Adventure tourism in Venezuela

Customised English-speaking travel agency in Venezuela.

Amazon discovery expedition 14D/13N Venezuela

Programme Overview

Llanos + Gran Sabana + Orinoco Delta

This Amazon discovery expedition trip is the perfect one to explore a vast area of Venezuela and its most amazing places of interests such as: Los Llanos, Gran Sabana and the Orinoco Delta. You will be able to see everything! The Venezuelan local guides, host families, hospitable people, and wonderful landscapes will give you a proper Venezuela experience.

This detailed programme is just an overview of some of our available activities among many others. Remember you might be able to make some modifications to the current tourist programme based upon your personal preferences.

- Meeting local families will make you feel closer to the country.
- You will discover ones of the most unusual natural places on Earth, where you will also be able to have a truly relaxing experience.

- It's possible you have to wait for some time between the two national connecting flights.
- Long roads in remote areas that are difficult to access are usual.

Detailed Programme

Day 1: Arrival in Venezuela and Transfer to The Andes

Once your international flight arrives in Caracas, claim your luggage at the carousel. After going through customs, follow the transit flight sign until you get to the national airport, and check in at the counter; it will take you about 10 minutes to go from the international flights area to the national one. Our driver is going to pick you up at the airport in El vígia city and take you directly to your posada (a sort of inn) in mérida (1h30- 2h).
Meals: (--)
Accommodation: Hacienda colonial Buenaventura. Hot water and electricity.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: mobile network & 3G.

Day 2: An Amazing Journey from the Andes to the South American Grasslands

On this trip, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Los Llanos, a vast tropical grassland plain the size of Germany. Located between Colombia and Venezuela, this savannah is very well known for its important and unique biodiversity. Here, you will be able to see several species of birds such as: scarlet ibises, herons, savannah hawks, double-striped thick-knees, spectacled thrushes; wild reptiles such as: anacondas, spectacled caimans, gold tegus, iguanas; and the largest rodent in the world: the capybara. Our trip starts at 08:00AM from mérida. We will go over the mountains to Barinas, on a paved road that reaches the 3,500 m. 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 forests. After leaving the mountains behind, we we’ll make a stop to eat lunch at a traditional restaurant where we will try “Carne en vara” (Venezuelan-style grilled beef). Later, we will 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. (350km, 3h 30min). Once we get to Mantecal, you are going to stay overnight with a host family.
Meals: (-L-D)
Accommodation: Viviano's family, cold water and electricity during the night.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: No network.

Day 3 : 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 will go for a safari boat ride on one of the most well preserved rivers of Los Llanos; you will be able to enjoy bird-watching, seeing dolphins and giant river otters, and photographing wildlife in general. After this pleasant activity, you will return to your camp for an outdoor meal. You will go on safari in a 4X4 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.
Meals: (B-L-D)
Accommodation: Viviano's family, cold water and electricity during the night.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication : No network.

Day 4: Anacondas Search, Horse Riding and Piranhas Fishing

Horseback riding, searching for anacondas and fishing piranhas are three experiences you simply cannot miss this day. After breakfast, you'll be able to ride a horse and go even deeper into the savannah. Horseback riding is the best way to get closer enough to watch and photograph wild animals. It’s also possible to go walking in the Savannah if you wish. After finishing these activities, you will go back to your camp for an outdoor meal. The afternoon will be devoted to looking for anacondas and fishing piranhas you could eat for dinner!
Meals:(B-L-D)
Accommodation: Viviano's family, cold water and electricity during the night.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication : No network.

Día 5: Fly from Los Llanos to Caracas

We leave for Barinas at 8:00 a.m. (350km; 3h 30min). Once there, you’ll have lunch and depending on the day of the week, you'll be transferred to Barinas airport for you to take a direct flight to Caracas airport in the afternoon, or we can also arrange for a taxi to take you there (5-6h; 450km). At Caracas airport, walk up to the gate number 11 at the national flights area; once there, you’ve got to head to the international arrivals hall by following the arrows. Your driver will be waiting for you under the giant screen at the international arrivals hall. He’ll be holding up a sign with the word “Catimar - Hotel Villa Playa Grande”. If you do not find your driver immediately because there are too many people at the arrivals hall, don’t worry, many of the people who are holding up the hotel signs under the giant screen know what "Catimar-Hotel Villa Playa Grande” is, just show them a piece of paper with the name of that hotel on it, or say it out loud, so they can tell you who your driver is going to be. Once your driver has dropped you off at the hotel, you must notify the time of your flight departure at the front desk, so you may agree on the time your taxi will take you to the airport the next day.
Meals:(B-L-)
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Playa Grande. Hot water and electricity.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70 (Los Llanos-Barinas)
Communication: Mobile network, 3G & WiFi.

Day 6: Go Sightseeing in Ciudad Bolívar’s Historic Centre.

On your way to Canaima, you’re going to have a 1-day stop-over in Ciudad Bolívar: a city that lies alongside the Orinoco River, and that is known for its well-preserved historic centre. You must check in for your flight to Puerto Ordaz at Caracas airport. Then, when you arrive in Puerto Ordaz, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your Posada in Ciudad Bolívar (1h; 100km). Once you get there, we encourage you to visit the town centre in the afternoon by yourself (not included); and try some fresh fish in one of the small restaurants next to the fish market.
Meals: (B--)
Accommodation: Posada La Casita, hot water and electricity.
Communication: Mobile network, 3G & WiFi.
Transportation: Middle-sized Berline

Day 7: An Amazing Journey to Gran Sabana

We’ll leave Ciudad Bolívar and set off on an amazing journey to Gran Sabana. On our way to this “Lost World”, we’ll stop to watch the white-water rapids in Cachamay Park. Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey through different mining towns and villages, and make another stop to have lunch at noon. Back on the road, we’ll head to La Escalera, which is the name of the entrance road to Gran Sabana. Once we go past it, we’ll already be driving in this vast region. The first things we are going to visit will be Dando Fall and El Soldado Pionero monument. Later, we’ll continue driving farther south until we finally reach Camp Chivaton (12h, 650km).
Meal: (-L-D).
Accommodation: Room with private bathroom. Cold water and electricity until 9 p.m.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: Partial mobile network.

Canaima National Park, Gran Sabana, Venezuela

Day 8: Visit Aponwao and Chinak Meru Falls

In the morning, we’ll visit Aponwao and Chinak Meru Falls. The latter is considered one of the highest waterfalls in Gran Sabana (110 m high). To get there, we’ll have to hike across the savannah, walk through a dense tropical jungle, and sail along a wide river (4 h, 300 km). Enjoy the wonderful landscapes this enigmatic place offers you!
Meal: (B-L-D).
Accommodation: Room with bathroom (Kavanayen). Cold water and electricity until 9 p.m.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: Partial mobile network.

Day 9: Have a Wonderful Experience among Cascades, Waterfalls and Jasper Riverbeds

After breakfast, we will first visit Kawi Merú and Kama Merú falls, and El Mirador Nak´piapo. Then, we’ll continue driving along the southern route towards Santa Elena. We’ll make a stop at Pacheco Falls and enjoy watching the panoramic view of the savannah and the table-top mountains. Back on the road, we’ll drive to Las Cortinas (Curtain Falls); here people enjoy walking behind these beautiful natural water curtains. We’ll also visit Quebrada de Jaspe (Jasper Creek), called this way because of the red jasper rock at the bottom of this river. If you wish, we could drive across the border into Brazil, so you can buy some local arts and crafts (4h, 300km).
Meal: (B-L-D).
Accommodation: Room with private bathroom at Kamoiran. Cold water and electricity.
Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: Partial mobile network.

Day 10: Back in Ciudad Bolivar

Today we will return to Ciudad Bolívar. We’ll make a few stops on the way to watch the spectacular landscapes (12h, 650km).
Meals: (B--).
Accommodation: Posada La Casita, hot water and electricity.
Transportation: Toyota Land Cruiser model 70.
Communication: Mobile network, 3G and Wi-Fi.

Day 11: Enjoy a Unique Experience in the Orinoco Delta

The Orinoco Delta is one of the eight natural regions of Venezuela. It is fan-shaped, and it’s formed by the Orinoco River as it splits into numerous distributaries, called caños, which meander through the delta on their way to the sea. The delta includes large areas of permanent wetlands as well as seasonally-flooded freshwater swamp forests. The river margins of the delta are fringed with mangroves. Today, we leave Ciudad Bolívar at 07:00AM and head towards San José de Buja that is 3 hour and a half by car (250 Km). Real fun kicks off with a 1-hour boat ride through the channels of the delta until we reach our camp. At this surprising and cosy camp, you’ll have the experience of sleeping in an individual room in the heart of a mangrove, and eat a buffet lunch. During the afternoon, you’ll be able to canoe through the channels, accompanied by local guides that will teach you some Waraos traditions. Dolphins, butterflies, and parrots observation is also planned, as well as a snack on the boat while watching the sunset.
Meals: (-L-D)
Accommodation: Orinoco-camp; cold water and no electricity.
Transport: Middle-sized berline and boat.
Communication : No network.

Day 12: Spend Time with an Indigenous Tribe

In the morning, we’ll put on our rubber boots and leave camp after breakfast in order to visit the mangrove forest with your local guide. This will be a unique experience in which you’ll learn how the indigenous people manage to live in such a hostile environment. We will go back to camp for a well-deserved meal before we begin the piranha fishing adventure, having the chance to eat the fish for dinner.
Meals: (B-L-D)
Accommodation: Orinoco-camp; cold water and no electricity.
Transport: Boat.
Communication : No network.

Day 13 : Visit the Mangroves

In today’s excursion we will visit a Waraos community. Here you will realise the difference between our modern world and the traditional life of this indigenous people. With the help of your guide, you’ll be able to understand the positive and negative impact of the interactions between our world and theirs. During this visit, you can also get some indigenous handcrafted products and also learn how to make them by yourself. Once we leave this community, we will return to San José de Buja in the afternoon. Then, you’ll be transferred to Maturín by car (70Km, 01h30).
Meals: (B-L-)
Accommodation: Hotel « Stauffer »; hot water and electricity.
Transport: Boat and middle-sized Berline.
Communication: Mobile network, 3G & Wi-Fi.

Day 14 : Return to the Airport, and Take your International Flight

You’ll be driven back to Maturín Airport (15min; 5km) and then have a flight to Caracas Airport. Once you get there, you’ll be able to board your international flight. We recommend you should be at the check-in counter 5 hours before your flight.
Meals : (B*--)
Accommodation: none.
Transport: Middle-sized Berline.
Communication: mobile network, 3G & Wi-Fi.
*Simple breakfast.

PRICES PER PERS

Double and triple accommodation in regional cities: expedition 14D/13N
4 people or more : prices start at 1490 Euros/p
2 people : prices start at 1990 Euros/p
high season rates: +15%

Look at the accomodations

The following things are included in the price:

- All means of Transport: flights, boat trips, 4X4 vehicles and taxis from Caracas and to Caracas.
- All of the accommodation facilities.
- Meals when specified (B-L-D) = (Breakfast-Lunch-Diner).
- Guides speak English & Spanish.
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.
- - 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.