Explore the diverse plants and habitats of Bolivia’s Elbow of the Andes, a hotspot of biodiversity. Discover rare endemic species and stunning landscapes on this 11-day adventure.
Santa Cruz - tree fern forest - Samaipata
Samaipata - We will travel by road around 3 hours from Santa Cruz into the mountains around Samaipata. Along the way, we will encounter representative samples of Yungas cloud forests.
The highlight of the day is a 3-hours walk in a forest of tree ferns near Samaipata. Possibly one of the areas in the world with the highest concentration of these primitive organisms, giving a glimpse to how the world looked like during the Carboniferous period.
We will spend the night in Samaipata, a picturesque and welcoming town situated at 1400 meters above sea level. The village invites you to short strolls through its charming streets. With a wide array of restaurants and lodging establishments, it provides a perfect setting for a delightful break.
Samaipata - Postrervalle - sunkha palm - Vallegrande
Vallegrande - The journey takes a from Samaipata to the South until the small town of Postrervalle. This transition offers a unique glimpse of the ecotone between the Yungas cloud forest and the encounter with the dry inter-Andean valleys.
From Postrervalle we will continue our trip towards the west in direction to Vallegrande. In this unpaved road we will find the only relict populations of Parajubaea sunkha. This critically endangered palm is one of the only two species of Parajubaea, an endemic genus of palm with few relict populations in the area covered by our trip.
From Postrervalle we will arrive to Vallegrande to spend the night. This colonial village is predominantly engaged in agriculture and livestock activities, complemented by a modest but charming selection of culinary delights and accommodation options.
Vallegrande - Pucará - Santa Rosa bridge over Río Grande
Pucara - The journey to Río Grande river unfolds over several hours, punctuated by numerous stops for observation and interpretation. Initially tracing the historic site of Che Guevara’s guerrilla battles, the route transcends this narrative to showcase a captivating transition from Vallegrande through the heights of Pucará, influenced by the Tucuman-Bolivian Forest, and ultimately descends to Rio Grande river.
Here, a convergence of watercourses from the dry inter-Andean valleys creates a striking landscape. The valley, largely unexplored until very recently, is now accessible by road thanks to a new bridge, where we will camp. The place is home to a plethora of endemic cactus and bromeliads. The breathtaking scenic beauty unfolds between the mountains and the river. It is common to spot various bird species, including the Andean condor.
Santa Rosa bridge over Río Grande - Villa Serrano
Villa Serrano - Presto - El Palmar
El Palmar - Presto - Sucre
Sucre - After a restful night at the community-owned lodge, the following day unfolds with a morning walk to observe the region’s flora. The trek takes you through the relict populations of the palm, which are well-integrated into a very particular forest type with other endemic and unique species. This unique environment also serves as the habitat for another endemic species, the Red-fronted Macaw, known for nesting in these towering palms.
After a restful break and lunch prepared by the community, we’ll journey towards Sucre, a colonial city and the constitutional capital of the country (though administrative functions are in La Paz). Sucre invites leisurely strolls to delve into the nation’s history, indulge in diverse gastronomy, and enjoy a comfortable stay at a hotel. This marks a well-deserved respite after several nights in lodges and campsites, offering a moment for proper relaxation.
Sucre - Aiquile - Mizque - Kuri bridge
Kuri bridge - stand of Puya raimondii - Mizque
Mizque - Aiquile - Omereque
Omereque - Pulquina Abajo - Mataral - Samaipata
Samaipata - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz - We will use the day to buffer delays that could have happened during the previous days. If everything has gone well, we will have time to visit a hummingbird sanctuary a few kilometers away from Samaipata. There, around 20 different species have been recorded, and landowners keep a variety of local plants that feed these typically Andean bird species.
After that, we will repeat the route of our first day, back to Santa Cruz. We will stop on demand and depending on time availability and energies.
- Lodging is included.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Airfares to/from Santa Cruz (Bolivia)
- Alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses
- Individual travel or health insurance
Bolivia’s “Elbow of the Andes” is an area of great biological significance, a hotspot with high levels of diversity and endemism. We are the only operator offering comprehensive visits to this remote and unexplored area. Our guides, local naturalists, will help you understand both nature and culture.
We will use paved and unpaved roads through stunning scenery, doing short walks to creeks, ravines, and rock outcrops. We will explore the wet Bolivian-Tucuman forest, Chaco-Serrano dry forests, and the unique inter-Andean valleys, each one drier than the previous one. We will visit the only known wild populations of the endemic palm Parajubaea, the rare Cardenasiodendron endemic tree, and one of the few locations with Puya raimondii, the largest bromeliad on Earth. With luck, we will also spot endemic bird species, like the red-fronter paraba and other fauna.
Dates may require coordination. Suggested: November (cacti floration) and April/May (end of wet season). Duration: 11 days.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.