Golden Dorado Jungle Expeditions

Golden Dorado – Surubi – Pacu

SEASON: June – October
DURATION: 8 Days – 7 Days Fishing
GUESTS: 4-6 Anglers Max

Golden Dorado Jungle Expeditions are a journey literally into the wilds of the Bolivian rainforest for the more adventurous anglers out there. These Jungle Expeditions deliver explorers into the more remote areas of the jungle & headwaters using fly camps as accommodation.

These tours could be the epitome of global adventure angling and certainly not for the faint of heart.

For those looking for the more traditional fly fishing lodge experience within the jungle environment, please explore the Casare Camp option.

Fishing on Golden Dorado Jungle Expeditions 

Only a limited number of anglers will have the opportunity to explore & experience this unique angling adventure each season. The Jungle Expedition is just another fishing trip… this is a jungle adventure. Guests will travel far into the jungle headwaters to access the most pristine reaches of the river system. The Tsimane locals will lead the way, providing a rare view into the way they travel through and negotiate this unforgiving terrain.

This team will dig, move rocks, cut fallen trees & push canoes all to get you into the best fishing waters where you will sight fish to monster Golden Dorado in small trout-like stream conditions.

One professional English-speaking guide will always accompany guests. The group shares a guide between 2-3 anglers. Further to this, local tribesmen who understand this river, the wildlife & conditions will support the tour.

Rods:
We recommend 8-10 weight rods to help turn over big flies, but the different weights also help target various species within the system.

Reels:
Reels need to be able to withstand significant runs & surges, plus if a Golden Dorado takes off downstream, you will need at least 100 yards of 30-pound backing.

Lines:
You will do most of your fishing using tropical floating lines or lines with intermediate tips.

Accommodation on Golden Dorado Jungle Expeditions 

Fly camps are used to keep anglers on the move in these remote areas; large dome tents, camping cots, dining tents, and outhouse-style toilets are the order of the day. Most guests choose to wash in the river but solar bag showers are provided, as well as a generator for charging cameras and the likes.

Breakfast and dinner meals are hosted in the dining tent erected at each fly camp and all meals are prepared daily by the camp chef. Lunches are taken on the river. Soft drinks, limited local beer, and local liquor/wines are included in the tour package.
If you have a specific taste or alcoholic requirement, please feel free to bring your own.

Getting to Golden Dorado Jungle Expeditions 

Guests fly into Santa Cruz, Bolivia at Viru Viru International Airport (VVI). Following an overnight stay, you will transfer to the charter airport for the 2hr35 charter flight to the jungle where your expedition begins.

Itinerary

Friday:

Arrive at Viru Viru International Airport (code VVI). We will arrange for a representative to meet you and transfer you to Los Tajibos Hotel and Convention Center. Check-in and rest for an early morning departure the following day to the jungle. (The hotel is included in the price).

DAY ONE (Saturday):

Following a hotel breakfast, you will be transferred to the charter flight for the 2h35 flight to the jungle airstrip. Once at the jungle airstrip you will begin the transfer to the main camp (Approximately 3 hours canoe ride upriver). Once settled into the tents and after a tickle set-up, the head guide will host an introductory briefing to the area.
After the briefing, your tour will split into teams and begin fishing around the home beats until dark, then return for welcome dinner and rest.

DAY TWO (Sunday):

Following an early breakfast, the dugout canoes will be packed with guest gear & supplies for the journey upriver. The full expedition team will take turns (leapfrog fishing) the way up, stopping to fish at productive spots to maximize fishing and efficient use of daylight.

The fishing on day two will focus on likely Golden Dorado ambush spots – pools, rocky and woody structure, runs/riffles, back-eddies and more, all while navigating the upriver. Anglers will enjoy a packed lunch on-the-go. Once the expedition team arrives at the campsite, guests will continue fishing upriver while the team set-up camp. At dusk anglers will arrive back to a complete camp set up for a bath, a hearty dinner and a much-needed rest.

DAY THREE (Monday):

Again following an early breakfast we will pack up and load into canoes for antoerh stint heading upstream. The guides & guests will head out chase Golden Dorado in a “leap frog” fashion. The expedition team will lag behind, moving camp to our next campsite for the week. Guests will enjoy a shore lunch on the way upriver. You will fish past the camp location and then turn back in time to make it to the new campsite before dark for dinner and rest.

DAY FOUR – SIX (Tues. – Thurs):

A little later start to the day helps ease some weary bodies. After breakfast anglers and guides will split into two teams and fish through different beats every day. Weather & condition dependent you guides may hike you higher into the headwaters or fish directly from camp. These decsions will be taken on a day-to-day basis.

The fishing in the upper reaches resembles pocket water & freestone type angling we are used to when chasing trout. The only difference is that you are targeting monster Godlen Dorado on 9wt rods.

Each day you will eat a packed lunch on the river & your guide will decide the best time to return to camp for dinner & rest.

DAY SEVEN (Friday):

An early breakfast sets the scene for the day ahead as we begin packing for the return to Casare Camp. Guests will make the full journey to Casare Camp in a single day fishing downriver.

Once again guests will stop at choice spots to target Golden Dorado. Lunch will be taken on the river to maximize fishing time.

You’ll arrive at Casare Camp in the early afternoon and fish the home beats, after which you’ll enjoy the showers, dining hall & mattress.

DAY EIGHT (Saturday):

After breakfast the team will leave Casare Camp and fish downriver to the jungle airstrip. The group will enjoy a packed lunch on the go before the return charter to Santa Cruz. Once in Santa Cruz, we will arrange a transfer directly to the International Airport or to the hotel. (the 2nd night is also included in the package).

DAY NINE (Sunday):

Breakfast at the hotel we’ll arrange a transfer back to Viru Viru International Airport for the flight/connections back home. (Transfer to the airport is included in the package.)

Rates

POA

*All visitors to the indigenous territory pay an indigenous fee of estimate $550 per person*

Rates Include

• Airport meet and transfer to the hotel to hotel for check in.
• 2 nights (the Friday night before your trip and the following Saturday night when you return to Santa Cruz from the jungle) the 5- star Los Tajibos Hotel and Convention Center in Santa Cruz, with breakfast included.
• (Double occupancy rooms, but single rooms available for an extra $100)
• All airport<–>hotel transportation.
• Round-trip private charter flights to jungle airstrip. (2.35hrs travel each way, simultaneous flight of 2 to 3 planes)
• Professional English-speaking fly-fishing guides and local indigenous guides, guide operated boats.
• Camp accommodations at fishing location, and fly camp equipment provided.
• Laundry at main camp.
• Heavy spinning and bait-casting fishing equipment available for clients who wish to try their luck with giant catfish.

Rates Exclude

• All commercial international air travel. Airport taxes and fees.
• Extra hotel nights. (or room changes)
• Visa and travel expenses.
• Indigenous territory fees ($550 per person).
• Gratuities for the full staff. We recommend 10%-15% of the trip cost, per client, to be given to the manager.
• Phone calls, satellite phone calls and any purchases of personal items.
• Satellite internet is Casare Camp
• Any imported or specialty alcoholic beverages, cigars, cigarettes, etc.
• Any meals or drinks outside of fishing areas.
• Extra transportation outside of our trip logistics.

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