Remote Venezuela

Day 1. Depart London

Depart UK on the daytime flight to Caracas. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Ole Caribe where you spend the night.

Days 2 & 3. Canaima National Park [B, L, D]

Today you fly to Canaima and then transfer to the banks of the Canaima lagoon and Waku Lodge, where you stay for two nights. Canaima National Park is a rugged wall of remote mountains and deep, heavily forested canyons. Many of the mountains have precipitous rock walls that rise thousands of metres where they end in an almost perfectly flat top. These formations are known by their Indian name, Tepuis. The region remains one of the most sparsely settled and one of the most beautiful of all natural areas in South America. From one of these Tepuis plummets the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls.

During your stay you travel by dug-out canoe to visit Sapo Waterfall.

Days 4 & 5. Orinoco Delta [B, L, D]

Today you fly to Puerto Ordaz and then transfer to Boca de Uracoa in the Orinoco Delta. The delta is a mix of dense jungle punctuated by open swamp, through which the many tributaries of the Orinoco flow. Spend three nights at Orinoco Delta Lodge where you may see Spectacled Caiman, Giant Otter, Howler Monkey, Yellowridged Toucan and Hoatzin.

Orinoco Delta Lodge, perhaps one of Venezuela's best, is located on the banks of the river and has 37 simple twin-bedded cabins (no hot water) connected by a network of elevated walkways. Excursions take place on foot and by canoe with a naturalist guide.

Days 6 & 7. Merida [B]

Return to the airport for your flight to Caracas and Merida, the gateway to the Andes. You will have the opportunity to explore the dense forests, glacial lakes and small Andean villages by jeep or on foot. Wildlife you could hope to see includes Spectacled Bear, Blackchested Buzzard Eagle, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Bearded Helmetcrest, Green and Black Fruiteater, Bluenaped Chlorophonia and Merida Sunangel.

Spend two nights at the colonial Hotel La Sevillana including an excursion to La Mucuy. There is also the option of riding the world's highest and longest cable car, the Teleferico.

Day 8. Santo Domingo [B]

Today will be spent exploring the Humboldt Trail, the Paramos, the Mifafi Valley and Mucubaji Lake. This is an excellent area for birdwatching and species you may see include Masked Trogon and Crested Quetzal. Overnight at Hotel Los Frailes.

Days 9 to 11. Llanos [B, L, D]

Continue to the Llanos this morning, a vast area of open countryside stretching from the Andes in the west, to the Orinoco Delta in the east. There are 340 species of birds to be seen here from spoonbills and ibises to woodpeckers, hawks and parrots, as well as over 4O species of flycatchers and six species of owl. Other wildlife you may see includes Giant Anteater, Whitetailed Deer, Red Howler Monkey, Pink Dolphin, Puma, Jaguar, Spectacled Caiman, Capybara and Anaconda.

Spend three nights at Hato el Cedral a working cattle ranch with 25 guest cabins. Morning and afternoon wildlife trips are enjoyed in open vehicles, by boat, or on foot with naturalist guides.

Days 12 & 13. Henri Pittier National Park [B]

This morning you transfer by road to Barinas airport for your flight to Caracas. From here you transfer by road to Maracay and Posada El Limon, for a 2-night stay. This is the perfect base from which to explore Henri Pittier National Park with knowledgeable guides, excellent service and spacious rooms.

Establised in 1937, Henri Pittier National Park is the oldest of all the Venezuelan national parks. It is set amid lush cloud forest and is a must for birders. Altogether some 567 species have been recorded which accounts for around 40% of Venezuela's bird species. Birds you may see include Groove-billed Toucanet, White-tipped Quetzal, and Spectacled Hummingbird.

Days 14 & 15. Choroni [B]

Today you will be transferred to Choroni, a small fishing village with a beautiful palm-fringed beach. Choroni is nestled between the cloud forest of Henri Pittier National Park and the Caribbean coast. Spend two nights at Posada Casa Grande, a few minutes on foot away from Puerto Colombia beach, and the nearby fishing harbour.

Day 16. Homeward [B]

Transfer to Barinas to meet your overnight flight to the UK via Caracas.

Day 17. Arrive home