Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Finding a lift west to Vallegrande or Cochabamba is a bit trickier. For Vallegrande,
buses pass the gas station on the main road at 11am and 4pm and typically have seats,
while for Cochabamba services on the old road leave Mairana around 3pm on Tuesday,
Friday and Sunday. To take the new road to Cochabamba it's easiest to just head back to
Santa Cruz and catch a flota there.
Around Samaipata
LA PAJCHA
A series of three beautiful waterfalls on a turbid mountain river that plunge 45m into a
dreamy tropical lagoon. La Pajcha has a sandy beach for swimming and some inviting
campsites. It's 42km south of Samaipata, toward San Juan, where there is a turnoff that
leads 7km to the falls. The site is privately owned and visitors are charged B$10 to visit
and swim here. The easiest way to get here is in a shared taxi from the plaza in Samaipata
(B$250, two hours).
EL NIDO DE LOS CONDORES
El Nido de los Condores (Condor Nest) is the end point of a hugely popular eight-hour
hike that begins from the trailhead near La Pajcha. Here, as you might expect, you will
find more than 25 condor nests perched precariously on the hillside and have the oppor-
tunity to admire these glorious birds at close quarters as they soar on thermals over the
valley below. The site has been dubbed the best condor-watching place in South America.
LA PARABA FRENTE ROJA
The endangered red-fronted macaw (Ara rubrogenys) , known locally as la paraba frente roja , reflects its Bolivian
specialty status in its red, green and yellow plumage - the colors of the national flag. Found only in dry inter-An-
dean valleys in the Valle- grande area, this handsome bird has a world population of just 1000. Thanks to an ex-
tensive public awareness campaign, local conservation NGO Armonía was able to raise the funds to purchase a
small reserve close to the town of Saipina that is dedicated to the conservation of the bird. It has now constructed
a superb and comfortable lodge (incl full board B$490) as a means of sustainably supporting the reserve.
Visit the Armonía office Offline map Google map (
356-8808; www.armonia-bo.org ; Lomas de Arenas
400; 8:30am-12:30pm & 2:30-6pm Mon-Fri) in Santa Cruz for more information about its conservation pro-
grams and how to visit the lodge. For a guided birding tour contact Bird Bolivia ( Click here ) .
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