Bolivia: Chalalan EcoLodge, Mididi

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Chalalan EcoLodge
Madidi, Bolivia

About the EcoLodge
Location map
Trail map

Madidi National Park was created in 1995 and covers 1,895,740 ha (4,5000,000 acres; 18,957 km2) from the Amazonian lowlands of the río Heath, at 200 m altitude, to the mountains of the Apolobamba Range at more than 6,000 m altitude. Madidi’s vast wilderness encompasses unparalleled biodiversity ranging from montain cloudforest to dry tropical forest, humid lowland forest to savanna, wild rivers and lakes.

Madidi’s mountains, forests and river habitats are home to more than 1,000 species of neotropical birds, 5,000 - 6,000 superior plants, 44% of all new world species of mammals, and an estimated 38% of neotropical amphibians. The tropical Andes, where Madidi is located, is also a globally critical hotspot of plant endemism. Inside the park’s limits is found the community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas, of the Quechua-Tacana ethnic group.

ABOUT CHALALAN ECO LODGE - in their own words:
Chalalan EcoLodge, nestled in Madidi National Park, was crafted with the ecotourist in mind, offering comfortable accommodations in pristine tropical rainforest. The EcoLodge sits on the edge of Chalalan Lake deep in Madidi’s wilderness. Chalalan is accessed by dugout canoe up the spectacular Beni and Tuichi Rivers, 5 hours from the gateway community of Rurrenabaque.

Chalalan has been constructed with respect for the natural surroundings, using forest materials, solar energy, and intensive protection of the lake. The cabins are surrounded by primary forest inhabited by an astonishing variety of birds and mammals. The lake is an ideal habitat for monkeys, caiman, turtles, hoatzin and macaws that reverberates under a constant symphony or birdsong, shouts off howler monkeys, and barking toucans, particularly at dawn and dusk. We invite you to experience Chalalan.
Chalalán Ecolodge is a joint ecotourism initiative of the rainforest community of San José de Uchupiamonas and Conservation International (CI) in Bolivia. Created in 1995 by a visionary group of San José villagers with a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank, the ecolodge provides employment opportunities through nature-based tourism, a much-needed economic alternative to logging.

CI's goal at the outset of the Chalalán project was to create a viable ecotourism lodge that was wholly owned and operated by local managers and staff. To accomplish this, CI trained villagers in a broad range of activities, including marketing and management, house keeping, food preparation and how to guide tours. In February 2001, the community received full ownership of the lodge from CI. Today, 74 families receive regular direct economic benefits from employment and management of the ecolodge. They also receive indirect benefits from the sale of crafts that are made in a sustainable matter.

Chalalán ecolodge allows villagers to benefit economically from living in harmony with the forest in many ways. In addition to lodge management, for instance, villagers work in sustainable agriculture, handicraft activities and sell non-timber forest products. During their visit to Chalalán Ecolodge, ecotourists will have the opportunity to discover Madidi National Park through the eyes of the San José de Uchupiamonas community. An experience worthwhile

Facilities:
Traditional Amazon-style "cabañas" (cabins) made from rain forest materials harvested in a sustainable manner. Chalalán Ecolodge can accommodate 24 ecotourists in 3 stand-alone honeymoon cabanas with queen-size beds, private balconies and mosquito nets, as well as 3 bungalows each with 3 double rooms, 2 twin-size beds in each room and shared verandas.

The ecolodge has four bathrooms and four shower facilities. Running water is supplied by a solar-powered plumbing system. There is a dining room with capacity for 24 people and a library stocked with field guides and reference materials on biodiversity and its interpretation. The professional kitchen with a water-purification system is run by women from the community who cook traditional meals for visitors. A fully stocked bar is available for the tourists staying at Chalalán.

Twenty-five kilometers of trails within Madidi National Park traverse the different forest habitats that surround the ecolodge. Canoes are available for the guests, and two motorized boats with capacity for 12 passengers each are used for transportation from Rurrenabaque to the ecolodge. Handicraft items are sold by the local community members.

Activities:
Trail system. There are over 25 Km of trails to choose from including: The Chichilo with scenic overviews of the Madidi Park; The Silbador for its medicinal, fruit, and exotic plants; The Wichi and Jaguar are best for birdwatching; plants typically used for local handicrafts grow here; The Wabucuru and Marimono focus on Madidi’s wildlife and ecology and also visit a recently discovered archeological site. Enjoy the return via the Eslabon River. Sistema de Sendas. Las sendas temáticas con un recorrido total de 25 km. que comprende: Senda Chichilo y el mirador del Parque Nacional; Senda Silbador y sus plantas medicinales; Senda Wichi y Jaguar con sus plantas para artesanias; Sendas Wabucuru y Marimono con explicación de la ecología y la vida silvestre del Madidi, visitando un lugar arqueológico recientemente descubierto y disfrutando del recorrido del rio Eslabon.

Birdwatching. Over 340 bird species live in the vicinity of Chalalán including Macaws, Hoatzins, Toucans, Tanagers, and Hummingbirds. Observacion de Aves. Más de 340 especies de aves viven en las cercanias del lago Chalalán entre guacamayos (parabas), tucanes, hoatzins (sereres), tángaras, picaflores y otras.

Wildlife. Frequent sitings of spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, tapirs, alligators, wild pigs, and capybaras. Vida Silvestre. Avistamientos frecuentes de monos arana (marimonos), capuchinos (silbadores), monos aulladores (maneches), Chichilos, Tapires, Lagartos, Chanchos salvajes, Capibaras, Ranas y Mariposas.

Canoe trips. on Chalalán Lake at dusk when the birds and troops of monkeys are actively preparing for the night and when caimans are easily spotted. Paseos en canoas. Disfrute los paseos en canoa por el Lago Chalalan al atardecer cuando las aves y los monos están preparándose para la noche y los caimanes están fácilmente observados por el impresionante brillo de sus ojos.

Swimming and relaxing. After a day of hiking, a refreshing dip in the pristine Chalalán Lake is always welcomed, or simply relax in a hammock while listening to the symphony of the forest. Natación y relajamiento. Después de haber paseado por la selva durante el dia, un bano refrescante en el lago es lo major, o simplemente relajarse en la hamaca, escuchando la maravillosa sinfonía del bosque.

Folklore Tales and Cultural Interaction. The tales and legends from the community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas are prolific and intriguing. Learn the legends of the forest animals, of how they have evolved to their current state, and how they have figured in the daily life of the community. Also, together with your guide, experience a traditional Josesano evening. Folklore e interacción cultural. Los cuentos y leyendas de la comunidad de San Jose de Uchupiamonas son abundantes y enigmáticos. Aprenda las leyendas sobre los animales del bosque, de como se han adaptado a su estado actual, y de como estan insertos en la vida cotidiano de la comunidad. Junto con su guía experiment una noche tradicional de la comundad San Jose de Uchupiamonas.

Biodiversity Games. To reinforce learning we’ve designed several fun and interactive games which incorporate themes of Madidi’s biodiversity and that which surrounds Chalalan. Juegos de biodiversidad. Para reforzar el aprendizaje se han disenado interesantes juegos con temas de biodiversidad del Parque Nacional y el entorno del lago Chalalan.