Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro is on the border between Bolivia and Brasil on the banks of Itinez or Guapore river in Noel Kempff National Park which is a spectacular biological reserve of 1.5 million hectares located in the northeastern corner of Bolivia, in the Department of Santa Cruz. Due to its unique bio-geographical location and the rich and extraordinary diversity of species and habitats found in the park, Noel Kempff attained status as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Most of tours offered by the travel agencies to Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro do not go to the ecolodge Flor De Oro because it is not operating anymore. This lodge has deteriorated a lot in recent years and it lacks maintenance, tourists who go to the Ahlfeld and Arcoiris waterfalls no longer reach Flor De Oro. The visitors that travel by land or by a small plane do not go through Flor De Oro. The tours offered to Noel Kempff National Park north side are through the communities Piso Firme, Remanso, or El Cafetal.
The Noel Kempff Park Flor De Oro waterfalls Tours are on the north side of the Park. On these tours some time is spend on the Itenez and Pauserna rivers and as well as in the oxbow lakes of these rivers, looking to have more chances of to see wildlife.
One of the biggest attractions that visitors attending this side of the park can find are the fabulous Arcoiris and Ahlfeld waterfalls. Although you can find others waterfalls that are created when it rains a lot.
Other major attractions are the chances of observing the freshwater dolphins and Giant River Otters and maybe a jaguar. among many other mammals of the Amazon.
The number of birds that can be appreciated, according to our experience and knowledge, are in more number on this North Side of the park. But the number of species are much more in the south side of this park.
We offer different kind of itineraries or programs for visiting the north side of Noel Kempff. All trips start from Santa Cruz city and tours can be by land or by a small plane
United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization
This site was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Its importance is partially because the vegetation is almost pristine, with only minor human impacts from minimal logging activity experienced in the 1980.
The park encompasses the Huanchaca Plateau, which is one of the largest protected tracts of undisturbed cerrado savannahs in the Neotropical realm This area has some of the most threatened mega-fauna in the Americas
Tours, trips to visit the main attractions of this world heritage, Noel Kempf National park, are divided in two zones North and South.
The tour to Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro starts at 7:30 a.m. You will be picked up from your hotel or home by our personnel to be taken to the air field. There we will board a small single-engine air plane which will take us to Noel Kempff National Park north side. We will arrive to El Cafetal airfield in about 3 hours of flight. (We recommend you to use the toilette before boarding)
We will have the opportunity to appreciate from up-high the city of Santa Cruz. And after flying for the first 30 minutes towards the north-east we will be able to appreciate the devastation inflicted to the forest by the agriculture fields, meanly of Soy Beans and Sunflower. Later we will be flying on the town of Concepcion which is part of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania
On the way to Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro, flying for some more time we start seeing how the exuberant green carpet get thicker, And soon we are flying on the virgin jungle of park
Some more time on the way and will start watching the awesome Caparu plateau.On our way to Flor De Oro in Noel Kempf National Park, flying on the plateau we can appreciate from the plane the impressing waved landscape and the different vegetation of this flat mountain while we get close to the waterfalls “Arcoiris” y “Ahlfeld”.
Once on of the Arcoiris waterfall we will fly on a flank to have better view of the waterfall, so pictures are easier to be taken. And in about two minutes we will be on the Anfeld, the we need go find the airfield near itenez/ Guapore river.
Soon we will be landing at Valle Itenez airfield, a little far from the waterfalls but the is the nearest one available and legally operable.
Soon after landing we should begin a beautiful trip navigating the Itenez river waters, for the first four hours approximately, sometimes depending on season is possible to find the awesome floating plant Victoria Boliviana.
Later we will meet Pauserna River. Pauserna is a smaller river coming out of the park into Itenez river. Because the arrival to the airfield sometimes is sometimes delayed due to whether conditions, the group may have to spend the first night in camping at a riverbank next to the park rangers’ boat. It is about 3 hours before Ahfeld Camp. At this point we also need to do some paper work to get access to the waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight at this point where Itenez and Pausernan river meet.
Early in the morning we procceed our journey to Ahlfeld camp on Pauserna river.
We may have the opportunity of seeing and watch a great variety of birds like Kingfishers and different mammals such as the Capybaras and if we are lucky enough..It is even possible to spot some jaguar on the beaches of the river But we do not guarantee finding and watching any wild mammals
This will certainly turn our journey into an unforgettable experience. An experience which permits us to enjoy the infinite wonders of nature.
Arrival to Ahlfeld camp. Settle in in camping (camping gear is included). The place will be our sub-base camp for all our excursions today and tomorow.
After that we cross Pauserna river to start a short walk through a path parallel to the Pauserna River. The path is covered by a very relaxing canopy forest. This walk is approximately 30 minutes and goes towards a natural pool formed by this waterfall. Here we will have a special and spectacular view from the bottom We will also be able to take pictures from different angles. We will be able to enjoy these falls and take a swim but NOT to close to the falls.
We must take notice and respect all existing signs and indications of caution. We must be aware of the presence of Sting Rays in the water as well as the presence of other animals which are not very probable but surely possible.
Some times also is possible to enjoy another waterfall from which you can get some wonderful massages for the whole body.
If the conditions allow it, We could have an early boat ride to visit some new places near by or some trekking
At night it possible to have a trekking to try to see more wildlife.
Dinner and overnight in Ahfeld Camp.
After breakfast, we will set out on a path parallel to the Pauserna River towards the top part of the Ahfeldfalll. Here is where the waterfall begins. The view from here is more impressive.
Even though the view is not as extensive as the one from bottom it is some how creepy. CAUTION: do not get too close to the edges since the rocks are very SLIPPERY.
Following the same trail affter about 2.5 hours we should arrive at ArcoIris Waterfall view point
Total time hiking both ways is about 6 hours
This first part of the walk is 40 minutes, and we will stop to enjoy the place and surroundings for about 30 minutes.
After this point, we will keep on our way up to have a close look at Arcoiris Waterfall.
We keep getting further away from the camp-site on a path through different types of forests. The path will go slightly uphill towards the Arcoiris fall view point.
There are parts where the path turns narrow with a rocky wall on one side and an edge that falls several meters down to the Pauserna River… We must walk very carefully. We will keep going upward on the path through the jungle whose vegetation keeps changing.
At the top we reach Caparú Plateau where the forest’s vegetation is already low. We walk for approximately 30 more minutes on the plateau until we get to the point where we get a magnificent view of Arcoiris Falls. It is here where we stop for refreshments and lunch sandwiches.
Meanwhile we watch in this immense place, the action of the water that falling down creates a notable evaporation of liquids, part of the natural cycle which must be watched, appreciated and meditated upon.
Depending on the rain season,some streams become rivers which turn into others impressive waterfalls; smaller but yet closer and more accessible to the visitor who may swim and get massaged by the fall of its water.
Sometimes Arcoiris Fall may be visited from below. Though. this is not very frequent. The visits to the bottom of Arcoiris depends largely on the CONDITIONS of the Pauserna River and availability of time.
The Pauserna River must be crossed swimming with much caution with the animals of the place as well as caution with the “tenant” residing on the bottom part of the Arcoiris Falls who is the Anaconda “Iris”!!!!!!! She has been spotted on several occasions from the top of the plateau (with binoculars) basking in the sun on the rocks
After we are done appreciating the watefall and its surroundings. We should return to the Ahlfeld Camp-site to rest and have dinner.
After breakfast, to be more in tune with the wildlife’s movements, have more possibilities of observing some mammals or birds that we have not yet seen and to arrive on time to the airfield to fly back to Santa Cruz, we should start the trip back to the airfield.
The return trip is somewhat shorter than the original trip.
On the way back to the community we may have the time to stop to have one more chance to observe some more wildlife
Also we may stop at a community on riverbanks to have a tipical lunch
Once in the community we should stay overnight at the hostel because it is going to be no enough daylight to fly to the city of Santa Cruz.
Dinner and overnight in the community near the airfield
After breakfast we should board the small plane to return to Santa Cruz city
we should use the restrooms before boarding the small plane.
Once in the city we drive you to your place.
End of this visit of Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro
Thank you
Please Read The Terms and Conditions of our Services
Amboró Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary
Amboró Tours also offers longer or shorter tours to this destination.
Adverse climatology 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.
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”
At 18H00 departure from the city of Santa Cruz towards Noel Kempff National park Flor de Oro, in a vehicle with destination to the community Piso Firme community near Noel Kempf N park
Overnight in the vehicle during the trip.
Arriving at Piso Firme at about 16H00.
Overnight in a hostal in the community Piso Firme.
Departure early morning in a motorboat towards Pauserna river.
After about 7 hours on a a motorboat on Itenez river on the border of Noel Kempff national park Flor de Oro and on the line with Brasil we arrive at the point where Pauserna river meets the Itenez river. Here we may do some paper work with the park rangers of the park. From this point to the Ahlfeld camp site is about 3 hours more in the motor boat on Pauserna river . Depending on the time available after the paper work we resume the navagation to Ahlfeld camp site and we can use the rest of the day exploring the banks of the rivers, the oxbow lakes around and we stay overnight in tents near the park rangers site, or if we have enough day light time we resume the trip to Ahlfeld camp site
Early in the morning we resume the trip to the camping site near Ahlfeld waterfall.
Once in the camping site we setup the tents and we plan the activities for today. The activities or the trekking will depends on the arrival time to this point and the weather conditions.
Dinner and over at Ahlfeld camping site.
Early in the morning trekking towards the view point of Arcoíris waterfalls. Total time trekking about 6 hours.
Also this visit could have been done the day before, it depends on the time available.
Overnight at Ahlfeld waterfall.
Departure back towards Piso Firme community on the motorboat.
Total time riding the boat on Paserna and Itinez river 5 or 6 hours on the way we can stop at a community to have lunch an to have a short walk in the forest.
Arrival to Piso Firma about 17h.
Departure in a car to Santa Cruz city at about 18H30
Overnight in the vehicle during the trip back.
Arrival at Santa Cruz city about 17H
End of this Noel Kempff National Park Flor De Oro trip.
You must have your own accident insurance valid for this trip with Amboro Tours.
We suggest you a positive mental approach to relax, keep an open mind
Includes:
Does not Includes:
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.
Deodorant.- Try not to bring to the forest strong odor substances Keep In Mind: The changing weather can affect your future plans