Accomodations

The Secure Lodge experience is based on one very comfortable jungle lodge, built entirely from sustainable wood cut from the nearby jungle. There’s also the option to do headwater out-camps for one night in the Secure River.

• The lodge features 4 tent cabins up to 6 anglers + 1 host. Each tent has comfortable sommiers, private bathrooms, and electricity.
• Our delicious International Cuisine paired great Argentinean Varietals in a well-fashioned living and dining room will delight the guests at Secure Lodge.
• We offer satellite Internet wireless connection and phone service for all our guests.
• Hot water is generated by a solar panel system.

Electricity at the lodge: We expect that visitors will consider the environment and power economy at our lodges by not leaving artifacts turned on when not in use.

Please turn off the lights when they are not being used. Tsimane is provided with electricity by generators. We usually switch on the generators in the morning from 6:00 am to 10:00am, and from 5:00 pm to midnight. The voltage is 220 Volts, 50 Cycles. A standard converter and/or USA/Europe adapter should work perfectly.

Cuisine

Our Meals

Our menu was designed to include the most popular meals that we normally request in any restaurant in the country. We wish to delight our guests with one special meal every evening. We also worked special appetizers for the evenings and we always have duck, perdiz and some dove breast grilled with onion and bacon in our menu. Our Chef works passionately every day to satisfy all our guests. We also have delicious local desserts with every meal for you to enjoy.

The Fishing

The Tsimane experience goes beyond sport fishing. Tsimane’s working platform consists of a professional bilingual guide and two indigenous guides for every two anglers.

This represents an advantage for our guests because not only does the professional guide assist with specific knowledge but also the indigenous guides with their ancient knowledge enriching in this manner the fishing experience. These guides can sight-cast the fish like no one else without sunglasses and they read the signs from the river and the jungle a lot better than anybody.  The members of Untamed Angling have had the chance to fish in many of the world’s best fishing destinations, and none of them represents the “Untamed” spirit like the waters of Tsimane.

The flies that we use are quite large and most of the guests are not used to casting them so it is essential to pay attention to the recommendations of the professional guide.

CATCH & RELEASE

Tsimane practices a strict catch and release policy on all species. Avoid unnecessary handling of the fish. Barbless hooks are mandatory. In this way not only do we release the fish with minor injuries but it is also safe for you and fellow anglers. A big fly crashing into somebody at almost 200km/h might result in a serious wound and a sharp hook is hard to remove. Handling these fish requires special precautions, not only to avoid harming them but also to prevent injuries to anglers. All of these fish have very strong jaws and razor sharp teeth. Moreover, the release of the fish should be done carefully taking the necessary time for the fish to eventually heal.

Gear and Equipment

You dont need to overload yourself with gear, but these items are regarded as essential.

• 2 pairs of Polaroid glasses (in case you lose or break a pair).
• Waterproof Sunscreen SPF 30+ (UVA) (UVB) (waterproof)
• Fly Rods 8/9/6 Weights (no less than 3)
• Reels
• Fly Lines and extras
• Leaders, Fluorocarbon Tippet, and Wire
• Long needle nose pliers
• Hook Sharpener
• Stripping Fingers, finger tape and fishing-sun protection gloves
• Light Waders
• Cutter.
• Cap or hat, and Buffs.
• Felt Sole Wading Boots with Studs
• Gravel Guards or Wading Socks with Cuff
• Light Weight Rain Jacket and Pants
• Light Weight Synthetic Long Underwear
• Light Weight Synthetic Fleece Top
• 3 Long Sleeve Fishing Shirts
• 3 Pair of Fast Drying Pants
• 3 pair of Socks for Wading or Light Weight Neoprene Socks
• Tape measure
• Waterproof camera, storage cards, batteries and charger
• Smart Phone or Tablet with charger
• Universal adapter for the charger
• Insect repelent.

• Waders, good quality and be sure that they do not leak
• Wading boots with felt or Vibram soles(no cleats will be allowed in the boats) also felt boots must be cleaned in a solution of Clorox water to kill all foreign stream born insects, mussels, bacteria etc.
• Rain coat, gore-tex is recommended
• Medium weight wind stopper fleece jacket
• Fleece vest
• Polarized sun glasses
• Camera
• Hats, one with a full brim, one baseball cap
• Thermal underwear
• Fleece wading pants
• Long sleeve quick dry shirts
• Quick dry pants
• Personal toiletries
• T-shirts
• Warm socks for wading
• If traveling in December-March you may want wet wading booties.
• Small flashlight or Petzel head lamp for around camp
• Sun screen the best you can find at least 50 block 
• Chap Stick with sunscreen built in at least 15 SPF
• Insect repellant
• Wading staff
• Vest or pack for fishing gear
• Day pack for a change of clothes on days we travel away from the lodge in the event you go swimming.

FLY FISHING GEAR

• Rods: 7, 8 or 9 weight line single hand rods are the most recommended. 
• Reels: As with rods, reels that have been designed for saltwater fly-fishing are the most adequate.
• Fly Lines: Most of the fishing is done close to the surface. Weight Forward Floating lines for tropical waters. Lines such as: general Saltwater Taper, Redfish Taper, Cortland Tropic Plus, or comparable warm water lines work great. Excellent results are achieved with the clear intermediate tip lines.
• Leaders: Spools of Fluorocarbon should include 40, 30, 20 pounds breaking strengths. 
• Wire: All the fish we catch in Tsimane, are heavily armed with sharp teeth and wire tippet is a rule. Spools of 25 to 40 pounds American Fishing Wire, Rio or Tiger Titanium are fine choices.
• Flies: Fishing is mostly done using baitfish imitations. Full black, and combinations of black and red, purple, orange and yellow are very effective. Good action and volume flies in lengths from 4 to 8 inches in barbless hooks 2/0 to 4/0. High quality hooks are required.

Travelling Here

The Trip

Tsimane's operational area is about 125 miles (200km) from the Capital City La Paz and 270 miles (470 km) from Santa Cruz de la Sierra Tsimane’s base point.

There are several different travel options to arrive to Santa Cruz’s Viru Viru International Airport with daily flights from Miami (American Airlines), San Pablo (Tam, Gol and Boliviana), Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas and Boliviana), Panama (Copa), Lima (Taca) and Europe (Air Europe). Most airlines offer direct connections to all major airports throughout the world.

Currency 

The official currency is the Bolivian Peso, and the exchange rate will fluctuate around 7 pesos to 1 US Dollar. Check with our Santa Cruz transfer agent upon arrival or on-line, for up-to-date currency conversion rates. The U.S. dollar is widely accepted throughout Bolivia. Most businesses will exchange pesos in change when dollars are paid. Banks and Hotels will generally change your money for you. Remember to break your change into smaller bills for taxis, tips, etc. It is very difficult (next to impossible) to exchange traveler's checks in Bolivia. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in many businesses in the larger towns and cities, butnot accepted at our Lodges. Also, remember to notify your financial institution(s) and Credit Card Companies that you are traveling.

Travel Documents

All visitors to Bolivia should carry a Yellow Fever Vaccine certification. A valid passport is mandatory for entry into Bolivia. You passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of proposed entry into Bolivia is required to enter and depart Bolivia. For most European countries no visa is required but it is required for the United States and some other countries.

American Citizens: U.S. citizens seeking to enter Bolivia as tourists must have an entry visa. Bolivian tourist visas can be applied for by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as at Bolivian ports of entry, such as at Bolivia's international airports and at land border crossings. Bolivian tourist visas are valid for one or five years from the date of issuance. The cost of the tourist visa is USD160. These fees can be paid in cash, by deposit to the Bolivian Consulate's bank account or by money order.

HIGHLY Recommended 

Tourists applying for their visa upon arrival to Bolivia must pay this fee in cash (new bills, no tears, no marks – fresh, clean bills) to immigration authorities. In addition to the visa fee, the applicant must present a visa application form with a 4 x 4 centimeters (2” x 2”) color photograph, a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and an invitation letter provided by Untamed Angling.

Please visit the Embassy of Bolivia web site at http://www.bolivia-usa.org for details on how to apply or contact the nearest Bolivian Embassy or Consulate. Bolivian consulates in the United States are located in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Oklahoma City, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington. We strongly recommend Trip cancellation insurance.