Tailor made holiday in Venezuela
| country: | Venezuela |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £3450 (18 days) including flights from the UK, private transfers, accommodation and services of an experienced driver/guide. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Venezuela is a country of incredible natural beauty and contrasts from beach to jungle, mountain to flat plain, Indian culture to wildlife culture all relatively wild and untouched. It is an absolute jewel in South America for nature lovers and those looking for something a little bit different. This itinerary combines the highlights of the wilderness of Venezuela satisfying your thirst for adventure whilst giving you time to relax in idyllic surroundings.
After a brief night in Caracas on arrival, fly to the charming university town of Merida set, in The Northernmost part of The Andes with a spectacular backdrop of five snow capped mountains known as the 'five white eagles'.
Enjoy a couple of days exploring the Andean villages and markets before driving out to the paramo (high plains) for a night in a converted monastery dating back to 1643, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Drive on out of the mountains in an incredible journey of changing environments as you travel down through lush green forests and then into the vast flat plains of the Llanos. An area of wide skies, slow rivers and plains stretching to every horizon. This is Venezuela's Wild West - a land of hardy llanero cowboys - cattle literally outnumber people here and English is rarely spoken.
The llaneros were originally the product of the racial mix of Spanish frontiersmen and local Indians, as well as escaped black slaves. Wildlife here is absolutely prolific and after a few days of safari type excursions its back to Caracas and then onto the beautiful caribbean islands of Los Roques with white, white sand beaches and turquoise blue sea to sunbathe, snorkel and relax. Next stop is the Orinoco Delta where you will have the opportunity to travel by motor-canoe through the maze of rivers and canoes, passing by small communities of Warao Indians scattered along the riverbanks, and enjoying the lushous green flora and huge variety of birds as well as spotting howler monkeys, river dolphins, capuchin monkeys and caimans.
Head back to Puerto Ordaz for a night before flying to Canaima and its beautiful tannin-stained lagoon. An absolutely stunning place with the Rio Carrao tumbling spectacularly over six waterfalls in to the lagoon below surrounded by around 100 table top mountains (tepuys). The world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls, is hidden in a canyon so remote it wasn't discovered until 1935 by it's namesake Jimmy Angel. Plunging 979m, down a vertical cliff from Auyan-tepui it is a truly awe inspiring sight especially from the air. A truly unforgettable and perfect end to any trip to Venezuela!
After a brief night in Caracas on arrival, fly to the charming university town of Merida set, in The Northernmost part of The Andes with a spectacular backdrop of five snow capped mountains known as the 'five white eagles'.
Enjoy a couple of days exploring the Andean villages and markets before driving out to the paramo (high plains) for a night in a converted monastery dating back to 1643, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Drive on out of the mountains in an incredible journey of changing environments as you travel down through lush green forests and then into the vast flat plains of the Llanos. An area of wide skies, slow rivers and plains stretching to every horizon. This is Venezuela's Wild West - a land of hardy llanero cowboys - cattle literally outnumber people here and English is rarely spoken.
The llaneros were originally the product of the racial mix of Spanish frontiersmen and local Indians, as well as escaped black slaves. Wildlife here is absolutely prolific and after a few days of safari type excursions its back to Caracas and then onto the beautiful caribbean islands of Los Roques with white, white sand beaches and turquoise blue sea to sunbathe, snorkel and relax. Next stop is the Orinoco Delta where you will have the opportunity to travel by motor-canoe through the maze of rivers and canoes, passing by small communities of Warao Indians scattered along the riverbanks, and enjoying the lushous green flora and huge variety of birds as well as spotting howler monkeys, river dolphins, capuchin monkeys and caimans.
Head back to Puerto Ordaz for a night before flying to Canaima and its beautiful tannin-stained lagoon. An absolutely stunning place with the Rio Carrao tumbling spectacularly over six waterfalls in to the lagoon below surrounded by around 100 table top mountains (tepuys). The world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls, is hidden in a canyon so remote it wasn't discovered until 1935 by it's namesake Jimmy Angel. Plunging 979m, down a vertical cliff from Auyan-tepui it is a truly awe inspiring sight especially from the air. A truly unforgettable and perfect end to any trip to Venezuela!
best time to travel
An all year round destination although dry season from December - April is best for wildlife observation in the Los Llanos and wet season from June - October is best for waterfalls in and around Canaima.day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Caracas |
| Day 2: | Fly to Merida and relax for the afternoon |
| Day 3: | Tour of this lovely Andean city including the longest cable car in the world upto Pico Espejo and the world famous Heladeria Coromoto! |
| Day 4: | Drive out of Merida up into the high plains of the Paramo in a stunning trip through Andean villages surrounded by mountain peaks up to Los Frailes which is a 1643 converted monastery at a height of 3200m. |
| Day 5: | An incredible journey of changing environments as you travel down out of the mountains into the vast plains of the Llanos stretching for miles ahead of you. Arrive at Hato Cedral, a working cattle ranch, covering 50,000 hectares of land where you will get the chance to head out on safari like excursions to view thousands of birds and incredible wildlife. |
| Day 6: | Excursions with guide either by boat or truck to spot caimans, capybaras, red howler monkeys, giant anteaters, white-tailed deer, turtles, anacondas and countless birds. |
| Day 7: | Further wildlife excursions with the hato |
| Day 8: | After an early lunch transfer by private car to Barinas airport for your flight to Caracas |
| Day 9: | A stunning half hour flight to the gorgeous caribbean islands of Los Roques. With over 50 islands the archipelago of Los Roques is one of the largest National Parks in the caribbean. The water is a transparent turquoise and the beaches of white,white soft sand. |
| Day 10: | Relax , sunbathe, snorkel and enjoy these beautiful islands |
| Day 11: | Relax , sunbathe, snorkel and enjoy these beautiful islands |
| Day 12: | Fly back to Caracas and on to Puerto Ordaz where you will be met for a 3 hour drive to Boca de Uracoa and then by boat for 1 hour into the Orinoco Delta to your lodge. |
| Day 13: | With motorized canoes you will explore the maze of channels and creeks spotting wildlife, birds, river dolphins and learning how the Warao Indians survived for so long in this tough environment. |
| Day 14: | Back to Puerto Ordaz for an overnight |
| Day 15: | Fly to Canaima and transfer to your lodge to relax and explore for the afternoon |
| Day 16: | This morning begins with the spectacular flight over the surrounding table top mountains into Devil's Canyon to the Angel Falls. The views over the whole area will be a truly memorable experience. This afternoon take a motor canoe trip on the Lagoon, get up close to the waterfalls,walk behind Sapo Falls and take a dip to cool off! |
| Day 17: | Fly back to Caracas via Puerto Ordaz in time for your International flight |
| Day 18: | Arrive back in the UK |
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.how this holiday makes a difference
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Most animals have been hunted around this area for years. But now, gradually, the local Hatos (cattle ranches) are beginning to protect the animals on their land. One of the pioneers in this has been Hato Cedral, a beautiful working cattle ranch covering over 50,000 hectares of land, 3 hours by road from Barinas. It has been protecting its wildlife for over 25 years and is teeming with huge numbers of animals and birds. So much so, do not be surprised to find iguanas outside your bedroom door, red howler monkeys in the trees above and capybaras munching grass at the poolside.
Excursions are taken with experienced guides by motor boat or safari style truck and wildlife you are likely to see includes capybara, caiman, howler monkeys, anacondas, river dolphins, anteaters, the orinoco crocodile, armadillos, deer, burrowing owls, foxes, iguanas, big cats, turtles, piranha fish and over 300 species of birds. The excellent natural conditions of hydrological systems create a large water reserve that helps to sustain the abundant animal life and vegetation year round. The ranch has become a landmark for international researchers and studiers of the natural sciences and is endorsed by The National Geographic Society. |
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