Bolivia

Tsimane Pluma Lodge

THE FISHING PROGRAM

HELI   For the 2024 season, aside from the traditional fishing program that the lodge has been operatring, Pluma Lodge is also offering an exclusive Heli Fishing option that can accommodate 4 anglers per week. The Heli program will bring anglers into a completely untouched jungle environment. The helicopter rides are no more than 10 minutes, yet open up a piece of the Bolivian Rainforest river access that will allow guests to access completely untouched waters. Each angler on the Heli program will have private accommodations in one of the new purpose built accommodations that are reserved for the Heli Anglers. The Single room occupancy for the Heli Program is included in the price of the trip.

TRADITIONAL   Tsimane opens the possibility to fly-fish for huge Dorados in small mountain rivers with clear waters surrounded by a virgin rainforest. Although the fish population remains completely untouched and at certain moments the fishing bursts into endless hunts, one has to be prepared for more technical situations in which Dorados appear more selective. Sight fishing in clear shallow waters takes an accurate cast and a silent approach. Surface fly-fishing during these hunts requires good speed and reflex.

90% of the fishing at Tsimane is done by wet wading in the river or fishing from the banks. The river structure varies tremendously from river section to section. From sandy and small gravel beaches to sharp volcanic rock shoals transitioning through all kind of freestones and boulders. Wading is not difficult or dangerous, however there is a lot of it.

The Pluma River is a moderately sized crystal-clear freestone river, with an incredibly rich and beautiful topography. It runs from south to north, parallel to the Mosetenes Mountain Range, and is therefore slightly broader and more open than some of the other rivers we fish at Tsimane. The Pluma is easier to wade due to its wide banks, mostly composed of round smooth gravel and rock. Further upstream, it does get steeper and more rugged. This river is home to all four of the main species targeted in Tsimane: Dorado, pirapitinga, yatorana and surubí. Omnivorous species such as yatoranas and pirapitingas are more and more frequent in the high sectors; the super- aggressive, carnivorous dorados are the dominant kings of the low sector.

In order to keep the Pluma River as untouchable and virgin as it is possible, motors are restricted – except for a small sector where the Pluma joins the Sécure River.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

All fishing is done either by wading or poling in the new aluminum skiffs or dugout canoes.

GETTING THERE

Guests fly to the city of Santa Cruz (VVI), Bolivia. Once arrived in Santa Cruz, guests will be met by a member of the Slipstream Angling team at the airport and transferred to a 5-Star hotel for their first night in Bolivia. The following morning guests will take a charter flight to the Oromono Community jungle airstrip – a flight of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at the lodge’s jungle airstrip, anglers will be met by the guides, taken upriver to the lodge, shown around, and will then be able to fish the home pool the first afternoon.

Slipstream is a full-service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2024

Heli Fishing Program   $16,000 USD, DBL + $1,250 Aboriginal Territory/National Park Fee

Regular Fishing Program   $7,600 USD DBL + 120 USD (National Park fee) + 550 USD (Natives fees) per angler.

  • Santa Cruz - VVI
  • May to October8
  • Dorado, pirapitinga, yatorana…
  • 8 Rods / Week guests
  • Wifi: Yes
  • Language: English/Spanish
  • Physicality: Moderate
  • CC Payment at Facility : Yes
Bolivia

Tsimane Pluma Lodge

Tour Location

LOCATION

Located in the heart of the Bolivian rainforest

PRIMARY SPECIES

Dorado, pirapitinga, yatorana and surubí

SEASON OF OPERATION

May up to and including October

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOGISTICS

The typical week at the lodge is a Saturday to Saturday

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Lodge experience is based on one very comfortable jungle lodge, built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. There’s also the option to do out-camps to the headwaters of Agua Negra river and one-day hikes to Chimoro stream. The headwaters camp features 3 tent cabins up to 4 anglers + 1 host.

DESTINATION CAPACITY

8 rods per week
Bolivia

Tsimane Pluma Lodge

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Value for money
Bolivia

Tsimane Pluma Lodge

INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • 2 nights at 5-star hotel in Santa Cruz
  • Ground transfers in Santa Cruz upon arrival
  • Charter flights – Santa Cruz – Lodge – Santa Cruz
  • 6 full days fishing with one pro guide and 4 local guides per 4 anglers in Sécure River headwaters
  • 5 nights camping (if headwater camp option selected)
  • All inclusive meals and beverages at the lodge and in the camp.

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • Gratuities to staff and guides
  • Fishing gear
  • Alcohol
  • International Flights
  • Meals and Beverages in Santa Cruz Hotel
  • Fly fishing tackle
  • Trip insurances, Visas, Airport taxes,
  • Indian Communities and National Park’s Fees ($640 USD).

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

A valid passport is mandatory for entry into Bolivia. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. For most European countries no visa is required. For United States and some others visa is mandatory. Please visit www.Bolivia-usa.org and check if your country belongs to group 1 (no visa required) or groups 2 and 3 (visa required). Bolivian visa is an easy procedure and we´ll provide you everything you need to do it.

AMERICAN CITIZENS

U.S. citizens seeking to enter Bolivia as a tourist must have an entry visa. Bolivian Tourist visas can be applied at Bolivian Consulates on the U.S. or upon arrival at the Viru Viru International Airport, being this option the most comfortable and fastest. The cost of the tourist visa is $160 USD paid in cash and stays for 10 years.