Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parque Machía
(Inti Wara Yassi; 413-6572;
www.intiwarayassi.org
; admission B$6, photo or video
permit B$10; closed Mon)
This 36-hectare wildlife refuge houses more than 200 free-
range, poached or injured animals, and other abused critters. An international crew of vo-
lunteers tends to the animals' every need, but no attempts are made to reintroduce them
into the wild (that means the animals, not the volunteers!).
Tours for wannabe volunteers are conducted daily at 10am. Volunteers must stay for a
minimum of 15 days and can choose between rustic camping and the hostel, both of
which cost B$1450 for the first two weeks, including food.
ZOO
Orquidario Villa Tunari
(
closed Mon)
Lovingly tended by a group of German botanists, Villa Tunari's beautiful
orchid nursery is home to more than 70 species of tropical orchids. There's also a small
museum
that is worth visiting, El Bosque restaurant and a couple of
cabañas
(cabins)
available for rent. It's just north of the highway, 2km west of town near the
tranca
(police
post).
GARDENS
Pozas
Pozas
(swimming holes) are the main source of fun in Villa Tunari. In addition to Hotel
de Selva El Puente's Las Pozas, there are several free
pozas
in town along the Río San
Mateo. Great opportunities for
fishing
,
kayaking
and
white-water rafting
abound in the
surrounding rivers, but ask around to see what's safe before heading out into the forest on
your own.
SWIMMING
Tours
Fremen Tours
Villa Tunari is the focus for Cochabamba-based
Fremen Tours
(
Click here
)
, which or-
ganizes all-inclusive tours, accommodations, river trips and other activities at out-of-the-
way sites. It also offers live-aboard riverboat cruises around Trinidad and adventure tours
in Parque Nacional Isiboro-Sécure.
TOUR
