Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
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Noel Kempff National
Park Los Fierros
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros, located in the South Side of the park, the main attractions in the south side are; Caparu Plateau, El Encanto Waterfall and Chaplin Lake. Chaplin Lake is a “new” destination in the park.The only group tourists that got to this place was in August 2015..
The visitors to Noel Kempf Park are really few due to the conditions of access and maybe to the budget needed.
Most roads or trails, paths in the park have disappeared in the last 5 year or so.
Tours, trips to visit the main attractions in this national Park are divided in two zones…….North and South.
Please take a look to the links below for tour details
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
The best place in the world where it is still a pristine wilderness is in The Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Trips to Noel Kempf Park is a must for nature lovers and people who like to spot animals. Due to the fact that the park is quite remote and it has become a protected area, there is a rich flora and fauna. Noel Kempff was added to the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2000. This thanks to the park to the different habitat types ranging from Savannah and forest to the Amazon forest on the plateau. Different rivers originate in the park and form spectacular waterfalls. An estimated 4000 species of flora, more than 620 species of birds, more than 130 species of species, including globally endangered animals, live in the park.
In the Noel Kempff National Park live moonswolves, jaguars, giant river otters, tapirs, giant armadillos. And the 20% of South America’s bird species can be found here, including 9 species of aras, the highest number of species in a protected area. In addition, there are 37 species of reptiles, including the black Cayman and 347 insects, many of which are among the most rare in the world.
If you want to be in a place where no body has gone. These trips to Noel Kempf park is for you . The only tour operator with the experience for these tours is Amboro Tours. Others travel agencies will tell you that this park is closed for tourism.
Tours to the North Side, please click on this link. North Side
Itineraries By plane
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Meseta Caparu Plateau
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Excursion from Santa Cruz City
1st Day
At 08:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel or residence to commence this Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros, Tour.
The transfer is to ia private airfield or to a small airport where we will board a single-engine airplane, which will fly us to the Southern side of the Noel Kempf Mercado Park.
It is advisable to make use of the hygienic installations before the commencement of this Noel Kempf tours and boarding the airplane.
At the beginning of the two-hour flight, in these Noel Kempf Tours, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the city of Santa Cruz from the air, and after the first 40 minutes, we will be able to notice the devastation caused by the agriculture on the Northeastern areas, mostly for the plantations of soy and sunflower.
After the first hour of flight, we will be above the town of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania.
In 30 more minutes of flight, we will notice how the exuberant green mantle becomes denser.
We will be landing inside Noel Kempf Mercado National park at “Refugio Huanchaca” after approximately 2 hours of flight.
After a short relaxing at Refugio Huanchaca time we get ready to departure in a vehicle or on horses towards Caparu plateau.
The point that we plan to go on a vehicle is about 27 Kilometres away from Refugio Hanchaca lodge. At this point is where the road get into the forest and we should continue on foot.
Once start the trip by land leaving Refugio, The first 5 kilometres crosses a part of forest. And then for about 22 kilometres it goes on a land of pampas.
These pampas get overflowed on raining seasons. But during dry season the pampas very dried and easily may get on fire
The heat in this area is very high and the temperature gets to about 40 centigrade.
In dry season during any trips it is necessary to carry enough water. Because it may be hard to find it down the road,
Once we get to the end of the road in las pampas we should start hiking. This first hike should be done for about 10 kms or to the first or second stream with water.
Once in the right place we set up the tent
During this walk there are some parts with big chances of watching some mammals like Giant Armadillo
Close by this camping site and after a walk at night of about 30 minutes we may find glowing termites during the months of October or November.
Some months of the year the activity of moths is very annoying
Overnight in the forest in tents
2nd Day
After breafast we should continue trekking for approximately 2 hours to hike to the bottom of the plateau. During this hike, we need to have our senses alert in order to listen to, smell or see interesting particularities of this jungle.
We also need to pay attention to the gradual change from forest of high trees to very low vegetation.The visitors must beware of the thorns and tips of the branches in many sections of the paths within the park.
Once we reach the bottom of the plateau, if it is hot or still it is not evening we should not be in this place longer than thirty minutes.The ideal time to arrive at this place known as “Las Lajas” is in the dusk, because during the day and with the presence of people, very annoying bees (especially for the eyes) begin to arrive at the place.
But this time we are only resting in Las Lajas for about 20 minutes
Depending on the time of arrival to Las Lajas and on the conditions that we are, we should continue hikking on a steep trail to the top of Caparu plateau.
The ascent to the plateau is a rustic footpath in zigzag, steep and almost without any vegetation to cover us from the sun, which is why the conditions of the ascent can be unfriendly. Especially if there is not enough wind and the sun is strong. In any case, it is necessary to be in good physical condition for this part of the trip.
But as we climb the view of the forest of the park becomes wider and the immense “Chaplin” lake can be seen amidst the exuberant vegetation.
Likewise, depending on the time of ascent, we will have the opportunity to see the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) sometimes flying at a lower height from us.
Once on top of the plateau, we will have a hike of about one hour in order to better appreciate the view of the waved green landscape spotted with virgin forest, rivers, streams and palm trees.
If we are lucky enough, we will be able to see deers, or even the macaws nesting in palms that are about 30 minutes away from the edge of the plateau.Hiking to others edges of the plateau caparucú, nearby we can appreciate different views of green forest around us
You can program a longer visit to the plateau, because after one hour and a half hiking on top of it is possible to reach the a incredible jungle, and a comping spot next to a beautiful stream
In this place there greater chances of to see some mammals.From this point, that used to be or still is the camping site on top of the plateau. It was possible to do some trekking in the pampas for about 40 minute to a beautiful natural pool.
on the way to this pool we will see a burned motorcycle
and a short distance away we also can see parts of a small wreckage air plane.
Both the motorcycle and the airplane used to belong to a drug factory installed in forest nearby where still is possible to see some remains of it.
A well-known bolivian conservationists named Noel Kempf Mercado was killed in the airfield of one of these factories on top of Caparuch plateau when his small plane landed with a team of nature researchers. It happened the 5th of September of 1986.
esides of Noel kempf Mercado also were killed at the same time, Juan Cochamanidis, Franklin Parada Auclos. Vicente Castelló, a Spaniard scientist, was the only survivor.
Getting back on our itinerary. And because this program does not include more days and after about one or one hour and a half on top of caparuch, we should return by the same footpath. On the way down hill we must take care of loosen stones.
We arrive at Las Lajas This is a camping spot next to a small stream. It located in the bottom of the Plateau
Overnight in Las Lajas
3rd Day – Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Early in the morning breakfast. Then we should keep hiking to the place where we left the vehicle to return to Refugio Huanchaca
The hiking distance of today to the vehicle is approximately 12 or 15 kilometers.
We should be arriving to Refugio Huanchaca at end of the day
Dinner and overnight in Refugio Huanchaca
4th Day
Early in the morning we can take a boat ride on Paragua river to try to see some birds, yacares and giant river otters
After lunch we have to fly back to the City of Santa Cruz.
Once we arrive in the city a vehicle will take you to your hotel
Thanks
End of our services Noel Kempf Tours. Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary. Amboró Tours also offers longer tours to this destination.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
Remember that this itinerary can vary or not be fulfilled in its entirety by climate factors and/or the conditions of the ways and rivers or water streams.
Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expand kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually that not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle on the Plateau.
Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
Be prepared to protect yourself against the sun (sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others) and rain (impermeable clothes)
“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
Refugio Huanchaca – Laguna Chaplin
From Santa Cruz City
By Air Transport
1st Day
At 08:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel or residence in order to take you to a private airfield or to small airport where we will board a single-engine airplane, which will fly us to the Southern side of the Noel Kempff Mercado Park.
It is advisable to make use of the hygienic installations before boarding the airplane.
Excursion in to Noel Kempf Mercado National park – South Side – Laguna Chaplin Lake
At the beginning of the two-hour flight, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the city of Santa Cruz from the air, and after the first 40 minutes, we will be able to notice the devastation caused by the agriculture on the Northeastern areas, mostly for the plantations of soy and sunflower.
After the first hour of flight, we will be above the town of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania.
After other 30 minutes of flight, we will notice how the exuberant green mantle becomes denser.
We will be landing at “Refugio Huanchaca” after approximately 2 hours of flight.
Once we arrive at Refugio H. We plan to have lunch to continue this adventure on the ground to Chaplin Lake.
We need some time to get things ready to departure in a vehicle towards Los Fierros. Which is an old abandoned cabins site. Los Fierros is located about 37 kilometers from Refugio and 33 kilometers to Laguna Chaplin.
After leaving Refugio Huanchaca, the first 5 kilometers the road crosses a part of forest And then for about 29 kilometers it goes on a land of pampas.
These pampas get overflowed on raining seasons. But during dry season are very dried and easily may get on fire
The heat in this area is very high and the temperature may gets to 43 centigrade grades
In dry season, during It is necessary to carry plenty of water. Because it may be hard to find it in long distances
After 29 kilometers the road leave las pampas behind to enter the jungle for about 3 kilometers to pass by Los Fierros. Be aware that sometimes we may have to walk without a path
In these last 3 kilometers to Los Fierros is possible to find many logs blocking the road or almost no road.. And also there is an old bridge in not good conditions. Also about the last 10 kms in las pampas may be cover with vegetation
Due to these reasons it may be a better idea to leave the vehicle 10 or more kms away from Los Fierros.
We are supposed to arrive to Los Fierros at the end of the day or late at night
During the day at Los Fierros and in many places in this excursion it is possible to find thousands of bees
Also the small ants y some place can be a big problem. We recommend you to take some diesel with you to keep the ants away.
Overnight in tents in Los Fierros
2nd Day
After breakfast we start the hiking in the jungle towards Laguna Chaplin Lake.
Chaplin lake is located about 33 kilometers from Los Fierros.
The first day we plan to hike for about 15 kilometers to a water point.
Keep in mind that the sources of water in this area are only two.
Overnight in tents in somewhere in the jungle towards Chaplin.
3rd
After breakfast we have to continue on our way to Chaplin lake.
The remaining distance is about 18 kilometers.
Once we arrive to Chaplin we set up the tents in a good place
Overnight in Laguna Chaplin
4th Day
On this day we have to enjoy all the possibilities of being in this paradise.
One of the main activities would be to try to see the most of the wild life.
Overnight in Chaplin Lake in tents
5th Day
After breakfast we should start our way back to Los Fierros .
The hiking back is on the same trail
Overnight somewhere in the jungle,
6th Day
After breakfast we keep hiking back
We are supposed to arrive to Los Fierros about noon.
From Los Fierros we should return to Refugio Huanchaca
Overnight in the lodge
7th Day
After breakfast we may have some boat rides on Paragua river
After lunch we have to fly back to the City of Santa Cruz.
Once we arrive in the city a vehicle will take you to your hotel
Thanks
End of our services Noel Kempf Tours
Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary
Amboró Tours also offers longer tours to this destination.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
Remember that this itinerary can vary or not be fulfilled in its entirety by climate factors and/or the conditions of the ways and rivers or water streams.
Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expand kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually does not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle.
Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
Be prepared to protect yourself against the sun with sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others. Take some rain closthes.
Remember that nothing should be removed from the park (plants or seeds)
“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
Florida Community – Los Fierros Caparu Plateau
Los Fierros Air plane Transportation to Florida Airfield
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park – Southern Side
From the city of Santa Cruz
Noel Kempf Tours
1st Day
At 08:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel or residence in order to take you to a small air-plane runway or airport where we will board a small single-engine air plane, which will fly us to the Southern side of the Noel Kempff Mercado Park. It is advisable to make use of the hygienic installations before boarding the air plane.
We will land at “Los Fierros” or at Florida runway after approximately 2 hours of flight. It will depend mainly on the conditions of the airfield of Los Fierros
At the beginning of the two-hour flight, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the city of Santa Cruz from the air, and after the first 40 minutes, we will be able to notice the devastation caused by the agriculture on the Northeastern areas, mostly for the plantations of soy and sunflower.
After the first 30 minutes of flight, we will be above the town of Concepción, which is part of the Jesuitical Missions of the Chiquitania.
After other 30 minutes of flight, we will notice how the exuberant green mantle becomes denser, and after 60 minutes, we will be above the virgin jungle of the park.
Once we are above the park, we will head towards the “El Encanto” (The Enchantment) waterfall, over which we will fly in order to take photographs of it from different angles in order to obtain better pictures; then we will fly at a lower altitude over the prairies of the impressive landscape of the “Meseta” (Plateau) . This is about 7 minutes before landing.
After landing, either in Los Fierros or in Florida, a 4WD vehicle will be waiting for us by the landing strip, along with the driver and/or the Tour-Coordinator in order to proceed with this excursion. After lunch we will continue this adventure on the ground.
If we land in the run way of Los Fierros we will continue on the vehicle directly to El Encanto waterfall or to Caparu plateau. It will depend on the weather and/or other access conditions and also on the available time on that day.
If we have had to land in the run way of the community of Florida, then we have to go through the park ranger site to register our names and then we have to cross the Paragua river on a flat boat and drive about 2 hours or more (it depends on the conditions of the path) in order to reach Los Fierros.
Florida is a nice village surrounded by the forest by an oxbow of Paragua River. It has nearly 20 families or less because the population is decreasing due to the immigration of the youth people to San Ignacio or to Santa Cruz.
From Los Fierros, if we decide to visit the “El Encanto” cascade first, the next campsite is about 35 Kilometers (21.7 Miles) away, it is approximately two hours by vehicle from the “Los Fierros” cabins or run way. We might be able to arrive with the vehicle to this campsite known as El Encanto Camp, or we might have to walk a few (10) Kilometers in order to arrive at this point. The exact distance we might have to walk is unknown. It is depending on the conditions of the road, bridges and/or fallen trees in the way. Anyways, if the path is in optimum conditions, the vehicle will only be able to arrive at the El Encanto Camp, which is 5 Kilometers (3 Miles) away from the cascade.
During the trip, either by vehicle or hiking the trails, we must keep our ears in alert in order to listen to the sounds of the forest and have more possibilities of observing the wildlife, like Macaws, monkeys or larger mammals such as the Tapir, and if we are very lucky we may even see a Jaguar.
Once we are in El Encanto Camp, we can continue our walk to the waterfall on this first day, or we may have to do this on the next day, this will depend on the available time for this part of the excursion.
We will spend the night at the El Encanto Camp or at Los Fierros, depending on the road and bridges conditions as said before.
2nd Day
Wherever we have slept the night before, we will arise very early in the morning to have breakfast. If we had already visited the cascade on the previous day, we will head directly to the “Caparú” plateau. Again the vehicle will go as far as possible, and this depends one more time on the conditions of the bridges and the trees fallen in the way, although it is usually possible to drive until the end of the vehicle´s road, and in this case we will only walk for two hours until the base of the plateau.
During this hike, we must keep our senses in alert to be able to hear, smell or see the interesting particularities of this place. We also need to pay a lot of attention to the gradual change from the jungle of high trees to lower vegetation. After the two-hour hike, we will arrive at “Las Lajas”, where we will take a brief rest, since in the daytime, after a short permanence of people in this place, some tiny bees, although very annoying ones (especially for the eyes), start to arrive.
After our hike towards the base of the mesa, the tough ascent to the top of the plateau starts. The difficulty of this will depend on the sunlight and heat at the moment of the ascent. In any case, it is necessary to have a good physical condition. Those who do not feel well to continue can stay in a small brook in this place, resting while waiting for an animal to come.
During the ascent to the top, the view of the jungle below in the prairie becomes wider, enabling us to see the famous and enormous “Chaplin” lake among the exuberant vegetation. It is also possible to observe birds such as the Macaws, flying below our level.
Once at the top of the plateau, we will have a one-hour hike enjoying the wavy green panorama spotted with virgin jungle, brooks and palm trees, and if we are lucky enough, we will be able to see some deer and/or Yellow-and-Blue Macaws (Ara ararauna). They nest in some palm trees located 30 minutes away from the trail that leads to the top of the plateau.
After this experience, we will start our descent to the base of the plateau and to the vehicle. Depending on the unfolding of the program so far and the arrangements previously made in the offices of Amboró Tours in Santa Cruz….
At night there is a possibility of a short nocturnal Safari with lanterns.
Spend the night at the base of the mesa or at Los Fierros.
3rd Day
In case we wake up near Los Fierros, we will leave at 05:00 on the vehicle with the spot- light in order to see some more of the wildlife in the Noel Kempff Park. We can also use this day to visit the El Encanto cascade, in case we did not have enough time to have visited it on the first day.
This day is very necessary, if we are to climb the plateau in two days; that is, walking to the base of the plateau (Las Lajas) in the afternoon to spend the night there in tents, and early in the morning on the next day, hike to the top. The activities of this third day will depend on how fast the itinerary was performed in the previous two days.
Depending on where we spend the night, the night of the third day can also be used to drive the vehicle with its halogen lights in the surroundings of Los Fierros, looking for animals. We can also use this night for a nocturnal hike with flashlights on open trails.
4th Day
Very early in the morning, before sunrise and breakfast, we will take a short hike or go in the vehicle by the main path that leads to the Paraguá River. After lunch, we will leave this wonderful park in order to board the single-engine airplane that will fly us back to Santa Cruz, where a vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to our respective places.
End of our Noel Kempf Tours service. Thanks.
Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Option or plan ¨B¨ Changing the 3rd and 4Th days of this itinerary
Day and Night excursions on the Paragua River
In a small aluminum rowing boat or in a wooden canoe
The visit to El Encanto waterfall or the Caparu Plateau we may be able to switch it for excursions in a canoe on Paragua River, where also some hikes in the park would be possible in areas almost never visited
3er Day
Early in the morning after breakfast we drive back on the same path that we came in, we drive towards the community of Florida or to some private ranch located along Paragua river.
We will use either the community of Florida or a private property 1 hour away the community, along the Paragua river as a camp site to set up our canoe rides.
After arriving to the choosen place and after setting up the tents we go on the canoe or on small aluminum boat equipped with a spot light to have better chances of observing some wild life e.g., alligators, Capibaras, Tapirs among others mammals. Also with the spot light is possible to get a close up to some birds that sleep on low the branches right in the shore of the river
During these trips on the canoe we will be able to fish piranhas among others kind of fishes
Dinner and over night on the shore of Paragua River
4th Day
After or before good breakfast with piranhas, we got one more time on the canoe to have another excursion on to the shores of the river or in some of its bays.
During the early hour of the morning is possible to observe some birds like the Hoatzin, Greater anis, and many kinds of herons among other species.
Some walks in forest of the park are also possible.
Mammals like the Giant River Otters are also quite common in this river.
After lunch we drive to the run way of Florida where our plane will be waiting for us to fly back to Santa Cruz
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this itinerary
Amboró Tours also offers longer tours to this destination.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
Remember that this itinerary can vary or not be fulfilled in its entirety by climate factors or the conditions of the roads and of the rivers or water streams.
Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expands kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually that not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle on the Plateau.
Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
Be prepared to protect yourself against the sun (sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others) and rain (impermeable clothes).
Remember that nothing should be removed from the park (plants or seeds)
“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
Itineraries By Land
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Los Fierros – Florida Caparu Plateau By Land
From the city of Santa Cruz
“Los Fierros” By Land
1st Day
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros tour.
At 09:00 hours we will start the first part of our trip to the park, aboard a private vehicle heading to the town of Santa Rosa de la Roca, located at 378 kilometers away (234.87 miles).
This trip will be done on a paved road until the town of Santa Rosa De La Roca, passing by several towns and villages of migrants people from the high lands of Bolivia and Mennonites colonies. This trip is crossing an agricultural area, which grows soybean, sunflower, and several types of other grains. There, we can also realize the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier from 30 Kilometers (48.38 Miles) off Santa Cruz.
After Concepcion it is 79 kilometres to Santa Rosa. The trip to Santa Rosa de la Roca takes approximately 5 hours.
After leaving the City of Santa Cruz and in about 3 hours on the road we may stop in San Javier for 30 minutes. San Javier is a town on 542 meters on sea level. Most of its people have indigenous background. It was founded in the year 1691 by the Jesuits.
Dinner and over night in Santa Rosa de La Roca
2nd Day
Around 09:00 a.m. we will leave the town of Santa Rosa de la Roca, At the previous night the coordinator of tour would have to confirmed to you the exact time of departure.
This trip will be in a 4WD vehicle and will last approximately 6 (or more) hours until the community of Florida located on the border of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.
UNESCO declared this magnificent park as a patrimony of the humanity in the year 2000.
In the trip from Santa Rosa de la Roca to this village, we will have the opportunity to live a different trip, perhaps to which most of those attracted to parks are accustomed to, since the roads are unpaved and very dusty in the dry season. During the raining season this road is in some parts very muddy and sometimes it presents great difficulties to be transited by vehicles.
Also we may find fallen trees on the way or trailers trucks stuck in the mud of the road.
On raining season is normal to find some paddles in the middle of the road
We will stop on the way a few minutes for pictures or others reasons. But not longer than approximately 20 minutes, because we can fall prey to an amount of bees that becomes unbearable and of course the mosquitoes will be inevitable guests at night.
As we approach the park, the vegetation becomes greener and the forests improve; therefore, the opportunities to encounter wild life also increase. Although the depredation by timber companies in areas of forest concessions is quite noticeable, with great grief for those of us who appreciate nature without human destruction.
We will arrive at the village of Florida at the end of the day or in the evening.
This village is a nice place surrounded by forest and by a oxbow of the Paragua River. It has nearly 20 families or less. The population is decreasing due to the immigration of the youth people to San Ignacio or to Santa Cruz.
The service of pipe water at home is not yet installed. The huts that serve as lodging have palm or grass as roof.
The lodgings places have toilet, but the water system does not work yet, so it is necessary use a bucket with water to flush toilets. The showers still does not work.
But the oxbow lake next to the community although with some crocodiles, caimans and piranhas it is the place where people of the community wash their clothes and take a bath, so we can do the same.
In Florida you may find brasilian and bolivian beer to buy, but it is very hard if not impossible to find some things from outside to eat or for personal use.
Supper and spend the night in the village.
3irdDay
After breakfast, we will visit the park ranger site to register our names. Later, we will head towards the crossing point to get on he other side of the Paragua river which is the natural border of the park.
Some time ago we used to operate a big flat boat to get the vehicle across the river. Nowadays this flat boat is not working. So it is necessary to get something else to cross the river.
Once on the other side of the river we will be inside the territory of Noel Kempf National park. We will then continue our trip by foot or by motorcycles, On the path there are some wooden bridges in very bad conditions, although some or most of them were repaired in august 2009.
when we are walking on the bridges we have to be very care full with the broken parts of it.
The last excursions to the inside of the park in vehicles was about in the year 2013. And we had to carry our own wood to fix the old bridges
During this walk there are some parts with big chances of watching some mammals like river otters and others
This trail with fallen trees blocking the way used to be the only road for vehicles that some years ago was opened.
Nowadays the best is to enter the park on foot. It is a long hike from the border of the park to Los Fierros.
Los Fierros cabins are some 35 km away from the border of the park. This roads is abandoned and the vegetation on both sides has closed the way in some parts.
the visitors must beware of the thorns and tips of the branches in many sections of the paths within the park.
During this hiking it is also very probable to find some animals crossing or walking the path; these animals can be peccaries, coatis, “tayras” or deers
It was usual to see a jaguar or a puma, on this road they like to freshen up by lying on the way.
The turkeys and macaws or “guacamayos” are other animals that we will have the opportunity to see in these paths through the park.
About 2 kilometres before reaching Los Fierros Cabins we get to what used to be the airfield of Los Fierros. Amboro Tours used to clean up this airfield every year to have it operable.
Once in the camping site of Los Fierros cabins we we should prepare or find a place where to set up the tents.
The cabins are useless, them are full of tiny ants that may get into your tents really easy depending on the the tent.
Amboro Tours recommends to bring about half litre of diesel so you are able to set up your tent on the ceramic of the cabins.
The hiking from Paragua River to Los Fierros may take us the whole day and part of the night.
Be aware that the roof of the cabins may fall down any time. Also be aware of wasps nets, they love to live in some parts of this old cabins
There is a stream about 800 meters from Los Fierros but to access thies stream it is necessary to open the path with machetes Dinner and overnight in Los Fierros
4th Day
After breakfast we have to get ready to keep hiking or if we have a motorcycle we should get on the bikes to keep going on towards the Caparu (caparuch) Plateau.
Around Los Fierros and in most places in this part of the park there are thousands of bees on activity as soon as the the day warm up
From Los Fierros Caparau plateau is some 20 kilometers away crossing the seasonal overflowed pampas
The times when a vehicle could get to this part of the park the road was full of water on rain season
After the pampas the path gets us back into the forest for some times.
Nowadays the last five or more kilometers of this path should be full of vegetation blocking it.
This day we will get as far as we can on our way to Caparuch plateau. It is more likely that we would have to stay overnight by a stream Up to where the vehicles used to get.
Close by this camping site and after a walk at night of about 30 minutes in the path and in the forest at night we can find this glowing termites during the months of October or November. They do this to attract other insect.
During some months of the year the activity of moths is very annoying
Assuming that we stay overnight by this stream.
5th Day
From this point it takes approximately 2 hours to hike to the base of the plateau.
During this hike, we need to have our senses alert in order to listen to, smell or see interesting particularities of this jungle.
We also need to pay attention to the gradual change from forest of high trees to very low vegetation.
Once we reach the base of the plateau, if it is hot or still it is not evening we should not be in this place longer than thirty minutes.
The ideal time to arrive at this place known as “Las Lajas” is in the dusk, because during the day and with the presence of people, very annoying bees (especially for the eyes) begin to arrive at the place.
But this time we are only resting in Las Lajas for about 20 minutes
Depending on the time of arrival to Las Lajas and on the conditions that we are, we will climb the plateau on this day or we will leave it for the following day early in the morning.
After the rest we proceed on our hiking to caparuch plateau
The ascent to the plateau is a rustic footpath in zigzag, steep and almost without any vegetation to cover us from the sun, which is why the conditions of the ascent can be unfriendly,
Especially if there is not enough wind and the sun is strong. In any case, it is necessary to be in good physical condition for this part of the trip,
But as we climb the view of the forest of the park becomes wider and the immense “Chaplin” lake can be seen amidst the exuberant vegetation.
Likewise, depending on the time of ascent, we will have the opportunity to see the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) sometimes flying at a lower height from us.
Once on top of the plateau, we will have a hike of about one hour in order to appreciate the view of the waved green landscape
spotted with virgin forest, water streams and palm tree.
If we are lucky enough, we will be able to see deer, or even the macaws nesting in palms that are about 30 minutes away from the edge of the plateau.
Hiking to others edges of the plateau caparuch, near by we can appreciate different views of green forest around us
You can program a longer visit to the plateau, because after one hour and a half hiking on top of the plateau is possible to get the a part of the plateau covered with a beautiful jungle and to a place where Amboro Tours used to set up the tents next to a nice stream
In this place is possible to see monkeys and others mammals.
From this point, that used to be or still is the camping site on top of the plateau. It was possible to do some trekking in the pampas for about 40 minute to a beautiful natural pool.
on the way to this pool we will see a burned motorcycle and a short distance away we also can see parts of a small crashed airplane.
Both the motorcycle and the airplane used to belong to a drug factory installed in forest near by where still is possible to see some remains of it.
A well known bolivian conservationists named Noel Kempf Mercado was killed in the airfield of one of these factories on top of Caparuch plateau when his small plane landed with a team of nature researchers. It happened the 5th of September of 1986.
Besides of Noel kempf Mercado also were killed at the same time, Juan Cochamanidis, Franklin Parada Auclos. Vicente Castelló, a Spaniard scientist, was the only survivor.
Getting back on our itinerary and because this program does not include more days and after about one or one hour and a half on top of caparuch, we should return by the same footpath. On the way down hill we must take care of loosen stones.
We arrive at Las Lajas and proceed towards Los Fierros.
During the hikings we always have big chances of watchin some exotict birds
And bing or small groups o spider monkeys
overnight some where next to a steam
6th Day
This way is entirely to hike to Los Fierros.
The hiking distance of today is approximately 20 kilometers.
One in Los Fierros we can take a bath in the stream near by.
Until the year 2010 (approximately) the road for vehicles to El Encanto Waterfall was open or was possible to get to the end of the road for vehicle with some difficulties.
From Los Fierros it is about 25 kilometers El Encanato waterfall.
On this road we almost always had to chop many logs fallen on the way specially on raining season or because in months nobody else wanted to mess with this troubles
At the end of the road for vehicles there used to be a small hut where we used to set up the tents.
From this point we had to do some trekking of 5 kilometers to reach the waterfall
On the way we had to cross the same steam twice, some times on raining season it was a bit hard but beautiful
Dinner and overnight in Los Fierros
7th Day
After breakfast in Los Fierros, we should start hiking to Florida Community. Florida is about 38 kilometers away from Los Fierros.
On this day at about 5::00 some one from Florida is supposed to come for us with a boat and motorcycles to help us to get to Florida
Dinner and overnight in Florida
8th Day
After breakfast we should leave Florida. There are two roads to take, We should decide for the best option depending on the conditions of the road
After about 8 hours of driving we may get to a town called Concepcion.
Dinner and overnight in Concepcion
9th day
After breakfast we return to the ciy of Santa Cruz.
Once in the city we take to your hotel
It is here where this excursion with Amboró Tours finishes.
End of Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros tour.
Thanks.
Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary
Amboró Tours also offers longer tours to this destination.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
Remember that this itinerary can vary or not be fulfilled in its entirety by climate factors and/or the conditions of the ways and rivers or water streams.
Also is our duty to inform you that during the Dry Season parts of the Plateau get on fire. The fire could expand kilometers according to the wind. This fire usually that not penetrates more that a few meters the jungle on the Plateau.
Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
Be prepared to protect yourself against the sun (sun lotion, sunglasses, hat or cap, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and others) and rain (impermeable clothes).
Remember that nothing should be removed from the park (plants or seeds)
“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
Refugio Huanchaca – Caparau Plateau
From the city of Santa Cruz
1st Day
At 08:00 hours we will start the first part of our trip to the park, aboard a private vehicle heading to the village called Campamento, located at 500 kilometres
This trip will be done on a paved road until the village of Carmen de Ruiz located some 440 km from the city of Santa Cruz, passing by several towns and villages of migrants people from the high lands of Bolivia and Mennonites colonies. This trip is crossing an agricultural area, which grows soybean, sunflower, and several types of other grains. There, we can also realize the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier from 30 Kilometers (48.38 Miles) off Santa Cruz. After El Carmen De Ruiz the road to Campamento village is unpaved for about two hours.
After leaving the City of Santa Cruz and in about 3 hours on the road we may stop in San Javier for 30 minutes. San Javier is a town on 542 meters on sea level. Most of its people have indigenous background. It was founded in the year 1691 by the Jesuits.
Dinner and overnight in Camapamento village
2nd Day
After breakfast we get ready to start the trip on a vehicle to Refugio Huanchaca. In dry season this trip could take about 4 hours. We may have lunch on the way or at Refugio Huanchaca.
Once in Refugio Huanchaca if we have time today we can have a ride on a rowboat at Paragua river. Sometimes it is possible to see giant river otters and many birds
Dinner and overnight at Refugio Huanchaca
3rd Day
After breakfast we get ready to start moving towards Caparau Plateau. To reach the plateau could take 2 or more days, it depends on much we advance each day.
If we are lucky the only car inside the park would take us some 3 or 4 hours down our route. If we ride the car it will drop off at the road that goes to Los Fierros. But we will walk towards Caparu plateau. From this point we start hiking today to reach a place called ‘’Arroyo II’’ It is going to be about 12 Kms of trekking on a old road closed in many parts by the fallen logs and vegetation growing on it.
Most of this hiking time is going to be under the trees with big chances of encounter some monkey and luckily another mammals.
Dinner and overnight in Arroyo II
4th Dia
From this point it takes approximately 2 hours to hike to the base of the plateau, arriving to a spot known as Las Lajas where we can find a small stream running down the rock. During this hike, we need to have our senses alert in order to listen to, smell or see interesting particularities of this jungle. We also need to pay attention to the gradual changes from forest of high trees to very low vegetation.
Once we reach the base of the plateau, if it is hot or still it is not evening we should not be in this place longer than thirty minutes. The ideal time to arrive at this place known as “Las Lajas” is in the dusk, because during the day and with the presence of people, very annoying bees (especially for the eyes) begin to arrive at the place. But this time we are only resting in Las Lajas for about 20 minutes.
Depending on the time of arrival to Las Lajas and on the conditions that we are, we will climb the plateau on this day or we will leave it for the following day early in the morning.
After the rest we proceed on our hiking to reach the top of caparuch plateau
The ascent to the plateau is a rustic footpath in zigzag, steep and almost without any vegetation to cover us from the heat of the sun, which is why the conditions of the ascent can be very unfriendly, specially if there is not enough wind. In any case, it is necessary to be in good physical condition for this part of the trip,
As we climb the view of the forest of the park becomes wider and the immense “Chaplin” lake can be seen amidst the exuberant vegetation. Likewise, depending on the time of ascent, we will have the opportunity to see the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) sometimes they flying at a lower height from us.
Once on top of the plateau, a short hike to a different edge nearby will let us appreciate different views of the green forest around us. On top of the plateau, we can appreciate the view of the waved green landscape spotted with virgin parts of jungle, a streams and palm trees. After a short rest we will keep hiking of about 1 1/2 hours to reach a camping spot, on the plateau, known as Huanchaca II. If we are lucky enough, we will be able to see dears, or even the macaws nesting in the palms that are about 30 minutes away from the edge of the plateau.
Huanchaca II is a beautiful spot covered with a beautiful Amazon rain forest jungle. It is a place where Amboro Tours used to set up the tents next to a nice stream. At this place is possible to see monkeys and others mammals.
Dinner and ovenight in Huachaca I
5th Day
From Huanchaca II is possible to do some trekking in the pampas for about 40 minute to a beautiful natural pool. Although the last a group that was there did not get into the water because the presence of a big anaconda in the water.
On the way to this pool, from Huanchaca II we will see a burned motorcycle and a short distance away we also can see parts of a small airplane crashed. Both the motorcycle and the airplane were used to belong many yeares ago to a drug factory installed in forest nearby where still is possible to see some remains of it.
After a nice bath in the clear water of this wild swimming pool we should go back to the camping site to cook lunch and to get ready for a afternoon hike in the virgin forest that surrounds us. At night is also possible to have a short have to have more chances of observing some wild animals.
A well-known bolivian conservationists named Noel Kempf Mercado was killed in the airfield of one of these factories on top of Caparuch plateau when his small plane landed with a team of nature researchers. It happened the 5th of September of 1986. Besides of Noel kempf Mercado also were killed at the same time, Juan Cochamanidis, Franklin Parada Auclos. Vicente Castelló, a Spaniard scientist, was the only survivor.
Dinner and overnight in Huanchaca II
6th Day
After a nice breakfast we should start the returning trip by the same footpath. Early in the morning is when we have more chances of seeing more birds and when the Ara araraunas macaws should be flying nearby. We also need to be aware that in dry season the pampas of the plateau get very dry and sometimes it gets on fire really fast.
Once we get to the edge of the plateau we have to be careful on the way downhill we must take care of loosen stones.
After about 1 hour we should arrive at Las Lajas and proceed towards Arroyo II. At this place we will cook lunch. After lunch we should keep hiking on the path that used to be a road for vehicles and now is most of it covered with vegetation. It would be a good idea to reach Arroyo I ( nearer the pampas) and to spend the night at this place.. This way we have more hours in the fresh morning to hike through las pampas to reach the next camping site ,
Dinner and overnight at Campamento Borochi
7th Day – Noel Kempf Tours
Very early in the morning we commence our last day of hiking towards Refugio Huanchaca.
This hike could last about 7 hours almost all through the pampas ( In the rain season this is overflowed)
If you feel like a rowboat ride on Paragua river it is possible
Dinner and overnight in Refugio Huanchaca
8th Day – Noel Kempf Tours
After breakfast we should return to Campamento village. This trip takes about 5 hours
Depending on the arrival time we can think about driving to the city of Santa Cruz today or we can stay ovenight in this village to start our trip to the city next day early morning
Dinner and overnight in Campamento
9th Day – Noel Kempf Tours
After breakfast we drive back to the city of Santa Cruz. This drive could take about 9 hours
Once in the city we drive to your place.
End of our services – Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
Biological Station – Refugio Huanchaca
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
The Biological Estacion El Refugio (14’45 S, 61′ 00 W) is a 50,000 ha reserve adjacent to and partially overlapping the Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado in northeastern Bolivia. El Refugio is located in a climatic and biogeographic transition zone between the moist Amazonian forests and dry forests and grasslands characteristic of the Cerrado and Chaco. There is relatively easy access to many different habitat types from the main camp, located along the banks of the Río Paraguá. El Refugio is a small station capable of housing a maximum of eight scientists at a time. To learn more about El Refugio or Noel Kempf Tours and research possibilities at the site, please visit the links below.
What to Bring ?
Noel Kempff National Park Los Fierros
What To Bring
- Sunscreen
- A Cap or a Hat ( No to be used under the trees or branches)
- Sun Glasses
- A Warm Sweater
- Raincoat
- Swimsuit ( You may not have time to use it in one day tours)
- Insect Repellents
- Long-sleeved shirt- Pants Light colours
- Mosquitoes are especially attracted by dark colours)
- Passport (Original) Or identifications documents valid in Bolivia
- Plastic bags to protect whatever you do not want to get wet
- Trekking Shoes or others proper Shoes.
- Bring your own medication for your personal needs
- Personal items you may need
- Extra food, cookies or sweets of your choice
- Toilet paper, Towel and others personal items
- Trekking shoes, A pair of Sandals and/or light Shoes to walk in streams or rivers
- A hand torch Hand & head lamp with enough batteries
- Enough cloth. And a pair of trousers. It should become shorts and dry fast.
Recommendations
- Follow the guide’s instructions
- Do not explore on your own
- Do not touch any insect or reptile
- Protect things you want to keep dry by putting them in plastic bags.
- Do not litter. Including cigarette butts
- Be careful about SLIPPING and falling, when crossing the rivers and streams or by the natural swimming pools
- Do not jump from place to place
- Do not smoke or light Candles inside the tents.
- Do not lift any rocks or logs
- Do not litter
- In the natural places where you take a bath do not use shampoo or soap
Tropical Diseases.- To minimize the risk of malaria, or a tropical disease we
Strongly recommend the use of long sleeved shirts and pants. During both day and night, and the use of repellents.
Positive Thinking.- When travelling in Bolivia, particularly to remote areas,
keep in mind that you are travelling in sparsely populated areas where few people go.
We suggest you a positive mental approach to relax, keep an open mind
Deodorant.- Try not to bring to the forest strong odor substances Keep In Mind: The changing weather can affect your future plans
- It is prohibited to hunt or capture any animal species or extract plants
- You have to carry your camping gear and water. And you may have to help the guide With 1 or 3 kilos. Unless you have paid for a porter.
- Likewise, remember that this tour can become an adventure where mishaps can happen, which is why it is necessary to have an exploring and adventurous spirit.
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