Chalalan facts for kids
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| Indigenous Ecotourism | |
| Industry | Tourism |
| Genre | Jungle ecolodge |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Services | Lodging, interpretive guidance., food, river transport, Canoeing on lake and sport fishing. |
| Owner | Indigenous people of San José de Uchupiamonas |
Chalalán is an amazing eco-lodge run by the Indigenous people of San José de Uchupiamonas. It focuses on ecotourism, which means tourism that helps nature and local communities.
You can find Chalalán deep inside the Madidi National Park in Bolivia. Its cozy cabins are right by Chalalán Lake. This is near the Tuichi River, about 100 kilometers southwest of Rurrenabaque.
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How Chalalán Started
For a long time, Rurrenabaque has been a busy trading spot. People from the highlands and the Amazon have met there for centuries. This is why the Indigenous People of San José de Uchupiamonas speak both Quechua (from the highlands) and Tacana (from the Amazon).
Many visitors came to this area. One adventurer, Yossi Ghinsberg, got lost in the jungle in 1981. He was alone for three weeks! Luckily, the local people, also called "Josesanos," rescued him.
Yossi became good friends with the Josesanos. Together, they had an idea: create an ecotourism project. This project would help the indigenous people live better and protect the amazing nature around them. Big groups like the Inter-American Development Bank and Conservation International helped them. In 1999, Chalalán officially opened as a community-run business.
Run by the Community
Today, the indigenous people of San Jose de Uchupiamonas manage Chalalán all by themselves. It's a fantastic place for travelers who love seeing wild animals and taking educational tours.
Lake Chalalán and the Tuichi River offer incredible experiences. You might see colorful macaws, wild pigs called peccaries, tapirs, and many kinds of monkeys. If you're very lucky, you might even spot a jaguar! The lodge buildings use traditional local designs and materials. Tours include exploring jungle trails and canoe trips.
Where Chalalán Is
Chalalán is located inside the Madidi National Park. This park is part of the land belonging to the Indigenous People of San José de Uchupiamonas. It's close to Lake Chalalán and the Tuichi River, about 100 kilometers from Rurrenabaque.
To get there, you travel by boat. The journey from Rurrenabaque takes about 5 to 6 hours. The trip back is faster, around 3 hours, because you go with the river current.
What Makes Chalalán Special
The lodge buildings are made using old Tacana building methods. They have raised wooden floors, walls from chonta palm trees, and roofs made of jatata palm leaves.
Chalalán uses solar panels for electricity. It also has a special system to treat wastewater. This helps protect the environment.
The main activities at Chalalán are:
- Guided walks: Local indigenous guides teach you about the jungle.
- Canoe trips: You can paddle canoes on Lake Chalalán.
- Community visits: You can visit the local indigenous community.
Sometimes, scientists come to do research here. Workshops and seminars are also held. Many visitors enjoy watching birds and fishing.
Amazing Animals
Seeing wildlife is one of the most popular activities at Chalalán. The lodge helps protect the unique plants and animals of the Madidi National Park. This area is at the base of the Andes mountains, with a rich rainforest.
You might see many animals, including:
- Squirrel monkeys
- Howler monkeys
- Spider monkeys
- Deer
- Capybaras (the world's largest rodents)
- Wild pigs (peccaries)
- Sometimes, jaguars and pumas!
Bird watching is also fantastic. You can spot herons, macaws, eagles, hummingbirds, and many other birds.
How Chalalán Is Run
The Indigenous People of San José de Uchupiamonas own Chalalán. They choose a group of people to manage the lodge. All the staff who work there are also from the community. Chalalán has been running on its own since the year 2000. It has been successful ever since!
Awards and Recognition
Chalalán has won many awards for its great work:
- 2017: Premios Maya "Best ecological enterprise"
- 2017: TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence"
- 2013: The Rough Guide "The 10 best jungle lodges in the amazon"
- 2011: National Geographic Traveler "The most authentic and unique hotels in Bolivia"
- 2008: National Geographic Adventure "50 Top Ecolodges: Jungle"
- 2008: Equator Initiative "Equator Prize 2008 Winner"
See also
- Lago Chalalán
- Parque nacional Madidi
