Where Angel Falls | Journey Across Venezuela

Venezuela is a country located in the northern part of South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Its official name is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It is a country of extraordinary nature full of landscapes, waterfalls, virgin jungles, grassy savannas, majestic mountain ranges, and postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches.
The country has 21 million inhabitants, mainly concentrated on the central part of the Caribbean coast and along the Orinoco River (2150 km). The capital of Venezuela - Caracas is a great place to spend the night after a long flight and leave in the morning.
Santiago de Leon de Caracas, as the official name of the metropolis sounds, already has, according to unofficial data, 6 million inhabitants. Although the city is located about 15 km from the Caribbean Sea and separated from it by El Avila National Park, the highway gives a chance (in the early morning hours) to reach the sea from the center in as little as 20 minutes. The cable car to Avila Hill, rising over 1000 meters above the city, allows you to admire both the sea and the capital itself, squeezed between hills. Admiring Caracas from a lower altitude, street level, is rather difficult. There are about 1.8 million registered cars in the capital alone, making Caracas a tribute to the power of the US automotive industry. Cheapest price of fuel on the planet (0,004 USD per litre) may encourage driving even an armored vehicle in the country where authorities fail to ensure supply of electricity to all districts of the capital.
Our trip begins with a visit to the capital of Venezuela - Caracas. The city's history is linked to Simón Bolívar - El Libertador (The Liberator). Latin America adores its heroes. However, the sentiment often takes the form of uncritical idealization of a person's achievements - and this was the fate of Simon Bolivar. Undoubtedly, Simon Bolivar was one of the greatest heroes of Latin America during the independence recovery period in the early 19th century. Unfortunately, his later rule in Venezuela turned out to be a period of tyranny and dictatorship - something that the praise singers of his achievements seem to forget. Today, in every city in Venezuela, we can find a square, a town hall, and at least one monument to Bolivar. The currency - of course, also honors his name. After getting acquainted with this hero on banknotes, we continue our journey in the city of Ciudad Bolivar (City of Bolivar), the capital of Bolivar state.
Canaima, Angel Falls
However, Caracas is only the start of our trekkup to experience the natural beauty of the highest waterfall on Earth - Angel Falls.
When Arthur Conan Doyle wrote "The Lost World," he was inspired by the table mountains of southeastern Venezuela. A series of mysterious mountain peaks, almost inaccessible from the surrounding jungles, were meant to stimulate the imagination of the "armchair travelers" of that generation. Similarly inspired, we can’t wait to travel to this remote corner of Venezuela, canoe down the river to explore the dense jungle with amazing views while trekking near Auyan Tepui.
The waterfall was discovered in 1935 by an American pilot searching for gold and adventure. Born in Missouri, Jimmy was considered a dreamer and adventurer. Maybe that's why no one wanted to believe his story of a giant waterfall rising from the jungle and gold nuggets collected at the top by a deceased friend who commissioned and paid for their joint flight. No one wanted to believe in landing on the mountaintop from which the waterfall plummeted. In 1937, unable to interest any sponsor, Jimmy took shovels, planted his wife Maria, Venezuelan gold prospector Gustavo Henrego, and his, to this day, unnamed gardener in his four-seater plane, and set off in search of his mythical waterfall. During the flight, he managed to locate Ayuan Tepui. He also successfully landed on it. But here, for a moment, luck abandoned him. That moment was enough for the plane to become stuck in the swampy ground. (It remained there for the next 33 years until a Venezuelan helicopter transported it directly to the museum). Without food or other equipment, except for shovels, Jimmy and the three who trusted him began to descend from the mountain. After 11 days, the exhausted castaways reached an Indian village, which led them to safety. Pilot Jimmy died in 1956, just a few days after a plane crash in Panama. He dedicated his whole life to finding his lost golden peak in the jungle. The highest waterfall in the world was named after him, where he landed, maybe for the first time in 1935, and definitely in 1937. The pilot Jimmy's name was Angel. Hence the name: Angel Fall, regardless of the angelic view that the waterfall presents.
Recently, Venezuelan authorities announced a name change for the waterfall because they feel it is too American.
The Orinoco Delta

The Orinoco Delta, one of the largest deltas in the world, is a meandering masterpiece of natural geological formation. Comprised of several sections (Upper, Middle, and Lower), it has an impressive length that stretches for a total of 2,250 km.
It is a home to the Warao Indians, whose name loosely translates to "boat people." One theory says they are refugees, pushed here by warrior tribes. Elderly say they have been living in the Orinoco Delta since prehistoric times. They are inseparably connected to water, to the Orinoco, which they call "the Father of Our Land". Supposedly, Warao children can paddle before they learn to walk. No doubt, they are excellent canoe builders and navigators - during the conquest of South America, they were sought after by explorers to work as ship carpenters and sailors. Today they live in houses built along the banks of the Orinoco on high stilts. Sometimes without walls, doors or windows.
While navigating the river channels surrounded by mangrove forests, it is easy to spot iguanas, monkeys, river dolphins, parrots, and toucans. Even complete fishing novices can easily catch piranhas here, which when fried in a pan, turn out to be very tasty. A unique phenomenon is the merging of two rivers: the Orinoco and the Caroni, with completely different water colours.
The Rio Orinoco is home to a vast number of animal species, such as the giant Anaconda, river dolphins (known as Toninas), giant river otters, and the critically endangered Orinoco Crocodile, which is the largest predator in South America. An Orinoco Crocodile has 68 teeth, can weigh up to 400 kg, and reach a length of 7 meters. They are famous for being able to eat a shark. Unfortunately, today they are extremely rare due to hunting
There are more than a 1000 different species of fish found on the River, like Piranhas, electric eels, and a species of catfish locals called "Laulao" that can weigh more than 200 pounds. Endless colorful species of birds have made the Orinoco River their home, such as parrots, flamingos, scarlet ibis.

Let's go!

Day 1 :: Arrival to Caracas (SAT)
Arrival at Caracas, immigration clearance, check in to hotel for a short rest. In the afternoon quick look at the city: 2-hour walking tour around Altamira, followed by dinner. Return to hotel for overnight.
DAY 2 :: Caracas to Canaima
Brekfast at traditional Venezuelan food place. Transfer to Maiquetia airport for a flight to Canaima. In the afternoon we do a tour to Salto El Sapo and Salto El Hatcha. Tonight we stay in upmarket camp.

DAY 3 :: Angel Falls
Depart by boat to Salto Angel (4-6 hours), walk to the viewpoint (1hr). In the evening we sleep in hammocks with a view of Salto Angel around a campfire.
DAY 4 :: Canaima
Start the day with breakfast overlooking Salto Angel, then take a boat trip back to Canaima, arriving around noon In the afternoon, time to relax in the lagoon or visit the village.
Overnight stay at a basic lodge in Canaima, with a cultural performance featuring local and traditional dances by children at 7 p.m. Dinner will be provided at the lodge.
Day 5 :: Optional activities
Canaima offers wide range of activities, for different difficulties and tastes for adventure. We left this day for you to choose one that suits you most. You can fly over falls, hike to Tepuy (table mountain) Kurawyma, visit Kavak cave, swim in a crystal blue waterhole, hit countless trails for some stunning views over the Amazon.
Day 6 :: Canaima - Delta de Orinoco
Begin the day with breakfast in Canaima, then take a small airplane for a flight:
- to Ciudad Bolivar with a maximum of 5 people OR
- to Caracas and then flight to Puerto Ordaz
Continue to the Delta de Orinoco, with a 2-hour drive by minivan followed by a 2 to 3-hour boat ride to reach our gorgeous lodge. Sunset kayak on Orinoko.
DAY 7 :: Delta de Orinoco
Boat trip to watch sunrise on traditional canoe. Visit a market with artisanal products from the Waraos at the lodge. Piranha fishing, visit the local Warao community, take a walk in the jungle, swim in the Orinoco. Look out for freshwater dolphins, monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, snakes, caimans, parrots, toucans, and other bird species.
DAY 8 :: Delta de Orinoco-Caracas
Have breakfast at the lodge, then take a boat trip back to Boca de Uracoa and continue by minibus to Maturin or Puerto Ordaz. Upon return to capitol tour to El Avila in Caracas.
DAY 9 :: CARACAS
Departure to airport for return flight.

Grade: Easy with limited facilities in Orinoko
Activities: Trekking, boating, swimming, sightseeing, fishing
Rooms: 5 star hotel in Caracas and premium lodges – double sharing.
Orinoco Delta do not have premium lodges. Meals excluded except in remote lodges.

Cost: 9,250 AED excl. flights, until JULY 01.

Specifically excluded: international flights, visa, insurance,
meals in Caracas.

Visas:
Many nationalities are visa free, otherwise Consulate visa process
(02 445 2240)

Note:
Venezuela is a country with limited infrastructure.
Delays or changes in flight schedules are nothing unusual here.

See yah at Angel's x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 - 4848238 / info@trekkup.com
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