Andes mountains and Angel Falls

DAY 1: Caracas-Mérida

 At the international airport in Caracas, you will be met by a Natoura representative who will give you your tickets and help you transfer to the national airport for your national flight. You will be met at the Mérida airport by our representative who will then take you to the Posada Casa Sol, a brand new and very friendly posada in the heart of Mérida. The Posada boats 17 private rooms with bath, patios and open air terraces. You will have the afternoon and evening free to get comfortable in Mérida. (–,–,–)

DAY 2: Páramo-Apartaderos

 After picking you up at the posada early in the morning, we will travel a scenic route by exciting mountain roads from Mérida towards the Andean Páramo. One of our first stops in the páramo is the Andean Condor re-introduction station. Next, we will travel up the Pico Aguila (4,125-m), the highest point in Venezuela that is reachable by car. There we will be able to take in the panoramic views of the Andean peaks and sit-down to a warm Andean lunch. From there, we will visit the Laguna Mucubaji Park (3,800-m) of the Sierra Nevada National Park system. After enjoying the tranquil scenery of the Laguna, you will spend the night at the highest posada in the Venezuelan Andes in the charming Casa Solar. (4 hours by jeep, 2 hours hiking) Meals: (–, L, D)

DAY 3: Musui Hot Springs-Mérida

After a hearty breakfast, we will drive back up to Pico Aguila and continue on to the village of Mucuchies. Just beyond the village we will find the path that leads us to the remote hot springs of La Musui. This is an amazing walk, with the majestic Andean Peaks soaring up to the clouds off in the distance. We will spend the morning at the Hot Springs and eat a picnic lunch. We will return Mérida in the afternoon and you will be dropped back off at the Posada Casa Solar (4 hours by jeep, 2 hours hiking) Meals: (B, L,–)

DAY 4: San Jose Tour

After we’ve packed up the jeep, we will embark on a tour boasting exposure to a large variety of ecosystems, ranging from lush green cloud forest vegetation, where we’ll visit a rushing waterfall to a windswept páramo. We will visit the picturesque Andean Village of Jaji and descend by mountain bike into a Xerophitic ecosystem visiting a small sugar cane mill, observing the production of “panela,” and traveling to a salt lake, the only one of its kind in Venezuela. Next, we will see the verdant coffee country, visiting the coffee museum and present day coffee farms. We will spend the night at an idyllic Andean chalet with trout ponds. (1.5 mountain biking, 4 by Jeep) Meals: (B, L, D)

DAY 5: San Jose Tour

We will eat a tasty breakfast with Martin and then descend into the beautiful valley of Tostos either on horse or by foot with mule support, enjoying the surroundings of eucalyptus trees and beautiful rivers. There we will have direct contact with the villagers. Around us, we will see farmers plowing with oxen while villagers are grinding their corn by hand in order to make the typical “arepa” over a wood-fed fire. Our excursion will bring us back to San Jose for lunch and a brief rest. If you don’t find horseback riding exciting enough, we will do some exhilarating downhill mountain biking, arriving at the launch site for your optional paragliding flight. Overnight stay is at Posada Casa Sol. (4 hours by horse back/5 hours by foot, 1.5 biking (95% down hill), 30-45 min paragliding, 2  hours by Jeep) Meals: (B, L,–)

DAY 6: Mérida-Canaima-Angel Falls River Tour

We will transfer you to the airport in time to check in for your 7:45am flight to Canaima, via Caracas. At the Canaima airport you will be met by our representative and then transferred to Canaima Camp. We will shove off from the sandy pink beaches of the Canaima Lagoon to tour this enchanting area. Next, we will take  leisurely 20-minute walk to Puerto Ucaima, here we will again shove-off in the dug-out canoes. At A honda Island we will arrive at our ain camp and to a welcome feast, soon after retiring to a relaxing rest in hammocks.  Meals (–, L, D)

DAY 7: Angel Falls River Tour

After an early breakfast we will travel two hours by boat on the Rio Carrao to our Angel Falls base at Isla Raton. From this camp we will head to the base of Angel falls. Arriving at the base of Angel Falls, you will have time to relax on the large rocks warmed by the sun, shoot some pictures of the raging waterfall, and take a dip in the pool created at its base. Upon trekking back down to our day camp, you will be greeted with a traditional Indian barbecue prepared by our Pemon hosts. An exciting return down the rapids will follow, leaving us to arrive around 5 p.m. to relax, eat, and enjoy our second night in hammocks! (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Angel Falls River Tour-Canaima

Caracas An early departure by boat will take us back to Canaima Camp, along the journey we will visit the Pozo de La Felicidad (if time permits), and if desired, take a refreshing dip in its invigorating waters. We will arrive in Canaima about 10:00 a.m., and after picking up your luggage at the camp and transferring it to the airport, you will have time to stroll the dirt streets and visit the local shops that sell handicrafts before your flight to Caracas (departs at 12:05 p.m., arriving at 1:45p.m.) (B,–,–)