Day 1 - Arrival In Caracas Welcome to Venezuela! Upon arrival at Caracas' Simon Bolivar International Airport, clear Immigrations and Customs. After claiming luggage, you will be met and assisted by our local representatives and transferred to your hotel. Currency exchange is available in the airport lobby. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Sheraton Macuto.

Day 2 - Caracas - Canaima Hotel pick-up and transfer to Caracas' national airport. Check in for your flight to Canaima. Servivensa 606 Dep 11:00A Arr 12:40P Upon arrival in Canaima, pay National Park fee (about $10.00 US), before proceeding to front desk to check in (patience advised). Accommodations are in comfortable private bungalows with hot running water and ceiling fans. Meals are included and served buffet style in the large open air dining area overlooking Hacha falls and Canaima lagoon. Included in your stay is a spectacular overflight of Devils Canyon, Auyan-tepui and Angel Falls in a specially equipped, converted DC-3 as well as a short boat excursion in the Canaima lagoon for an up close view of Hacha Falls. You will be advised of departure times for these excursions when you arrive. While here, your time is free to spend as you wish to relax or arrange for additional activities. The beautiful white sand beach at Canaima lagoon is a perfect place to sit back and enjoy the unique backdrop of Canaima National Park, and the lagoon's cool, dark but clear water offers refreshing respite from the Gran Sabana's mid-day heat. In the evening, video documentaries on Canaima National Park can be viewed in the lounge area adjacent to the dining room. See separate briefing for more trip details. (L,D)

Day 3 - Canaima - Today you can explore the Gran Sabana on various guided excursions. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Canaima - Puerto Ordaz - Caurama Lodge - After breakfast your morning is free to arrange for a short excursion or explore the camp area on your own. After checking out you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight To Puerto Ordaz. Upon arrival in Ciudad Bolivar or Puerto Ordaz, depart on a 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive to the Caurama Lodge, located in the state of Bolivar, the largest in Venezuela. Here you'll find table top mountains (tepuis), waterfalls, and unique, diverse ecosystems. The camp is ideally situated in the transition zone between the flat grasslands (Llanos) and the hilly Amazonas rainforest. These two fascinating worlds come together to create a truly memorable experience for guests. While staying at the camp, you will be able to explore both biological regions. The Caura forest reserve is home to approximately 400 different species of birds, numerous plants and trees such as acacias, cedars, mahogany and orchids. Close to the camp is the Rio Sipao, which flows through the protected Rio Caura Preserve. Here you'll find abundant wildlife including jaguars, toucans, fisher eagles and royal herons. You may also catch sight of capuchin and howler monkeys.
You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a number of excursions, including a hike to the Leona Rapids. Located in an area of primary-growth forest, the area has several smaller rapids systems and a natural spring, where you can take a jungle swim. A more tricky hike through the rainforest will take you up to Cockroach Falls, where various species of seeds used for perfumes can be found. Also, at the Hacienda La Faltrisquera, near the town of Santa Rosalia in a rocky Amazon valley, you can observe non-Asiatic buffaloes, tapirs and hundreds of macaws flying over head. Higher up the valley are waterfalls, some with pools 30 feet deep. Taking a boat trip down the Rio Caura, you'll have the chance to visit an Makiritare indian village, see pink river dolphins, river otters, kingfishers, turkey vultures and numerous other flora and fauna. Peacock bass and catfish are also plentiful.
At night, don't forget to look up and view the millions of stars. Because the horizon is so low, and you're close to the Equator, the short, blazing sunsets give way to a crystal clear Milky Way. Northern and southern sky constellations, such as the Big Dipper and the Southern Cross, are visible at the same time. Your accommodations at Caurama are in clean, simple rooms with ceiling fans, private bathrooms, and 120V-60 cycles electricity. Take a dip in the small swimming pool, relax at the bar or in the gameroom. The excellent meals are all homemade and served under a brightly colored, open-air portico. Small ponds full of caimans, bass and egrets are in the immediate area. (BLD)