Chronicles from the Spanish colonial period refer to the existence of 24 Indigenous nations in the territory now known as northern La Paz, Bolivia. Among these documents, the Uchupiamonas and Sipiramonas are mentioned as the ancestral inhabitants of the Tuichi River valley.

During the time of the Inca Empire, these territories became part of the administration of the Antisuyo region. This is evidenced by the remains of the Inca road that originated in Cusco (Peru) and extended to the cloud forests of Pelechuco (Bolivia). This road descended, connecting settlements such as Mojos and Pata, until it reached the plains of the Tuichi, where the Uchupiamonas lived, in a place currently known as Biwa.

From this point, the Inca road continued toward the plains of the Mashi, crossing the Maije mountain range, where vestiges such as stone enclosures can still be found today. This route was one of the main paths used by the Inca Empire in its attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Mojos. Likewise, a second route departed from Biwa, crossed the plains, and traversed the Tequeje mountain range, where stone structures can also be found. This route was built with the purpose of advancing toward the plains of Madre de Dios.

The roads from the Inca period later served as access routes for Spanish incursions. Initially, the conquest was based on military campaigns. Upon learning of the arrival of the Spaniards, the Uchupiamonas and Sipiramonas, led by Chief Arapo along with Chief Taramo, fought against the Spanish army on the plains of the Samo River, now known as the Heath River. In this battle, they managed to defeat the Spanish forces, killing Captain Álvarez Maldonado near the Madre de Dios River in the year 1575.

Despite this defeat, the Spaniards changed their strategy. In their effort to reach the lands of Mojos in search of the Great Paititi (El Dorado), expeditions began to be led by religious missionaries, who traveled carrying the cross and a parchment bearing the message of peace of Jesus Christ. On March 19, 1616, the Spaniards arrived at the capital of the Uchupiamonas, located on the plains of Inarama along the Tuichi River. This encounter culminated in a pact of conversion to Christianity by the Uchupiamonas people, symbolized by the planting of a cross at the entrance to the capital. Since then, crosses can be seen at the entrance of the Indigenous community of San José de Uchupiamonas, a tradition that continues to this day.

For the Uchupiamonas, who still inhabit the Tuichi Valley today, history shows that despite the profound changes that have taken place since pre-colonial times, their living culture and close relationship with nature remain intact. Their smaller rivers—such as the Tachapo, Sanchapo, Yuriyapo, Sipillapo, Sarapiapo, Mechapo, and Yariapo, among others—flow into the Tuichi River, as do their mountain ranges, including Eslabón, Maije, Cakiawaca, and Tequeje, which still preserve significant vestiges of the Inca Empire’s expansion.

Many historians currently consider San José de Uchupiamonas to be the last Inca stronghold in the attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Mojos.

Today, the ancestral territory of the Uchupiamonas overlaps with the Madidi National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, created in 1995 and considered by researchers to be one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. Since 1999, the Uchupiamonas have opened their doors to travelers, offering a unique experience of living in harmony with nature through community-based ecotourism.

Currently, the Uchupiamonas have developed seven community-based tourism initiatives as a strategy to protect their ancestral territory and water sources, with Sadiri Lodge being one of these initiatives.