The
tepui Cerro Autana was declared national park in 1978. It is one of the
table mountains of southern Venezuela and about 4,000 feet high. Inside
the mountain, there is cave measuring 1,300 feet in length and 130 feet
in height which consists entirely of quartz. On our 3-day boat trip on
the Río Orinoco, Río Sipapo, and Río Autana we will
visit different Indian communities.
At
our destination we will take a two-hours hike to the Cierro Guahari, from
which we will have a beautiful view of the tepui Autana and of the Cara
del Indio, the sacred mountain of the Piaroa Indians.
In
the Orinoquia Lodge you stay in a comfortable churuata (a small hut in
Indian style with a palm roof), while on our tour we sleep in hammocks
with mosquito nets. This tour is particularly suited for people who want
to experience the Venezuelan jungle since in passes through regions
which are virtually untouched.
This
tour can be made any time of the year.
Brief
description
1st
day: Transport to the Orinoquia Lodge. Excursion to a natural water
slide. Accommodation in double rooms with private bath (-/L/D)
2nd
day: Drive to Samariapo and onwards by boat to the Laguna de Mapuei.
Sleeping in hammocks (B/L/D)
3rd
day: Excursion to an Indian community. Hike on the Cerro Guahari with
a beautiful view of the Cerro Autana. Sleeping in hammocks (B/L/D)
4th
day: Return to Samariapo and visit of an Indian community. Transfer
to the Orinoquia Lodge Accommodation in double rooms with private bath
(B/L/D)
5th
day: Transport to the airport (B/-/-)
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Subject to change!
Full
descriptive Itinerary:
1st
day: Transport to the Orinoquia Lodge. Excursion to a natural water
slide. We pick you up at the airport and take you to our Orinoquia Lodge
which is located right next to the Orinoco.
After
lunch, we will drive to the natural water slide "Tobogan de la Selva",
where we can take a short hike and enjoy the refreshing water.
2nd
day: Drive to Samariapo and onwards by boat to the Laguna de Mapuei.After
breakfast, we leave the Orinoquia Lodge and reach Puerto Samariapo after
about an hour. This is where our bongos will already be waiting for
us, wooden dug-outs with a thatched roof which are typical of the region.
After loading the equipment and food for three days on the boats, we will
start our trip on the river. We travel the Orinoco upstream for 40 minutes
and reach the Isla de Ratón, where our documents will be checked.
As we continue, we leave the Río Orinoco and enter the Río
Sipapo.
We will notice the difference between the brown waters of the Orinoco and
the black water of the Río Sipapo. We will stay on the río
Sipapo for about two hours and pass communities of the Piaroa Indians who
settle in this area. If we are lucky, we can observe animals such as the
Orinoco cayman. Every now and then we can stop our journey and take a refreshing
bath in the beautiful water of the Sipapo. Around noon we will start looking
for a nice place to have our lunch break.
As
we continue our boat ride, we will reach the confluent Río Autana,
the third river we pass on our journey. From here we can see the Cerro
Pelota, a mountain which is sacred to the Piaroa Indians and where they
bury their dead. After about five hours since our departure we arrive at
the Laguna de Mapuei where we will spend the night. Before dinner
we still have time to learn about the customs and agricultural techniques
applied by the indigenous population. Maybe we will even see a tarantula,
since it is quite widespread in this region. After dinner we will spend
the evening at a romantic bonfire. Those who still look for activities
can go fishing at night.
3rd
day: Excursion to an Indian community. Hike on the Cerro Guahari with
a beautiful view of the Cerro Autana.
After
breakfast we continue for a short while to reach the Raudal de Seguera,
where some Indians will be waiting for us. We will change to smaller boats
in order to get to the departure point for our hike. For about two hours
we will walk through the rainforest towards the Cerro Cuahari. On our way
we have the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the forest. As
we proceed towards the peak, the vegetation changes and the trail becomes
steeper. Finally, an extraordinary view will open up in front of our eyes,
and we can admire both the Tepui Autana and the Cara del Indio (face of
the Indian). Way below we can spot the tiny Río Autana and the rainforest.
After enjoying the view for a while, we return to our camp where we will
have time to relax, take a bath or go fishing. Again, we spend the night
in hammocks that are strung up in a Churuata, an open Indian hut. As the
day before, we will let the day fade out at a bonfire.
4th
day: Return to Samariapo and visit of an Indian community. Transfer
to the Orinoquia Lodge.
We
will return to Puerto Samariapo in our Bongo. On our way, we can
stop
at one of the various indigenous communities and visit a shaman. We
will
have the opportunity to try Yopo, a drug made from plants by the
Indians,
or to smoke tobacco with the shaman. As on our way upstream,
we
can make stops to take a bath in the river, and we will take a break for
lunch. In the afternoon we reach Puerto Samariapo, where we will be picked
up and brought back to the Orinoquia camp.
5th
day: Transfer to the airport. After breakfast we will take you to the
airport.
Included
services:
-
accommodation
as indicated
-
all transportation
as indicated
-
boat trip
-
equipment
-
all excursions
as described
-
meals
as indicated
-
English-speaking
guide
Things
to bring:
Light
clothes (preferably cotton), a pair of solid shoes, a pair of light spare
shoes, T-shirts, rain gear, a small daypack,
sunglasses,
a hat, sun protection and sun blocker for sensitive skin, insect repellent
Bookings:
Tours
can be arranged for any day with prior notice
| Program:
Tour Cerrro AUTANA 5 days / 4 nights |
| Prices in
US-$, net and per Person, |
| |
|
add.
Night in Orinoquia Lodge
with Excursions
and Fullboard |
| Double
room |
$
423 |
$
89 (incl. Tax ) |
| Single
room |
$
458 |
$
103 (incl. Tax ) |
| Triple
room |
$
423 |
$
84 (incl. Tax ) |
| Prices
are calculated in US-$ and per person • (prices might change without prior
notice) |
Flight costs round-trip ticket
Caracas->Puerto Ayacucho-<Caracas
arround: $ 105 - $ 130 |