Samaipata, Inca fortress
The village of Samaipata ("altitude rest" in Quechua) is located at 120 km to the West of Santa Cruz, in a sub-Andean area (el. 1650 m.a.s.l.). The Inca archaeological site El Fuerte (the fortress) was, at the time, the most advanced post of the Empire, of which it marked the border until its fall. It was the administrative center in charge of maintaining the order of the Inca in the region, but its principal function was keeping at bay the frequent invasion attempts of the Guarani Indians. This impenetrable fort offers amongst other things, the largest sculpted stone in the world.

Amboro Park
This 637.000 acres natural preserve is comprised between 280 and 3200 meters above sea level. It abounds in a varied fauna, with amongst others 820 species of birds accounted for, mammals such as the Andean bear, the jaguar, the puma and diverse species of monkeys, some of them unique in the world. The flora is also a source of surprises: giant ferns, monkey tail cactus...

Serranía de los Volcanes
The small village of Bermejo, at 45 Km of Samaipata, is the departing point towards the Serranía de los Volcanes. Hidden at the bottom of a deep valley, the shelter of the volcanoes offers beautiful viewpoints over the reddish « peñascos », covered by tropical forest.

Cuevas waterfalls
20 Km away from Samaipata, in a scenery identical to those of the movie the  “Mission”, are located the Cuevas waterfalls, an attraction little known in the area but worth the detour

Departure from our hotel at 8:30 a.m., in our private vehicle, for the Inca fortress of Samaipata. Beautiful area located between the Amazon and the Andes where we find the remains of the most isolated Inca fortress of the empire, erected to control the invasion of the Guaranis Indians.
Visit of the site.
Lunch and dinner open. Cabañas ***.

Departure at 8:3 a.m. for the forest of the Amboro park, where we can observe a few species of giant ferns found nowhere else in the world (Dicksonia Sellowiana and Alsophila Incana) as well as many wild orchids varieties. Excursion on foot before returning to Samaipata.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Night in lodge ***.

With our 4WD we reach the entrance of the trail to Buena Vista where we meet with our guide and our horses. A 3 to 4-hour walk allows us to reach the «Elbow of the Andes”, where, suddenly, the cordillera changes direction. In this region we find three vegetation types: Amazonian, Chaquenian and Andean.
In the afternoon, a short 1-hour walk allows us to observe one of the most interesting type of cactus: the cactus “Monkey Tail” covered with hair so soft it is impossible to resist the temptation of touching it.
Return to Samaipata at the end of the day by 4WD.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Night in a lodge ***.

Departure at 8 a.m. for Sillar (the Mirador) from where we have a panoramic view over the Amboro Park. Excursion on foot to the volcano’s shelter (4 to 5-hour walk) then transfer to Bermejo. Short hike to the Cuevas waterfall. Possible bath in a dreamscape...
Return to Santa Cruz in the afternoon.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel ***.