Merida, an absolutely fantastic place! I highly recommend 2 day white water rafting. Watch out for the monkey. They like to shake your hammock in the morning! ;)
Get some exercise during your vacation...ride your mountain bike, trekk and do some rafting all in a 3 day expedition!
See some of the most spectacular wildlife in South America
Explore gorgeous landscapes, valleys, mountain lagoons/lakes, villages — all at a pace that gives you time to appreciate your surroundings.
Day 1. Merida - Doradas Valley
At 7:30 AM we leave Merida on our 4x4 jeep to Ejido where we visit a typical “Trapiche” (sugar cane production), which is not opened on weekends. From there we descend to the dry and xerofite Chama valley where we visit El Museo de Cafe en Estanquez. We continue our drive into the Mocoties River, a lush and green valley which produces one of Venezuela’s finest coffee. For the coffee lovers, this will be one of your favorite stops!
We leave the main valley for the small road across the mountain hills to the tiny village of Guaraque where we prepare to ride our mountain bikes. We will enjoy a 10 km asphalt ride as well as a 25 km dirt road along the Rio Guaraque and the Rio Negro. The altitude and climate are just fine and the views of the mountains and canyons are extremely beautiful. After the cycling we will enjoy a refreshing bath in natural pools and tropical rainforest vegetation and visit a cave located just next to the waterfalls.
In the late afternoon we reach the dam of “Represa la Honda”, an artificial lake that created a fjord – like landscape. We will stay overnight at La Trampa camp. Diner will be provided in the clubhouse with evening entertainment. ( - / L / D ).
Day 2: Doradas Valley
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we drive to San Agaton Hydroelectric station where you will be briefed on rafting safety instructions. As we raft through the Doradas valley, we will stop in the middle of the wilderness to hike (approx. 1 hour) through the tropical rainforest until we encounter the ruins of a developed society that lived and built a “lost city” in the Doradas valley almost 2000 years ago. This site is practically unknown to science and only few people have heard of it, or been at the spot.
After exploring the “lost city” we return to our boats to continue rafting through class 1 -3 waters. We will stop to have lunch (picnic) on the shore of the river. After lunch, we will walk (5 minutes) until we reach the "blue lagoon", a small waterfall in the middle of a beautiful jungle landscape, where you will have the opportunity to swim and refresh. Overnight at La Trampa camp. ( B / L / D ).
Day 3: Doradas Valley - Merida
After breakfast, we will take a motor boat ride on the lake to see and photograph the beautiful natural waterfalls and rivers that feed the artificial lake and the sunken village of Potosi. We will have lunch in Pregonero ( a small Andean village) and return to Merida via the National Park “Paramo Batallon la Negra”, the famous “M” road built by Gomez and the farming town of Bailadores. ( B / L / - ).
Total meals: Breakfast (B); Lunch (L); Dinner (D)
B = 2 / L = 3 / D = 2
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)
Running/ cycling shoes or sandals for Biking and Rafting
Cycling gloves and other accessories
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
waterproof 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.
You can also bring along your own bike if you wish so.
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)
Mountain bikes
Helmets (no gloves)
All rafting equipment & gear
Tour 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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