VENEZUELA: Best Of Venezuela Tour

The Best of Venezuela tour has it all - the Llanos, Amazon, Canaima (for Angel Falls), Orinoco Delta and good beach time!

Day 1: Caracas

Afternoon arrival in Caracas. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to Hotel Costa Real Suites. In the evening briefing with your guide who accompanies you throughout the tour. Overnight at Hotel Costa Real Suites.

Note: Transfers will be carried out individually in case guests arrive with different international airlines.

The Hotel Costa Real Suites is located, depending on the traffic, about 20 to 40 minutes from the airport. The rooms are 1 bedroom air-conditioned suites with separate living area and kitchenette, TV, safe, mini-bar and bathroom with shower. In addition, it has a restaurant with an excellent cuisine, bar and pool. It is perfect for transfer overnights when you have another flight the next day.

Day 2: Caracas - Los Llanos (B/D)

Early transfer to airport and flight to Barinas. After arrival in Barinas you will be taken to Hato El Cedral. Duration of the transfer is approx. 4 hours. In the afternoon you take your first excursion, an impressive photo safari during which you will be able to observe the variety of south american fauna, including amongst others capybaras, aardvarks, monkeys, deer, iguanas, alligators, caimans, turtles, snakes (with a little luck even the big anaconda) and over 300 different birds species. Overnight at Hato El Cedral, in a double room with fan, bathroom with shower and hot water. Driving time approx. 4 hours.

The Hato El Cedral impresses with its fauna. Its guesthouse with spacious air-conditioned rooms with ceiling fan and bathroom with shower, is rather simple. The rooms you will find are distributed along the guesthouse. The food/cuisine is typical from the area and very substantial. You will find a pool with long chairs where you can enjoy the sun if you desire.

Day 3: Llanos- (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will go on another tour in the safari vehicle to explore different areas of the Hato. You will return to the ranch for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a boat trip on the Río Matiyure to observe caimans, river dolphins and a wide variety of birds. Piranha fishing is also quite exciting. Overnight at Hato El Cedral.

Day 4: Llanos - San Fernando (B/L)

In the morning you will go on another safari tour with special 4x4 vehicles in order to explore a different area of the Hato. In the rainy season you have the chance to take a boat trip to observe caimans, river dolphins and a wide variety of birds. Piranha fishing is also quite exciting. After lunch you will be transferred to San Fernando de Apure.Overnight in the Hotel Best Western in a double room with air-conditioning, private bathroom with shower and hot water. Driving time approx. 3,5 hours

The Hotel Best Western Los Soleos is located at the border of San Fernando and built in a villa style. It’s the best hotel in the city with pool, restaurant and bar.

Day 5: San Fernando-Amazonas (B/D)

After breakfast you drive towards Puerto Ayacucho. It takes approx. 6 hours and leads you through the savanna. You cross small rivers and finally the mighty Rio Orinoco. Soon you arrive in Puerto Ayacucho where you will visit the Indian market and use some of your time to stroll around if you want. From there you´ll drive to the Orinoquia Lodge, which is beautifully located on the offshore of the Orinoco River. You can relax the rest of the day and depending on the water level have a refreshing bath in the river. Overnight in Orinoquia Lodge in a double room with ceiling fan, mosquito net, private bath and only cold water. Driving time approx. 7 hours including Orinoco Ferryboat

The Orinoquia Lodge is located on the offshore of the river, about 20 minutes from Puerto Ayacucho. The Lodge consists of two-story typical churuatas (thatched roof huts) where the beds are located in the upper part and living room and bath in the lower part. The open bungalows are protected with curtains, no closeable windows, and all beds are covered with mosquito nets. There are 3 rooms, very close to the main churuata which are not located individually as the other are. The bar and restaurant are in the big churuata with a view onto the river. The accommodation is rather simple, but its location is breathtaking.

Day 6: Amazonas (B/L/D)

Today you are driving to the fishmarket where you can observe the Indians daily routine. Afterwards you will be visiting the interesting ethnological museum in Puerto Ayacucho, which will give you a great overview of all the different Indian tribes, about their lifestyles and history (its opening is irregular, not always guaranteed). The indian market is right next to the museum and you have some time to stroll around. Also visit the Plaza Bolivar and the cathedral. At lunchtime you will be served a typical meal.

In the afternoon, when it is not that hot any more, we will drive to the “Piedra de la Tortuga”, 2 big granite laccolites which have the form of a turtle. We walk along the bottom of this rock and reach a big, open cave which was once an Indian burial place where you can still see some rock painting. Afterwards we will climb up the “back of the turtle” – the ascent takes about 30 minutes and is relatively steep but it is worth it – we can enjoy a wonderful sight over the savanna. Those who do not want to ascent the rock can walk back to the house of the park guardians and wait there in the shadow for the rest of the group. Overnight at Orinoquia Lodge.

Day 7: Amazonas-Caura (B/D)

After breakfast you leave to the Caura Lodge. The landscape is similar to an undulating savannah. Huge, black granite laccolites will show, which are foothills of the former Guiana Shield. After about 8 hours driving you leave the main road and turn into a narrow, red dirt road, which takes you through the jungle to Las Trincheras. You will be welcomed at the Caura Lodge, which is situated in Las Trincheras. On the terrace where all meals are taken you can enjoy the evening atmosphere and listen to the noises of the jungle. Overnight at Caura Lodge in double rooms with fan, mosquito nets, private bathroom and only cold water. Total driving time approx. 10 hours

The Caura Lodge consists of rooms that are in the main house of the accommodation and of different bungalows built in a churuata style (thatched roof huts). There is also a churuata with hammocks. At the edge of the lodge is a sloping beach to the river. The meals will be served either outdoors or in the main room. Because of its location the equipment is very simple. Electricity only per generator from 18:00 – 22:00 h

Day 8: Caura (B/L/D)

After breakfast you will go on a boat tour upriver into untouched jungle areas. After passing by some small rapids we reach the start of our short hike.

You will hike uphill through the jungle, observing a large variety of plants, such as orchids, bromeliads and vanilla plants. Finally, you will arrive at a big rock which lies in a clearing in the middle of the jungle. From there you have a fantastic view of the dark-green, unspoiled jungle and you can hear the sounds which come from somewhere out of the jungle.

In the afternoon you will make a short visit to one of the Indian villages. If we are lucky the women have just harvested manioc and we can see the production of Casabe, the typical Indian manioc bread (not guaranteed!). Overnight at Caura Lodge.

Day 9: Caura-Ciudad Bolivar (B)

After breakfast you return to the main street and follow the street to Ciudad Bolivar, after an approx. 3,5 hour drive. Overnight in Posada Angostura located in the colonial area of the city. In the afternoon you have time to discover more of this contemplative city at the Orinoco River with a very well maintained colonial downtown. Overnight at Posada Angostura in double room with air-conditioning, fan, private bathroom and hot water. Driving time approx. 3,5 hours

The Posada Angostura is located in a restored colonial building in the historic center of the city. The rooms are located around the inner patio with a view to a very nicely decorated corridor. Breakfast is served either in the inner patio or in the restaurant of Casa Grande.

Day 10: Ciudad Bolivar - Canaima (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport and flight at around 8: 00 am in small Cessnas to Canaima. 10 Kg of luggage are permitted, no suitcases. The rest of the luggage can be stored in Posada Angostura. The Canaima National Park is one of the biggest of the world. This region is indeed impressive and of unique beauty. The park is part of the Guyana Shield, the oldest geological formation of the earth. The landscape is extremely varied, one encounters impenetrable jungle, rolling savannah, black water rivers and beautiful waterfalls. In the distance the tepuis, each an ecological island with very special properties can be seen. The most famous is the Auyán Tepui. The highest waterfall in the world drops from its summit, the Angel Fall. The flora is unique, full of rare orchids and bromeliads.

In the afternoon you visit the Salto Sapo. You will begin this tour with a short boat ride across the Canaima Lagoon and reach after a short hike through savannah and jungle, the waterfall. You will have the unique opportunity to cross the waterfall behind the water curtain. Literally, a breathtaking experience, especially during the rainy season! Afterwards you still have plenty of time to take a refreshing bath.

Overnight at Tapuy Lodge in double room with airconditioning, fan, private bath and hot water besides an extraordinary view to the Canaima Lagoon.

The Tapuy Lodge is located in an incomparable location right on the offshore of the Canaima Lagoon overlooking the waterfalls plunging into the lagoon. The rooms are located partly on the ground floor, partly on the 1st floor under the typical style, thatched roof. The lower rooms have a small terrace with hammock. All rooms have air conditioning. Meals are served in the thatched Churuata in the garden. The garden and the new, large furnished in lounge style Churuata invite you to relax, with the sound of waterfalls in the background.

Day 11: Canaima – Ciudad Bolivar (B)

The morning is free. You can arrange for an optional flight over the Angel Falls (weather permitting), the highest waterfall in the world, or just relax in the Canaima Lagoon or buy crafts in one of the gift shops.
Around noon flight back to Ciudad Bolivar. Transfer to Posada. Overnight at Posada Angostura.

Day 12: Ciudad Bolivar-Delta (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Boca de Uracoa (about 3.5 hours), a small town in North Delta. From here you can take a boat down the river about 1 hour until your Delta Lodge. On the way you may already know, the typical vegetation of the delta. You pass individual Indian settlements until you finally arrive at the lodge, which is beautifully situated by the river. After lunch, you start your first trip. You take the boat to a small tributary and from there take a stroll through the impressive vegetation of the delta. Your guide will explain the plants that you see on their way and you get to know the many uses of the moriche palm. With luck, you can try the typical palm heart; the palm grows only in the Delta (not guaranteed). Overnight in a lodge in the delta in simple double rooms with fan, mosquito nets, private bathroom (cold water only).

Driving time approx. 4,5 hours

The lodges are located in the Orinoco Delta in small river side arms on stilts. Due to the location, the decor is simple. The rooms consist of beds with bedside table, shelf, mosquito nets (some only on windows and doors) and private bathroom (cold water only). Electricity only per generator from 18:00 – 22:00 h.

Day 13: Delta-Caripe (B)

When visiting a Warao family you get a little insight into their current living environment. The Warao Indians are still living partly in stilt houses on the banks of the arms of the river delta. Afterwards, we head by boat back to Boca de Uracoa and from there via Maturin to Caripe, famous for the nearby Guacharo cave that once was explored by Humboldt. You can reach the cave at dusk and watch how the Guacharo birds (fat birds) swarming with loud shrieks and begin their nightly flight. Overnight in Pueblo Pequeño in a double room with air conditioning, ceiling fan, private bath and hot water. Total journey time approximately 6 hours

The Hotel Pueblo Pequeño is located on the edge of Caripe and in addition to its rooms in hotel it also offers bungalows. The rooms are simple and functional. The food is rather simple. The restaurant offers a la carte menu with a sufficient selection.

Day 14: Guacharo Cave-Caribbean Coast (B)

This morning you will be exploring the Guacharo cave. In the first part you will see huge stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Always accompanied by the cries of the fat birds we get to the “Room of Peace”. Abruptly the shouting and cries of the birds will stop and the stalactite world changes. The stalactites are solidified as limestone and sparkle in thousands of colors in the lantern light. In the depth you hear a rushing river. You take a little tour and then return to the hotel where you can freshen up. On the way to the coast you will be visiting a coffee hacienda. Depending on the season the coffee production process can be observed: one time the harvest, another time the processing to finished coffee. Cumana you will get to know on a small tour through the colonial city center. Afterwards you still will drive about 1.5 hours to Lecheria / Puerto La Cruz, a coastal town on the edge of the National Park Mochima. On the way you have always breathtaking views of the national park.

Overnight at Hotel Punta Palma. Accommodation in double room with air-conditioning or fan, private bathroom and hot water. Total driving time approximately 5 hours

The Hotel Punta Palma is located in the tourist zone of Lecheria in Puerto La Cruz. The hotel has a large sun terrace with swimming pool and possibility of access to the sea with a small beach. The rooms are comfortably furnished, partly with sea views (available at additional cost). In addition to the breakfast buffet, there is a lunch buffet. In the evening the a la carte restaurant with sea view opens.

Day 15: Barcelona-Caracas (B)

In the morning flight to Caracas.

End of services.


"We reserve us the right to change the course of the tour due to current political, climatic or organizational reasons."

Included

- local English speaking guide during excursions; day 14 without guide
-Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers on private basis and excursions as specified
-All domestic flights (Caracas-Barinas, Ciudad Bolivar-Canaima-Ciudad Bolivar, Barcelona-Caracas)
- Entrance fee to Guacharo Cave

Not included

- Overflight Angel Falls
- National and international airport taxes
- Canaima National Park entrance fee, currently about USD 34.00 pp
- Porter
- Personal expenses and tips
- Drinks with meals

2015 rate per Person in US$:

2 People - Double room: USD 2975. Single supplement: USD 405

3 People - Double room: USD 2805. Single supplement: USD 405

CONTACT: Amazon Adventures

EMAIL: jmc12@amazonadventures.com