Tsimane Secure Lodge

Lodging Details
The Secure Lodge features comfortable safari-style wall tents erected on raised wooden platforms. Wall tents accommodate two anglers with comfortable single beds (including all linens and bedding), generator-supplied electricity, and a private shower and bath. Even in these remote locations, guests will have full-electric power via generators. The large dining and common area structure is spacious, well-lit, and very comfortable. This is definitely “deluxe” camping with many of the same comforts and amenities found in the fixed base Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge.

Food and Beverages
Each night guests will enjoy delicious international cuisine, fresh meats and vegetables, and great Argentine wines. Breakfast is cooked to order each morning, and lunches are packed for each day on the water and served streamside each afternoon. All beer, wine, and liquor are included in your lodge package. Overall, the food at the lodge is delicious, and the lodge staff will be happy to accommodate any special requests and dietary requirements.

Typical Length of Stay
The standard package for the Tsimane program is seven (7) nights / six and a half (6.5) days of fishing with one night on each end typically spent in Santa Cruz (included in the package). Contact Yellow Dog for specific trip dates and availability.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
Tsimane operates in a remote, fishing-focused destination. It is not the ideal location for non-anglers and is best-suited to those who are there to fish. That said, the wildlife, birds, and butterflies are amazing, and sure to impress even the most hard-core angler.

Internet / Communications
Satellite Wi-Fi is available at the Secure Lodge. There is also a satellite phone on site for emergency use.

How To Get There
Guests will fly into the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz (VVI) on an international flight. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, guests will be met by a member of the Tsimane team at the airport and then transferred to a 5-Star hotel for their first night in the country. There, guests will settle into their room and enjoy the amenities of one of the best hotels in Bolivia. The Tsimane team member will further explain the details of the trip, and the following morning guests will take a charter flight to the Ormoromo Community landing strip – a flight of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at the lodge’s jungle airstrip, anglers will be met by the guides and transferred by boat to the Lodge.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
You will want to arrive in Santa Cruz (VVI) the day or evening before your flight into the jungle. You will always want to overnight that first night in the city (Thursday), and on the folliwing Friday, when you return to Santa Cruz (both nights are included in the package). Guests will depart from Santa Cruz on (Saturday) to head home.

Documents Required
Passports valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Bolivia are required to enter and depart Bolivia. U.S. citizens (and some others) do require a Visa and are can purchase their visa upon arrival in Bolivia ($160 USD cash). A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate will be required for entry into Bolivia. 

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership 

General Information
The Secure River offers crystal clear waters wedged between lush jungle mountains. This section of the river is accessed using handmade wooden dugout canoes (coambas) outfitted with push poles and small engines. It is typical to fish the upper and middle sections of the Secure River by wading downstream and using the dugout canoes to move from run to run. There is also the option to do an overnight camp at the intimate headwaters of the Upper Secure River, which allows you to pursue fish that don’t get fished as often.

Boats and Equipment
In order to move around and fish the shallow area waters, Tsimane has designed fishing boats based on the simple and proven designs of the area canoes favored by the natives. Outfitted with small outboard engines, these wooden, canoe-style, 28’ boats are comfortable and extremely practical for fishing the local waters. Typically, two boatmen will pole the craft up and downriver, utilizing a small motor for running in deeper sections. There are two seats in the canoes for guests and plenty of room for gear and equipment. Although some fishing can be done from the boats in slower, deeper waters, most fishing is done while wading in the river or fishing from the banks and gravel bars. It is recommended that anglers bring all of their own equipment to the lodge, including backup rods and fly lines, and felt-soled wading boots outfitted with carbide-tipped studs. Flies are available for sale in limited quantities.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in U.S. dollars. Please call Yellow Dog for details.

2023 Rates: $6950.00 per person, plus $570.00 for the Indian Territory / National Park Entry Fee

What’s Included:

• In-country air transfers between the Santa Cruz Airport and the Lodge
• Ground transfers in Santa Cruz
• Lodging in a double occupancy room in Santa Cruz for one night at arrival and one night at departure date in a 5-star hotel
• All meals at the Lodge
• Argentine wines, soft drinks, and all alcoholic beverages at the Lodge
• All guided fishing (two anglers per boat)
• Laundry services 
• All relevant taxes and GST’s

What’s Not Included:

• International flights to Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• Meals and bar tab while overnighting in Santa Cruz
• Bolivian Visa fees and departure taxes
• Equipment, flies, and terminal tackle
• Gratuities for guides and camp staff
• $570.00 Indian Community Tax (can be pre-paid with your package)

Tsimane Golden Dorado Operations (Bolivia)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides for all Tsimane packages. In the case of cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. Because of the lodge’s strict no refund policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. Tsimane will not refund payments in the event poor weather, or for unused portions of any package. All baggage and personal belongings are the sole responsibility of its owners at all times. We highly recommend obtaining a comprehensible travel insurance covering loss and robbery of baggage and personal belongings. In no event will the lodges or agents be responsible for any losses. The lodges and agents will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury arising while practicing sportfishing or any other activity, or for any loss damage or injury suffered aboard an airplane or a charter plane. The operator reserves the right to make changes to the trip itinerary whenever judged necessary by circumstances beyond control, or major force circumstances. In this case, no refund will be made, although the trip itinerary, dates and/or destination can be changed by Untamed Angling and a trip credit issued could be made with or without extra costs at the sole discretion of the operator. Please be aware that all guests will be required to sign and return an Untamed Angling Indemnity Form prior to the trip, and there will be no exceptions to this. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these Bolivia packages.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.

Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment

• ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
• Traditional checks (sent via mail)
• Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)

*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.

**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.

“Tsimane is a very special place and a unique fishery. There is no other place like it and I definitely plan on returning.” – Parker B.
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“This is a very unique experience and you have to be able to appreciate the remoteness and just how far off the grid you will be and we loved that aspect. Fernando runs a great operation and you can tell it comes from his passion about the area and the fishing. The fishing is by no means easy, but it makes you appreciate the fish you are able to land that much more.” – Dave R.
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“While the costs with trip travel etc seem high- once you see the logistics of where this lodge is and what it takes to run it at a high level and the uniqueness of the experience it is well worth it.” – Frank T.
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“The lodge, staff, and way that the operations were executed during my week at Tsimane were exceptional. Fernando was very attentive to anything we needed and stood apart from other destinations that I have been to in regards to a manager/host. The first-day arrival-rod setup and casting practice/review – whatever you call it was a great way to get us up to speed on the particular techniques that we would be using during the week, whereas at other operations we would have been learning/re-learning as we fished with the guides.” – Michael B.