The Amazon Rainforest holds an unimaginable amount of wildlife and beautiful scenery, and people travel from near and far to get a glimpse of it. When people think of the Amazon, Peru and Brazil often come to mind. But Bolivia is also an amazing place to experience the wonders of the Amazon and is a place that should not be disregarded. There are many jungle adventures to be had in the country, and visiting Amboró National Park is one excursion we definitely recommend.
Amboró National Park offers an ecosystem unlike anywhere else due to the highly varied topography that ranges from the higher Andean foothills to the warmer and more humid Amazon basin. This unique aspect makes it one of the most biodiverse national parks in the world.
The park is in a convenient location, making it easily accessible from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Samaipata, and other wonderful cities and towns located in the center of Bolivia. There are many ways to experience Amboró National Park, and below we will discuss the options we considered and our experience in the park.
Our Original Plan: A Night in Refugio Los Volcanes
Originally, we wanted to stay in Amboró National Park at Refugio Los Volcanes. This beautiful refuge lies right inside the border of the park and offers access to the amazing views, fun hikes, and complete tranquility. For a reasonable price, you get lodging, multiple meals, transport to the lodge from the park entrance, and ‘pathfinders’ to assist you on adventures.
While we were in contact with those working at the refuge, they were very friendly and accommodating. If you are thinking about staying here, we definitely recommend making reservations in advance by reaching them through their website. Our timing didn’t quite align with this option, and while we were bummed that we missed out on staying here, we experienced a great alternative.
Plan B: Amboró National Park Day Tour from Samaipata
Tour Overview
Duration: 6-8 hours, depending on hiking speed
Hike Distance: 8-9 miles (12-15 kilometers)
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes (they may get muddy and wet), sunscreen, bug repellent, rain jacket, lunch and snacks, water, camera
The Excursion
We left Santa Cruz de la Sierra and found ourselves in the lovely town of Samaipata. There, there are many tour operators that specialize in a variety of day tours to Amboró National Park. We opted to go with Samaipata Tours to see the giant ferns. This company also offers other tours, such as excursions to see the condors and the Samaipata fort.
We left at 8:30 a.m., departing with our small group from the tour office. We drove about 45 minutes on the winding road up into the park, leaving civilization behind. It had been raining a lot lately, so the roads were muddy. After the pretty drive through the countryside, we parked and began the ascent through the jungle.
All of the flora was lush and beautiful, but when we reached the giant ferns, we were amazed. These ferns are among the oldest plants on this planet. Some towered above our heads, blocking out much of the light that would otherwise flood the forest floor. Our guide provided much information about these unique plants. As we hiked, the forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rushing water.
We climbed higher, eventually leaving the forest behind and entering grassy fields. It was colder up here as rolling clouds left mist on our skin and there were no trees to protect us from the wind. We sat on the hillside for a while, eating our packed lunch and watching the clouds cruise through the valley.
We continued up the hillside, admiring the panoramic views before heading back down into the trees. The descent was much easier with the exception of the muddy spots. Towards the end of the hike, the sun came out, making for the perfect end to our excursion.
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