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Chalalan Ecolodge is a jungle retreat that offers a unique and immersive experience in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon. Surrounded by the pristine rainforest of Madidi National Park, this eco-friendly lodge features 14 cabins, built in the traditional style of the Tacana indigenous people, with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and mosquito nets. Madidi National Park is one of the most biodiverse and protected areas in the world. The park covers 4.5 million acres from the snow-peaked Andes Mountains to the western Amazon basin, and hosts over 1,000 species of birds, 200 species of mammals, 300 species of fish, and 12,000 species of plants. The lodge is situated on the shore of Lake Chalalan, a natural sanctuary for wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, caimans, and otters. The lodge is also part of the territory of San José de Uchupiamonas, an indigenous community that owns and manages the ecolodge.
Sustainability
Chalalan Ecolodge is committed to sustainability and environmental conservation. The lodge was built using natural materials such as palm leaves, bamboo, and mahogany, and blends harmoniously with the surroundings. The lodge also uses solar power, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and waste management to reduce its ecological footprint. Chalalan Ecolodge supports the local community of San José de Uchupiamonas, an indigenous group of Quechua-Tacana origin, through employment, education, and empowerment. The lodge also contributes 10% of its income to social and environmental projects in the community.
Some of the sustainable practices and initiatives that Chalalan Ecolodge follows are:
Using biodegradable products for cleaning and personal hygiene
Separating and recycling solid waste and composting organic waste
Treating wastewater before discharging it into the lake
Producing their own food using organic methods and buying local products
Providing training and capacity building for the local staff and community members
Promoting cultural exchange and preserving local traditions through tours, festivals, and workshops
Participating in various conservation initiatives such as bird monitoring, reforestation, wildlife rescue, and environmental education
Supporting the protection and management of Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world
Rooms
Chalalan Ecolodge has 14 cabins, each with a private bathroom and a balcony with a hammock. The cabins are decorated with colorful fabrics and handicrafts made by the local women. The cabins are equipped with comfortable beds, ceiling fans, safes, and Wi-Fi. There are no TVs or air-conditioning units in the cabins, but you won’t miss them as you enjoy the fresh air and the sounds of nature.
The cabins are divided into three categories: double cabins (for two people), triple cabins (for three people), and family cabins (for four people). The family cabins have two bedrooms and a shared bathroom.
Food and drink
You can choose to dine at the main restaurant, which serves international and Bolivian dishes made with fresh ingredients from the lodge’s own farm and garden. You can also opt for a romantic dinner on your balcony or by the lake, a picnic on a nearby island or beach, or a barbecue under the stars. The lodge also has a bar that offers cocktails, wines, beers, and juices. You can sip your drink while watching the sunset or listening to live music.
Things to do
You can swim in the lake or in the natural pool, hike or bike through the forest trails, canoe or kayak along the lake, birdwatch or wildlife watch in the reserve, or join a guided tour to the nearby archaeological sites or caves. You can also practice yoga or meditation on the deck, or book a massage or a facial at the spa, which uses natural products and traditional techniques.
Wider region
Chalalan Ecolodge is an ideal base to explore the wider region of Madidi National Park and the Bolivian Amazon. You can visit other attractions such as Rurrenabaque, the gateway town to the park, where you can find more services and activities; Apolobamba National Park, a mountainous area with glaciers and lakes; or Pampas del Yacuma, a wetland area with abundant wildlife and scenic views.
Getting there
To get to Chalalan Ecolodge from La Paz, you need to take a flight to Rurrenabaque (about 45 minutes), and then take a boat to the lodge (about 5 hours). The lodge can arrange transfers for you upon request. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Rurrenabaque (about 18 hours), and then take a boat to the lodge. The boat ride is also part of the experience, as you will enjoy the scenery and the wildlife along the Beni and Tuichi Rivers.
- Actively reduces consumption
- Ecosystem preservation
- Sustainable build
- Solar powered or renewable energy
- Funds projects
- Local or organic food
- Education
- Preservation of cultural heritage
- Empowerment
- Nature
- Culture
- Lake
- Restaurant
- Up to 2
- Up to 4
- Family
- Lodge
- Hiking
