TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR TROPICAL WILDLIFE

Here is an example package for you to consider but we can tailor the trip to your particular interest, just let us know.

Example Package:

Day1: Evening arrival, overnight in near by hotel. Arrive in the evening at the airport (international flights always arrive in the evening). The airport (Maiquetia) is located near the town of La Guaira, which is an hour outside of Caracas. La Guaira has nice hotels located on the ocean by superb seafood restaurants.

Day 2-4 Excursions to Angel falls with flight over the mountains (3 days 2 nights)

Day 5 Leave Canaima and spend the night in Le Guaira

Day 6: The llanos: Fly inland to Barinas, Drive to Hato El Cedral. Leave early in the morning to fly from Maiquetia airport to Barinas, the "gateway" to the Llanos (flooded savannas). The Llanos (llano means "flat" in Spanish) is a unique seasonal wetland system that stretches throughout the Orinoco river basin to the middle of Colombia, covering an area comparable to the state of Texas. There are well over 300 bird species that are common to abundant in this habitat. From Barinas you will go by taxi to Hato El Cedral, which is a 3 hour drive.

Day 6-8: Stay at Hato el Cedral (3 nights).

Relax at the tourist station located within Hato El Frio and enjoy the wildlife tours, which leave twice daily to different locations within the 150,000 acre ranch. In wet season these excursions include river boat rides in large or small motorboats, and tourists can arrange to go fishing for piranhas on some of these excursions. Boat ride availability depends on time of year: during a wet year, boat rides may be available from June until the end of February. During a dry year, water levels may be too low by the end of January.

The tourist station is also a small biological research station, and was the home base for some of the first, and so far only, study ever done in the natural history of the green anacondas. Other biologists from Venezuela, Spain, and various other countries also stay at Hato El Cedral while conducting research, along with various professional wildlife photographers from all over the world. The managers of the station speak several languages, including, of course, English. The excursion guides know all of the regional birds – over 300 of them.

El Cedral’s tourist camp houses a maximum of 30 people in double occupancy rooms, so it is never overcrowded or noisy. Each room contains two comfortable beds (arrangements can be made for triple occupancy) and are air-conditioned. During wet and transitional season (from June through December), temperatures can range from the 70s (degrees F) during or after a rainstorm, to the more typical 80s, and sometimes up into the 90s during mid-day. For your comfort the tourist lodge also offers a swimming pool where you can fence off the heat of the middle of day between excursion and excursion. Temperatures cool down nicely during the evening. During dry season (mid-January to May), temperatures slowly become increasingly hotter (typically in the hi-80s to low 90s during the day), although evenings remain cool until the last couple weeks of dry season (May).

El Cedral is always pleasant and peaceful. Tourists typically arrive in pairs or small groups. Also, more herpetologists are becoming interested in the biodiversity of the area, thanks in part to the abundance of anacondas, caimans, crocodiles, green iguanas, and tegu lizards.

Day 9: Return to Caracas. Leave in the morning by taxi to get the flight from Barinas back to La Guaira on the ocean. Enjoy a dinner and an evening along the Caribbean shoreline.

Day 10 –12 Los Roques (3 nights), A pristine archipelago in the Caribbean. Enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the world where you can practice your favorite ocean sport at your leisure. From scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, to wind and glide surfing, among others, or simply relax on the turquoise beaches. In the evening enjoy the most delicious sea food by the beach. Food and accommodation are included, you will have the freedom to chose any of the activities you want to do. You will find it easy to set up your own entertainment and activities in the mane cayes.

Day 13: Maiquetia International airport in the morning to return home.