/WE ARE: o Nonsmokers o Smokers

DEPOSIT INFORMATION:

o Enclosed is a deposit check or $ (25% per person o the program are)

o Charge the 25% per person deposit to o VISA o MasterCard oAmerican Express

Card Number Expires

Authorized Cardholder Signature Date

(Note: Credit cards accepted or deposits only)

I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and

agree to abide by them.

SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE DATE

Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your deposit to:

EBOL1001

BOLIVIA

Giving You the World

Jonathan Rossouw

192 Nickerson Street #200 Seattle, WA 98109 USATel:206-285-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-628-8747Fax:206-285-5037 E-mail:[email protected] site:www.zeco.com

madidi


10/10

DATES

RATES

BOLIVIA

DATES & RATESMAY 8 23, 2010 LEADER: JONATHAN ROSSOUW

$8,480 per person, double occupancy $980 single supplement*

Limited to 19 expedition members.

INCLUDED:All accommodations and group meals; group transers; guided excursions

as stated in the itinerary; entrance ees or parks, reserves, etc.; all gratuities; domestic air

transportation within Bolivia.

NOT INCLUDED:Air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges;airport arrival and departure taxes; transers or independent arrivals and departures;

passport and/or visa ees; travel insurance; items o a personal nature such as laundry,

bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/ax/telephone charges.

AIR FARE:A tentative ight schedule is available upon request. Eco-Expeditions will

contact you approximately 180 days prior to the departure o this program to fnalize

your ight plans. As o February 2009, the approximate economy air are as listed in

the itinerary is $650 or Miami/La Paz/Miami. Additional ares rom other cities will

be quoted as needed. Please note that rates and itineraries are subject to change.

All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Rates

and itineraries are subject to change.

* A limited number o single accommodations are available.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

COUNTRY

SEND MY FRIEND THE FOLLOWING BROCHURES:

REFER A FRIEND

You qualiy or our Reer and Reward program by providing this inormation.

Contact our ofce or more details.

Jonathan Rossouw

bolivia: andes to the amazon

Documents