The accommodation was excellent, itinerary was good, the al fresco breakfasts were excellent - a real feature of the trip. The leader was excellent with fluent English and very good birding skills backed up by zesty personality and good sense of humour. Very good trip.
Amit Agarwal
India | 04/20/2009
Notes
Note: In this tour, we can offer other excursions such as:
Piedra Pintada: an immense granite rock on which engravings are the found greatest petrogliphs until the moment in Venezuela of pre-Hispanic origin, of the time catalogued like Meso-Indio (3,000 - 5,000 years before the present);
Excursions by the Orinoco river which gives you the opportunity to visit Indian communities;
Fluvial excursion to the beautiful Tuparro National Park;
Rafting in the Atures rapids (the widest expresses of the world);
Trekking and hiking in the forest;
Birdwatching; and/or
Fishing
From the camping site you can also take expeditions to the south. These include: Tepuy Autana, region of the Cuao-Sipapo, Ventuari River, Alto Orinoco, Route of Humboldt, Brazo Casiquiare, Piedra del Cocuy, Rio Negro and Brazil (Amazon River and Manaus).
Experience the Amazon - a 70, 00 square mile area which encompasses lush rain forest, hundreds of rivers and broad savannahs. It is home to exotic plants and rare animals, a place where travelers can truly enjoy one of the world's great wildernesses.
See the Danto Falls and bathe in a natural water slide of 80 meters in length with natural swimming pools and jacuzzis.
Travel in curiaras and bongos (typical boats of the region) while navigating on four different rivers: the Orinoco, the Sipapo, the Cuao and Autana.
Meet Piaroas Indians. Get to know their culture, traditions, and their medicinal plants.
DAY 1. Amazonas
Upon arrival at Puerto Ayacucho, the capital of Amazonas State, you will be transferred to the hotel. After lunch, we can either drive to the natural water slide “Tobogán de la Selva”, where we can take a short hike and enjoy the refreshing water in a natural slide water of 80 meters in length with natural swimming pools and jacuzzis; or we can to visit to the city and the excellent Ethnological Museum. Dinner and overnight at the camp. ( - / L / D).
DAY 2. Amazonas
After breakfast we travel by road to the Port of Samariapo (about 60 minutes) where bongos (wooden dug-out boats with a thatched roof) will be waiting for us. After loading the equipment and the food for five days on the boats, we will start our trip on the river. We will be navigating on four different rivers: the Orinoco, the Sipapo, the Cuao and Autana. Our first stop will be at the Isla Raton on the Orinoco. As we continue, we leave the Rio Orinoco and enter the Rio Sipapo. We will notice the difference between the brown waters of the Orinoco and the black water of the Rio Sipapo and then stop at a beautiful spot for lunch and a swim in the river. We will then continue up the Cuao River for some two hours until we reach the Camp called the Raudal de Danto or the Danto's Rapids where we will visit a community of the Piaroa. From here it is possible to go out on the river in a much smaller dug-out or "Curiara" or we can fish, swim, do a little bird watching or simply contemplate the vastness of the Amazonian forest. ( B / L / D).
DAY 3.Amazonas
After breakfast we will hike to the upper part of Danto Falls and then travel by boat for approximately 40 minutes before starting a two and a half hour hike through the forest. We will be accompanied by native guides who will help carry all the equipment, food, etc. They will also show you their medicinal plants as well as explain other bits of interesting information about the forest they know so well. Our goal is the refuge at the foot of the Cuao mountain range where we will have lunch followed by a walk to the outlook of the mountain and a most refreshing bath in the natural Tobogán or slide of Caño Paraíso (Paradise stream) as well as the many natural swimming holes. Dinner and overnight in hammocks with mosquito nets. ( B / L / D).
DAY 4.Amazonas
After breakfast we will walk back to Danto Falls to have lunch. Then we will go back down the river to the Sipapo river and then Autana river, stopping at an indigenous community to observe the preparation of maniac or mañoco and visit the community. Every now and then we can stop our journey and take a refreshing bath in the beautiful water of the Sipapo. Around noon we will start looking for a nice place to have our lunch break. As we continue our boat ride, we will reach the confluent Rio Autana, From here we can see the Cerro Pelota, a mountain which is sacred to the Piaroa Indians and where they bury their dead. After we will arrive at the Boca de Autana ( Piaroa community) where we will spend the night. ( B / L / D).
DAY 5.Amazonas
After breakfast we continue for a short while to reach the Raudal de Ceguera at Autana river, where some Piaroas Indians will be waiting for us. We will move to smaller boats in order to get to the departure point for our hike. For about two hours we will walk through the rainforest towards the Cerro Wahari. On our way we have the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the forest.
As we proceed towards the peak, the vegetation changes and the trail becomes steeper. Finally, an extraordinary view will open up in front of our eyes, and we can admire both the Tepui Autana and the Cara del Indio (face of the Indian). Way below we can spot the tiny Rio Autana and the rainforest.
After enjoying the view for a while, we return to our camp where we will have time to relax, take a bath or go fishing. Again, we spend the night in hammocks that are strung up in a Churuata, an open Indian hut. As the day before, we will let the day fade out at a bonfire. ( B / L / D).
DAY 6. Amazonas
We will return to Puerto Samariapo in our Bongo. One our way, we can stop at one of the various indigenous communities and visit a shaman. As on our way upstream, we can make stops to take a bath in the river, and we will take a break for lunch. In the afternoon we reach Puerto Samariapo, where we will be picked up and brought back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight. ( B / L / D).
DAY 7.Amazonas - Caracas
After breakfast we will take you to the airport at Puerto Ayacucho so you can catch your flight to Caracas (or any other destination). ( B / - / - ).
Total Breakfast (B); Lunch (L); Dinner; (D)
B = 6 / L = 6 / D = 6
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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