An active adventure in the Andes and the wildlife of the Llanos
8 days / 7 nights
From $1,958 per person, double occupancy for 2013

Day 1: Caracas
(Lost World Adventures can help arrange discounted international airfare for you.) Welcome to Venezuela! Overnight in the Hotel Ole Caribe along the Caribbean coast.

Day 2: Caracas – Merida
Fly to the Andean capital of Merida, a historic colonial town. Visit Plaza Bolivar, the cathedral, museums and a 150 –year old coffee plantation. Finish the day at an overlook of the Chama River valley where paragliders soar 1,000 meters above the canyon. Overnight at the comfortable accommodations at Papa Miguel's or similar Andean guesthouse. All meals included. (L,D)

Day 3: Merida
Explore the region with an optional ride on the world's longest and highest aerial cable car. From the top, you’ll see snowcapped mountains, glaciers, and fields of sugar cane and coffee. Visit Eagle Pass, the highest paved road in Venezuela at 4,047 meters and a biological research station to see the Andean Condor, one of the world's largest birds with a wingspan of more than three meters. Overnight at Hacienda El Carmen. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Merida to Los Frailes
Travel to Laguna Mucubají, one of the largest of over 200 glacier lakes in the state of Mérida. Trek or horseback ride to Laguna Negra and discover the tiny town of Mucuchies, which was founded in 1596 by the Spanish on the site of the pre-Hispanic Chama Indian tribe. Tonight you'll sleep at Hotel Los Frailes, world class mountain inn built on the site of a 17th century Franciscan monastery. All meals included. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Los Frailes - El Cedral
Today you will descend through the dense Santo Domingo Cloudforest into 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,L,D)

Day 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 – Caracas
In the late morning, make the overland transfer and flight to Caracas. Overnight at the Hotel Ole Caribe. (B)

Day 8: Caracas - US
Return flight to the U.S.