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A boat trip on the upper Orinoco and on the Casiquiare, one of the main goals of Alexander von Humboldt during his stay in Venezuela, is more than just any excursion - it has clearly the character of an expedition. Not only because of the length of the tour, but also based on the exceptional conditions of this trip: A large part of the route proceeds far away from inhabited areas and we are totally allocated to our own possibilities and sources.
From all tours we offer is this one for sure the most extraordinary one. During the whole trip we will have numerous exceptional experiences, see landscapes of incredible beauty and dive into the depths of the untouched nature. This tour is at the same time on of the toughest we have in our program, not only because of the natural- and weather conditions as well on ground of the extensive renunciations on the normal conveniences of civilization. Nevertheless, we tried hard, as fast as possible, to border the difficulties of the trip to make the journey as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Thanks to our good equipment we can provide the travellers every day with hot food and cold drinks.
As transportation and at the same time as base camp we have a traditional type of boat from the region out of wood, a dugout canoe (Bongo), which is extended to a falca and is equipped with a roof. The boat is powered by an outboard motor. Based on the often-varying conditions, which occur on the river in the rainy- and dry season, can the travel course change concerning the duration of the days as well as the accommodation, when the route and the total duration of the tour altogether stay the same.
In addition to this, further optional tours are possible on this route: a trip on different small rivers, which flow into the main river or the enlargement of the tour in the Indian settlements, which we will visit. The following plan can simply serve as a general orientation, which you cannot expect differently in such an expedition.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Maiquetia - Caracas
Arrival at the airport of Maiquetia, a small coastal place around 25 km outside of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. You are fetched from the airport and are brought in a short drive (app. 45 minutes) to Caracas to the Hotel Las Americas. The hotel lies close to the boulevard Sabana Grande, one of the biggest and most famous beautiful avenues of South America with the typical mixture of shops, bars and restaurants so you will get a good impression of the throbbing life of this fascinating metropolis.
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Day 02: Maiquetia - Puerto Ayacucho
From the hotel you are guided to the airport Maiquetia and from there on you fly to Puerto Ayacucho. On the airport you are received by our English-speaking guide and brought to the Hotel Orinoco. After a small city tour with a visit to the Indio-market you will discuss your expedition and clarify all details of the trip.
B/-/-
Day 03: Start of the river trip: Isla Ratón - San Pedro
Transfer the river dock Samariapo, one hour remote, where you will load your boat and balance it. Start of the adventurous river ride on the Orinoco. You make a short stop on the beautiful Isla Ratón and visit the Indian villages on the route. In the late afternoon we reach San Pedro, a typical village of the Piaroa Indians, where you will spend the night.
B/L/D
Day 04: Isla de Castillito - San Fernando de Atabapo
Continuation of the exciting boat trip. You pass by the famous Isla de Castillito, a natural monument, already mentioned by Alexander von Humboldt in his travelogue and reach San Fernando de Atabapo, situated at the confluence of the Orinoco, Guaviare and Atabapo. Visit to the idyllic villages and possibilities to swim in the black waters of the Río Atabapo. Overnight stay in San Fernando de Atabapo.
B/L/D
Day 05: Santa Barbara Delta - Macuruco
You continue your boat trip and visit on the way some Indio villages. In the end you reach the delta of Santa Barbara at the confluence of the Río Ventuari in the Orinoco, where originated almost 300 islands and an uncountable number of canals. Overnight stay in Macuruco, a village above the Ventuari Deltas.
B/L/D
Day 06: San Antonio del Orinoco
It continues downstream, all the time with a view on the Cerro Yapacana, which is surrounded by the national park with the same name. At the confluence of the Caño Yagua you make a stop to swim, fish or to make a short walk to search for the remains of the long ago destroyed village Yagua. Overnight stay in San Antonio del Orinoco.
B/L/D
Day 07: Bella Vista
From here on the river gets smaller and smaller, and the villages of the Indians are further and further removed from each other. Slowly you will reach the untouched regions, in an area, which is hardly visited by people. Overnight stay in Bella Vista, a municipality of the Piaroa Indians.
B/L/D
Day 08: Bella Vista
Together with the inhabitants of Bella Vista you will discover the jungle. Whether you go to Cerro Pelado with its wonderful view over hundreds of hectares of jungle or to the lagoon of Cariche or simply go to the Conucos, the plantations of the Indians, depends on the time of year and your interests. Overnight stay in the Casa de Cultura of Bella Vista.
B/L/D
Day 09: Laulau
Your trip goes further down stream to Laulau, a village of the Baniva-indians. An approximately one hour walk through the jungle will lead you to a paradise-like waterfall, in its crystal clear water you can take a refreshing bath. Overnight stay in Laulau.
B/L/D
Day 10: El Cejal - Caño Tamatama
Trip past the confluence of the Río Cunucunuma and further to El Cejal, a village of the Yanomani Indians. In the village you can buy typical art handicrafts and possibly also object of daily use like bows, arrows and canoe paddles. Continuing past at the splitting of the Casiquiare from the Orinoco, to Caño Tamatama, a Piaroa village, which is influenced by the close by missionary station. Overnight stay in the village.
B/L/D
Day 11: Caño Tamatama
Today we have a trip with a Curiara (small dug-out canoe) on the Caño Tamatama on the program. It does not matter if you visit the Petroglyphen on the upper course (motor is necessary) or simply paddle on under the green leaf roof to have a look at the unique flora and animal world of the jungle, in any case you will be able to enjoy the indescribable feeling to be separated from every civilization in the depths of the tropical rainforest. Overnight stay in Caño Tamatama.
B/L/D
Day 12: Capybara
Then the journey continues on the Casiquiare. You have the impression that you are removed even a little bit more from civilization. After app. 200 km you reach Capybara, a former Cautschuk village, which was left a couple of years ago by the last of the 800 former inhabitants. Overnights stay in the well-preserved huts of Capybara.
B/L/D
Day 13: Pasiva
Navigating for some hours down stream we reach to Pasiva, whose dreamlike lagoons invite to a walk and will offer you as well a place to sleep.
B/L/D
Day 14: Porvenir
Today it continues towards Rio Negro, to visit a Yanomani community in the area of the Rio Siapa. There you will exchange some present and get to know a culture which is very different from ours from close by. Overnight stay in Porvenir, a municipality of the Yeral Indians.
B/L/D
Day 15: San Carlos de Rio Negro
Last stage on the Casiquiare, past at the confluence of the Pasimoni, the rapids of Yacame and the legendary rock formation Kurimacare. In the afternoon you reach the confluence of the Casiquiare and Guainia, from here on the river is called Rio Negro. Overnights stay in San Carlos de Rio Negro.
B/L/D
Day 16: End of the river trip - flight to Puerto Ayacucho
After two weeks on the bongo ends your adventurous tour today. Before you go to the airport, you have still time to explore the small city San Carlos. End of the expedition and flight to Pto. Ayacucho and transfer to Hotel Orinoco.
B/-/-
Day 17: Flight to Caracas - connecting flight home
You are guided to the airport and fly to Caracas. Here you are fetched at the airport and are guided to your connecting flight back to your home country.
B/-/
Prices 2008:
USD 3.598.- per person
Minimum 4 People.
In the price included:
Hotels in Caracas (4 stars) and Puerto Ayacucho (1 star)
Flight Caracas - Ayacucho - Caracas and Rio Negro - Puerto Ayacucho
Meals according to program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
On the expedition English speaking guides and accommodation in hammocks with mosquito nets.
All transfers with English speaking guides
Not included in price:
International flight
Extra charge for single room
International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person)
Travel insurance package
Remarks and recommendations:
The required passenger certificates for this excursion are being taken care of by us. On board of the bongo there will be an Indian helmsman, who knows the river and the Indian settlements very well.
It is recommended, to bring clothing suited for heath: bathing stuff, shorts and light shirts for the boat trip, long trousers and long-sleeved, bright shirts for the trips into the jungle. Besides that sport shoes or something alike, which dry fast, cap or hat, insect repellent, rain poncho, a pocketknife and a flash light with batteries. The rest of the equipment necessary like cooking ware etc. is taken care of by us.
The mentioned itinerary can be changed according to the wishes of the travellers; the stay at all of the mentioned places can be prolonged or reduced. Every additional day to prolong the excursion costs USD 125 per day.
If you need any additional information please write us:
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