Canaima National
Park, Angel Falls and Hato El Cedral in the Llanos Grasslands
8 days / 7 nights
From $2,499 per person double
occupancy in 2010
Includes domestic airfare*
in Venezuela, accommodations, tours, transportation, taxes
and service charges where applicable, and meals as specified.
*Airfare subject to change
Day 1: Caracas
Welcome to Venezuela! Airport reception and transfer to
your hotel.
Overnight accommodations at the Costa Real
Suites, with typical breakfast included. The hotel is
conveniently located in Caracas' Central Coast, in the
Tanaguarena/Caraballeda area, just 20 min drive from the
airport. There are only 15 colorful suites, with a comfortable
bedroom with big windows, private bathroom (shower with
hot water), a spacious living room with couches and a
double hammock, a/c, fan, cable TV, hairdryer, safe, and
minibar/fridge. There is a swimming pool and a restaurant/bar.
Day 2: Caracas
– Canaima National Park
Hotel pickup and transfer to the airport. Depart on a
flight to Canaima,
flying over the massive tepuis into the remote south of
Venezuela.
Caracas - Puerto Ordaz flight times
to be advised
Proceed to your connecting flight to Canaima.
Puerto Ordaz - Canaima flight times
to be advised
Upon arrival in Canaima, pay National Park
fee (about US$14.00), before proceeding to Ucaima
Camp, a small lodge located on the banks of the Carrao
River, above Hacha Falls with views of three tepuis and
the Auyan Tepui in the distance. Your transfer to the
lodge involves a five-minute jeep ride, followed by a
five-minute dugout canoe ride to the lodge. Ucaima Camp
offers tranquility and personalized service. Accommodations
are in comfortable cabanas with private bathrooms. The
grassy area in front of the lodge is a perfect place to
sit back and enjoy the unique backdrop of Canaima National
Park, and Canaima lagoon's cool, dark but clear water
offers refreshing respite from the Gran Sabana's mid-day
heat.
In the afternoon, set off on an excursion
to Sapo Falls. Setting off in a motorized dugout canoe
up the Carrao River to the Sabana (plain) de Mayupa, you
will enjoy a short hike to Sapo and Sapito Falls. Depending
on water levels, the rocky trail actually follows behind
the powerful falls.
Return to the lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)
Additional excursions available at an additional
expense include:
Angel Falls Over Flight
Depart in a charter flight for a thrilling 45-minute over
flight of Angel Falls and the Devil's canyon. En route
you will enjoy views of the Gran Sabana and Auyan Tepui.
Half-day excursion to Yuri Falls
Depart Ucaima by vehicle for a 20-minute drive across
the savanna to Puerto Verde where you board a motorized
dugout canoe and head down the Carrao River. Arriving
at Puerto Yuri, a 15-minute walk through the jungle leads
to the falls and beaches of Yuri where you will have plenty
of time for swimming and exploring.
Full-day trip to Kavak
After breakfast, board a single or twin-engine plane for
a 20-minute flight to the Pemon Indian outpost of Kavak
located at the base of Auyan-Tepui. En route, you'll catch
a spectacular birds-eye view of Angel Falls and Devils
Canyon in the heart of Canaima National Park. Arriving
in Kavak, you will be led by a native Pemon Indian on
a hike across savannah and through lush rainforest to
a series of spectacular waterfalls and the Kavak gorge.
There is plenty of time for exploring this remarkable
area, including a swim up the narrow canyon into an ancient
waterfall "bowl" carved into the jungle and
rock by thousands of years of relentless stream flow.
Returning to Kavak, enjoy a grilled lunch and refreshments
before boarding our return charter flight to Ucaima.
Day 3: Full-day excursion to
Angel Falls
*Subject to weather conditions year-round
After early morning coffee and light snack, board a motorized
dugout canoe (curiara) and set off up the Carrao River,
which is lined by luxuriant vegetation.
After another short jeep trip around Mayupa
rapids, continue up river, stopping to view the spectacular
scenery of the "Lost World." Giant tepuis loom
over the savannah and jungle below and countless waterfalls
gracefully descend the face of Auyan-tepui.
The journey continues passing by Arautaima
rapids, Pozo de la Felicidad and Orchid Island. Upon arrival
at Orchid Island, breakfast will be served. Afterward,
continue upriver, leaving the Carrao River behind, and
proceeding up the Churun River. After about one hour,
you will reach Ratoncito Island, from where you can observe
Angel Falls.
From Ratoncito Island, a one hour
hike leads to El Mirador, a lookout point offering superb
views and photographic opportunities (weather permitting)
to capture the massive rocky face of Auyan-tepui and "Salto
Angel" in the warm morning sun. The rest of your
morning will be spent exploring this "Lost World"
on your own, and after a barbeque lunch return to Ucaima
Camp in time for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Canaima
- Caracas - Barinas - Hato El Cedral
At the appropriate time, you will
transfer to the Canaima airstrip for your flight to Caracas.
Canaima - Puerto Ordaz - Caracas flight
times to be advised
You will be met upon arrival and assisted
to your connecting flight to Barinas.
Caracas - Barinas flight times to be
advised
You will be met
at the Barinas airport and transfer to El Cedral in the
flat Llanos grasslands.
Arrive at Hato
El Cedral, a 160,000-acre working ranch and wildlife
sanctuary. The campamento takes a serious approach to
environmental issues, introducing the full protection
of wildlife within their ranches, installing research
stations and contributing to ecological funds.
The Llanos is a bird watcher's paradise,
with more than 300 species identified. Highlights include
hoatzins, pied lapwings, king vultures, storks and ibis.
See rugged Venezuelan cowboys, the llaneros, hard at work
as they skillfully move great herds of cattle across the
ranch. All meals included. (B,D)
Days 5 and 6: El Cedral
Embark on a variety of excursions
in the early morning and late afternoon in the "Serengeti
of South America." All meals included. (B,L,D)
Day 7: El Cedral – Barinas
- Caracas
Depending on flight schedules, you
may have much of the day at El Cedral for an additional
excursion. At the appropriate time, you will transfer
back to the Barinas Airport for your flight to Caracas.
Barinas - Caracas flight times
to be advised
Airport reception and transfer to
your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the Costa Real
Suites, breakfast included. (B,L)
Day 8: Int'l Departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Intenational
Airport. (B)
Contact
us to include Scenic Andes
Adventure in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
