Noel Kempff Lost World Expedition

The southern reaches of Bolivia’s Noel Kempff Mercado National Park are not easily reached, and that is much of the point.

This expedition focuses on the Caparú Plateau region — a seldom-visited sector of the park where escarpments, cerrado, and forest converge into one of the more biologically distinct landscapes in tropical South America. Two locations anchor the route: Laguna Chaplín, a wetland rich in birds, mammals, and reptiles; and Catarata El Encanto, an 80-meter waterfall plunging from the rim of the Serranía Huanchaca.

Between them lies a landscape shaped as much by access as by protection — intact, in part, because so few have ever traversed it on foot.

We move through forest trails and transitional terrain, ascend to the plateau rim where stunted cerrado and expansive sky give way to silence, and descend into drainage systems where camera traps have documented jaguars, tapirs, and other elusive forest species.

This expedition is being shaped through on-the-ground reconnaissance, not built from a template. Routing, camp logistics, and seasonal access are still being learned. Future departures will be informed directly by what we learn in 2026 — which is one of the better reasons to consider joining one.

This is not a casual approach to the Caparú Plateau. It rewards photographers willing to work with what the landscape gives, on the days it gives it.

Expedition Progression

The August 2026 visit is a reconnaissance into the southern sector of Noel Kempff Mercado — a region with extraordinary ecological potential and very little established access. The objective is to evaluate route viability, camp logistics, and seasonal conditions across the Caparú Plateau approach.

The outline below reflects our August 2026 routing, based on overland entry via Florida and Los Fierros. Future departures may be refined accordingly.

You are not following a fixed itinerary. You are participating in the process of defining one.

Days 1–2 | Approach and Entry

We travel overland into Bolivia's northeastern lowlands, reaching the remote park boundary near Florida. After final preparations and coordination with park staff, we enter Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and transition into field operations.

Days 3–6 | Into the Forest

We push deeper into the southern sector, primarily by 4x4 along the recently re-opened Florida–Los Fierros corridor, with movement on foot where the terrain requires it. Initial camps are established along forest trails and river corridors. These days focus on immersion and early route assessment — dense forest, shifting terrain, and first encounters with the region's birdlife, reptiles, and mammals.

Days 7–10 | Caparú Plateau and Waterfalls

We work toward the base and rim of the Caparú Plateau, evaluating access while exploring both the forest below and the exposed systems above — including Catarata El Encanto and, conditions and time permitting, Laguna Chaplín, a bird-rich wetland whose access remains one of the questions the reconnaissance is meant to answer. The ascent onto the meseta is on foot. These are the most physically demanding days of the expedition.

Days 11–13 | Field Positioning and Exploration

With the key segments assessed, we focus on time in the field — revisiting productive areas, refining camps, and adjusting position based on wildlife activity, light, and conditions. These days remain intentionally flexible, allowing us to respond to what the landscape presents.

Day 14 | Exit

We begin the return toward the park boundary, retracing or adapting our route as conditions allow, and transition out of the field for the journey back toward Santa Cruz.

Trip Style & Field Conditions

The Experience

This is an overland expedition into one of the least-visited sectors of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. The approach is by 4x4 through the southern Chiquitania, transitioning to foot travel as terrain and trail conditions dictate. The pace is deliberate — route validation, camp logistics, and seasonal access are still being refined through reconnaissance.

The daily structure balances movement with observation. Some days involve sustained hiking through transitional forest and cerrado. Others are slower — focused on a single drainage, a plateau rim, or a lagoon edge where wildlife concentrates.

Field Infrastructure

Accommodation evolves with the landscape. Early segments use regional lodges and farm-stay arrangements in the Chiquitania. As you move deeper into the park, camps are structured expedition sites — private tents, basic cooking facilities, and water filtration.

Power is limited to portable battery packs and solar charging. Satellite communication is carried for safety. There are no lodges, no generators, and no vehicle support once the overland approach ends.

This is remote in the original sense of the word. Infrastructure is what you carry in.

Who This Expedition Is For

This expedition is designed for photographers who:

• Are comfortable with multi-day overland approaches
• Value first-access reconnaissance over polished itineraries
• Shoot long glass (400–600mm) and are patient in the field
• Want to photograph landscapes few people have ever seen
• Understand that this expedition is being shaped through on-the-ground reconnaissance, not built from a template

Investment