Gran Sabana mini-adventure

Out and about in the Gran Sabana. This itinerary starts and ends in Puerto Ordaz, which is readily accessible by air from Caracas, Margarita or Canaima (Angel Falls), or by road from Ciudad Bolívar, the Orinoco Delta, or Paria.

Day 1 LD Your English-speaking local guide collects you from your hotel in Puerto Ordaz or the airport in a 4WD vehicle. Drive south on the Transamazonica through rainforest region with gold and diamond mining.

Day 2 BLD Drive up La Escalera, we pause near the top for the view over the rainforest then enter the vast landscapes of the Gran Sabana itself. Turning off the road we drive on dirt tracks to Salto Kawi waterfall for the start of a two day trek. You could cool off with a swim in the pool below the falls before 4 hours’ easy walking across open savannah to a small farm where a Pemón family are our hosts. Camp nearby and sleep under an infinity of stars.

Day 3 BLD Set out trekking early in the morning to reach the little community of San Jose de Tuaoken, about 5 hours away, where 15 Pemón families live. Today’s trail is somewhat harder, over grassland and through forest, with some ups and downs. Camp at Tuaokén and meet the locals – our arrival will cause some very good-natured excitement.

Day 4 BLD Today we board a dugout canoe with a Pemón crew who will paddle us up the Aponguao river for approx 3 hours. There is forest on both banks which from time to time gives way to views of the savannah. At one point we have to leave the canoe and walk for 15 min where the Aponguao river flows through a hole!

After some further navigation we leave our dugout and trek for about 40min to a high point on the river which we cross by canoe then walk down to see the impressive Chinak-merú waterfall. After relaxing, and swimming below the falls if you wish, a motorized dugout will ferry us from above the falls to the village of Puerto Iboribo where a vehicle is waiting to drive us to the mission village of Kavanayén where we stay overnight at a simple tourist lodge.

Day 5 BLD A full day exploring the Gran Sabana by road visiting Kamá-merú, Yurauni Falls, San Francisco de Yurauni where the local community sells Pemón handicrafts, Jaspé Falls where a clear stream runs over a bed of semi precious stone, and some other viewpoints on the way. Stay at a tourist lodge at Kamoirán.

Day 6 BL We return on the Transamazonica Highway to Puerto Ordaz. You would arrive in time to catch the late afternoon flight to Caracas or to drive onwards to Ciudad Bolívar, or you could stay overnight in Puerto Ordaz if travelling onwards to the Orinoco Delta or Paria.

The places you will visit:

Puerto Ordaz

Gran Sabana

Guide price £810

The guide price is per person based on 2 people travelling together and sharing twin/double accommodation.

It includes all your travel from Puerto Ordaz, the services of experienced English speaking local guides (private to you) on days 2-9, services of local Pemon guide assistants, camp porters and boatmen, and all your accommodation (3 nights lodges, 2 nights camping).  All your meals are also included.

The guide price does not include your international flights to Venezuela, or your travel to and from Puerto Ordaz.

6 days / 5 nights.  Starts and ends in Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar.  Grade: Moderate (2 nights in tents)