Discover the raw beauty of Venezuela’s deltas, waterfalls and remote communities. On the banks of the third largest river in South America, the Warao Indians, the guardians of the Orinoco River, still live virtually untouched by the modern world. They are one of the oldest ethnic groups in the world.
Venture further into Canaima National Park to experience some of the worlds most ancient scenery. Bordering Brazil and Guyana, this national park is distinguished by its numerous tepuis, massive flat-topped mountains that rise from grassy savanna and are often covered in mist. Fly over the 979m-tall Angel Falls waterfall flowing from Auyantepui mountain into the Cañón del Diablo, a steep canyon surrounded by tropical forest.
Venture off the coast to Venezuela’s little-known Los Roques. Home to over 50 coral islands, numerous low reefs and sand flats, each islet has powder-soft, white sand beaches, set in shallow emerald and turquoise waters. The perfect way to wrap up your Venezuelan experience.
Welcome to Venezuela! Upon arrival at Maiquetía International Airport in Caracas, you will be met in the arrivals hall by our representative who will assist you with connecting on your flight to Puerto Ordaz. If you are already in Caracas, please make your way to the airport for your flight to Puerto Ordaz. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the evening. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Puerto Ordaz is a small new town and port of Ciudad Guayana on the banks of the Caroni River. It is famed for it’s Cerro Bolivar open-cast iron mine and the town is reputed to be the richest place per square kilometre in Venezuela.
Overnight at Hotel Eurobuilding Plaza Guayana or similar
After breakfast, transfer to Boca de Uracoa and continue by boat to your lodge in
the Orinoco River Delta. The second largest in the American continent after the Amazonian delta, it is a labyrinth of caños (canals) that form impenetrable green islands which makes the jungle seem to expand and swallow the course of the river. In the midst of these canals, small paddled canoes from the local communities are seen travelling from one village to the next. The Warao inhabit the shores of the canals in typical wooden and thatched houses built in stitches over the water, often with no walls and hammocks for beds. Their houses are on stilts due to the significant rise and fall of water levels in the Delta. The Warao are the second largest tribe in Venezuela with their own indigenous language. (B,L,D)
Overnight Orinoco Delta Lodge or similar
Enjoy a full day of activities in the delta. Navigate by speedboat to the remote reaches and most primitive areas of the delta as you visit the Warao communities and walk through the jungle to discover the local flora and fauna.
Your Indian guide will lead the way on your jungle walk. The silence of the jungle is occasionally interrupted by the strange cries of exotic birds while the pungent smells blend into the blanket of humidity. There are dense galleries of crawling plants and giant trees competing for rations of scarce sun light under the lush jungle canopy. Explore some of the narrowest caños – enjoy being lost in a maze of waterways and jungle.
Want to go fishing? The Delta that is perfect for fishing. If you are interested, you will be given poles, bait your hooks with raw meat and fish for the infamous Piranhas. If you are successful you can bring your catch back to the lodge where our chef will prepare them into a delicious snack. (B,L,D)
Overnight Orinoco Delta Lodge or similar
Following breakfast, take a boat transfer out of the tangle of the veins of the delta to the river port of Boca de Uracoa where your car will be waiting for you to transfer you onwards to Puerto Ordaz. Check in at your hotel for overnight stay. (B)
Overnight at Hotel Eurobuilding Plaza Guayana or similar
Your guide will meet you in your hotel this morning as you set off in 4WD vehicles towards La Gran Sabana. The Gran Sabana is one of the most impressive places to explore. Located in Canaima National Park, it is home to some of the oldest formations on the earth, including tepuis’ (table mountains with flat tops). Experience the natural serenity come alive between savannas and forests. The Gran Sabana is dotted by beautiful waterfalls and wells, each with its own history and mysticism. This is a region of raw beauty.
Pass through the gold mining towns of Upata, El Cintillo, Guasipati and Tumeremo. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant before crossing the old bridge over the Cuyuní River to reach El Dorado, where the famous Papillon was imprisoned. Continue through the mining village of Las Claritas before reaching the dense forest of Sierra de Lema. Stop at the Piedra de la Virgen lookout before arriving at ‘The Lost World’ as named by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Continue to Chivatón Camp where you will overnight. The camp is stone built with a natural pool in a nearby creek available for you to refresh yourself with wild flowers surrounding the camp. (B,L,D)
Overnight at Chivatón Camp or similar
After breakfast, you will follow the Gran Sabana route which includes visiting the indigenous Iboribo community. Here, you will cross the Aponwao River by curiara (a local canoe). Take a short walk down to the bottom of the amazing Chinak Merú waterfall, where you have the opportunity for a refreshing swim. Stop here for your lunch break before continuing past the rapids of Kamoirán, the Kawi Merú waterfall and the Nak Piapo lookout from where, weather permitting, you will have a fantastic view of the Gran Sabana majestically crowned by tepuis’ such as Roraima. Continue on to the Ya-koo Camp in Santa Elena, an eco camp in the fringe of the jungle. (B,L,D)
Overnight at Yakoo Camp or similar
After breakfast, enjoy a short visit to the town of Santa Elena de Uairén, followed by a visit to the gorgeous red coloured Quebrada de Jaspe waterfall and the Indigenous community of San Francisco de Yuruaní. Continue to the La Cortina de Yuruaní waterfall. You will then visit the Suruape waterfall for a refreshing and relaxing natural hydro massage. After lunch, stop at the Piscina de Pacheco waterfall and its lookout. At the end of the day, you will return to Yakoo Camp. (B,L,D)
Overnight at Yakoo Camp or similar
After breakfast, transfer to Santa Elena airport for your charter flight to Canaima. Upon arrival, transfer to the lodge on the banks of the amazing Canaima Lagoon which faces the Golondrina waterfall. After lunch, enjoy a short excursion by curiara (local canoe) through the Canaima Lagoon. The water and surface foam in rivers and lagoons are usually reddish here, a phenomenon generated by the presence of tannin, an organic acid produced by vegetation decomposing under the sun. (B,L,D)
Overnight Waku Lodge or similar
Today is a full day free for optional excursions within the Canaima National Park. A visit to the base of the Angel Falls, to Orchid Island, Kavak or El Sapo waterfall are recommended. (B,L,D)
Overnight Waku Lodge or similar
Following breakfast, enjoy a flight to Angel falls (optional), which at
979 metres high, is considered the world’s tallest waterfall. The sound of the water falling from Cañón del Diablo and the surrounding forest make this one of the most fascinating spots in Venezuela, It was seen for the first time by Jimmy Angel, the adventurous North American pilot, who over flew it on the Flamingo in October 1937. The airplane’s mechanical problems forced him, his wife and two other passengers a lucky landing on the top of the Auyantepuy (2500 m). Unscathed, they decided to descend the course of the Río Carrao and after 11 days managed to return to civilisation. Fly from Canaima back to Puerto Ordaz. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B)
Overnight at Hotel Eurobuilding Plaza Guayana or similar
This morning starts with an early transfer to the airport for your flight from Puerto Ordaz to Caracas. On arrival, you will be met and assisted to your connecting flight onwards to Los Roques. Los Roques Archipelago National Park was created in 1972 to protect a marine ecosystem of exceptional beauty and ecological value dominated by coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful natural areas of Venezuela. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your posada. (B,D)
Overnight Posada Caracol or similar
The next two days are yours at leisure to explore the stunning reaches of the archipelago and neighbouring islands. The coral reefs host some of the most beautiful underwater fauna and flora of the Caribbean. The park has exceptionally beautiful beaches of white sand and multicolour, crystalline warm waters which make it a diving, sailing and fishing paradise. (B,LD)
Overnight Posada Caracol or similar
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Caracas where your tour ends on arrival for you to connect to your onward flight. (B)
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1 guided snorkelling activity in the natural pool
**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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