A Guide to Jungle and Pampas Tours in Bolivia

Brazil may be known as the home of the Amazon, but the rainforest actually extends far beyond the borders into the surrounding countries, including Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia. The north of Bolivia is covered in dense jungle and riverside wetlands (known as Pampas), with fantastic opportunities to explore both. To visit these areas, you must join a guided tour, beginning in Rurrenabaque.

Getting There and Away

Rurrenabaque is a small town in northern Bolivia, and the jumping off point for both jungle and pampas tours. Known locally as “Rurre”, this town is located just over 200km north of La Paz. For those entering by road, however, this relatively short distance takes over 12 hours to cover (and this duration can double in the rainy season). The narrow, unpaved road winds its way along the steep valley sides, next to a perilously steep drop (affording great views of the valley, and worrying views of vehicle wreckages below). This journey is certainly not for the faint of heart, and it claims more victims than Bolivia’s infamous “Death Road”.

Far easier is the short and scenic 40 minute flight to Rurrenabaque from La Paz’s El Alto international airport (incidentally, the highest airport in the world, at an altitude of over 4,000m ).

Booking a Tour

There are plenty of tour operators to choose from, varying in price and reliability. Be sure to do your research and book using a trustworthy operator. The tours fall into two categories: visiting the jungle region of Parque Nacional Madidi, or the wetlands of Pampas del Yucuma.

Tours run for varying durations, though a popular choice is a two-night, three-day package to either the jungle or the pampas. You can book a private tour or join other travellers in a small group.

Jungle Tours

Trekking deep into the Amazon is an adventurer’s dream. Jungle tours take visitors from Rurrenabaque into the dense Bolivian jungle. Here, you will experience the rich biodiversity of the region, as you trek along overgrown trails to high vantage points, for views of hills covered in green vegetation and dotted with red macaws.

Hiking here is strenuous, as are the living conditions. Expect to sleep in a bare-bones tent and eat around a campfire. This may not be cozy, but it adds to the sensation of being an intrepid jungle explorer! Your guide will teach you skills such as chopping logs with a machete and using them to make a shelter or raft. You’ll also have the option to catch your own dinner by fishing for piranhas in the river, which you can then roast over the fire.

Your guide may also show you how to make crafts or jewelry from vegetation, leaving you with the perfect souvenir of your trip.

Pampas Tours

In the pampas, the vegetation is less thick, and this allows better chances of seeing wildlife. The journey begins with a boat ride up the river, where you can view capybaras along the riverbank, and caimans in the water.

Hiking trails through the flat wetlands are less strenuous than those in the jungle. As you walk through the pampas, you’re likely to spot animals such as anteaters, monkeys, or even an anaconda.

During a pampas tour, you’ll also have the chance to take in a night time boat ride, where you’ll glide along the river in the dark, shining a light into the water to see the eerie glow of caiman’s eyes.

This is when you’ll also stand your best chance of seeing a jaguar hunting by the riverbank. These sightings are far from guaranteed, but if you’re lucky you’ll see one of these huge cats emerging from the darkness. Be sure to wear plenty of mosquito repellent, as this is one wildlife encounter that is less enjoyable!

Of all the animals you’ll experience on a pampas tour, the most memorable is the pink dolphin. If you spot these in the water, your guide will simply stop the boat and invite you to jump in. Swimming in the Amazon with pink dolphins- travel experiences don’t get more unique than this!

Which to Choose?

Now the difficult question; do you choose a jungle or a pampas tour? If you only have time for one trip, this can be a very difficult decision to make.

Pampas tours appeal more to animal lovers, as they offer a much better chance of seeing wildlife. Jungle tours are more focused on exploration and jungle views. Pampas tours are more comfortable and less strenuous and physically exerting, though, of course, the adventurous nature of jungle tours just adds to the appeal!

Only you can decide which tour suits you best. Though if you’re lucky enough to have time to spare, you can always choose both!