11 Days / 10 Nights
Canaima, Angel Falls, Andes, Caribbean
Day 1 - Friday
- Caracas
Arrival in Caracas, Venezuela. Airport reception and transfer to the Caracas
Hilton. Overnight.
Day 2 - Saturday
- Caracas - Canaima
Today you'll head out to the Lost World of Canaima National Park. This
is a land of tepuis, spectacular rose-colored mesas, rising 4,600 feet
to 6,900 feet. Each tepui is associated with an ancient Pemon Indian God.
Arriving in Canaima, you'll check into your simple bungalow with private
bath facilities. After lunch you may embark on a short boat excursion
in the Canaima Lagoon, approaching Hacha Falls. Other optional excursions
are also available. Though surprisingly sparse in wildlife, this virgin
wilderness abounds with natural beauty. You'll see numerous waterfalls,
small islands dotted with pink and white sand beaches, and exotic tropical
flora. (B,L,D)
Weather permitting, you'll board a Servivensa DC-3, for an overflight of Angel Falls. Flying over the massive Auyan-Tepui mesa, you may have a spectacular bird's-eye view of the world's tallest waterfall cascading 3,200 feet into the jungle below. Angel Falls is 15 times higher than Niagara. The cascade is named after Jimmy Angel, an eccentric American bush pilot, who discovered the falls while exploring the area for mineral deposits. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Monday
- Merida
Today you'll fly to Merida, capital of the Venezuelan Andes. Enjoy the
awesome sights of the mountain plateaus and rugged peaks of the Andes.
Choose one of our hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or jeep excursions
and experience a region steeped in a culture that seems to have stood
still for centuries. (To prepare our guides prior to your arrival, please
advise us which activity you prefer when making your reservation.) Accommodations
range from small hotels to rustic mountain inns. (B,L,D)
Over the next three days, your Scenic Andes adventure will allow you to experience the grandeur of the mountains and the charm of small Andean hamlets. Throughout each excursion, your local, bilingual guide can help you discover the Andes and meet its inhabitants in a personalized way. Lodging is at the Hotel Don Juan or Belensate in Merida, and Los Frailes Inn in the paramo region near Santo Domingo. (B,L,D)
As a finale, choose from one of Venezuela's varied Caribbean options. Puerto La Cruz and Margarita Island offer comfortable, 5-star hotel accommodations and resort-type amenities. In contrast, Morrocoy National Park and Los Roques Archipelago have protected coral reefs teeming with marine life. Snorkel, swim, explore or just bask in the Caribbean sunshine. As an optional, chartered excursion you can explore the Los Roques area aboard our luxury sailing yacht. In addition, personal fishing and diving excursions may be arranged on request. (B)
Spend the next two full days relaxing on the beach or exploring the surrounding areas on your own.
Return flight to Caracas with airport reception and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)