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A well-balanced itinerary around the most picturesque regions of
Venezuela, to the discovery of the country's stunning landscapes and culture.
It brings you into close contact with the fabled "Lost World" of the Gran Sabana,
discovering immense wild landscape of high tabletop mountains looming over
sheer-sided canyons, impenetrable forests, savannahs, eerie rock formations, countless streams with
spectacular waterfalls, amongst them, the Angel Falls, the world's highest
waterfall (979 m).
After a canoe excursion till the Angel Falls, we continue with a 4wd journey leading us across
the Gran Sabana from Brazil to the Caribbean Coast to relax a couple of days in one of the most beautiful beach
of the Paria Peninsula.
The Itinerary
DAY 1: Caracas
Arrival in Caracas and transfer to Il Prezzano Hotel (2*) in Maiquetia.
DAY 2: Ciudad Bolivar
Early morning flight to Ciudad Bolivar on the mighty Orinoco River. Transfer to posada La Angostura (3*), a colonial style
house located nearby the histotic center. Free afternoon.
DAY 3: Canaima-Salto Angel
Early morning flight to Canaima. Pick up at the airport and start of the curiara (motorised dugout canoe) expedition to
to the Angel Falls. We start by a half an hour walk to Mayuypa Rapids where we start the navigation till Pozo de
la Felicidad and Orquidea Island to have lunch. In the early afternoon, we arrive at our campsite on Raton Island.
From there this is a 45 minute hike to Laime Viewpoint overlooking the Angel Falls.
The Angel Falls are not only the world's highest waterfalls (979 m), but also form the world's greatest
uninterrupted drop (807 m or 16 times the height of Niagara Falls).
From the largest and most awe-some tabletop mountain of the Gran Sabana,
the Auyantepuy ("mountain of the evil god" in the Pemon language), the water
tumbles down into the jungle of the Canyon del Diablo; An unforgettable experience.
Overnight in hammock on Raton Island or return to Canaima, depending on weather conditions. (L D).
DAY 4: Canaima
Travel back to Puerto Ucaima. We stop here for a short hike behind the water curtain of Sapo Fall. We resume our trip
to our camp in Canaima, located on Anatoly Island. In the afternoon, excursion on Canaima Lagoon to Ucaima, Golondrinas, Wadaima
and Hacha Falls. Weather permitting, a night excursion
is organised along the beach in front of Hacha Falls. Overnight in hammock. (B L D)
DAY 5: Canaima - El Pauji
Transfer to the airport to board a chartered flight to El Pauji
(from the bird's name "Crax nigra") a totally nontypical
village in the Gran Sabana where we start our 5-day 4wd journey across this prehistoric region.(we may fly directly to Santa Elena
if local conditions do not allow this flight)
Its population of about 300 is composed of
native Indians, miners, and professionals that decided to leave the big
city in the sixties and live here an alternative life. They have been
joined since then by a number of foreigners from Europe, other Latin American
countries, Canada and USA, giving to that remote corner the claim of being
the most cosmopolitan village in the whole Amazon-Orinoco Bassin! You
appreciate this singularity through the architecture that has been developed
over the years, the local handicraft and the importance of education and
culture in the life of its inhabitants. Small-scale gold and diamond mining,
tourism, handicraft and apiculture are the main economic activities of
the area.
Once in the village we first check-in at our inn (or camp) and have lunch. In
the afternoon we go for a short excursion along the banks of the river
Chaveru to observe the mining process, where gold and diamonds are
extracted the old-fashioned way. On the way back we stop for a
swim in the Pozo Esmeralda, a small natural pool in the middle of
the woods.
Overnight in camp. ( B L D).
DAY 6: Santa Elena
After breakfast, a 45 minutes climb up the 1200 meters (3900 feet) high Woipan Tepuy, better known as
The Abyss, rewards us with a spectacular vista over the Amazonian
jungle. We also observe the characteristic flora of the top of
the tepuys. Then we drive towards Santa Elena, stopping en route for a swim in the river.
(B L).
DAY 7: Santa Elena - Kaui
Early in the morning, we head North on the main highway stopping on the way on the
best spots to take pictures of the savannah and the morichales. We arrive at
San Francisco de Yuruani, the most important
Indian community in the Gran Sabana. We visit the Quebrada de Jaspe
(Jasper Creek), a natural wonder, where at the same time a waterfall and
a stream 10 meters (30 feet) wide and 30 cm (1 foot) deep is flowing on
a bed of Jaspe, a red and yellow semi-precious stone.
Back on the main road, we visit next Quebrada de Pacheco, another nice waterfall,
and Suruape, the best natural pool in the area where
the most intrepid enjoy a natural toboggan of thirty meters long.
We then branch off-road to the viewpoint called El Oso to have fantastic vista
of the chain of the oriental tepuys (tepuy is the Indian name for
these vertical-walled tabletop mountains):
Tramen, Uru, Wadakapiapo, Ivarkarima and Matawi-Tepuy.
We continue directly to Kama Meru, a 63 meters high (205 feet) waterfall.
Overnight in Camp or in hostel.(B L D)
DAY 8: Chinak Meru - El Dorado
After breakfast, we resume our norththward journey.
After a few hours driving, part of it on a dirt road, we arrive at
the Indian village of Ibo-Riwo. After a quick lunch we board
an Indian dugout and start a 30 minutes sail to
Chinak Meru, a spectacular waterfall on the river Aponwao River,
105 meters (345 feet) high. We walk down to the base of the
waterfall, and have a swim in a natural pool.
We cross el Dorado and then drive
into El Callao, which was in 1887 the world's richest gold mining area,
when one ton of material would give one ounce of gold!
After the visit of the gold mine we stop for the night in a little Indian community called
"Rapidos de Kamoiran", and sleep in hammocks.
(B L D)
DAY 9: El Dorado - Puerto Ordaz
After breakfast, we board our vehicle and head East
to Puerto Ordaz, or Ciudad Guyana, an important industrial centre on the
mighty Orinoco River: iron ore and bauxite mining, the world's second largest
hydroelectric dam, aluminium plants, etc...
After Las Claritas and San Isidro, the last mining towns, we
climb "La Escalera" from 400 to 1400 meters to what is the end of the
Gran Sabana. We cross a typical cloud forest which is a
preferred area for bird watchers. Finally, we drive through through a cattle farming area,
Upata, Guasipati, and cross the Sierra de Imataca, a great National Forest.
Overnight in hotel. (B).
DAY 10: Puerto Ordaz - Caripe
We continue north towards the Caribbean Sea, crossing the lush hills of the coffee growing region.
We visit Los Guacharo Cave inhabited by nocturnal cave-birds of the same name. At sunset, a flock of
hundreds of guacharos fly out of the cave....amazing. Overnight in a local inn in Caripe.
DAY 11: Caripe - Paria Peninsula
Today, after a few more hours driving, we reach Paria Peninsula, a region of thick pristine jungles
dropping on some of the most beautiful coco-palmed beach of the Caribbean.
Overnight in shared bungalows on Puy Puy Beach.(D)
DAYS 12-14: Puy Puy Beach
Two days to relax on one of the most beautiful Venezuelan Beach. From the beach, it is possible
to drive to the picturesque colonial village of Rio Caribe. During our stay, we visit a
cocoa plantation and we enjoy a sailing excursion along the coast to remote beaches.
Overnight in shared bungalows on Puy Puy Beach.(BLD)
DAY 15: Puy Puy Beach - Caracas
Transfer to Carupano Airport for your flight to Caracas.
Arrival in Caracas and connexion with your international flight or continuation of your holidays in Venezuela.(B)
General Information
Itinerary subjected to change depending on local conditions (weather...)
The excursion in curiara to the Salto Angel can only be carried out during the wet season
from June to December. During the dry season, we organise another excursion in curiara.
Rated: Easy/Moderate. This journey is within the capabilities of everybody
who leads a normal active life. Expect some momment of discomfort while travelling; this is the price
to pay to reach remote sites far from the beaten tracks.
| Tour Tariff - Private Departures | |||||
| N° of Participants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | SGL Supp. |
| USD | $ 3100 | $ 2101 | $ 1908 | $ 1838 | $ 218 |
| EUR | € 2572 | € 1744 | € 1584 | € 1526 | € 181 |
| GBP | £ 1736 | £ 1176 | £ 1068 | £ 1029 | £ 122 |
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