Tuesday 8th October – Caracas, Venezuela

• Arrive at your own leisure into Caracas. The capital city of Venezuela is well connected with many South/Central American Countries, Europe and Istanbul. Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel. Pre-tour accommodation and airport pickup can be arranged for a fee.
• If you arrive early, we can give you recommendations on what to see or do in Caracas depending on your interests, or you can simply relax at the hotel.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and western guide.
• We’ll head out for dinner followed by drinks to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Caracas.
• Overnight stay in Caracas.

Wednesday 9th October – Caracas

Morning

• You’ll start your journey at 10:00pm in Caracas – the largest and capital city of Venezuela. Here we’ll take you into the heart of the old town with beautiful colonial era architecture with its own unique Latin American vibe. Once filled with tourists from all over the world, times have changed and you’ll only find locals here now.
• You’ll go and explore the immense city of Caracas – the population has up to 4 million people. What makes the city interesting is the huge class difference. While a lot of socialist street art has been removed in the past few years, you’ll still be able to find pictures of Chavez on walls.
• We’ll visit the mausoleum of the Eternal Commander, Hugo Chavez, in Cuartel de la Montaña. His mausoleum is located in one of the socialist districts of the city; 23 Enero.
• We take a short walk through the 23 Enero neighbourhood. This area was a stronghold of socialism during the Chavez era. Our guide explains exactly what this meant for the local population.
• No journey is complete in Caracas without paying a visit to Simón Bolívar – here you’ll see his birth and resting place. A key influential figure that fought for the independence of today’s Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia against the Spanish Empire, Bolívar is affectionately referred to as El Libertador – Liberator of America.
• Our walking tour will take us to Plaza Bolivar – the main square of the city which is an excellent spot to watch the friendly locals go about their daily business. Proudly located in the square you can find a bronze statue of Bolívar dressed in military attire.
• Your journey continues to Caracas Cathedral where you’ll learn about the notable and historical figures that influenced South America. Also located within the area is the City Hall and the National Assembly.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch at a local spot, where you can get to know your fellow group members and ask questions to your guides.
• We’ll take the car and head for Próceres. The street is heavily controlled by the military, as this is the main street where all the military parades take place.
• Next to it is the Monumento a los Próceres, two giant walls with images of the most important figures of Venezuelan history.
• Dinner in Caracas at our favourite local restaurant followed by some refreshing drinks taking in the Latin America atmosphere.
• Overnight stay in Caracas.

Thursday 10th October – Caracas – Canaima National Park

Morning

• Early morning breakfast before we head to the airport for our flight to Canaima National Park which is located in the southeast of the country.
• At 8:30am we’ll take a flight to Canaima National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The internal flight’s a great way to appreciate the views of Venezuela from the sky.
• On our arrival you’ll meet our local guide who will take us around Canaima National Park – our local partners have great insight to the park.
• We’ll take a short drive to our motorised canoe which will take us to Angel Falls – the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall flowing from the top of Mount Auyán-Tepuy, the impressive height of the fall is approximately 1 km.

Afternoon

• Our journey will take you sailing through the Carrao and the Churún Rivers with breathtaking scenery. The journey takes around 4 – 5 hours, so you’ll have a break mid-way to have lunch and take in the surroundings before reaching Angel Falls.
• Our journey continues to pink beach. We’ll set up for the night and make camp right next to Angel Falls.
• Dinner will be prepared at camp. Our personal cooks will prepare an amazing meal for you, and here you can enjoy the remoteness and the fall.
• Overnight in Canaima National Park sleeping in a hammock – tranquillity at its finest.

Friday 11th October – Canaima National Park

Morning

• Breakfast at the camp.
• Once you’re ready we’ll cross the river and start the hike through the jungle which takes around 1.5 hours to Angel Falls.
• Our first stop is the Mirador Salto Angel, from where you’ll have a picture-perfect view of the falls.
• Next is another 1 hour trek to the Japanese viewpoint – this was named after keen Japanese tourists who often came here for quick photos. This is the best location to experience the falls from the side.
• You made it this far, so time for a swim! You’ll descend to the Angel Falls pool, where you can swim in the water coming directly from the top.

Afternoon

• After a nice swim, you’ll head back to our camp where you can enjoy a freshly prepared lunch.
• Once you’re ready we’ll take our motorised canoe once again and return to the start of Canaima National Park making a stop at Mayupa Village – here the local community still continues to practise a traditional lifestyle.
• Dinner will be prepared at the Mayupa Village
• Once more you’ll spend a night in a comfortable hammock while falling asleep to the sound of our natural surroundings.

Saturday 12th October – Canaima National Park

Morning

• We’ll have breakfast in the village, after which we depart, slowly heading back to the main village of Canaima.
• After a short boat ride and hike you’ll arrive at Sapo Falls. First you’ll see it from the top and afterwards we’ll descend down and take a walk behind the falls. An incredible experience as the waterfall is extremely powerful and intimidating. You will return completely soaked, but also full of adrenaline!

Afternoon

• You’ll take a short hike towards the beach at Canaima Lagoon. Take a dip in the water before you head to the Hacha Falls. Due to the enormous power of the water you can only watch it from our boat, but it’s still an incredible experience.
• Lunch along the journey while we make our way to Canaima village.
• When you arrive in Canaima village you’ll head to the Posada. Here’s the perfect opportunity to explore the village of Canaima or to relax at the beach and take a dip.
• We’ll head for dinner at the local school, where they’ll prepare a special local dinner for you.
• Overnight stay in Canaima village – not a hammock this time, but a real bed!

Sunday 13th October – Canaima National Park – Caracas

Morning

• You’ll have breakfast before heading off to the tiny local airport to catch the 9.30am flight back to Caracas.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local spot in Caracas.
• You’ll spend the rest of the day in the San Agustín area of Caracas. This area serves as the cultural centre of the city, boasting several art museums and a vibrant salsa culture in many of its bars.
• Dinner followed by drinks in Caracas.
• Overnight stay in Caracas.

Monday 14th October – Caracas – El Vigía – Lake Maracaibo

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group A members: tour concludes with airport transfers to the airport according to your flight out this day.
• Group B members: head to the airport and board our 9:00am flight to El Vigía, which is situated close to Lake Maracaibo.
• On arrival you’ll take a road trip to Puerto Concha – a harbour village on Lake Maracaibo – the largest lake in South America.
• Transfer to a boat in Puerto Concha. You can stock up on food and drinks as there won’t be anything available for the next 24h.
• Maracaibo Lake is the largest lake in South America, with a bit of luck you’ll spot pink dolphins during our boat trip.

Afternoon

• You’ll have lunch on an abandoned platform (which was once the entrance to the Juan Manuel National Park) before continuing to Ologo – the water village. The boat trip will take around 4 hours.
• Upon arrival at the village you’ll explore the unique culture of the water houses. Please remember, the local community is not used to tourism here at all, so you might see a few curious faces.
• Our base for the night will be a floating house on the water, where you’ll have a barbecue for dinner and set up our hammocks.
• We will try to experience the Catatumbo Lightning. This special phenomenon takes place 140-160 days a year. It can take place up to 10 hours a day and up to 280 times an hour.
• Overnight stay in a hammock in Ologa Camp.

Tuesday 15th October – Lake Maracaibo – Merida

Morning

• After a short night (due to the incredible lightning) you’ll pack your bags and have breakfast.
• You’ll head for the (almost) abandoned Congo Mirador village. Due to the high level of pollution the local residents have moved to other areas. Some took their whole house and floated it to a different spot, others just left it there – nonetheless it’s a surreal place.
• You continue by boat to Puerto Concha. With a bit of luck you’ll see several animals, including the aracari, otter, tiger cat, capuchin monkey, tamanduas, caiman and many more.

Afternoon

• After arrival in Puerto Concha you’ll have lunch and continue towards Merida, which should take around 3 – 4 hours.
• Along the journey you’ll be making stops to visit a sugarcane factory, coffee and cacao plantation. Here you can sample the local produce.
• Our journey continues to Merida which is situated in the Andes Mountains with its perfect climate, it’s also well-known as the extreme sports capital of Venezuela.
• NOTE: if the first night the Catatumbo Lightning was unsuccessful, we will alter the programme so that you can try to catch it on the second night.

Wednesday 16th October – Merida – San Raffael  

Morning

• Enjoy breakfast; there are plenty of options to choose from.
• In the morning you will take a walking tour through Merida – the city is famous for its revolts against the government. Merida has some of the best socialist street art that can be in South America.
• Our city walking tour will take you to see the Plaza Heroinas – the centrepiece is dedicated to the five women who fearlessly took part in Bolivar’s campaign.
• You’ll also see Paza de Milla and the Mérida Bolivarian Library – important landmarks in Merida.
• Once you’ve finished your city tour you’ll head for the mountains of the Andes – the landscape and scenery is spectacular.

Afternoon

• Along the picturesque journey, you’ll have opportunities to visit local settlements – here in Tabay and Mucuchies you can interact with the locals and have lunch.
• We’ll make time to include El Vergel, from where you’ll take a 1h hike towards a hot spring – don’t forget to pack your swimwear.
• There’s an option for two different baths to try. These natural hot springs are located over the valley where you can enjoy the spectacular views.
• Once you’re all relaxed and ready from the hot springs you’ll continue to San Raffael – the highest town in Venezuela at 3300 metres.
• We’ll end the day with an amazing two hour hike between two glacier lakes, from Laguna de Mucabaji to Lago Victoria – the hike is chosen not only for its accessibility but mostly for the stunning natural scenery.
• On our arrival you’ll check in and head straight out for dinner.
• Overnight stay in hotel.

Thursday 17th October – San Raffael – Merida

Morning

• Enjoy breakfast before you head down again towards Merida enjoying the scenery and making stops along the way.
• In Merida, you’ll ride the cable car up to 4,765 metres with privileged views to Pico Bolívar, Venezuela’s highest mountain. 

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch with views from the cable car viewpoints.
• Merida is known as one of the best spots in the world for paragliding. If you’re keen to experience this amazing activity we can arrange a trip for you ($90 USD). We can also arrange a birdwatching tour, or free time to relax in merida. 
• Dinner in Merida followed by relaxing drinks.
• Overnight stay in Merida.

Friday 18th October – Merida – Caracas

Morning

• Enjoy breakfast at your own convenience. Free time if you’d like to explore Merida, purchase last minute gifts or simply relax.

Afternoon

• Lunch in Merida.
• We’ll prepare for our departure to El Vieja for our afternoon flight back to Caracas.
• On arrival, you’ll check into our hotel.You’ll stay close to the airport this time.
• On the last night, we’ll have our farewell dinner and drinks. From here you can walk to the beach or you can enjoy the pool of the hotel and relax.
• Overnight stay in a hotel near Caracas airport.

Saturday 19th October – Caracas

• End of the tour depart at your own convenience. YPT can arrange additional nights in Caracas and airport drop off for a fee; we are very happy to provide advice for ongoing flights.

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