W&E Best of Venezuela

  Wild and Exotic best of Venezuela sample itinerary

Our Wild and Exotic ‘Lost World' itinerary begins with an exploration of Venezuela's fascinating 30,000 square km Gran Sabana, a region that is home to some of the planet's most ancient rock formations and the surreal setting for the famous film that lends it name to our itinerary, which includes a visit to the dramatic Angel Falls within the Canaima National Park before finishing in the Caribbean Sea at Los Roques, an archipelago of some 350 tiny islands that lie within the arms of a protective coral atoll eighty miles off the cost of north Venezuela. This 850 square miles of exquisite natural beauty has been protected as a marine National Park since 1972 and is the perfect base for diving, snorkelling, salt water fly-fishing or simply relaxing on a prisitne white sandy beach. Please note that this itinerary is a sample only and can be extended or modified to suit your requirements.

Day 1: On arrival into Caracas you will be met and transferred to the Pestana Caracas hotel or similar for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your 1hour flight to Puerto Ordaz. On arrival into Puerto Ordaz you will be met by your guide and transferred by vehicle to La Gran Sabana, a journey of approximately 450km. Along the road, you will pass sleepy villages and towns once known for gold mining: Upata which during the "gold rush" was an important crossroad for transport of the precious metal between El Callao and Ciudad Bolívar. The Gran Sabana is, characterized by a landscape of soft hills covered by savanna, interrupted by forests and waterways, one of Venezuela's most fascinating landscapes. Dinner and overnight stay at the Chivaton camp (B, L, D).

Day 3: After breakfast, you will visit the Indigenous community of Iboribo. Navigation by Curiara (Typical canoe) across the river to admire the Chinak Merú fall, a high waterfall on pink sand surrounded by gallery forest and groups of tubular bromeliads. After lunch, you will continue to Santa Elena de Uairén, admiring the savanna along the way, a green tapestry interrupted by groups of Moriche or Kuai palms, of great use to the local Pemon community as they are employed in making hammocks, rope, baskets and roofs. Throughout the day on this journey of approximately 280km, you'll see the magical tepuys (mountains) in the distance. You will visit the Kama Merú waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the Gran Sabana with a 50 meter fall and to the lookout Nak'piapo from which, weather permitting, you will be able to enjoy the view of the Macizo Roraima with the tepuys Ilu-Tepuy, Yuruani-Tepuy (or Iwarkarima-Tepuy), Kukenan-Tepuy and Roraima. You will continue to Santa Elena de Uairén, close to the border with Brazil. Dinner and overnight stay at the Yakoo Camp or similar (B, L, D).

Day 4: Today you will travel approximately 200km and you eill discover spectacular waterfalls and there'll be plenty of opportunities for swimming. You'll visit the Quebrada de Jaspe, a clear waterfall that lands on a pink and ochre jasper bed. At Yuruani or Arapena Mer, the water is tinted with pinkish and yellowish hues from the rocks bellow. At Suroape you can have a refreshing swim under the small cascade. After lunch, visit to Quebrada Pacheco or Arapan Merú, characterized by a clear waterfall in the middle of a very green forest. A final visit to the Indian community of San Francisco de Yuruaní and time to shop for Pemon handicrafts. Return to Santa Elena de Uairén in the evening, dinner and overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Canaima. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the lodge. After lunch there will be an afternoon excursion in "curiara" a local motor canoe, along the Canaima lagoon. In Canaima area visitors will be struck by the majesty of the Auyantepuy and the Cañón del Diablo, one of the most impressive in the world and the source of the famous Angel Falls. The water and surface foam in rivers and lagoons are usually pink, a phenomenon generated by the presence of tannin, an organic acid produced by vegetation decomposing under the sun. Dinner and overnight stay at the Waku Lodge or similar (B / L / D).

Day 6: Today is a free day for individual activities. A visit to the base of the Angel Falls, to Orchid Island, Kavak or El Sapo waterfall are recommended. Overnight Waku Lodge or similar (B / L / D).

Day 7: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your "optional" flight over the Angel Falls, which at 979 meters high is considered the world's tallest waterfall. The sound of the water falling from Cañón del Diablo and the surrounding forest makes this one of the most fascinating spots in Venezuela! It was seen for the first time by Jimmie Angel, the adventurous North American pilot, who over flew it on the Flamingo in October 1937. The airplane's mechanical problems forced him, his wife and two other passengers on a lucky landing on the top of the Auyantepuy (2.500 m). Unscathed, they decided to descend the course of the Río Carrao and after 11 days managed to return to civilization. After visiting Angel Falls you will return to Canaima for your flight to Caracas via Puerto Ordaz. On arrival you will be met and assisted with the check in to your flight to Los Roques. On arrival into Los Roques you will be met and transferred to the posada. Dinner and overnight stay at the posada Macondo or similar (B, D).

Days 8 and 9: For the next two days you are at leisure where you can go on full day excursions to neighboring islands (Madrizquí and Francisquí), trips to other islands in the archipelago or sports activities such as diving, snorkeling and windsurf can be organized locally. Overnight at posad Macondo or similar (B, D).

Day 10: This morning you will be transferred to the air strip in time for your flight to Caracas. On arrival you will be met and assisted with the check in of your international flight home (B).

Notes:

The price of this itinerary is from £1460 per person based on two people sharing accommodation. The price is inclusive of all activities described, together with meals as shown on the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner).

The price does not include international flights, entry fees to the Canaima and Los Roques national parks, items of a personal nature, gratuities, etc.

For safety and because space is restricted, baggage in some charter aircraft is restricted to a maximum of 12 Kg per person in a soft bag. This includes camera equipment and carry-on baggage. Should guests arrive with excess baggage without prior warning their baggage could be delayed as we may have to fly the baggage into camps at a later stage at considerable extra cost. However, should you know in advance that the baggage will exceed the limit we can usually book an extra seat for the bags on the aircraft, at an additional cost.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.