Delving into the Jungle and entry to the Amazon: Pampas, Bolivia – A Top Experience

It seems so long ago, yet so vivid, the memory of travelling down the Yacuma River in Bolivia after torrential rain that could have blocked my journey to the Pampas. The steaming sun that shone down, the sounds of unusual birds, the odd spray of water from a pink dolphin. All were experienced several times over the course of a 3 day Pampas trip.

I had chosen Bolivia for my taste of the Amazon wildlife for its value of wildlife spotting to budget. It was cheap and plentiful.

Staying in an Ecolodge meant sleeping in a room of bats, bugs, spiders and who knows what else, but donning a sleeping mask and dreaming of all the exciting times ahead, I couldn’t complain.

A normal alarm for most people comes from a mini radio or phone right? Mine was the sound of howler monkeys. At first I thought it was some giant frog, or maybe the alligator that make the space below the ecolodge (which sat on stilts) its home? But no, it was these monkeys, not just any type of monkey, but a monkey with an incredible volume tucked away in it’s furry body. I definitely wouldn’t want to get too close to one of these guys.

The highlight of the Pampa’s experience was seeing my first sloth and pink dolphin. They aren’t the easiest to spot, but once you do its like all your Christmases have come at once! During the 3 days I had the pleasure of seeing multiple sloths and even swimming with pink dolphins.

The birds were also incredible. So many colours and varieties that you’d never imagine!

Then there were the cheeky monkeys — squirrel monkeys would jump in the boat if you got too close to the trees and have fun seeing the reactions they get from the humans.

Oh and not to forget the giant rodent capybara!

 

To get to the Pampas I flew to Rurrenabaque from La Paz in Bolivia. The alternative bus ride is highly unrecommended due to dangerous roads and people. I booked my trip once I arrived in Rurrenabaque because there were loads of agencies and then just adjusted my flights and accommodation around the 3 day 2 night tour. If you fancy reading more about it and seeing more photos check out my post: The Pampas, Amazon Region in Bolivia here »

This is one of my ‘Top 30 Experiences before I’m 30’ and reading back over my last post, it’s a wonder why it took me over a month and a half to realise I had parasites from this trip. Best advice is take your own food and bottled water! Don’t brush your teeth with any unbottled water or accidentally consume any shower water.

Check out my other Top Experiences I’ve had before I’m 30 here »

 

If you want to check out what a howler monkey sounds like here’s a clip I found that demonstrates their sound pretty well: