Duration: 10 days/ 9 nights
Minimum Group: 4 people
Route: Caracas-Mérida-La Azulita-Puerto Concha-Catatumbo-Congo Mirador-Mérida-Barinas-Apure-Los Llanos-Barinas-Maracay-Choroní-Chuao-Cepe-Caracas
This is a snapshot tour of Venezuela, in 10 days, leaving from, and returning to the capital city of Caracas. Although being physically undemanding, this tour is packed full of activities, and gives you the chance to see the wonders of some of the most important sites in the country in a short amount of time.
We will, in this tour, take you on one of the best safaris in the continent (Los Llanos); to three stunning palm tree-lined Caribbean beaches (Choroní, Chuao, Cepe); to 3700m of altitude (Laguna Mucubají); to the unique natural phenomenon of the Silent Lightening of Catatumbo; through jungle, mangroves, cloud forest, dry snowcapped highlands; to tropical cocoa plantations, banana plantations, coffee plantations, bamboo plantations; to colonial towns, and villages on stilts; and all within 10 days! What contrast!
Highlights:
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Andean culture
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The unique unexplained phenomenon of Catatumbo
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The indigenous village on stilts of Congo Mirador
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Safari in Los Llanos
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Caribbean beaches
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Colonial villages
Itinerary:
- Day 1- Pick up in Caracas airport at the time that your flight arrives, and instant transfer to the Andean city of Mérida, considered the most beautiful city in the country, and at an altitude of 1700m. Accommodation in our posada in the centre of the city.
- Day 2- After breakfast, we leave to the Lake of Maracaibo to visit the wonders of Catatumbo in the National Park Ciénegas de Juan Manuel. We spend the morning in the mountains, visiting various Andean villages, waterfalls, and caves, before arriving to the Lake by boat, where we will have the chance, with luck, to see various animals such as monkeys, caimans, and eagles. We will spend the night in a house on stilts, observing the natural and unexplained phenomenon of silent lightening at night.
- Day 3- We will visit the ancient village of Congo Mirador, a village built completely on the water in the mouth of the River Catatumbo, before returning to the city of Mérida, and have the evening free to see some of the beautiful city and its historic centre.
- Day 4- We leave Merida on the one of the most beautiful routes in Venezuela in the direction of the famous safari plains called Los Llanos. Going up to 3700m of altitude and the descending to sea level, we will arrive in the afternoon to our campamento far, far away from civilization, where all there is are caiman, birds, snakes, and many other varieties of animals!!
- Day 5 and 6- We will spend these days in the area of Los Llanos doing various activities. We will go out on safari on the river, on horseback, by jeep, and we will do some fishing for piranha! This is our chance to observe the thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles (and with a bit of luck the famous Anaconda) that make Venezuela one of the best countries in the continent for animal-life!
- Day 7-Leaving our campamento after breakfast, we travel via Barinas to the Caribbean beach village and old colonial town of Choroní, arriving in the evening and settling into our Posada.
- Day 8- We will travel by boat to the village and beach of Chuao, famous for its Cocoa plantations (supposedly of the best quality in the world), where we will spend the day sunning ourselves and seeing the small colonial town and its attractions, before returning by boat in the evening to Choroní.
- Day 9- We travel further round the coast to what is considered the most beautiful beach of the region, Cepe, where again we will have the chance to see the local village, only accessible by boat, and if you wish to, to try some snorkeling (optional), before returning to Choroní to relax and watch the sunset over the Caribbean sea from Playa Grande.
- Day 10- It’s time to go! We will leave Choroní, up the winding road through the National Park of Henry Pittier, and to the airport Maiquetía in Caracas. It’s time for you to say goodbye to Venezuela until your next holiday opportunity!
Included in the package:
- All accommodation for the 9 nights: 2 nights in Merida, 1 in Catatumbo, 3 in Los Llanos, and 3 in Choroní
- All transport costs from the moment you arrive into Caracas, by jeep or boat
- With respect to the food, included, throughout the 10 days, are 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners. For the rest of your meals, your guide will be able to recommend some good options of where to eat, and where you can try some local dishes.
- Bilingual guide for the whole time
- All activities listed
Not included in the package:
- Airport taxes
- Any additional activities which you may wish to do in the 10 days (such as snorkeling, paragliding, etc)
- Tips
Additional Information:
- This tour is available all year round, with a minimum of 4 people. Some modifications made need to be made depending on specific conditions of the dates (for example, over Christmas or public holidays), but wherever possible we aim to stick to the itinerary explained here. However in general it is necessary to be flexible as tourist here in Venezuela.
- No special equipment is needed for this trip. A list of equipment will be sent to you by email on confirmation.
- Please inform us at the point of conformation about any food allergies, vegetarians, or any physical disabilities within the group.
- The majority of our accommodation will be in “Posadas” (Guesthouses), but on certain activities a hammock is recommended. Hammocks are provided, and there is always the option of a bed if anyone suffers from back problems.
