Bolivar is the largest of the 23 states that form the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and offers its visitors unforgettable experiences – Canaima with its breathtaking lagoon ringed by myriads of cascades, Angel Fall, the highest waterfall of the world, the indigenous village Kavac and the wide plains and towering mesas of the Gran Sabana. The region remains one of the most thinly settled and one of the most beautiful of all natural areas in South America. In 1912 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle read accounts of these then newly discovered mountains and was inspired to write the famous Victorian travel novel “The Lost World”. Although the dinosaurs placed here by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle yet remain to be discovered - just as, according to some estimates, 70% of the endemic flora and fauna, through their great elevation and inaccessibility the isolated tops of the mesas are, if not a lost world, a world apart.
DAY 1
Early morning transfer from your hotel in Porlamar or Caracas to the airport and flight from Caracas or Isla Margarita to Canaima. If the weather permits, you will overfly Angel Fall. During a boat trip on Canaima Lagoon you will be able to marvel at the many waterfalls of extraordinary beauty and the lush vegetation. A short trek through the jungle and savannah takes you to Sapo Fall. Enjoy the unique experience of walking a natural path behind the waterfall to the other side. Dinner and overnight stay at Parakaupa Camp.
(-/L/D)
DAY 2
Excursion to Kavak. After breakfast at the camp flight to the southern side of the mesa Auyán-Tepuy. Kavac is a small village of the indigenous Pemón people located at the bottom of Auyán-Tepuy and is one of the most beautiful photo opportunities of Venezuela. After landing you will start on an interesting trek to the Kavak gorge. During the trek you will cross a small river multiple times, so swimwear is essential. The narrow gorge ends in a spectacular grotto with a rushing cascade and daylight coming through the open top. The return trek leads you on a different path over a small hill and along another picturesque cascade. The sun and warm air will have dried you off by the time you reach Kavac once more. You will have some time after lunch to explore the village. Return flight to Canaima, dinner and overnight stay at Parakaupa Camp.
(B/L/D)
DAY 3
Today you will fly to Santa Elena de Uairen, a picturesque town in the South of Bolivar State and capital of the Gran Sabana. The town is surrounded by mesas (Tepuis) and only 15km away from the Venezuelan - Brazilian border and the gold miner’s town La Linea (Pacaraima). We continue our journey along the border to El Paují with picture stops at the mesa Parai-Tepui and in gold or diamond mines. After Lunch we will reach a sheer drop, from where you have an amazing view over the rainforest. Here you are at the northern border of Amazonia, the largest rainforest of the world, covering some 3.5 million square Kilometers. Afterwards you will visit Pozo Esmeralda, a large natural well in the middle of the jungle. Return to Santa Elena, Dinner and overnight stay at Ya Koo Camp.
(B/L/D)
DAY 4
Today is dedicated to the Gran Sabana. After breakfast you will drive to Quebrada del Jaspe, a shallow stream flowing over a wide bed of pure, semi-precious jasper, in sheets of glowing yellows, oranges and reds. During your tour through the hills of the Gran Sabana with its groves of Moriche palm-trees you will visit, amongst others, the La Cortina cascade in San Francisco de Yuruaní, a vantage point over the gigantic mesas of the Gran Sabana, and the approx. 50m high Kama Fall. A simple lunch will be provided en-route. In the late afternoon we will reach the missionary town Kavanayen. Overnight stay in Posada Kavanayen, dinner in town.
(B/L/D)
DAY 5
After Breakfast you will visit the mission of Kavanayen. Today’s goal is the more than 100m high Aponwao fall. You will get there by 4-wheel drive vehicles, boat and finally on foot through the savannah. The plummeting waters can be heard from a great distance. Lunch in Iboribó, a small indigenous settlement. We leave the Gran Sabana shortly after the „Soldado Pionero“ monument. Here the road meanders down La Escalera, a 12km long descent to Las Claritas. On this stretch of road you can see the natural monument „Piedra de la Virgen“. Dinner an overnight stay in Anaconda Camp, Las Claritas.
(B/L/D)
DAY 6
After breakfast we drive through the small Settlement km88, pass El Dorado, through Tumeremo to El Callao. Venezuela’s largest underground gold mine is located here. After lunch we continue via Guasipati to Upata, which was founded in 1762 to provide protection for missionaries from the often hostile indigenous peoples. We will reach Ciudad Bolívar in the afternoon. You can spend the remaining time until dinner at your leisure, exploring Ciudad Bolivar and its surroundings on your own. Overnight stay in a small, very charming hotel close to the colonial city centre and the river walk on the banks of the Orinoco.
(B/L/D)
DAY 7
During a sightseeing tour you will get to know Ciudad Bolívar. The city was founded in 1764 on a rocky elevation at the Orinoco rivers narrowest point, where the colonial city centre can be found today. Its old name „Santo Tome de la Nueva Guayana de la Angostura“, or short „Angostura“ (narrow), reflects this location and the famous Angostura Bitter, has its roots here. Many of houses from the 18th century have been preserved. Of particular interest are the Casa del Congreso de Angostura, the cathedral Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, the Palacio de Gobierno and Casa San Isidro. Your tour continues to the modern industrial city Puerto Ordaz, which has risen in importantance since the 1960’s through the resources of iron ore and bauxite in this area. Visit of park Cachamay and flight from Puerto Ordaz to Caracas or Isla Margarita, transfer to your hotel.
(B/L/-)
