The Natural Life

The Paria peninsula in northeast Venezuela is probably our favourite place in the whole of South America. It is relaxed, beautiful and quietly natural, with plenty to see. Don't tell anyone.

'The Natural Life'

Itinerary

Day Overnight
1 Caripe
2 Paria
3 Paria
4 Paria
5 Paria
6 Paria
7 Paria
8 Paria
9 Caracas
For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'The Natural Life'

DAY 1

BLD

to Caripe - exodus of the Oilbirds

You will be collected from Ciudad Bolivar/Puerto Ordaz/Orinoco Delta dock and driven north to the pretty hill town of Caripe. Visit Guácharo Cave in the evening to watch the exodus of thousands of oil birds that roost there during the day, emerging in waves that darken the sky. They are the only birds to fly by echo location, emitting audible clicks to navigate in the darkness of the cave.

DAY 2

Humboldt Cave & water buffalo ranch

a.m. return to walk inside the massive Humboldt's Cave. Explore inside to see most Oilbirds fast asleep on their ledges, while others shriek noisily. p.m. drive to Finca Vuelta Larga on the Paria Peninsula where you stay for 2 nights a working water buffalo ranch.

DAY 3

BLD

wildlife viewing

A full day based at the Finca Vuelta Larga water buffalo ranch. The habitat is somewhat similar to the Llanos and it is a great place for water birds such as anhinga, horned screamer and scarlet ibis. Howler monkeys, caiman and capybara can all be seen here too.

DAY 5

BLD

thermal pools & coconut beach

In the morning visit Hacienda Aguasana which has 17 different pools which are heated geo-thermally to different temperatures. Some pools are sulphurous water, others thick mud pools. In the afternoon relax at your new beachside lodge on a former coconut plantation, this is your base for two nights.

DAY 5

Playa Medina beach

Transfer to one of Venezuela's loveliest local beaches for the day.

DAY 6

chocolate farm visit and Cumana

Learn about the process of cacao cultivation and chocolate production at a local village micro-business and explore the small fishing town of Rio Caribe where you have lunch, then continue along the Northeast coast to the city of Cumana where you spend the night in a characterful posada near to the cathedral.

DAY 7

BLD

to Mochima National Park

Visit the Mochima National Park taking a boat ride out to the uninhabited islands which have golden sandy beaches. The water here is profoundly deep and in seasons whales can be spotted here with their calves. Stay at a small hotel perched on a bluff above the village of Mochima for two nights.

DAY 8

BLD

off-shore island beaches

Return visit to an island within the marine national park for relaxation with a cool box of refreshments, sun umbrella and beach chairs. Snorkeling and diving opportunities are available locally at additional cost

DAY 9

to Caracas

Transfer to Cumana airport for a flight to Caracas. Fly Cumana/Caracas 13.15/14.00 (X6) in good time for onwards international flights home.

Route map for Venezuela 'The Natural Life' holiday

Guide prices for 'The Natural Life'

options	based on	all year	low season	mid season	high season	peak season	other season
Guide Price		£1,750

Prices are per person and include:

all travel in Venezuela
all accommodation
meals as indicated B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Prices do not include:

international flights
travel insurance
airport and departure taxes
items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
any optional excursions you may buy locally

Customer reviews for 'The Natural Life'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'The Natural Life'

Select your month of travel:

Along this route in January

Day	Location	Max °C
1	Caripe	23°C	76mm
2	Paria	30°C	50mm
3	Paria	30°C	50mm
4	Paria	30°C	50mm
5	Paria	30°C	50mm
6	Paria	30°C	50mm
7	Paria	30°C	50mm
8	Paria	30°C	50mm
9	Caracas	25°C	30mm

Typical weather for January

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'The Natural Life'

Select your preferred accommodation option

Day 1

Finca La Cuchilla, Caripe

Days 2 - 3

Finca Vuelta Larga

El Pilar

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

Finca Vuelta Larga is an ecological Waterbuffalo farm and a great location for birdwatchers. The ranch is owned and operated by Klaus Muller and birding excursions are conducted by his son Daniel.

Room

Day 5

Playa de Uva

at beach

Day 6

Posada Bubulina, Cumana

Cumaná town

Days 7 - 8