Argentina High-Volume Dove Shooting

Bolivian Adventures
Las Palomas Hunting Lodge, Caño Negro and Floating Lodges

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR TRIP!

Per Person Pricing

Shooting: $600/night for doves, plus $200 for the roundtrip air charter. Two night minimum.

Fishing: $750/night for fishing (air charters included in the price). Three night minimum.

One overnight (guestroom) in Santa Cruz is included in all prices (double occupancy).

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS — IMPORTANT!

Travelers to Bolivia must have a visa to enter the country. You can either obtain your visa before you travel or you can obtain your visa when you land in Santa Cruz. We would suggest that you obtain your visa prior to your departure to avoid the possibility of not having the correct items and to avoid delays at the airport when you land in Santa Cruz.

The Consulate fee is currently $135 for a tourist visa. Tourist visas are valid for five years.

If you choose to obtain your visa prior to the trip, you will send the following information to Passports Plus in Houston, Texas and they will work with the Bolivian Embassy to obtain your visa.

Your passport with at least six months of validity beyond your date of departure and it must have two blank visa pages side by side, 2) completed visa application, 3) visa processing form, 4) one passport photo in color, 5) copy of flight itinerary, 6) letter of invitation (our office will provide this for you), 7) yellow fever certificate, 8) notice of sufficient funds (copy of recent bank statement), and 9) consulate fee and service fees. The application form, visa processing form and fees can be found at www.passportsplus.com or you can call them at (888) 821-8472.

If you do not get your visa prior to the trip you will need to travel to Bolivia with the following items: 1) Your passport with at least six months of validity beyond your date of departure and it must have two blank visa pages side by side, 2) one passport photo in color, 3) the completed visa application form, 4) letter of invitation, 5) the yellow fever certificate, and 6) approximately $135 in US dollars for the visa fee.

Our office will provide you with the visa application form. It is a standard tourist form, with blanks for name, address, passport number, date of birth, etc. We will also provide you with the invitation letter – both forms will be sent with your final documents a few weeks prior to your departure.

Note: There have been instances where airline check-in persons have not allowed travelers to board a flight to Bolivia without these items in their possession.

Getting There

Santa Cruz, a surprisingly international city with a population of 1.2 million is the center of commerce in this agricultural boom region. Its low crime rate, thriving economy and extensive oil and gas production has attracted many American, European and Japanese businessmen. Travel to Santa Cruz is easy. American Airlines has daily six-hour overnight flights from Miami which arrive early in the morning. Flights back to Miami usually operate mid-morning daily. A departure tax of approximately $25.00 is assessed upon departing Santa Cruz.

Travel Sequence / Logistics

For all of the trips—fishing, shooting or combos—guests will be met upon arrival in Santa Cruz, and transferred directly to the charter aircraft terminal for their flight either to the shooting area or fishing area, depending on their arrangements.

Guests on a shooting/fishing combo will have an afternoon activity, two full days, then a morning activity followed by lunch and the air charter transfer to the other lodge. Upon arrival there, guests will have an afternoon activity, followed by two full days, then another activity on their departure morning. After a late lunch, guests will transfer via air charter back to Santa Cruz for dinner and overnight at the Los Tajibos hotel (guestroom included in price.)

Non-Emergency / Emergency Phone Contacts

ROD & GUN RESOURCES: 800-211-4753
BOLIVIAN ADVENTURES: 011-591-7767-0890
LODGE: 011-591-7709-5852
BOLIVIA COORDINATOR: 011-591-7704-0588

Baggage Requirements

It is standard procedure to have your bags weighed before getting on the charter flight (50 lb. maximum allowed—you will be asked to lighten your load if your luggage is overweight).

It is requested that everyone bring soft-sided bags with minimal casual clothing, one gun case (if you bring your own guns) and one rod case. Please do not bring hard luggage or coolers. There is daily laundry service, so keep clothing to a minimum.

Camps and Accommodations

Las Palomas (the doves), offers clients a lovely, air-conditioned Bolivian-style facility with Spanish tile roof, hand painted ceramic tiles, huge Jacuzzi, twelve large, well-appointed suites and guestrooms with private baths, a massage room, a beautiful pool and palapa bar, satellite television, internet access, and any and all amenities that make for a luxurious stay. The lodge was constructed specifically as a dove hunting headquarters, and is located quite close to huge concentrations of birds.

Anglers have two options for accommodations, and both are reached via a two-hour Bolivian Adventures private charter.

Food and Beverages

The lodges provide both quality and ample meals throughout your stay—particularly at Las Palomas, which is known for fantastic meals. A breakfast buffet is typically served from 6:30 to 7:00 each morning. Pastries, eggs, toast, fresh fruit, bacon, cereal and fresh coffee are all standard fare. Lunch is a sit-down field barbeque at Las Palomas (or guests can return to the lodge). At the fishing lodges guests are provided with a cooler with various cold cuts, cheeses, breads, fruit, cookies, etc. for lunch on the river.

Appetizers are served as soon as all guests return from the day's events, followed by dinner. A mixture of Bolivian and American foods are featured in the dinner menus. Fresh fish, beef, pork, and chicken are accompanied by an assortment of delicious soups, salads, rice, bread and mixed vegetables. The camps supply soft drinks, local liquor, beer and wine with dinner. Bring your own specialty liquor.

Power Source / Batteries

Both lodges have diesel generators that produce 220-volt electricity. Bring a 110-volt converter.

Language

Spanish is spoken in Bolivia. The guides only speak some fishing/shooting English, but both facilities have a full-time bilingual host.

Laundry

Each lodge has daily laundry service. All dirty clothes should be left on the foot of your bed before you go out in the morning. The laundry personnel will pick up the clothes and wash them while you're out and return them to your room before dinner. If the day is excessively rainy, laundry will not come back until the following day, as all clothing is air dried.

Currency

Most Latin American currencies fluctuate like the weather, so it's pointless to list even approximate exchange rates. Bolivian hotels and shops readily accept U.S. dollars, so there is really no need to exchange money, even for gratuities.

Alcoholic Beverages

Import allowances restrict import of excess amounts of liquor and tobacco, so keep them to a minimum (one carton of cigarettes or 25 cigars, and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages maximum). Beer, local liquor, soft drinks and wine are included in the weekly rate in all camps.

Guides

The Bolivian guides are hard working individuals who really aim to please. They do not speak English very well, but will be able to help you select the right lures/flies, help with casting technique and shooting and assist with shells, drinks, etc. in the shooting area.

Gratuities

Gratuities are discretionary. Our outfitters suggest a $200.00 tip at each lodge for the guides and camp staff to be given in a lump sum in smaller bills to the camp's manager at the end of that portion of the trip. Please do not bring traveler's checks for tipping purposes. Tens and twenties are appreciated and most easily divided among the staff.

Health / Insects

All of our lodges and camps are located in remote areas. Those who have serious health problems should think twice about going to such a location with limited medical attention available. Bolivian Adventures is very good about having a plane available in case of emergency. Both camps use bottled water and also have their own deep wells for water, therefore water-born contagious diseases are uncommon. Do not drink the tap water in any hotel rooms or public areas!

The fishing and hunting areas have some mosquitoes, especially in the morning and evening. Make sure you have some long-sleeved clothing and bring insect repellent—use a product with at least 50% D.E.E.T.

Regarding Innoculation

A Yellow Fever vaccination is required to enter Bolivia. For further information regarding inoculations/precautions for travel to Bolivia, we suggest you contact a local international medicine physician or the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Travelers can get up-to-date information on health precautions by calling (toll-free) 888-232-3299. The CDC's web site address is www.cdc.gov.

The Fishing

Weather

Semi-tropical temperatures prevail in the fishing area with highs in the 80s to mid 90s. At night, the temperature drops to a very pleasant 60-70º F. Rain may occur throughout the week, so bring along a good quality, light-weight rain suit.

Boats and Motors

The fishing boats are large varied for various river conditions, and are quite roomy and are equipped with outboard motors, comfortable seats, and ample coolers to store drinks and lunches.

Clothing

Please pack in a flexible duffel bag to facilitate ease of handling in charter aircraft. We recommend wearing loose fitting, lightweight, light colored cottons or synthetics (Orvis, Patagonia, etc.) Long pants and sleeves are best to protect from sunburn and hide ankles from biting insects. The camp has daily laundry service, so please don't over pack (remember weight restrictions).

The Shooting

Shotguns / Chokes

Hunters may either take their guns or utilize Bolivian Adventures' shotguns—they have a fine selection for rent at $50/day. Most are new model Benelli and Beretta auto loaders in 20 and 12 gauge—primarily 20 gauge. Hunters bringing their own guns need to provide Rod & Gun Resources with their name, gun serial number, and passport number 45 days in advance of arrival.

Ammunition

Bolivian Adventures uses only top quality RC shells (from Italy), the same as used in the Olympic Games shooting events. Shells are available in 12 and 20 gauge at $12/box (subject to change). At the end of your stay, a shell bill will be submitted, payable in cash or personal check.

Climate

Daytime temperatures will range from 60-80º with little humidity. Evenings will be in the 60's. Rain is infrequent, usually occurring in the evening or early morning.

Included

All meals in the shooting/fishing areas, single or double accommodations, airport transfers, soft drinks, beer and wine, laundry, shotgun cleaning, guides, boats, all local permits and hotel in Santa Cruz if applicable.

If you choose to bring guns, the permit fee is included in the price. Be sure to have the completed permit application to our office at least 45 days prior to travel.

Not Included

Commercial air travel, airport taxes, $135 visa fee, shells, gratuities to bird boys and lodge staff or fishing guides and fishing camp staff, lures and tackle, and items of a personal nature such as phone calls, and meals in Santa Cruz.. See per person pricing on page one.

Tackles, Clothing and Equipment

Spinning or Bait Casting Tackle

Take medium to medium-heavy largemouth bass tackle with long-handled 6 to 7 foot rods and strong reels of at least 100 yards capacity with high-speed retrieve ratios. Bring at least two rods and reels in case of breakage or gear stripping. For lines, we suggest "Big-Game Trilene" 20-30 lb. monofilament or 50-65 lb. Spectra Braided Line or similar. While fishing for peacocks, there is no need for steel leaders. They are sometimes even a disadvantage since they take some action out of the lure. When fishing for payara and pacu, use a steel leader (25 to 40 lbs.). We suggest you use a firm action tip rod, as many of the fish exceed 20 lbs. We highly recommend breakdown travel rods that you can carry on the plane. (Take two rods and reels.)

Spinning or Baitcasting Lures

Name Size Color
Topwater—a mixture of around 10 total lures (take primarily the "Peacock Bass Lures")
Luhr-Jensen "Peacock Bass Lure" (31/2-4") Purple, pink
Yo-Zuri Squid Minnow 5” All available colors are good
Spinners and Spoons—a mixture of 20 total lures
Vibrex Spinner #5 and #6 6½", 5½", 4½" Greenback, Black and Orange, Fire Tiger, Halloween, Perch, Red
HighRoller Monster HighRoller™ 7/16 - 5/8 oz. gold, silver, black stripe blades
Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon ½ - 1 1/8 oz. silver
Eppinger Dardevle ¾ - 1 oz. hammered nickel, blue, green, etc.
Diving Minnows—a mixture of around 6 total lures
Bomber Long A, Original 4 1/2" to 5" fish colors (combinations of chrome, Jointed Rapala, Cordell Redfin, shallow blue, black, white, orange and green diving minnows, etc.

Fly Fishing Tackle

The aggressive jungle species are well suited to fly fishing. There are still many fly fishing world records to be set. Eight through ten-weight three or four-piece travel fly rods are recommended. Reels should have a smooth drag, hold at least 150 yards of 30-lb. backing, and be spooled with weight forward bass taper floating lines such as Orvis floating "Wonderline" or similar. Bring a sink tip line for payara. Use 30-40 lb. monofilament for leader/tippet. Wire shock-tippet (25 to 40 lb.) is required for payara and pacu. Take two fly rods and reels.

Name Size Color
FLIES – 6 total topwater, 24 total underwater flies
Large Poppers (topwater) 1/0 to 3/0 blue, white, yellow, chartreuse
Minnow and deceiver patterns (underwater) 1/0 to 3/0 chartreuse/white, blue/white, orange/white, yellow/white with flash.

Fishing Equipment

Clothing

Personal Items

Fishing Accessories (optional)

Hunting Equipment

Need All Personal Items Plus

For excellent payara, pacu, peacock bass and catfish mounts, contact Ron Kelly, Artistic Wildlife Gallery, www.fishcreations.com 214-663-5299

Revised 11-18-09

Peacock Bass Fishing Trips | Bolivia Outfitters | Peacock Bass Fishing | Peacock Bass Fishing Lodge | Bolivia dove hunting | Peacock Bass Fishing Guides | Peacock Bass Fishing Outfitters | Bolivia dove shooting | Bolivia Trips | High Volume Dove Shooting

Rod and Gun :: Your Hunting and Fishing Travel ResourceArgentina High-Volume Dove Shooting