Available as Full Day · 2 Days/1 Night · or 3 Days/2 Nights · Refugio Los Volcanes Lodge · 2.5hrs from Santa Cruz
Overview
Two hours west of Santa Cruz, the southern edge of Amboró National Park delivers some of the most spectacular landscapes in Bolivia. Towering red sandstone cliffs, ancient cloud forest, and multiple waterfalls surround Refugio Los Volcanes — one of the world’s great birding destinations and our base for all Amboró tours.
We run this as a private 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night tour only. No day trips. The park rewards those who stay.
Private tours only. No shared groups. Routes, pace, and focus are tailored entirely to your party.
tour options
birding highlights
activities
price includes
price excludes
birding
Southern Amboró National Park holds over 800 bird species — more than 60% of Bolivia’s entire avifauna, and more than the USA and Canada combined. Two Bolivia-endemic species are regularly recorded at Refugio Los Volcanes:
★ Bolivian Recurvebill (Simoxenops striatus)
★ Bolivian Tapaculo
Both are high on the target list for visiting birders. Other highlights include Andean Condors soaring the canyon thermals, Military Macaws flying the cliff faces, Sunbitterns along the river, King Vultures, Blue-browed Tanagers, Yungas Manakins, and Slaty Gnateaters — an Andean and Amazonian mix that reflects the park’s unique position at the confluence of three distinct ecosystems.
wildlife
Six feline species have been recorded on camera trap in the area, including jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, Geoffroy’s cat, and jaguarundi. Andean Bears (Spectacled Bears) have also been documented in the park.
Field sightings of large mammals are rare, but most guests encounter monkeys, coatis, and tayras on hikes, alongside a wide range of birds and smaller wildlife throughout the day.
Hiking & Landscapes
The trail network at Refugio Los Volcanes ranges from easy waterfall walks to full-day treks into the park. All hikes are private and tailored to your pace, interests, and fitness level — there’s no fixed route. The scenery is extraordinary throughout: red sandstone monoliths, jungle-lined rivers, natural swimming holes, orchids, giant tree ferns, and views that open up unexpectedly around every corner.
On clear nights, the canyon at Refugio Los Volcanes offers some of the best stargazing in Bolivia — no light pollution, dramatic cliff silhouettes, and skies that are genuinely hard to forget.
Local Coffee
The Bermejo valley surrounding Refugio Los Volcanes is coffee-growing country. The lodge serves locally produced coffee from farms in the area, and guests can purchase beans to take home.
the lodge
Refugio Los Volcanes is one of the most spectacularly located lodges in Bolivia — set in a deep canyon valley on the southern border of Amboró National Park, surrounded by towering red sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and cloud forest. There is nowhere else in Bolivia quite like it.
Accommodation
The lodge is rustic and comfortable, not luxury. Accommodation is spread across the main colonial-style building and separate cabins, sleeping around 12 guests in total. All rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers. The property runs on solar and hydro power.
Food & Community
Meals are home-cooked daily by local staff — a fresh buffet of Bolivian, international, and vegetarian dishes made from seasonal ingredients. The lodge works closely with the surrounding local community, and the coffee served here is grown in the Bermejo valley just outside the park.
What Refugio Los Volcanes offers isn’t luxury — it’s something rarer: one of the most beautiful natural settings in South America, genuine local warmth, and a team that has been part of this valley for generations.
All tours are private. Routes, pace, and focus are flexible based on your group.
Depart Santa Cruz at 8:30 AM. Stop at the Mirador above the canyon, then descend by 4WD to Refugio Los Volcanes. Afternoon guided walk, waterfall visit and swim. Dinner and optional night walk.
Full day in southern Amboró National Park. Route and pace tailored to the group — birding focus, longer trek, or both. Picnic lunch in the field or back at the lodge. Evening walk and optional night walk.
Morning outing — birding, orchids, condor viewpoints, or waterfall (your call). Lunch at the lodge, then return to Santa Cruz at approximately 18:30 PM.
Same private format, shorter stay.
Depart Santa Cruz. Mirador stop, descend to lodge. Afternoon guided walk, waterfall swim, dinner, optional night walk.
Morning outing tailored to the group. Lunch at the lodge, return to Santa Cruz at 18:30 PM.
Our team replies within a few hours. We also speak Spanish and English.
It's one of the best birding destinations in South America. Over 800 species recorded, two Bolivia endemics at Refugio Los Volcanes (Bolivian Recurvebill and Bolivian Tapaculo), and Andean Condors regularly soaring the canyon.
No. Minimum is 2 days/1 night, private. The drive is two hours each way and the park is worth staying for.
Most guests see monkeys, coatis, tayras, and excellent birds throughout. Six feline species and Andean Bears have been recorded in the park, though large mammal sightings in the field are rare.
Exceptional. The canyon setting means zero light pollution and dramatic sandstone cliffs under a clear Bolivian sky.
Yes — they're regularly seen soaring above the canyon walls at Refugio Los Volcanes, particularly in the mornings.
Year-round. Dry season May–October gives the best hiking conditions. Wet season brings lush forest and more active wildlife.
Yes. Amboró → Samaipata → Sucre → Uyuni is one of Bolivia's great overland routes. It also combines with our Jaguarland, Kaa-Iya, and Madidi tours for a full Bolivia wildlife itinerary.