The southern reaches of Noel Kempff Mercado are not easily reached, and that is much of the point.
This expedition focuses on the Caparú Plateau region — a seldom-visited sector of the park where escarpments, cerrado, and forest converge into one of the more biologically distinct landscapes in tropical South America. Two locations anchor the route: Laguna Chaplín, a wetland rich in birds, mammals, and reptiles; and Catarata El Encanto, an 80-meter waterfall plunging from the rim of the Serranía Huanchaca.
Between them lies a landscape shaped as much by access as by protection — intact, in part, because so few have ever traversed it on foot.
We move through forest trails and transitional terrain, ascend to the plateau rim where stunted cerrado and expansive sky give way to silence, and descend into drainage systems where camera traps have documented jaguars, tapirs, and other elusive forest species.
This expedition is being shaped through on-the-ground reconnaissance, not built from a template. Routing, camp logistics, and seasonal access are still being learned. Future departures will be informed directly by what we learn in 2026 — which is one of the better reasons to consider joining one.
This is not a casual approach to the Caparú Plateau. It rewards photographers willing to work with what the landscape gives, on the days it gives it.
Expedition Progression
The August 2026 visit is a reconnaissance into the southern sector of Noel Kempff Mercado — a region with extraordinary ecological potential and very little established access. The objective is to evaluate route viability, camp logistics, and seasonal conditions across the Caparú Plateau approach.
The outline below reflects our August 2026 routing, based on overland entry via Florida and Los Fierros. Future departures may be refined accordingly.
You are not following a fixed itinerary. You are participating in the process of defining one.
Days 1–2 | Approach and Entry
We travel overland into Bolivia's northeastern lowlands, reaching the remote park boundary near Florida. After final preparations and coordination with park staff, we enter Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and transition into field operations.
Days 3–6 | Into the Forest
We push deeper into the southern sector, primarily by 4x4 along the recently re-opened Florida–Los Fierros corridor, with movement on foot where the terrain requires it. Initial camps are established along forest trails and river corridors. These days focus on immersion and early route assessment — dense forest, shifting terrain, and first encounters with the region's birdlife, reptiles, and mammals.
Days 7–10 | Caparú Plateau and Waterfalls
We work toward the base and rim of the Caparú Plateau, evaluating access while exploring both the forest below and the exposed systems above — including Catarata El Encanto and, conditions and time permitting, Laguna Chaplín, a bird-rich wetland whose access remains one of the questions the reconnaissance is meant to answer. The ascent onto the meseta is on foot. These are the most physically demanding days of the expedition.
Days 11–13 | Field Positioning and Exploration
With the key segments assessed, we focus on time in the field — revisiting productive areas, refining camps, and adjusting position based on wildlife activity, light, and conditions. These days remain intentionally flexible, allowing us to respond to what the landscape presents.
Day 14 | Exit
We begin the return toward the park boundary, retracing or adapting our route as conditions allow, and transition out of the field for the journey back toward Santa Cruz.
Trip Style
There are no lodges here.
We operate from expedition-style camps, set in remote clearings or along rivers, with a small support team handling camp setup and daily movement. Most of the route is now reachable by 4x4 — a meaningful change from earlier planning assumptions — with foot movement reserved for the climb onto the meseta and exploration once we're up there.
Days involve moderate hiking, generally two to six hours, across forest trails, sandy plateau paths, and river corridors. Terrain is uneven, with occasional climbs to reach escarpments and viewpoints. We move deliberately, allowing real time for photography, but a basic level of fitness and comfort on uneven ground is important.
You will be off-grid throughout. There is no cell service or internet once inside the park. Our team carries satellite communications for safety and coordination, but the experience is intentionally disconnected from routine contact — and most who come here count that among its better features.
Wildlife encounters are unmanaged and unpredictable. There are no hides, no baiting, no controlled conditions. Local guides and spotters help, but outcomes vary. Some days are quiet. Others are not. That variability is what working in a functioning ecosystem actually looks like.
If you are looking for comfort over authenticity, this is not the right expedition. For photographers drawn to rare access in a landscape still being learned — supported by an experienced team and a flexible, field-driven approach — Caparú offers a different kind of engagement than what most current photography travel provides.
Inclusions
- Access to and from the park via charter flight or overland route, depending on seasonal conditions and expedition logistics
- All park permits, entrance fees, and conservation charges
- All accommodation during the expedition (expedition-style camps; single occupancy unless sharing by choice)
- Full logistical support including camp setup, transport coordination, and field operations
- All meals during the expedition, prepared by a dedicated camp cook
- Ground and river transport within the park
- Services of lead photographer and licensed Bolivian naturalist guide
- Assistance from local guides familiar with the Caparú Plateau
- Drinking water during the expedition
- Optional night walks and starlight photography sessions
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights to/from Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI)
- Hotels and meals in Santa Cruz before and after the expedition (unless otherwise stated)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks
- Gratuities for guides, cook, and camp staff
- Porter support may be arranged depending on route requirements and availability
Final pricing and logistics will reflect access conditions, seasonal timing, and route development confirmed during the 2026 reconnaissance.
