Northern Amazonia & Venezuela

23 days - from $100000

Venezuela is one of South America's hidden gems, and on this trip we'll get a comprehensive insight into this hugely diverse country. Beginning our journey in the steamy city of Manaus, deep in Brazil's Amazon, we overland across the Gran Sabana Plateau, heading for the gold mining town of El Dorado. Venezuela has an abundance of natural wonders, including Angel Falls - the highest waterfalls in the world, the 'Lost World' of the Tepuis, and the incredible wildlife of the Los Llanos wetlands. We'll head up to the sultry Caribbean coast to unwind on the beach before ending our trip in Caracas.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Manaus  Border information: If you are starting in Manaus, enter Brazil at Manaus Airport. Staying in a good local hotel in Manaus, a free day to explore. There will be a group meeting at 18:00 hrs.
Day 2: Waimiri Indian Reserve  Today we head out over 600kms towards the border with Venezuela., we will pass through the edges of the Waimiri Indian Reserve and camp over night.
Day 3: Santa Elena  500kms overland drive crossing the border into Venezuela to Santa Elena. We stay in a simple hotel. Border information: Exit Brazil at Santa Elena, enter Venezuela at Santa Elena.
Day 4-5: Santa Elena  Optional treks of varying length are available through breathtaking vistas to Tepuis including Mount Roraima and Chirikayen. Passengers wishing to trek to Mount Roraima can do so and then catch a bus to Cuidad Bolivar to rejoin the group.
Day 6: Kama Meru Waterfalls  170kms drive to the impressive Kama Meru waterfall and Jasper Waterfalls where we will camp.
Day 7: El Dorado  160kms drive to El Dorado. We stay in a camp site with facilities 
Day 8-12: Ciudad Bolivar, Angel Falls  420kms drive to Ciudad Bolivar from where you can enjoy optional 1, 2 or 3 day excursions to Angel Falls, deep in the dense and formidable jungle of Canaima National Park. Staying in beautiful local posada with pool
Day 13-14: Merida  2 long drive days through some of the most spectacular roads in the country take us to Merida where we stay in a friendly local posada.
Day 15-17: Llanos  3 days exploration of the vast flat grasslands of the Llanos, by canoes and jeeps. We will camp in the Llanos
Day 18-20: Merida  3 days in Merida, the adventure activity centre of Venezuela. Here you can spend three days hiking, horse riding, rafting or or take the world's longest cable car for stunning views of the country's highest mountain, Pico Bolivar. There is also the optional chance to see the amazing Catatumbo lightning. We stay in a friendly local posada  
Day 21: Barinas  A 160kms drive takes us to Barinas for more adventure activities where we camp
Day 22-23: Puerto Columbia  Following a 420kms drive we enjoy 2 days in Puerto Columbia in Henri Pittier NP, Venezuela's oldest national park. We stay in a local hotel and there is free time to explore the Caribbean coast sandy beaches, soak up the sun, take boat trips or perhaps hike into the cloud forest.
Day 24: Catia La Mar  200kms drive to Catia La Mar on the outskirts of Caracas, arriving late in the afternoon. We stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities by the beach
Day 25: Catia La Mar, Caracas  The final day of the trip, you can depart any time or spend time looking around Caracas. Border information: If you are leaving in Caracas, exit Venezuela at Caracas Airport.

Details: