Venezuela 2008

VE-08 - Venezuela trip Date of travel: Nov 13 - Nov 23, 2008 ITINERARY: Early in the morning on Nov 13 I drive in a rented car from Vista to Los Angeles airport. From LAX I take a plane to Miami and from there another one to Caracas VENEZUELA where in the evening. Next morning I fly from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz. Here I board a small plane for 12 passengers to Canaima in southeastern Venezuela. The plane flies past the famous Angel Falls, the highest falls in the world. In the afternoon in Canaima I take a boat ride on a lake to more waterfalls and then a car ride (both with other people). There is also swimming in a lagoon. Following morning I and 10 other people take boat trip this time against the current of Rio Carrao to the base of the Angel Falls. High rocky mountains with flat tops tower along both banks of the river. The river itself is full of big boulders. In the afternoon we brave still smaller Rio Churun. Later we land at a camp under the 1 km high Angel Falls. The night is in hammocks under a roof supported by polls. It was raining at night and the next morning the water level in the river is much higher. Our narrow boats are flying down river. In the afternoon the flight from Canaima via Puerto Ordaz back to Caracas. In the morning on Nov 17 a flight from Caracas to Puerto Ayacucho on the Orinoco River at the Columbian border. Accommodation in a lodge beautifully placed high on the river bank. During 3 days there I have a boat ride on Orinoco and a walk to a nearby village. Remaining time I enjoy this fantastic place. In the afternoon of the third day I fly back to Caracas. In the morning on Nov 20 I leave Caracas in a small plan for 14 passengers for the islands Los Roques off the coast in the Caribbean Sea. A local guide picks me up at the airport of Gran Roque. Two days are spent walking around the little town. Most of the time is raining. The third day in the morning flight in a small plane back to Caracas. Local guide takes me by car from the airport on the coast 26 km over mountains Cordillera El Avila to Caracas proper. The city is surrounded by shantytowns. In the afternoon I have sightseeing of the city with a new guide. We do the old town on foot with Plaza Bolivar, then we go inside the parliament building. From among historical buildings grow new modern skyscrapers. Later on we drive to the better suburbs like Altamira visiting a 200 years old hacienda and a botanical gardens. On Nov 23 I fly from Caracas via Dallas F.W. in Texas to Los Angeles. From there I drive in a rented car home to Vista where late in the evening. Travel office: ECO Voyager with an office in Miami, Florida Who took part: I have traveled by myself with local guides.