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Venezuela Tours and Travel

Eastern Venezuela / Southern Venezuela / Best of Venezuela / Fascinating Eastern Venezuela / Jungles and Beaches
Adventure Amazonas / Amazonas, Jungles & Beaches / Angel Falls by Boat / Angel Falls Trek / Roraima Trek

Amazonas, Jungle & Beaches

Venezuela´s astounding geographical variety calls for this 14-day roundtrip staying in guesthouses. The tour starts in the Amazon region, where you stay in the Orinoquia Lodge, located right on the Orinoco River. There, you embark on several boat excursions and visits to Indian villages. You continue to the Caura River, where you explore the Para Fall, an impressive waterfall, surrounded by virgin rainforest. During this trip, you will discover the habits of the Yekuana-Makaritare Indians and the peculiarities of the jungle. Afterwards, you will go to the National Park Tacarigua de La Laguna, located on the east coast, where you rest the last 3 days on a lonesome beach.

Day 1 (Tuesday) Arrival in Caracas.
You will be welcomed at the airport. The airport is located on the coast, 23 km away from the city. One-hour transfer to a downtown hotel.

Day 2 (Wednesday) Flight to Pto. Ayacucho. Transfer to the Orinoquia Lodge. Walk to a vantage point with view of the Orinoco river. (L,D)
You take the first flight to Pto. Ayacucho. After arrival visit of the indian market, where you can buy handicrafts and the indian museum, to learn about the different indian tribes and their ways of life. Afterwards, 20 minutes transfer to the Orinoquia Lodge which is located on the banks of the Orinoco River and designed in the typical native style. Lunch. In the afternoon you will walk to a vantage point to enjoy a splendid view over the Orinoco River.

Day 3 (Thursday) Visiting indian villages and the Tobogan de la Selva. (B,L,D)
Today you will visit indian villages, to learn about indian agriculture and various local plants. A wall through the jungle might enabl you to see the famous 24 hours ant. Demonstration of Indian basket, hammock and trap-making. You also learn about medicine plants. In the afternoon you will visit the Tobogan de la Selva a natural water slide with pools. In the evening, you return to the lodge.

Day 4 (Friday) Boat trip on the Orinoco. (B,L,D)
Starting from the camp, you will go on a boat trip down the Orinoco River to explore little streams with abundant vegetation. With a little luck, you might see fresh water dolphins and otters. There is time to swim and sunbathe on the beautiful beaches, which are formed during dry season.

Day 5 (Saturday) Bus trip to Maripa. Transfer to Caura Lodge. (B,D)
Morning bus to Maripa. During the ride, you will marvel at the savanna landscape crossed by many Moriche (palm trees) lined streams and dotted with overwhelming, black granite rocks. After seven hours, you arrive in Maripa where your guide awaits you. You continue your drive south along a red dirt trail, through a dense jungle to Las Trincheras. In the camp our hostesses are already expecting us. In the evening, a big parrilla (barbecue) is prepared on an open fire.

Day 6 (Sunday) Passage to the beach El Playon at the rapids (130 km upriver, 5-6 hours ride depending whether dry - or rainy-season). (B,L,D)
After breakfast, loading of the curiara (indian boat), stowing away the entire equipment and baggage into waterproof containers. A Trinchereño accompanies us, an expert of the river with all its rapids and rocks lying beneath the water’s surface. After half an hour, you will safely passage the first rapids. During the dry season, white beaches are formed, perfect for a bath or even a rest. From time to time, you will meet a curiara with Indians living at the upper Caura (please no photos!). It is quite a comfortable ride as long as there are no bouts of tropical rain. In the background, you will see the first mountains indicating that you are close to our destination. Arrival at the Playon-Beach after 5-6 hours.

Day 7 (Monday) Walk to the Para-Falls (about 2-2 1/2 hrs., 7 km, 250 m difference in altitude) (B,L,D)
Early in the morning, the landscape is covered by a dense fog which slowly disperses with the sun. This fog-phenomenon results from water heating up during the day and the cool air lying over it during a clear night. After breakfast, you walk through dense rainforest always parallel to the river which stays invisible while it runs through a canyon 200 - 300 m away from us. Only two hours later, you hear the thunder of the Para Falls. Next to you, is the former research station Cadafe (electricity-company) run by Indians who live there now. You will remain for a while at the camp to watch the fascinating spectacle of the falls and even take an exciting bath in the lagoon above the waterfall. Before returning, there is a chance to buy arts and crafts from the indians.

Day 8 (Tuesday) Passage back to Caura Lodge. (B,L,D)
After breakfast and loading of the canoes, you return to the camp. Arrival around noon. In the afternoon, last chance for a bath in the river.

Day 9 (Wednesday) Drive to Ciudad Bolívar. (B,)
After breakfast transfer to Ciudad Bolívar (approx. 3 hours). In the afternoon, there will be time for a walk through the colonial city center of Ciudad Bolívar. Posada Angostura

Day 10 (Thursday) Transfer to the National Park Tacarigua de La Laguna. (B,D)
After breakfast, transfer to the via Puerto La Cruz to Tacarigua de La Laguna. It is an approx. 5 hours drive. At the entrance of the National Park you will take a boat for approx. 20 minutes for a ride over the lagoon until you arrive at the Hotel Tortuga Lodge, situated on a 30 km beach. This Hotel can only be reached by boat. The National Park is famous for its mangles, the red ibis (and more than 150 species of birds) the Caiman de la Costa and three different species of marine turtles. Your will stay the following 3 nights in a nice bungalows facing the beach. Tortuga Lodge

Day 11-12 (Friday-Saturday) Tacarigua de La Laguna (B,D)
Free days

Day 13 (Sunday) Return to Caracas (B)
After breakfast, transfer back to Caracas (approx. 3,5 hours). End of services.

2011 Price per person in US$: $1633 double, $1992 single

* At the Caura Lodge you have also the possibility to stay in one of the double rooms with private bathroom for extra cost.

Included
Transfers as indicated
Flight Caracas-Puerto Ayacucho
All excursions as indicated
Meals as indicated
Accommodation as indicated
English speaking guide at the Orinoquia and Caura Lodge

Does not include
Domestic airport taxes
Entrance Fee National Park Tacarigua de La Laguna (approx. USD 1 p.p.)
Personal expenses and tips
Porterage
Drinks with the meals