Venezuela is a fantastic place to go for a holiday. For a beach holiday with opportunities to view wildlife it is hard to beat. Canaima and Los Llanos were truly exceptional….
Lisa Verderber
Austria | 03/14/2009
Notes
Best season for this program: All year round. Note, however, that the wet season is very different from the dry season in Los Llanos; the dry season is best for wildlife watching.
Travel through the seven major natural regions in Venezuela.
Be in a igneo-metamorphic base with rocks that date be-tween 900 million and 3.5 billion years old.
See the Auyan-Tepuy (2.400 m), from which Angel Falls (Karepaku-pa merú), the highest waterfall in the world, originates with a drop of 979 m. In addition, see other tepuis such as Roraima (2.800 m); Chimata (2.700 m); Kukenán (2.600 m).
Visit the Venezuelan Andean region with its unparalleled biodiversity and Venezuela’s tallest peaks!
Travel through vast plains that shelter hundreds of bird species (over 300) and more than 50 mammals, promising encounters with anacondas, armadillos, peccaries, opos-sums, caimans, etc.
Explore Lake Maracaibo, where Christopher Columbus found the inspiration for the country’s name…
Framed by the tropical rain forest of the Henri Pittier Na-tional Park, the beaches around Puerto Colombia are some of the most stun-ningly beautiful in the country.
Day 1: Caracas
Meet a Turpial Travel assistant at the Maiquetía airport in Caracas and he/she will welcome you to Venezuela, answer all your questions, and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 2: Caracas - Canaima National Park
Our travel assistant will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport to take a flight to Puerto Ordaz. Upon arrival take a connecting flight to Canaima National Park. If the weather is clear enough, you will take a short flight to see Angel Falls from the air (if not, you will get to do it on the way back). From the plane you will come so close to the Fall that you will see how the tallest Fall in the World hides inside a big Tepuy wall. From the plain you will have an amazing view of the Auyan Tepuy and its canyons, a 700.000 Km surface, looking like a green carpet of mountains.
Upon arrival in Canaima National Park you will be transferred to our main camp where you will be able to enjoy the view of the Canaima Lagoon and its majestic falls - the Wadaima, Golondrina and Hacha waterfalls. Leaving at 2:00 p.m. from the lodge in a rustic vehicle to “Ucaima” Port, situated above the “Canaima Lagoon Falls (a distance of 10 minutes approximately); you will board a Curiara (a long log canoe) to go by boat on the “Carrao” river. During the voyage, you will observe the lush tropical vegetation, Sabanas, Palmas de Moriche, and the Tepuyes. After a voyage of 20 minutes, you will arrive at the “Sapo Fall” - a majestic water fall of approximately 45 meters of high and 100 meters of wide that you will cross on foot. At the end of this adventure you will continue to the “Mayupa Sabana” (a 30 minutes ride in Jeep), where you will be able to observe the “Mayupa” rapids and part of the majestic “Auyan Tepuy”. Once you cross the Sabana, you will embark again and continue until we arrive at the “Happiness Well” where will take a fresh bath. After this, you will continue the trip until to arrive at “Ahonda Camp” in front of the “Orchid Island” (Isla de la Orquídea), a shelter of red stones, where we will have dinner with a view of the “Auyan Tepuy” in front, and pass the night sleeping in hammocks with mosquito nettings and blankets.
Day 3: Canaima National Park
After breakfast, continue your adventure by taking a boat on the “Carrao” river, and after on the “Churun” river, arriving after one hour approximately to “Little Mouse Island- Isla Raton”, and from there we will see the magnificent “Angel Fall” (Salto Angel). To get to the foot of it need a one hour long walk/trek. You will we stay there for about one or two hours (and if the weather allow, we might take a swim in the “Angel Fall” lagoon). You will return to the “Little Mouse Island” (Isla del Ratoncito) for lunch and later the descend again to the “Ahonda Camp”, for dinner and a good night rest.
Day 4: Canaima National Park
After breakfast, retun to Canaima and fly to Barinas. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to a ranch in Los Llanos (approx. a 3-4 hour drive). Overnight at a ranch.
Day 5: Los Llanos
Spend the following day taking an excursion to observe wildlife at its best! At the ranch we find over 250 species of birds, nearly 50 mammal species, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, white-tailed deer, crab-eating foxes, capybaras, red howler and capuchin monkeys, opossums, ant-eaters, armadillos and river dolphins; and over 40 species of reptiles, including spectacled caimans, green iguanas, anacondas, turtles and red-footed tortoises. Overnight at a ranch.
Day 6: Los Llanos Mérida
Take a morning expedition in the ranch. After lunch, you will be transferred to Los Frailes. On the way you will get to see the beauty of the Andean Region - bound by the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de la Culata, the Venezuelan Andean region has unparalleled biodiversity and Venezuela’s tallest peaks. Overnight at hotel (an ex-monastery).
Day 7: Mérida
On the way to Merida, travel through the Andean Paramo. The paramo is a high-altitude region with a neotropical ecosystem. It is located between the upper forest line (about 3800 m altitude) and the permanent snow line (about 5000 m). The ecosystem consists of accident, mostly glacier formed valleys and plains with a large variety of lakes, peat bogs and wet grasslands intermingled with shrublands and forest patches. This neotropical ecosystem hosts about 5000 different plant species where 60% of these species are endemic, adapted to the specific climate characteristics of the place. Vegetation you will get to see in this trip are: tussock grasses, ground rosettes, dwarf shrubs cushion plants and conspicuous giant rosettes such as Espeletia (frilejon) and Puya (in the family Bromeliaceae). The paramo covers 2600 Km2 of the state!
In addition, visit colonial Andean villages and enjoy the drinks and cuisine they have to offer. We will drive up the Pico Aguila (4,125-m), the highest point in Venezuela. Visit the Andean Condor Station and the Laguna Mucubaji Park (3,800-m) located in the Sierra Nevada. In this lake you will be able to see the yellows flowers of frailejones – a plant only seen in the Andean regions. Next, walk or take a horseback ride to Laguna Negra (optional), where you will enter into a microclimate that due to its special ecosystem receives more rain and humidity than the surrounding Paramo area. This extra humidity gives life to an interesting diversity of plant species, adding color and greenery to the wind-swept Paramo region. Laguna Negra is a beautiful site on a clear, calm day. The black water forms such a perfect mirror that it disappears and is replaced by the reflection of the trees on the mountainside. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 8: Mérida
Early in the morning, grab your jacket and get ready for an adventure. Visit the world’s longest and highest cable car that takes you from the Barinitas station (1577 meters) to Mirror Peak (Pico Espejo) at an altitude of 4,765 meters above sea level! From the cable car enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful city of Mérida, enclosed between mountains and peaks covered with snow. As you ascend in the cable car you will appreciate detailed landscapes of Sierra La Culata, the Chama valley river, and at the top see a majestic view of Bolivar Peak (Pico Bolivar).
After lunch, take a walk through narrows streets of the city which maintain their colonial style. Visit one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Venezuela. See Bolivar Square and stop by the Coromoto ice creamer parlor, with more than 750 natural home made flavors (check for Don Manolo in the Guinness World Record book). Overnight at a hotel.
Day 9: Mérida Maracaibo
Leave Mérida early in the morning for Maracaibo Lake. Bird and butterfly watching. In the evening, take a night safari and watch the Catatumbo lightning. Overnight in Palafitos (basic services, sleep in hammocks).
Day 10: Maracaibo Mérida
After breakfast, trips to see landscapes and wildlife. After lunch, drive back to Merida City. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 11: Mérida Choroní
Early in the morning, after breakfast, transfer by road from Merida to Choroni-Puerto Colombia. Check into Posada Turpial and if you have time, take the rest of the afternoon to explore the town. Visit the church and square. Overnight a posada.
Day 12: Choroní
Today, spend spend some time on your own. Take some time to enjoy your day relaxing in the beach. Visit Playa Grande, a beautiful large beach with coco palms around it. Overnight at a posada.
Day 13: Choroní
Another day to explore the area on your own. Some things you can do is visit the Chuao Coffee Plantation by walking to the promenade “malecon” and catching a boat to Chuao. In this tour, walk through a Cacao farm, visit a colonial church and try one of the best Cacaos in the World.
You can also take some time the Henrri Pittier National Park by walking through the tropical forest with the most bio-diversity in the world. The tour includes a light breakfast, roundtrip transfer and a quiet walk guided by experts and bilingual guides for approximately five hours. During the walk enjoy the great variety of the wild flora and fauna. Visit the Virgin Carmen, a spectacular sugarcane trapiche where the “papelón” (a kind of brown sugar) is handmade. Return through the forest and submerge yourself in the natural and pompous well “La Lapa”, where we can have lunch, rest and relax while appreciating this natural beauty. Overnight at a posada.
NOTE: THESE TOURS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE. THEY CAN ARRANGED AT AN ADDITIONAL COST.
Day 14: Choroní
Check-out from your posada. Transfer to the Maiquetia airport to take your flight home.
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 with confort type service 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 naturalist guide for the tours (for comfort and superior service levels)
Tour does NOT include:
International flights and airport departure taxes (approximately $65)
Airport taxes, if we include the internal flights in the itinerary (approximately $12 per flight)
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:
Trip 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).