Mashaquipe Ecolodge is situated in the heart of Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon, close to the Tuichi River. Managed by guides from neighbouring indigenous communities, it appeals to travellers seeking immersion in one of the world's most biodiverse zones.

Why choose this ecolodge

Mashaquipe offers simple accommodation, rooted in its environment, with a committed ecotourism approach. Its nine traditional cabins are built from local materials: wooden or sand floors, walls of palm trunks, roofs of thatch or jatata palm. Total capacity is around twenty-four guests, ensuring an intimate atmosphere and limiting the footprint on the surrounding forest.

Guidance by local experts is one of the lodge's major strengths: deep knowledge of the terrain, medicinal plants, traditional uses, and keen wildlife interpretation. You stay within the park, not at its edges.

Atmosphere

The setting evokes a tropical forest camp: continuous rustlings, birdsong at dawn, the river's murmur, light filtered through the canopy. Wooden and palm cabins allow jungle sounds to pass through, and large mesh windows ensure ventilation and observation from inside. An outdoor rest area with a few hammocks beneath tall trees invites pauses between excursions.

Comfort is deliberately modest: you come here for the forest, not for urban hotel amenities.

The cabins

Cabins come in several configurations to accommodate groups and families:

• Doubles
• Double rooms
• Triples
• Five-bed cabins

Each cabin features individual mosquito nets, a bedside table, luggage rack, towels, toilet paper, and biodegradable soap. Some cabins have private bathrooms; others share communal facilities located ten to fifteen metres from the dormitories.

Dining and services

The kitchen emphasises fresh, local produce, with vegetarian and vegan options. Menus alternate between Amazonian recipes and international dishes. Several specialities are worth tasting:

• Sonso: yucca (cassava) paired with cheese
• Masaco: mashed banana mixed with dried meat or cheese
• Majadito: rice cooked with dried meat, eggs, and bananas
• Dunucuabi: local fish cooked in palm or bamboo leaves

For activities, the lodge organises forest treks, boat outings on the Tuichi, and night excursions. Boats accommodate eight to ten passengers and are equipped with an outboard motor, life jackets, a protective canopy, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers. Night excursions reveal frogs, snakes, and tarantulas; spotting a jaguar remains rare and a matter of luck.

Location and access

The lodge sits within Madidi National Park, which spans nearly 18,958 km² and ranks among the planet's most biodiverse sites. The park encompasses diverse ecosystems, from Amazonian plains to Andean foothills.

Access involves several stages: a domestic flight to Rurrenabaque, considered the gateway to Madidi, then approximately two and a half hours by boat on park waterways. A five-minute walk from the Tuichi's shores leads to the cabins.

When to visit

The Bolivian Amazon experiences two distinct seasons. The dry season, from May to October, remains most comfortable: trails are passable, fewer mosquitoes, and wildlife observation is easier around water sources. The rainy season, from November to April, offers lush vegetation and swollen rivers ideal for boating, though downpours can complicate treks and humid heat is more intense. For a first visit, aim for the dry season.

Nearby

The region offers several natural extensions to your stay. Rurrenabaque merits a night before or after your expedition, for its riverside town atmosphere and markets. The Yacuma pampas, accessible from the same base, complement your forest experience with immersion in a wildlife-rich wetland zone. For those wishing to extend their Bolivian journey towards altitude and volcanoes, the Refugio de los Volcanes offers striking contrast with the Amazon.

Planning your stay

Mashaquipe Ecolodge fits naturally into a broader itinerary around Madidi and the Bolivian Amazon. To build an itinerary combining rainforest, pampas, and highlands, consult our Bolivie journeys and connect with our destination specialists.