Regions for the regional trip The Orinoco Delta – Canaima

THE ORINOCO DELTA

The Orinoco Delta is an intricate and vast network of rivers, which carry the waters from the Orinoco River to the Atlantic Ocean, weaving through the tropical rainforest. The Delta has around 60 channels and 40 rivers which pass through 41,000sq km of forested islands, swamps and lakes.

The traditional way of life for the Warao Indians was dependent on fishing, hunting and the gathering of wild fruits. No doubt, the continuation of their culture is linked to the moriche palm which provides them with food, drink, building materials, adornments and a place to sleep as it can made into a hammock. Nowadays, many of the Warao are salaried workers for agricultural projects, sawmills and palm factories amongst others, but they still continue to hunt and fish.

All of the excursions take place around the camp. They include a visit to one of the indigenous villages to see how they live as well as an enjoyable walk through the forest with local guides who have a deep understanding of the mysterious world of the Warao Indians. You can go on boat trips to look for wildlife; go out on a boat fishing for piranha; enjoy a spectacular sunset cocktail party and a night walk.

TUCUPITA (BOCA DE URACOA)

Tucupita is well known for its strategic location and used by the Warao as a trading post. Even though it is the hub of banking and the place for many commercial activities for the western part of the Orinoco Delta, it often has power cuts and the treated water is of a poor quality. Including the outlying area, the town only has a small population, of around 60,000 people. Tucupita has an airport which is the main entry and exit point for visitors to the Delta. The passengers boats are only used for transfer services.

MATURIN

Originally a mission town established in 1760, Maturin is now the capital of Monagas State and the most important business centre for the remote llanos in the east and is located on a rise overlooking the Guarapiche River. Maturin is mainly an industrial town and much of the construction work was to build roads to carry petrol the length and breadth of Venezuela.

Gran Sabana/Canaima region

The Gran Sabana is one of the most discussed landscapes in Venezuela. Massive tepuis stick out above the forest greenery and undulating pastures; waterfalls gush down the sides of these massive batholiths, including Angel Falls. These mysterious tepuis, encircled by mist, which encouraged Arthur Conan Doyle to write ‘The Lost World’, are some of the oldest formations on the earth. Rising above the llanos (plains) of Venezuela’s Gran Sabana, the vertical and rose-coloured cliffs of these mountains with their table-top flat summits, from where waterfalls tumble into the tropical forest, are dramatic and inspirational to see.

Tours to Angel Falls and Canaima

To the south of the Orinoco River is Canaima National Park, the third largest in the world, a tropical paradise with a huge variety of resources and stunning landscapes. Without doubt, Canaima is one of the most impressive places in this country, truly the epitome of the Lost World.

Canaima is home to the Angel Falls, one of our most famous sights, located at the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. They are the highest waterfalls in the world; you will be fascinated by the power of the falls from a height of 915m (3000ft). On this tour you will also have the opportunity to see other waterfalls and navigate some of the rapids in local handmade canoes. These tough and sturdy canoes, propelled by outboard motors, are driven by experienced river guides, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, who will tell you about the legends and ecology of this mystical place.

Ciudad Bolivar

Historically known as the main port of the Orinoco River, Ciudad Bolivar is a popular and lively city for travellers en route to the Gran Sabana. Ciudad Bolivar is the capital of Bolivar State and is the base for all air travel into Canaima National Park.

Puerto Ordaz

Puerto Ordaz was established in 1952 as a port for the iron industry and has a reputation as being the place with the highest cost of living in the country. The city is located on the banks of the Orinoco River and has a variety of tourist attractions including zoos, museums and trips along the Orinoco. In addition there are a number of shopping centres, supermarkets and night clubs. Puerto Ordaz is also one of the main entry points for visits to the Gran Sabana with many flights to and from the main domestic airports in Venezuela. There is a selection of hotels, ranging from economy to deluxe, to suit the tastes and budgets of all visitors.

National parks for the regional trip The Orinoco Delta – Canaima

ORINOCO DELTA NATIONAL PARKS

Venezuela is one of the ten most biologically diverse countries in the world. Pioneers in environmental protection, Venezuela has introduced many laws concerning the use and enjoyment of these national treasures. As a result of these laws there are 43 national parks and 22 nature reserves (around 21% of the country), 2 bio-reserves, 7 sanctuaries and 5 wildlife reserves. This fantastic combination of boundless and raw beauty makes it exceptionally good for the tourism industry.

The Orinoco Delta National Park (Mariusa) was created in 1941 and covers an area of 331,000 hectares. It protects ecosystems such as swamps, natural forests and palm groves; savannah and mangrove swamps; likewise it is the home of the Warao Indians.

This park is home to a huge variety of fauna, on the land, in the air and in the water and it is rich in palm trees. Among its many major attractions is the Mariusa, Guapoa, Macareo and Quberima rivers, Isla Marina, Lake Traveria and Isla Redonda.

Canaima National Park is located in the Macizo Guayanes region of Bolivar state, in the south east of the country and was established on 12 June 1962. It is considered to be one of the oldest land masses on the planet and includes the upper basin of the Caroni River. The landscape is dominated by open savannah which highlights the massive mesetas, also known as tepuis. These are tall mountains with very steep sides, from which ascend vertical walls, and whose summits are rocky and flat. This protected area is divided into two sections: Canaima and Gran Sabana

The tour includes

• First aid kit
• Domestic flights
• Airport assistance
• Excursions to the falls
• Over flight, as described
• Pre-departure information
• Life jacket for each passenger
• Accommodation, as described
• All meals and non-alcoholic drinks
• Services of an English-speaking guide
• Transportation by land and boat to Canaima

The tour does not include

• Items of a personal nature
• Accommodatio in Caracas (we can book it for you)
• Any fee to enter the Canaima National Park costs US$ 10.00
• Tours, meals, alcoholic drinks and other services not included in the itinerary
• Tips to local staff, costs incurred in the organisation of the trip, such as non-refundable air tickets, insurance policy or additional costs incurred by flight delays, cancellations or missed connections

We recommend that you bring with you

• Swimsuit
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Pocket torch
• Suntan cream
• Malaria tablets
• Camera and film
• Adjustable sandals
• Lightweight clothes
• Sun hat, cap or visor
• Waterproof jacket or cape
• Insect repellent with 50-90% Deet
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
• Comfortable and hard-wearing shoes and boots

How to get to Venezuela

Below you will find information on travelling from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Almost all international flights arrive at Simon Bolivar International Airport, which is located in Maiquetia (28km north of Caracas). A few flights go to Maracaibo, a city in the west of the country.

Natoura Travel & Adventure Tours became an IATA international agency in February 2010 and our IATA number is 95-502945. We can help with competitive prices for international flights for both single and round-trip flight tickets. Please contact us for help in finding the best flight for the start of your adventure.

From Australia and New Zealand: Flights from Australia and New Zealand to Caracas go via Los Angeles. Below is a list of airlines that offer this service.

• Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.com)
• Qantas (www.qantas.com)

From Canada: There are several companies that operate flights to Venezuela from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver via Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Below is a list of these airlines with their respective places of departure and arrival.

• American Airlines (www.aa.com)

From Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to Caracas via Miami or Dallas-Fort Worth.

• Continental Airlines (www.continental.com)

From Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to Caracas via Houston.

From Europe: Other airlines also have regular flights to Caracas; below is a list of these airlines as well as flights from cities across Europe which have services to Venezuela.

• Air Europa (www.air-europa.com)
• Air France (www.airfrance.com)
• Alitalia Airlines (www.alitalia.it)
• Iberia (www.iberia.com)
• Lufthansa Airlines (www.lufthansa.com)

European cities which have direct flights to Venezuela: Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, Lisbon.

From the United States: Many of the flights from the United States leave from Miami and arrive into Caracas. Some companies also have direct flights from New York, Atlanta, Newark, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Orlando. The Grupo Taca airline flies from Los Angeles to Caracas via Mexico City and San José, Costa Rica. Below is a list of these airlines with their respective places of departure and arrival.

• American Airlines (www.aa.com)

From New York, Miami or Dallas to Caracas or Maracaibo.

• United Airlines (www.united.com)

From New York, Chicago or Miami to Caracas.

• Continental Airlines (www.continental.com)

From Newark (New Jersey), Houston, Orlando, Chicago, Miami or New York to Caracas.

• Delta Airlines (www.delta.com)

From Atlanta to Caracas.

• Grupo Taca (www.grupotaca.com)

From Miami to Caracas; from Los Angeles to Caracas via Mexico City or San José.

Note: If you have any questions about timetables or availability, please call or email us and we will do our best to help you.