Thank you Turpial Travel & Adventure for making a 72 year old man very happy. Our group were all good company...The guide and the group were very helpful, I thank them all
The program is considered one of the most unexpected tours, the locations are surrounded by rainforest, rich in flora and fauna, especially birds. Longs spaces covered with trees, hiding lonely territories and plenty of nature’s treasures.
This nearly virgin zone, gives you the opportunity to be part of this special adventure , accompanied by Yekuana-Makiritare Indians, waterfalls breaks the silence, and during the night composes a fresh and relaxing music, to hear with the sounds coming from the rainforest which in the dark looks deeper and mysterious, the sky looks like a shiny galactic view.
Lodging in this program is located in the middle of the rainforest, giving you a complete view of the main actor, the Caura River.
Day 1. Ciudad Bolívar - Caura River
We pick you up at your Hotel in Ciudad Bolívar to load our Jeep. The first drive brings you to Caicara Del Orinoco, always going parallel to the Orinoco. The landscape looks like a hilly savanna, crossed by many small rivers with Moriche-palm trees ashore. The fruits of this tree are eatable and its fiber is used to make hammocks and a lot of arts and crafts by the Indians and inside the tree a “Moriche worm” grows, which is a typical snack for the Indian people, similar to a bacon flavor.
After one hour we reach the Río Aro and take a rest at the last gas station before our destination. Driving through savanna. Huge, black granite-rocks show, extensions of the former Guyana-shield. Finally we take a small red dirt road to the south, which leads us through the jungle to Las Trincheras. In the afternoon we start our first trip with an Indian canoe (curiara) to arrive to "Peña Negra", a huge granite rock laying like an island in the middle of the Caura. Up there we have a great view over the river´s course and the deep green jungle. To watch the sunset we go back to our lodge. In the evening a big "parrilla" (barbecue) is prepared on an open fire. ( - / L / D ).
Day 2. Caura River After breakfast we load our curiara stowing away all our equipment and baggage into waterproof containers. A Trinchereño accompanies us, who knows the river best, with all its rapids and rocks beneath the water's surface. After half an hour we reach the first rapids, which we pass safely. During the dry-season white beaches are visible, perfect for taking a bath or even a rest. From time to time we meet a curiara with Indians living at the upper Caura (please no photos!). It is quite a comfortable ride as long as no tropical rain catches us. In the background we see the first mountains indicating that we are close to our destination. After 5 - 6 hours the white Playon-Beach lays in front of us. ( B / L / D ).
Day 3. Caura River
Early in the morning the landscape is covered by dense fog slowly broken up by the sun. This fog phenomenon is caused by water heating up a lot during the day and the cool air laying over it during a clear night. After breakfast we walk through dense rainforest always parallel to the river which stays invisible running through a canyon 200 - 300 m away from us. Only two hours later we hear the thunder of the "Para-Falls". Next to us is the former research station Cadafe (electricity-company) conducted by Indians living there now. We stay a while at the camp to watch the fascinating spectacle of the falls. In a lagoon above the falls we take an exciting bath. Before walking back there is a chance to buy arts and crafts from the Indians. ( B / L / D ).
Day 4. Caura River
After breakfast and loading the canoes we start our way back to the camp. We arrive around noon. In the afternoon you have the chance to take a last bath in the river. ( B / L / D ).
Day 5. Caura River - Ciudad Bolivar
After breakfast return to Ciudad Bolívar. ( B / - / - ).
Total Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)
B = 4 / L = 4 / D = 4
We recommend you bring:
Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD o EURO cash and/or travelers checks
Credit card
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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