Rio Yacuma (Bolivia)

After the glacial climate of the Cordillera Real, it was on the region of Beni next, which lies around 186 miles from the Bolivian capital. With its marshlands, tropical jungle and exotic animals, this is a place any budding Indian Jones is sure to enjoy.

To get to this little-known region, we took a plane from La Paz to Rurrenabaque. An hour later, there we were in a completely different environment, with pink river dolphins, piranha, parrots and monkeys all waiting to welcome us to the Pampas del Yacuma. The best way to see all these creatures up close is by going on a boat excursion along the Río Yacuma river, which lies not far from the small towns of Santa Ana and San Rosa. 

Though the Bolivian department of Beni does not get much tourism, it does have a number of treasures to offer. The region's star attraction is undoubtedly Madidi National Park.