Venezuela is one of the little-known gems of South America. Located on the Caribean Sea and stretching south to the Amazon River rainforest, east to Kaiateur Falls on the border with Guyana and west to the northern Andes, Venezuela has just about everything South America has to offer. Beautiful beaches with coral reef snorkeling, Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world), the Yanomani Indians (one of the last tribes to be contacted by Western civilization), mountain skiing, Los Llanos (some of the richest wildlife areas in the world), and wonderfully gracious and hospitable people. This is Venezuela, land of mystery and sun; land of diversity of cultures and terrain; land of enchantment.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Caracas
Arrival in Caracas or Margarita. Our friendly staff will greet you and transport you to your hotel. Balance of the day at your leisure;
Day 2: Caracas - Uruyen Camp
Flight to Uruyen Camp in Canaima National Park, with first views of Angel Falls (in clear weather). We will spend the day exploring the surrounding canyons, jungle and waterfalls. Accommodations are in lovely thatched-roof huts;
Day 3: Uruyen Camp - Kavak Camp
Hike to Kavak Camp through jungle and savanna. Visits will be made to several small villages. At Kavak Camp you will sleep in hammocks or beds, in clean rustic rooms, for two nights;
Day 4: Kavak Camp
Day-hike through the surrounding virgin jungle to the Kavak Cave and Honeybee Waterfall. In the afternoon, those who are interested can join in a soccer game with local Pemón Indians;
Day 5: Kamarata - Arenal Camp
Departure for Kamarata, time permitting including a visit to the Capuchin Mission. Here we begin our river journey to Angel Falls in curiaras (dugout canoes). We overnight at the lovely Arenal Camp;
Day 6: Ratoncito Camp - Angel Falls
River journey continues into Devil's Canyon, to the base of Angel Falls. From our camp on Ratoncito Island we will hike to several spectacular views of the falls;
Day 7: Canaima Lagoon - Caracas
Return to Carrao River. Journey to Sapo Falls and Canaima Lagoon. PM departure for Merida via Caracas. Arrive Merida, transfer to hotel; Mérida is the capital and university city of Mérida State. It is situated on a plateau at the foot of the highest mountain in Venezuela, Pico Bolivar, at the border of Sierra Nevada National Park. Includes: (B);
Day 8: Merida
Cable car excursion, city tour, and market visit. In the morning a one-hour ride on the famous cable car which brings you to an altitude of more than 4700 metres at the cable car station at Pico Espejo. In the afternoon, you'll go on a tour of the beautiful city of Mérida and visit the colorful market stalls of Mercado Principal where you will find typical Venezuelan and Andean handicrafts native to this region. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 9: Village and Lagoon Excursion
After breakfast we drive for about 1 ½ hours through the Andean villages of Tabay, Mucuruba, and Mucuchies to the Mucubaji lagoon from where we take a short walk to Laguna Negra. It is a pleasant walking-tour on a small path which winds through the green countryside. Once in a while you can have a glance at the valley of Santo Domingo. The color of the water changes depending on weather or season from dark blue to milky dark green. Always different! Surrounded by the mountains and in peaceful silence we rest here before starting back for Mucubaji Lagoon. For lunch you'll warm up (remember - you're in the Andes mountains!) with a hot cup of cocoa, tea, or coffee at a small restaurant and you can try fresh local trout! We travel on up to Pico El Aguila, the highest pass of Venezuela. Even walking a few steps at this altitude makes you realize how thin the air is! Next we'll take a side trip to the condor breeding station, where strong efforts have been undertaken in recent years to reintroduce and encourage breeding of the endangered Andean Condor. With a little luck we may see one of these magnificent birds circling in the sky - or at least an eagle or two…. In the afternoon we head back to Merida, taking our time to stop at the handicraft stalls lining the road along the way. Specialties of the region are hand-woven carpets and simple, robust ceramics. Includes: (B), (L);
Day 10: Maracaibo
Flight to Maracaibo and city tour. Maracaibo is the most important city in western Venezuela. Includes: (B);
Day 11: Sinamaica Lagoon-Ciudad
Bolivar Morning excursión to Sinamaica Lagoon, home of the Guajiro Indians, visiting their traditional homes and villages and having lunch in a typical restaurant serving traditional local foods; then back to Maracaibo for a flight to Ciudad Bolivar via Caracas;
Day 12: Ciudad Bolivar
Morning city tour of this beautiful city with its fascinating history, then flight to Caracas to make your connection for your flight home or extension trip to Los Roques National Park, where you'll be able to relax on the beach as a perfect finale to an amazing Venezuelan Reverie.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Only in-country airfare is included.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Venezuela
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
