"The tour manager, Roger Manrrique, always responded promptly and in great detail. The hotels used were very comfortable, with excellent food - a wonder for a budget trip. Both leaders had astounding powers of recognition and field skills in finding and naming birds."
South America has more than 33% of the planet’s species of birds — and 44% of those are in Venezuela, where more than 1300 species have been recorded.
Come birding in the Andean region to see migratory as well as endemic species, while you take in the drama of its mountains and the unique culture of its peoples.
Mix birding with adventure among the cowboys of Los Llanos and see the flood plains’ rich diversity of other wildlife as well.
One thing for sure... the scenery here is absolutely breathtaking!
DAY 1. Merida
Early in the morning we can either take the Cable Car up to the La Aguada (3rd station) and Loma Redonda (4th station) or hike up to the stations. See bird species such as: the Purple-back Tornbilled, Brown-backed Chat-tyrant, Streakthroated Bush-tyrant, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown-bellied Swallow, Mérida Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, Bearded-Helmetcrest, Andean Siskin, Bar-winged Cinclodes, Sierra Finch, Great Thrush, and the Black-chested buzzard Eagle.
After lunch, we head to El Vallecito, a village on the way to Mucujún river, which is perfect to see Torrent Ducks, White-capped Dippers, Black phoebe, Moustached Brush-finch, and Green Jays. We continue our journey to La Mucuy, located in the Sierra Nevada National Park, and look for bird species such as the Emerald Toucanet, Collared Inca, Black-capped Tanager, Long-tailed Sylph, Masked Trogon, Glossyblack Thrush, Black-burnian Warbler, Gorgeted Woodsart. Overnight at the National Park’s dormitories and after dinner we will do a bit of night birding and search for the White-throated Screechowl, Band-winged Nightjar, Rufous-banded Owl, and the Barn Owl. ( - / L / D ).
DAY 2. The Andean Region
Very early in the morning, after breakfast, we take the Humboldt Trail and search for bird species such as the Barred Fruiteater, Andean Guan, Chestnutcrowned Antpitta, Masked Trogon, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Crested Quetzal, Gorgeted Woodstar, Red-crested Cotinga, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Unicolored Tapaculo, Glossy-black Thrush, Scaly-naped Parrot, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Russet-crowned Warbler, White-fronted Redstart, Black-crested Warbler, Mérida Sunangel, Plush-capped Finch, Booted racquet-tail, Slatethroated Redstar, White-headed Parrot, Roseheaded Parakeet,Brown-rumped Tapaculo.
Around midmorning we leave the Humboldt Trail to head to the Páramos. We will visit the Mifafí Valley and Mucubají Lake and look for the Andean Cóndor, Speckled Teal, Bearded Helmetcrest, White-capped Dipper, Black chested buzzard Eagle, Tyrian Metaltail, Sparkling Violetear, Ochre-browed Thistletail, Páramo Pipit, Andean Siskin, Páramo Wren, Ruddy Pigeon, Sierra Finch, Bar-winged Cinclodes, and Andean Tit-spine-tail. Overnithgt in Santo Domingo Hotel. ( B / L / D ).
DAY 3. The Andean Region - Los Llanos
Early in the morning after breakfast, we start our day exploring the Santo Domingo River and trekking Las Tapias Trail. We spend half a day looking for bird species such as the Slaty Brush-finch, Lachrimose Mountain-tanager, Blue-back Conebill, White-throated Tyranulet, Bluish Flower-piercer, Páramo Wren, Masked Flower-piercer, Ocellated Tapaculo, White-sided Flower- piercer, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker,Green Jay, Black-collared Jay, Andean Siskin, Whitecapped Dipper, Orange-throated Sunangel, Plushcapped Finch, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and the Sparkling violetear.
At around noon, we head to San Isidro for lunch. After lunch, we continue search for birds such as the Hooded-mountain Tanager, Chestnut- bellied Thrush, White- winged Tanager, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Blue-capped Tanager, Blue-hooded Euphonia, Speckled Tanager, Golden Tanager, Blue -naped & Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Green & black Fruiteater, Red headed Barbet, Golden winged Manaking, Bronzy Inca, Andean Guan, Green-fronted Lance- billed, Red-ruffed & Purple throated Fruitcrows, Masked Trogon, and Crested & Golden-headed Quetzals. Overnight in Barinitas. ( B / L / D ).
DAY 4. Los Llanos
Today we spend the day exploring La Soledad, Altamira and the Barragán River and looking for bird species such as the Brown-throated Parakeet, Burnished-buff Tanager, White-vented Plumeletear, White-bearded Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Troupial, Violaceus Trogon, Little Hermit, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, White-bearded Manakin, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Green Ho-neycreeper, Red- legged Honeycreeper, Swallow-wing Tanager Palm Tanager, Thick- billed Eu-phonia, Tropical Parula, Collared Swift, Rufous- tailed Hummingbird, Chestnut- fronted Macaw, Band-tailed Pigeon, Yellow Wabler, and the Crimsonbacked Tanager. After lunch, we will transfer you to the Barinas Airport where you will fly to your next destination. ( B / L / - ).
Turpial Travel vouchers, pre-departure information and printed copy of your Itinerary PDF
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Insect repellent
Water bottle
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/sport sandals
Moneybelt
Shorts
Long trousers
Hiking pants/track pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Swimwear
Warm clothes and windproof/waterproof jacket if you are traveling to the Andes or taking a trekking/climbing expedition.
Waterproof clothes for wet season May-Oct. Umbrella or waterproof jacket
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry
Clothes for temples – long pants or sarongs
Camera and film
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, aspirin, band aids, anti-histamine, imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
If you are under medical treatment, please bring medical treatment for the days you will be traveling with us.
Special Needs: Those who have special needs need to let us know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements (e.g. allergy to specific foods, etc).
Tour Includes:
A comprehensive pre-departure information
Airport assistance
Accommodation (including overnights in camps and hotels) on a twin-share basis
Domestic flights, if indicated on the itinerary. If not, it is not included. Baggage allowance in domestic flights is 10kg.
Private ground transfers as listed on the itinerary
Excursions and meals as indicated on the itinerary
Professional English-speaking local guide for the tours (for comfort and superior service levels)
Tours does NOT Include:
International flights
Maiquetia international airport departure tax ($52)
International airport tax ($64)
National airport taxes, if we include the internal flights in the itinerary (approximately BS.F.27.50)
Alcoholic drinks
Tips / Gratuities
Personal expenses
Personal Gear (or other items of a personal nature)
Entrance fees to National Parks if included in your itinerary ($26)
Medical treatment
Excess baggage costs
Meals, alcoholic beverages, tours, or other services not listed on the itinerary.
Holliday surcharges
Visas
Expenses incurred in preparing for the trip such as but not limited to: non-refundable airline tickets, travel insurance or additional expenses encountered as a result of flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections.
NOTES:
Trips extensions can be arrange for any of our tours at an additional cost.
Allow for USD 20 per day for meals not included and/or additional personal expenses.
How to Book?
I.I. BOOK ONLINE: Start by filling out YOUR TRIP COST section. Each itinerary has a trip price range. This section will allow you to quote an exact price by filling out Questions 1-4. The price will be determined by: the dates you choose to travel, the number of people traveling with you, and the type of service you require throughout your trip. After filling out Questions 1-4, you will choose between two options:
Option A - Book Now: If you agree with the price and you DO NOT need to make any changes to the itinerary and/or the departure dates, you will press the BOOK NOW button which will take you through a series of steps:
* Step 1: Enter your Details & Flight Information – Here you will have to fill out the passenger details, contact information and international flight information. If you still haven’t booked your international flight, no worries, the system will allow you to request a quote through us.
* Step 2: Pre/Post Hotels & Transfers in Caracas - Need extra nights in Caracas before or after your trip? If you do, you will need to fill out this section. If you don’t you will skip this section and proceed to Step 3.
* Step 3: Make a donation? – Turpial Travel is a member of several organizations that protect the environment, study endangered species and promote sustainable tourism. We work in partnership with Fundación AndígenA to forge a direct link between the economic benefits from tourism and the biodiversity protection. This section will allow you to make a donation to this caused if interested.
* Step 4: Is Everything Correct? Review your Booking Information – This section will confirm key information needed to proceed with your booking.
* Step 5: Payment Information – Last step! Here you proceed to pay and book your trip. Payment is processed through credit card only.
When filling out sections 1-5 you will received two emails from us. The first email will let you know that a personal account has been created for you. The account will allow you to interact with your assigned travel agent, update your profile, review trip details, and upload/download important pre-departure information. The email will also tell you the name of the Travel Assistant that has been assigned to you. The second email will confirm your payment once it has been processed.
We recommend using Option A since it was designed to save our clients time and money!
Option B - Personalize my Trip: If you need to adapt the itinerary to your specific needs (e.g. make changes to the itinerary and/or the pre-departure dates), you will fill out Questions 1-4 in “Your Trip Cost” section and press the PERSONALIZE MY TRIP button. Next, you will proceed to fill out some basic information needed to process your request. Once you submit this information, you will receive an email letting you know that your enquiry has been sent to the Department of Sales & Reservations and a Travel Assistant will contact you shortly.
I. II. DOWNLOAD THE BOOKING FORM AND FAX/EMAIL IT TO US! Download the booking form (below), fill in the information requested, read the Terms and Conditions, sign it and send it to us. You can send this information by:
Upon receipt of your booking form, we will proceed to call you and confirm your information. If all is correct, you can purchase the tour by credit card or bank transfer. On receipt of the payment, we will send you all necessary pre-departure information pertaining to your trip. In the pre-departure information you will receive all the details necessary for you to prepare for your holiday.
Booking Form / Terms and Conditions Please download, print and complete the booking form below and email this information to us. Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions of Contract on the booking form. If you cannot download this Booking Form contact us and we will post, email or fax you a copy.
Call US! If you wish to speak with a travel agent at any time call us through our website (FREE) or dial +1 (310) 427 3616 (USA) or +58 (243) 431 3785 (Venezuela). Our office hours are 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Mon - Fri (Pacific Time).
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