Amazon Adventures

Venezuela

Andes & Angel Falls / Angel Falls Trek / Venezuela Highlights/ Kaleidoscope
Family Tour / Andes & Llanos / Southern Venezuela / Amazonas-Los Roques
Adventure Amazonas / Angel Falls by Boat / Jungles and Beaches / Explorer

Jungle and Beaches

This roundtrip is an reasonable alternative. It starts Thursdays with two persons minimum. You visit the Caura Lodge, situated right on the Rio Caura waterfront. From there you start the trip to the Para Fall, an impressive waterfall, surrounded by virgin rainforest. Accompanied by the Yekuana-Makaritare Indians you learn about their habits and the peculiarities of the rainforest.After Río Caura you continue your trip on Venezuela’s west coast. Your “Posada is located in the heart of Puerto Colombia, a beautiful fishing village. Here you spend your last days at a marvelous palm beach.

Day 1 (Thursday) - Arrival in Caracas. You will be welcomed at the airport. The airport is located at the coast, 23 km away from the city. One-hour drive to a hotel in Caracas. Hotel Avila***

Day 2 (Friday) - You can use the morning to discover Caracas. In the afternoon Transfer to the airport, and flight to Ciudad Bolívar, the capital of Bolívar State where Venezuela declared its independence in 1821. From the historical city center you will have a amazing view of the Orinoco and the Angostura Bridge. Posada Angostura.

Day 3 (Saturday) - Drive to the Caura Lodge. (3.5 - 4 hrs.). Your journey will take you parallel to the Orinoco, across a hilly savanna, crossed by small rivers lined with Moriche palm trees. The fruit of this tree is eatable; its fiber is used by the Indians for hammocks and many arts and crafts. After one hour you reach Río Aro last gas station where you can rest. The drive continues through the savanna dotted with enormous black granite-rocks, extensions of the former Guyana shield. The savanna offers an impressive panoramic view with its lonely palm trees among an overwhelming landscape of black rocks. Finally, you turn into a red dirt trail to the south, across a dense jungle to Las Trincheras. In the camp our hostesses await you. In the afternoon, we start our first trip with an Indian canoe (curiara) to the Peña Negra, a huge granite rock in the middle of the Caura River from where you will enjoy a spectacular view over the river and the deep green jungle. You will return to the camp by sunset time. In the evening a big “parrilla” (barbecue) is prepared on open fire. Overnight in hammocks. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Sunday) - (130 km upriver, 5-6 hours ride). After breakfast, you will load the curiara 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 beneath the water’s surface. After half an hour, you will reach the first rapids, which you will safely passage. During the dry season, white beaches are formes, perfect to take 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 a quite comfortable ride as long as there are no bouts of tropical rain. In the distance, the first mountains indicate that you are close to your destination, and after 5-6 hours you arrive at the “El Playon” beach. Hammocks. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Monday) - Walk to the Para-Falls (about 2-2,5 hrs., 7km, 250 m difference in altitude). 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.Hammocks. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Tuesday) - 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. Hammocks. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Wednesday) - After breakfast, you return to Ciudad Bolívar. In the afternoon, there will be time for a walk through the colonial city center of Ciudad Bolívar. Posada Angostura. (B)

Day 8 (Thursday) - In the morning flight to Caracas. You will drive to the Aragua Valley, an area of cane plantations and continue on a narrow winding road up the mountains of Venezuela´s oldest national park, “Henry Pittier”. which displays a fascinating diversity of plants. You pass at 1.400m and descend towards Choroní, a colonial village whose inhabitants still live of cacao production. Your Posada is located in Puerto Colombia. Posada Turpial (B)

Day 9-12 (Friday-Monday) - Right from your little Posada you can take a many excursions, such as, to the National Park Henri Pittier, to the ruins of the former hotel of the dictator Juan Vicente Gomez, to a waterslide, to the beaches of El Diario, or even a boat ride to one of the beautiful beaches near Choroní. Of course, you can also spend your days relaxing at the palm beach of Playa Grande. Posada Turpial (B)

Day 13 (Tuesday) - After breakfast you return to Caracas or the airport.

Bookings
Tour starts every Thursday.

2007 Price: US$1148 per person double, $1397 single
2008 Price: US$1212 per person double, $1520 single

* In the Caura Lodge, possibility to stay in one of the double rooms with private bath at extra cost.

Included
• Transfers as indicated
• Flights as indicated
• All excursions as indicated
• Meals as indicated
• Accomodation
• English speaking guide for the Caura Tour

Does not include
• Local airport taxes
• Guide in Choroní
• Personal expenses and tips
- Beverages with the meals