TRIBAL VENEZUELA: 17+1 Days

Caracas - Cabruta - Boca de Nichare - Ciudad Bolivar - Gran Sabana - St. Elena - Kavanayen - El Dorado - Delta del Orinoco - Piacoa - San Juan de Las Galdonas - Caracas

DESCRIPTION

If the jungle and rain forests it's what really moves you this is the right itinerary. In this kind of trip we will encounter in most of the destinations many of the most representatives native Indian communities in the country, this is a key to understanding Venezuela and South American past and culture. The Caura River a considerable affluent of the Orinoco River, the largest in Venezuela is going to be our home, and also the mystic Gran Sabana, and the Orinoco Delta. Of course the jungle is not the only thing in life so we will also have a few days in Venezuela's Caribbean coast.


TRIBAL VENEZUELA: Day to day...

Day 1 - 6: Mystical River - 'Rio Caura' is expecting us in the area of profound Amazonian jungle of Venezuela. We will meet indigenous tribes of this region, fishing in the river and visiting 'Salto Pará!

Day 1: Upon arrival in Caracas airport, we will start our travelling to the southern part of the country. All night drive to the small village of Cabruta, which is located close to the Orinoco River. From Cabruta we will continue our drive to our camp in 'Las Trincheras'.

Day 2: Morning arrival to Cabruta to catch the ferryboat to cross the River Orinoco. We will then go on to the village of Maripa and take the detour to Las Trincheras the place where the camp is located. Then we will continue our boat trip to the island Dufrumi, where we will spend our first night in the jungle surrounding the great Caura River.

Day 3: After breakfast we will continue our boat trip on the River Caura surrounded by a tropical forest and mystical nature to reach the mountain range "Las Montanas Cangrejo", from where we will start a short hike to explore the surrounding. Following the River Caura trip to reach the village "Boca de Nichare" for overnight with Indian tribes.

Day 4: In "Boca de Nichare" we will meet an Indian community from the tribe Ye'kuana and get familiar with their customs and rituals. We will visit different plantations and see their methods of cultivations. In the afternoon we will travel by boat again to "El Playon", where we will spent the day in the beach to swim, fish and hike to explore the nature around (unique fauna and flora, waterfalls,..). Overnight in the huts in the village.

Day 5: Day to explore the rain forest, do a short hike to reach the waterfall "Salto Para" and to spend the day in the wild, swim in the river, fish and enjoy the in the nature and surrounding beaches.

Day 6: Day to return to the village of Maripa, from where we will follow the road in jeep to go back to the Ciudad Bolivar. Arrival in the city and get placed in nice posada with pool and mini zoo.

Day 7 - 10: 'La Gran Sabana' tour, which is also known as 'The Lost World', with its beautiful nature and interesting vegetation, biggest Tepuys (table mountains), lots of waterfalls and the mystical life of indigenous people. All this is waiting for us in this beautiful area of Venezuela.

Day 7: Travel south through the national park 'Sierra de Lema' and the nice villages of El Callao, El Dorado, San Francisco de Yuruani to Sta.Elena de Uairen close to the Brazilian border. Evening arrival in Santa Elena de Uairen, where we will spend the night in a Posada.

Day 8: Start the day by detailed exploring through the heart of mystical Gran Sabana. Great scenery today as we will travel north to visit Jasper Creek, waterfall - Salto Yuruani and meet indigenous people in San Ignacio de Yuruani, San Francisco de Yuruani and balneario de 'Soroape', where we will enjoy the sightseeing of the nature, swimming in the river. Next visit will be the 'La quebrada de Pacheco' where we will end our tour to overnight in shared Indian huts or continuing to visit the waterfall 'Salto Kama' and spent the night at the camp there.

Day 9: A scenic adventure drive will take us to the road to Kavanayen, where we will enjoy the indigenous village of L'iworibo', from where we will be heading with a boat to see the waterfall 'Salto Aponwao' one of the most impressive sites of "La Gran Sabana" and do a little trekking to reach the lagoon. Then travel to the camp 'Chiwaton' for overnight.

Day 10: From Chiwaton we will go back North to visit the village El Dorado through the mountain range of 'Sierra de Lema' and visit villages Km 88, Las Claritas and other villages that are famous by being rich in minerals and other natural resources. In late the afternoon we will reach El Dorado. Close to the village we will visit famous bridge that was constructed by Gustav Eiffel (who constructed the famous Eiffel tower in Paris). Overnight in a camp, with a great view of the Cuyuni River.

Day 11 - 13: An early start for an interesting drive to the village of Piacoa to start our trip to the Orinoco Delta, for the next two days we will explore the wonders of all this channels made by the Orinoco River trying to reach the atlantic ocean, all of them surrounded by a great mangrove and gallery forrest vegetation and a rich fauna. We will also visit some of the comunities of the Warao indians who live in this area.

Day 14 - 16: From Piacoa there is just one destination left: the charming village located in the Caribbean state of Sucre, where we will spend two days to enjoy a delightful climate and sandy beaches. You can also explore the fisherman village or do a hike in the mountains around the village, boat trips also available

Day 17: Possibility to prolong your stay or in early morning hours we will drive to Caracas airport for your flight back home.

Day 18: (+ 1) Morning arrival to Europe.

USEFULL INFORMATION

Tourist Visas: Most visitors coming from EU countries or North America do not require a visa to enter Venezuela for up to 90 days.

Vaccinations: There are not obligatory vaccines required to enter Venezuela, but we normally reccomend the vaccination against yellow fever, tetanus and hepatitis A

Gear: A list with the reccomended gear will be sent to you upon reservation and registration on the trip.

Level of fitness : By now we are sure you noticed that our tribal Venezuela tour is not the tipical resort vacation. The only "laying on the beach" days are the last couple, all of the rest is jungle and wild. We will be in contact with many indian cultures which for some could represent some of the old "cultural shock" but that's the point of coming all the way here, isn't it? We will some times also be facing long drives, but, since we do them on our own cars there will be plenty of good memories from the road.

Lodgement: In this expedition we will be most of the time sleeping in camps, in the wild or in indian comunities, which means that at the least, a 50% of the sleeping will be in hammocks.In cities, in some places of La Gran Sabana and in San Juan de las galdonas we will sleep in posadas. "Posada" is a local expression that reffers to a guesthouse, which is normally constructed in the ruins of an old colonial house, so they have a particular charm and represen

Food: Most of the food is included in this trip. Exceptions are: Dinner on the first day, breakfast and lunch in the second day, the meals on the day in Ciudad Bolivar and then while in the coast on the last few days. Venezuelan food is very diverse and always something can be found for almost every taste, vegetarians might have some problems in restaurants but don't worry we have that one fiugured out. Coffee is great and so it is the diversity of fruits and vegetables available. There is also a huge range of fresh and salt water fish, so is for sure that you won't be hungry. Venezuelans are great fan of fresh fruit juice and of very sweet desserts. The main local dish is the pabellon criollo, made out of rice, black beans fried bananas, minced beef and white fresh cheese, and is for sure the best example of venezuelan gastronomical diversity.

Transport: Our main transport is going to be a 4x4 vehicle, which gives us the possibility of reaching very remote areas of this region. Another advantage is that we won't be only enjoying the destinations but also the road, since we have better visibilitiy and can stop basicly wherevere we feel like. Is also important to say that is safer to travel this way.

Safety: You probably haven't heart good things about Venezuela concerning this subject, but we have to tell you that many of the stereotypes are not right. Based on our own experience and the experience of our travelers, we can actually say that Venezuela is a safe travel destination. Most of the people that have been with us in our trips have said that they felt safer than they expected, and that the didn't fell threatened at all. Of course we can't asure that nothing will happen to you, but that of course is a level of certancy you don't get anywhere, not even at home.

DEPARTURES

July -August 2006:
29.7.2006 - 14.8.2006 (still free!)

PRICE

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