A voyage for the future - From the Andes to the Atlantic on a traditional reed boat
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The Pipiluntu Expedition (“butterfly” in the Aymara language) celebrates Bolivian heritage on the occasion of the bicentennial with a rowing and sailing journey on a traditional totora reed balsa.
🛶 Discover the Pipilintu balsa
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The expedition: 3600 km by oar and sail
The expedition sets off in July 2025 from Guanay, Bolivia, and travels down the Kaka, Beni, and Mamoré rivers.
Then, in Brazil, descending the Madeira and Amazon rivers, the balsa will sail all the way to Macapá, at the mouth of the Amazon where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
🔥 Goals
- Promote traditional Bolivian craftsmanship.
- Support the recognition of totora balsas as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Inspire the transition to a sustainable future through this sporting, ecological, and cultural challenge..
📅 Key Dates
- May 13, 2025: start of the balsa construction.
- June 21, 2025: launch at Huatajata on the occasion of the Aymara New Year.
- July 14, 2025: start of the navigation.
- Expected arrival: end of September 2025
With the support of the bolivian navy (Armada Boliviana).
The crew
The crew members were selected for their technical, physical, and interpersonal skills. Special attention was given to each person's ability to live in a community, stay calm in the face of the unexpected, and contribute specific skills to the project.
Contact & Support
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