Venezuela holiday

An exceptional non-trekking journey into the more remote regions of Venezuela, which takes in some of South America's least visited and most amazing sights.

Orinoco Delta & Warao Indians: We begin at an isolated Indian village east of Tucupita deep in the Orinoco Delta Nature Reserve, a luxuriant mangrove forest of outstanding beauty. Staying for three nights in stilt houses, we use local dugouts and meet the native Warao tribe. We'll observe exotic flora and fauna, and see how the great Orinoco shapes the life of the Indian villagers.

Rainforest Canoe Journey & Angel Falls: Flying into the Indian settlement of Kamarata on the Rio Akoman, our next four days are spent travelling to Canaima by canoe, guided through the rapids by our skilled Indian boatmen. Sleeping in hammocks in simple shelters on the river bank at night, we are enveloped by virgin forest and eerie silences broken only by shrieking jungle calls. The glistening waters of Angel Falls knife downwards in a single unbroken cascade, leaping some 975m off the vertical escarpment of Auyan Tepui ('Devil's Mountain', 2400m) - the tallest waterfall in the world. When water levels allow, we'll make a day-hike to the base of the falls. After climbing Roraima and canoeing to the Falls, there's time to relax on the Caribbean shores at Chichirivichi.

Alligators, Anaconda and Anteaters : The Venezuelan wetlands of Los Llanos are a little visited showcase of tropical wildlife. On our stay at a working cattle ranch we hope to see alligator, anaconda, capabari, turtle, freshwater dolphin and armadillo. We may be lucky enough to spot the huge Orinoco crocodile and the giant anteater as well as over 100 of the 750 species of birds found in the area. We may also see the Venezuelan cowboys close up as they work with the cattle on the ranch. We will have an opportunity to fish in the rivers where we can expect to catch piranhas!