After a while we stop at the entrance to the Madidi National Park, and then continue another 50 km (31 mi) or so along the river. Here, Tuichi makes its way through the jungle with innumerate meanders and now and then sandy or pebble beaches, half hidden by the dense green vegetation, come into a view. One can observe flocks of parrots disturbed by the engine noise, and with bit of luck one can spot the lonely pairs of macaws, one can hear their screeching even over the noise of the engines as they fly away over the jungle canopy.
After about five hours of comfortable navigation we land and start a thirty minute walk through the jungle to the Chalalan ecolodge. The lodge is on the banks of a small lagoon in the middle of the jungle, it might seem fairly basic, but it is functional and fairly comfortable. We are welcomed with a wholesome lunch after which we are give a short presentation during which we are introduced to the staff, to our local guides, and given a bit of history about the lodge and the surrounding area. This is followed by a short walk to the top of a small hill above the lagoon, during which our guide will point out the trees and plants that locals use for construction and for manufacture of various useful instruments. We return to the lodge, navigating across the lagoon on a canoe, just in time for dinner.
After diner we get out onto the lagoon again, this time to observe the nightlife in the trees along the banks of the lagoon.
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