Serrania Sadiri (Lodge?)
by A. Bennett
Hennessey
For hundreds of years, people have
been travlling between the towns Tumupasa and San José de Uchupiamonas, and
further up into the Andes to the town of Apolo Sadiri (
950 m) and Serranía Yuruma (
850 m), allowing access to
a relatively undisturbed Tropical Hill Forest habitat. The new road (which is open for a small part of the year)
between the towns Tumupasa and San José de Uchupiamonas, offers the best, accessible foothill forest birding
(at 500 to 900 metersThe old park guard building has been given to the community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas and holds the potential to be a lodge, but presently could act as a simple roof to hide from the rain. A good strategy would be to use
the top of Serranía Sadiri either as a base for day trips or as part of a camping-birding hike
along the unused road to the town of San José de Uchupiamonas. This
hike does go over two Serranías, but could be done comfortably at
"birding pace" by camping in the evening along one of the lowland
rivers. Birds of the foothill forest habitat identified during a two
day visit to Serranía Sadiri included: Band-bellied Owl, Plain Antvireo, White-bellied
Pygmy-Tyrant, Thrush-like Manikin, Scaled Fruiteater, Sharpbill, Bronze-green
Euphonia, and Slate-throated Whitestart. This is also the only
accessible area in
Bolivia where the Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet can be found. Look for it on the
top of the northern slope keeping an ear out for its whisper song.
 One of the outstanding
aspects of this area is the topography. The road is often only a few
steps from the canopy, a roadside canopy walkway! See the Serranía Pilón section as similar foraging flocks are found. The community of San José
de Uchupiamonas are interested in developing trails in the area and might
combine Serranía Sadiri with a downriver San Jose-Chalalan tour (see site 48:
Chalalan). Note: before planning a trip to this area, it is
worthwhile to enquire with locals, the Chalalan eco-lodge office, or the park
guard at the Madidi office in
Rurrenabaque about the condition of the road. The road was poorly
constructed and is often washed out in several places.
The road to Serrania Sadiri
leaves just east of Tumupasa, traveling
500 metersSerrania Sadiri could be a one short visit, or part of a route to San Jose de Uchupiamonas and then to Chalalan.
 Logistics: Once in Rurrenebaque, you should do two things, one go to the office of Chalalan and ask to speak to someone from the community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas. Ask this person about the facilities of the Serrania Sadiri albergue (this also might be possible through Chalalan in La Paz or internet). Then you will need to go to the Madidi park office in San Buena Ventura (the other side of Rio Beni in Rurrenabaque). Go across by the local fairly, and walk down river a few blocks to the Madidi office. Tell them you are interested in visiting Serrania Sadiri. Tthe community of San Jose de Uchupiamonas is presently (Aug. 2006) developing the area to received tourists.
The cheapest option is to hike in and camp along the roadside. There is a park guard station there so things are safe (You might want to bring a treat of a few kilos of fresh beef for the guards- always well received out in the field where they live off canned tuna). From Rurrenabaque one should take the ferry (less than 25 cents) from Rurrenabaque to the sister town of San Buenaventura across the river. A bus to Tumupasa (which ends at Ieaves from an office building located a block downriver from the ferry landing at least once a day. Be careful as the bus may be scheduled to leave at 9 am, but will leave as soon as the bus is full, SOMETIMES AT 8 AM.
Getting off the bus at Tumupasa, it is 400 meters back to the main road, backtracking past the toll poll (tranca) and a small river. For the return trip, a bus usually stops around midday in Tumupasa making the return trip to San Buenaventura. Transportation is variable between Rurrenabaque, Tumupasa and Ixiamas, but as long as the road is in good condition there will be some form of organized transportation between these towns every day. There is basic accommodation and a public phone in Tumupasa.
The Tumupasa to San José de Uchupiamonas trail could be used to create a very interesting birding loop, trekking form Tumupasa to San José de Uchupiamonas, then traveling down the Tuichi River by boat to Chalalan eco-lodge and returning by river to Rurrenabaque. This would best be arranged in the Chalalan office in Rurrenabaque. It is also possible to hire local guides from San Jose to accompany birders who may feel uncomfortable hiking it alone.
One could also rent a car with a driver in Rurre or maybe in San Buenaventura and repeat the same directions as above but by vehicle. If you plan to stay in the town of San José de Uchupiamonas, it would be preferable that you speak in advance with members of the community who work in Rurrenabaque for the Chalalan Ecolodge (trucks, pickups maybe even a bus might pass) that offer transport to Tumupasa for a minimal fee.
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