Adventure tourism in Venezuela

Customised English-speaking travel agency in Venezuela.

Trip to Hato el Cedral, Los Llanos

Hato El Cedral is a beautiful cattle ranch that is also a huge animal reserve located in the low plain of Apure State, in a region known as Los Llanos (3D/2N). This ranch provides its visitors with one of the most outstanding displays of animal wildlife in our hemisphere. Bird watchers, adventure tourists, researchers, environmentalists, naturalists and observers of tropical species are the main visitors of Hato El Cedral. Enjoy interesting activities such as: taking pics on day or night safaris, horse riding (optional), fishing piranhas, and catching anacondas. There is also a swimming pool, a bar, rooms with air conditioning, and so on. Hato El Cedral is definitely the best accommodation in Los Llanos.

-There is a large number of animal species you will be able to watch every day.
-There are many different activities you can do such as: taking pics on day or night safaris, horse riding (optional), fishing piranhas, and catching anacondas.
-A comfortable ranch with swimming pool, bar, air conditioning in rooms, hot water and TV.

-The outward-and-return journey between Mérida and the ranch can take too long.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: An Amazing Journey from the Andes to the South American Grasslands

Our trip starts at 08:00 a.m. from Merida. We will go over the mountains to Barinas, on a paved road that reaches the 3,500 metres at its highest point (134 km, 3h 30 min.). We will feel how temperatures will start rising rapidly as we go getting closer to the foothills. Depending on time schedule and weather conditions, we will make several stops and a 1-hour hike around the mountain lakes and through the pine forest. After leaving the mountains behind, we we’ll make a stop to eat lunch at a traditional restaurant where we’ll try “Carne en vara” (Venezuelan-style grilled beef). Later, we’ll continue our trip towards Mantecal. From this point on, the climate will start changing gradually, and more and more abundant wildlife can be seen as we go deeper into the Savannah. (350 km, 3h 30 min.). In Mantecal, you’ll stay overnight at the Hato El Cedral.
Meals: (-L-D).
Accommodation: Hato El Cedral (a beautiful ranch). Hot water, electricity at night and a swimming pool.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series.
Communication: No network available.

Day 2: Watch Caimans and Other Spectacular Wild Animals

In this region, there is a large number of majestic wide slow rivers that are home to countless species of animals such as: red ibises, white and black storks (Jabiru), kingfishers, herons, eagles, turtles, dolphins and tapirs. So, after having breakfast, we’ll go for a safari boat ride on one of the most well preserved rivers of Los Llanos. Enjoy bird-watching, seeing dolphins and giant river otters, and photograph wildlife in general. After this pleasant activity, you will return to your camp for an outdoor meal. You will go on safari in a 4WD vehicle in the afternoon. You can sit on the roof of the vehicle and enjoy a 360° panoramic view. This day ends with the capture of alligators and the observation of wild anteaters.
Accommodation: Hato El Cedral. Hot water, electricity at night and a swimming pool.
Meals: (B-L-D).
Transport: Local truck.
Communication: No network available.

Day 3: Return from Los Llanos to Mérida

Today we’ll be going back to Mérida via Barinas. (Los Llanos-Barinas 350 km; 3 h 30 min., and Barinas-Mérida 150 km, 4 h). Our departure time will be at 8:00 a.m.
Meals:(B-L-).
Accommodation: None.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70
Communication: Mobile network, 3G & Wi-Fi.

PRICES PER PERS

Trip 3D/2N
4 people or more : 330Euros/p

2 people: 400Euros/p

Trip 4D/3N
4 people or more : 465Euros/p
2 people: 540Euros/p

high season rates: +15%

Our accomodations

The following things are included in the price:

- All means of transport: boat trips, 4X4 vehicles and taxis from Mérida and to Mérida or Barinas.
- All of the accommodation facilities.
- Meals when specified (B-L-D) = (Breakfast-Lunch-Diner).
- Guides speak English & Spanish.
- All the excursions and safaris mentioned in the programme.

Not included:

- International flights.
- Airport taxes (about 5euros/pers/flight).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Meals when not specified (by yourself) (--) = no meals included.
- Private English-speaking guide during the whole tour.
- Optional excursions (horse riding).
- Personal expenses.
- All sorts of insurance.
- Everything that is not mentioned above « is included in the price».

Travel organization:

Our programmes are individually organised in terms of dates and content. However, our tours are not fully private, so you could meet other travellers at different stages of your trip.

What to Bring?

Hat; sunscreen; water bottle; hike pants; insect repellent; headlamp; raincoat; passport copy; sleeping bag liner; you don’t need big, heavy or cumbersome shoes, but good trainers (orienteering shoes); plastic bags to keep water away from electronic devices; first-aid-kit; polar fleece jacket; bath towel.

Further Advice:

Don't forget your travel insurance! You can benefit from the travel cancellation insurance offered by your credit-card company when paying for your tourist package at our point of sale. You must get neither a visa nor vaccination to come to Venezuela. However, Franbrasil Tour’s C.A. recommends you should get the yellow fever vaccine and the preventive treatment of malaria. You also need to have a valid passport for at least six months before arriving in Venezuela, and you have to carry it with you when travelling within the country.

Transport:

Means of transport are mentioned as examples of the models of vehicles used most often.