Bolivia

TSIMANE SECURE LODGE

THE FISHING

When fishing from Secure Lodge, anglers will be fishing the head-waters of the main river (Secure), along with two other streams, the Maniquicito and the Ashahana. The Maniquicito and the Ashahana may not get the angling press that the Secure River does, but both of these rivers hold big resident Dorado and Pacu.  These two spectacular streams are quite small when compared to the Secure but they are crystal clear and allow for excellent site casting to some enormous dorado and Pacu. 

In all the rivers that guests will be fishing while staying at the Secure Lodge, this is almost an exclusively a wading fishery where guests will be sight casting in gin clear water. The traditional Bolivian dugouts are used to move guests from one area to another but very little fishing is actually done from the canoes. 

Up in the high Secure, it is possible to do an overnight camp on the river, which allows access deep into the rivers’ headwaters. This is an option for anglers and should be requested in advance of arrival. This upper region of the Secure is where many of the 30-pound Dorado have been landed, so if targeting a really big fish is of interest, the overnight excursion is definitely worthwhile.     

The Secure itself is born at the confluence of the Nutusama and Cascarilla streams and this section of the river runs north to south, between the Mosetenes and Eva Mountians. This upper section of the river is absolutely gorgeous, where anglers will be fishing in a dense jungle environment with mountains on either side of the river. Aside from Dorado, other species available in the upper section of the Secure include some very big Pacu, Moturu, Yatorana and Surubi.  

Downstream from the lodge, anglers will encounter a very different Secure River, from the one experienced when fishing the upper section. The middle section of river is generally shallower and offers a more open fishing environment, with fewer tight quarters and less opportunities for a snag on the back cast.  This part of the river is less rocky than the upper section of the Secure and it has a lot more sand. Sandy beaches and sandflats mean that the water is not as clear as it is up top, but the increase in structure found in this part of the river offers very good opportunities to work the deadheads, sunken trees and subsurface structure with a fly.  These excellent ambush points for Dorado are often highly productive and produce a lot of fish.  

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

Traditional dugout canoes with Hybrid outboard engines. 

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 Tsimane 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 Asunta Community jungle airstrip – a flight of approximately 70 minutes. Upon arrival at the lodge’s jungle airstrip, anglers will be met by the guides and taken upriver by boat (a 10-minute ride) to the lodge.

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

$7,600 USD + $120 USD National Park fee + $550 USD Natives fees per angler

  • Santa Cruz - VVI
  • May to October
  • Dorado, Pacu, Pirapitinga, Yatorana
  • 6 Rods + 1 host per week guests
  • Wifi: Yes
  • Language: English/Spanish
  • Physicality: Moderate
  • CC Payment at Facility : Yes
Bolivia

TSIMANE SECURE LODGE

Tour Location

LOCATION

Located in the heart of the Bolivian rainforest

PRIMARY SPECIES

Dorado, Pacu, Pirapitinga, Yatorana and Surubí

SEASON OF OPERATION

May to October

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOGISTICS

While you are in the jungle for seven nights, there are two additional nights required in Santa Cruz, making this a 9-night trip in total. The first and last night of the Secure Lodge trip are spent in the city of Santa Cruz and these nights are included in the price of the trip. Guests will fly internationally to Viru-Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia). Upon arrival and clearing customs, a Tsimane host will be waiting for you, and he will transport you to a 5-star hotel - where you´ll spend the 1st night of the trip. The following morning, after breakfast, you will be picked up and transported to the domestic airport, where you´ll take a charter plane to the Asunta Village airstrip. When the plane lands, the Secure Lodge staff will be waiting for you. From the airstrip it’s just a 10-minute ride by dug-out canoe to the lodge, where you´ll be spending the week. Once you arrive at the lodge, the guides will meet you and check your fishing gear and flies. The lodge manager will then brief you on the Tsimane project and the fishing weeks schedule.  On the last day at the lodge, after breakfast, you´ll have a short dug-out canoe ride back to the airstrip, then the charter plane Back to the Santa Cruz domestic airport, where the Tsimane host will transport you to the 5-star hotel to spend your last night in Bolivia. The next morning, you´ll be picked up and taken to the Viru-Viru International Airport to take your international flight back home.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Considering where the lodge is located (deep in the Bolivian rainforest) and how remote a location it actually is, Secure Lodge is incredibly comfortable and has pretty much every amenity one could want. There are five tent cabins that each come with two comfortable double beds, along with a private bathroom equipped with hot water. Each room has electricity and plenty of room for storage. The lodge dining and bar area are really nice and make for a fantastic après fishing environment from which to socialize at once the fishing day is done. The entire lodge is built from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. Each room and building are completely covered in thatch to offer further protection form the elements and make for an attractive looking lodge that blends right in with the jungle around it.

DESTINATION CAPACITY

6 anglers + one host per week
Bolivia

TSIMANE SECURE LODGE

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Bolivia

TSIMANE SECURE LODGE

INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • 2 nights at 5-star hotel in Santa Cruz
  • Ground transfers in Santa Cruz upon arrival
  • Charter flights – Santa Cruz –Asunta Village airstrip – Santa Cruz (1 hrs 10 min flight each way)
  • 7 nights DBL accommodations at Secure Lodge
  • 6 full days fishing with one English speaking guide and two local guides per two anglers.
  • All inclusive meals and beverages at the lodge and in the camp.

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • Gratuities to staff and guides
  • International Flights
  • Meals and Beverages in Santa Cruz Hotel
  • Fly fishing gear
  • Trip insurances, Visas, Airport taxes
  • $160 USD Bolivian Tourist Visa (if applicable)
  • Indian Communities and National Park’s Fees ($670 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, this option being the most comfortable and fastest. The cost of the tourist visa is $160 USD, paid in cash.