General


Max Passengers: 12
Type:

Combinations (Circuits)
Duration:
8 nights
9 days
Activities:
Birdwatching
Destinations:
Caracas Airport
Choroní & Puerto Colombia
El Baul
Mantecal
Ocumare de la Costa
Level:

Easy

Adventure Map

Trip Reviews

volunteer and tourism made easy. www.bwcp.org
Esther Githaiga
11/07/2011

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Keywords:

Your Trip Costs

Top Birding Sites in Venezuela
Departure Dates:
Date In: Date Out:
Type of service:
VIP-Exclusive Comfort
Superior Standard
Passengers:
No. adults:
No. Children:
Room Type:
Tripple Room
Standard Twin
Standard Double Room
Single Room
The room distribution is a recommendation. Please feel free to modify it according to your particular needs.

Total per person: $ 0
OR

Meals


 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Standard:
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Comfort:
0
0
0
 

Superior:
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VIP-Exclusive: All Inclusive

Top Birding Sites in Venezuela
Trip Highlights:
  • Bird lovers, this is a tour especially designed for you!
  • With more than 1300 species recorded here, Venezuela promises some of the best bird watching in South America.
  • In this tour you should get to see bird species such as the Yellow-knobbed Curassow, the Sunbittern, the Black-and-white Owl, the Agami Heron, both Great and Common potoos, the Scarlet Macaw, the Jabiru, the Gray-necked Wood-Rail, the Grey-headed Tanager and many others.
  • In the evening spotlighting of mammals, night birds, reptiles, and amphibians is considered one of the highlights of the tour.
  • This is a relaxed & easy bird watching tour designed for travelers who want a slower pace with light physical activity. It involves short walks, usually not more than a half mile one way avoiding difficult terrains.


Day 1: Caracas Airport - Choroní & Puerto Colombia

Welcome to Venezuela! Upon arrival at the airport, a Turpial Travel assistant will greet you, answer all your questions and transfer you the Henry Pittier National Park. The national park is very famous between birdwatchers. It is located between Aragua and Carabobo States and is the largest and oldest national park of the Coastal Mountain Range region in Venezuela. The park's elevation gradient ranges from sea level to 2,346 meters (7697 feet) above sea level. Henry Pittier National Park has a vast biological diversity and it has more than 500 different bird species to offer to bird lovers. It holds over 140 species of mammals, 97 reptiles and 38 amphibians. The number of insect species is estimated to be over one million!

The Henri Pittier National Park offers an interesting mix between mountains, sea coast and rivers. Bird species to be found at the National Park are: the Bay-headed Tanager, the Blood-eared Parakeet, the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, the Blue-grey Tanager, the Brown Booby, the Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, the Crimson-crested Woodpecker, the Crested Oropendola, the Green Honeycreeper, the Green-tailed Emerald, the Groove-billed Toucanet, the Handsome Fruit eater, the Red-eared Parakeet, the Rufous Nightjar, the Swallow-Tanager, the Thick-billed Euphonia, the Yellow-rumped Cacique, the White-tipped Quetzal, hummingbirds, and eagles. We will also see the Bicolored Hawk, the Rufous-breasted Hermit, the Stripe-throated Hermit, the Russet-throated Puffbird, the Black-crested Antshrike, the Black-backed Antshrike, Northern White-fringed Antwren, White-bellied Antbird, Fuscous Flycatcher, and Venezuelan Flycatcher. Overnights at a posada.

Day 2: Choroní & Puerto Colombia

Today we will explore the Rancho Grande station, a perfect and special place for nature lovers, with a giant biological diversity. It is considered one of the world’s greatest cloud forests!

Day 3: Choroní & Puerto Colombia - Ocumare de la Costa

Today we will explore the Cumboto Area, close to Ocumare de La Costa.

Day 4: Choroní & Puerto Colombia - Mantecal

Leave early in the morning to Hato Cedral in the Barinas State (8-10 hr drive).

Day 5: Mantecal

At the Hato we will observe one of the greatest scenes of bird life in South America! Hato Cedral produces birds such as the Bare-faced, Buff-necked, and Scarlet ibises and a few Sharp-tailed, White and Glossy ibises, and Green Ibis (but this is rare). Other well-known species include the Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Pied Water-Tyrant, Oriole Blackbird, and Venezuela’s national bird, the Troupial.

In the lagoons or drying pools we will see the Jabirus, Wood Storks, Limpkins, and hundreds of herons, egrets, and ibises (seven species are possible). We will also see large birds, such as Yellow-knobbed Curassows, Scarlet Macaws, Rufescent Tiger-Herons, and an occasional Capped Heron or Horned Screamer.

In the dry forest, we will see the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Glittering-throated Emerald, Russet-throated Puffbird, Ochre-lored Flycatcher, and flocks of seedeaters and Saffron Finches. If we are lucky, we might see an Orinocan Saltator or Pale-headed Jacamar.

We will observe wildlife from a boat in the Caño San Jeronimo. Here we may see several hundred Hoatzins, several dozen Gray-necked Wood-Rails, several species of raptors, Rusty-backed Spinetail, four or five species of kingfishers, many Sunbitterns, and, with a little luck, an Agami Heron. We have an excellent chance of seeing pairs or small groups of Yellow-knobbed Curassows on these river trips.

Last but not least, the Hato has a population of spectacled caiman estimated at 75,000! Other mammals present are the jaguar - though our chances of actually seeing one are very slight - the Brazilian tapir, giant anteater, hog-nosed skunk, crab-eating raccoon, ocelot, puma, crab-eating fox, collared and white-lipped peccaries, southern tamandua and tropical cottontail rabbit, Great and Common potoos, Great Horned, Mottled, Spectacled, and Striped owls, Tropical Screech-Owl, and several nightjar species. Overnight at Hato Piñero.

Day 6: El Baul

Another day at the ranch searching for native bird species.

Day 7: El Baul

Another day at the ranch searching for native bird species.

Day 8: El Baul

Another day at the ranch searching for native bird species.

Day 9: El Baul - Maiquetia

Early transfer to the Maiquetia airport in time for flights departing between 8-10:00 AM.

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:

  1. Trip extensions can be arrange for any of our tours at an additional cost.
  2. Any time of the year is recommended for this tour, except the peak of the rainy season (starting in May-June and ending approx. between October-November).
  3. The bird species and other wildlife mentioned in these itineraries are just a brief idea of the total list of possible species to see during the trip.
  4. 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:
                               
                               * Fax: 1 (310) 872 5482 (USA)
                               * Email (in a PDF file): booking@turpialtravel.com.  

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) 740 8041 (Venezuela). Our office hours are 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Mon - Fri (Pacific Time).

  Download Booking Form

 

Note: If you cannot download this Booking Form contact us and we will post, email or fax you a copy.