Dossier - Wild Frontiers

Transcription

Venezuela Encompassed (Recce Tour)
Venezuela is a land of epic proportions. Spanning a colossal 916,000 square kilometres, the
country is considered among the 20 most mega-diverse countries of the planet, with over 40%
covered by protected areas and a truly staggering array of scenery. Yet despite the myriad
of natural attractions, Venezuela experiences surprisingly low visitor numbers, and intrepid
travellers are treated to an unparalleled experience without the crowds. On this allencompassing trip we’ll take in Andean Peaks topping 5000m, the vast grassy plains of Los
Llanos which teem with wildlife, the mighty Orinoco Delta and of course Angel Falls, the
world’s highest waterfalls at 979m. In addition we’ll also discover the traditions of the
indigenous Warao people, the hidden depths of the Cueva del Guacharo and the awesome
nightly spectacle of the Catatumbo lightning phenomenon. Venezuela may be more globally
renowned for its oil and its charismatic leaders but in South America’s sixth largest country
lies an incredibly rewarding – and often challenging destination - perfect for those who are
seeking an adventure into not necessarily The Lost World about which Arthur Conan Doyle so
famously wrote but perhaps in today’s context more of an ‘overlooked world’ just waiting to
be explored.
Duration: 18 Days
Average group size: 5 – 10
Start: Wed 25 May 16
Finish: Sat 11 Jun 16
Looking for alternative dates? Check the website or give us a call
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: [email protected] Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
TOUR DETAILS
TOUR CODE: VEN/A
HIGHLIGHTS
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Gazing in awe at Angel Falls, the highest waterfalls in the world
Exploring the vast Orinoco Delta
Marvelling at the unique Catatumbo lightning phenomenon
Snorkelling and swimming in the waters of Parque Nacional Mochima
Discovering the amazing wildlife of the Los Llanos region
Accommodation: As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful
accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the
night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On
this particular trip we will be in a wide variety of accommodation ranging from some smart
and characterful hotels and lodges to 2 nights (on Lake Maracaibo and at Angel Falls) in much
simpler accommodation where facilities are shared and sleeping will be in hammocks (with
mosquito nets and with blankets provided). Please note that the accommodation mentioned
in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
Transport: On this tour we will use minibuses, 4WDs, boats, motorised canoes and domestic
flights.
Climate: Venezuela lies near the Equator and has a tropical climate which is typically divided
into a rainy season (May – November) and a dry season (December – April). It may surprise
you therefore to see that we have scheduled this trip to coincide with the start of the rainy
season but this is intentional as this is also the main season for seeing the Catatumbo lightning
phenomenon as well as Angel Falls with water! Come expecting some rain but also a majority
of bright sunny days.
Is this trip for me? It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone
and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please therefore take
time to read the dossier carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the
trip but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. Should you have
any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the
office.
Adventure Rating 
Comfort Grade 
Fitness Level
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Cultural Interest 
Additional Comments:
It has been especially hard to rate the comfort and fitness levels required for this trip as they
vary quite significantly throughout. As an example, comfort levels will be high in places like
Caracas, Ciudad Bolivar and Canaima and yet low in places like Ologa and at the base of Angel
Falls, where the only places available are of a simpler nature – see accommodation section
above for more details. Similarly although there is no major trekking or activity involved,
there is a sizeable amount of travel by motorised canoe so you will need to be agile enough
to manage such journeys.
Venezuela can also be an unpredictable country where flight schedules may change at short
notice. This trip will therefore require a flexible attitude towards travel and is best suited
for those who are happy to go with the flow and take things as they come.
Day 1: Tour starts in Caracas: The tour
starts at around midday at the joining
hotel, which has been chosen due to its
location, not too far from the airport.
After some time to check-in and relax,
we’ll have lunch and an introductory
meeting to discuss the adventure ahead.
Ole Caribe or similar (L,D)
Day 2: Caracas – El Vigia - Ologa: Early
this morning we will transfer the short
distance back to the airport and fly to El
Vigia in the west of country. A drive of
about 90mins will take us to the southern
shores of Lake Maraicaibo where we’ll
board a motor boat and cruise to Ologa,
one of the most photogenic villages in the
region, where most of the houses sit on
stilts over the lagoon. Such villages looked
to the early explorers like “little Venices”
and which led as a consequence to the
country being named “Venezuela”. What
makes this stunning landscape even more
special though is the remarkable
phenomenon of the Catatumbo lightning
storms. Restricted to an area of western
Venezuela that covers the mouth of the
Catatumbo River where it empties into
Lake Maracaibo, this spectacular light
show plays out across an astonishing 140160 nights a year, lasting up to ten hours
at a time and producing displays that can
be seen hundreds of miles away. Tonight
we hope to have an opportunity to be
amazed by this amazing natural spectacle.
Communal Stilted Accommodation in
hammocks and shared facilities (B,L,D)
Day 3: Ologa - Merida: This is a world of
water, where daily life takes place on and
around the lake. This morning we’ll head
for the fascinating village of Congo, where
pigs root for food in the shallows and
children and fisherman share the same
playground. These landscapes are also
home to a rich diversity of wildlife too,
from howler monkeys and iguanas, to
caimans, otters and iridescent butterflies
and a trip through these captivating
landscapes will hopefully herald a wealth
of natural and cultural highlights. Later
we’ll return to the mainland and enjoy the
beautiful landscape scattered with
villages, sugar plantations and tobacco
factories en route to Merida.
Posada Casa Sol or similar (B,L,D)
Day 4: Merida: Merida itself is filled with
a rich collection of historical squares,
colonial houses and churches that include
the former state governor’s residence.
This morning we’ll explore the city, known
to most Venezuelans as the country’s most
tranquil. Often nicknamed “the city of the
gentlemen,” it is renowned for its rich
traditional Venezuelan culture and
history. After lunch the remainder of the
day will be free for you to explore at your
own pace.
Posada Casa Sol or similar (B,L,D)
Day 5: Merida – Santo Domingo: After
breakfast we will head up into the Andes
along scenic roads. En route we will visit
tranquil colonial Andean villages and enjoy
the drinks and delicacies the locals have to
offer. We’ll travel up the Pico Aguilar
(4118m), the highest point in Venezuela
accessible by car. There, weatherpermitting we should be treated to
panoramic views of the Andean peaks.
From near here we will take a short hike
to Laguna Negra, which has its own
microclimate. Later we will journey to Los
Frailes, a quaint 17th century colonial
mission in the town of Santo Domingo, our
base for the night.
Hotel Trucha Azul or similar (B,L,D)
Day 6: Santo Domingo – Los Llanos: This
morning we will descend from the
mountains and drive to the Los Llanos
region (the plains), renowned as one of the
best places for wildlife spotting in the
continent. Here we’ll have lunch and have
our first outing into the plains to spot some
of the outstanding wildlife that abounds
here.
Hato El Cedral or similar (B,L,D)
Day 7: Los Llanos: We’ll have the whole
day to explore the region by 4WD and – if
water levels permit – by boat. There are
very good chances of seeing giant
anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, blond
monkeys and capuchin monkeys, as well as
caimans and capybaras, the largest rodent
in the world! This is sure to be a tour
highlight, even for those who might not
normally consider themselves to be avid
wildlife lovers.
Hato El Cedral or similar (B,L,D)
Day 8: Los Llanos – Barinas - Caracas:
Depending on flight times there may be
time this morning for a final outing before
we drive to Barinas for a flight back to
Caracas, where necessarily we need to
spend the night before continuing with our
exploration of Venezuela’s east tomorrow.
Hotel Ole Caribe or similar (B,L,D)
Day 9: Caracas – Barcelona – Parque
Nacional Mochima: This morning we’ll
take a short flight to Barcelona on the
Caribbean coast. From here we’ll take a
short drive to Parque Nacional Mochima, a
beautiful marine park encompassing the
entire shoreline between Puerto La Cruz
and Cumaná plus 32 islands just offshore.
The rest of the day will be free to relax
and enjoy the sun, sand and sea of this
idyllic spot.
Posada Mochima Lodge or similar (B,L,D)
Day 10: Parque Nacional Mochima: Today
we plan to charter a boat and head out
around the nearby islands for swimming
and snorkelling activities. Anyone not
wishing to do this can relax on the
mainland or arrange walks or cycle rides
into the nearby hills.
Posada Mochima Lodge or similar (B,L,D)
Day 11: Parque Nacional Mochima Caripe: Leaving the coast we head inland
and make for the Cueva de Guacharo
National Park. The cueva (cave) is the
largest known cave in the country and is
over 10kms long. It was discovered by
Alexander von Humboldt, and it is also
home to one of the largest known colonies
of guácharos (or Oil Birds), a hawk-like
bird that has a typical wingspan of over a
metre. The guácharos are unique among
birds in that they have the ability to
navigate using high-pitched squawks for
echo-location like bats. We’ll explore the
first section of the cave, which has been
made accessible for visitors. NB, this is
NOT a technical caving expedition. We’ll
overnight nearby.
Hacienda Campo Claro or similar (B,L,D)
Day 12: Caripe – Orinoco Delta: After
breakfast we will descend into the
amazing ecosystem of the Orinoco Delta,
an area larger than Belgium (why is
everything compared to Belgium?) and
home also to the indigenous Warao people.
The Orinoco is considered to be the
world’s 3rd largest river by volume,
outdone only by the Amazon and the
Congo.
Orinoco Delta Lodge or similar (B,L,D)
Day 13: Orinoco Delta: After waking up to
the sounds of the jungle we will travel
through the remote Guenamorena region
of the Delta before boarding canoes along
a small river that will allow us to venture
deep into the jungle and take a walk
through this unique ecosystem. In the
afternoon we will visit some local Warao
people in order to have a glimpse into
their traditional way of life
Orinoco Delta Lodge or similar (B,L,D)
Day 14: Orinoco Delta – Ciudad Bolivar:
This morning offers the chance to go
piranha fishing (!) before we leave the
Delta and head inland towards Ciudad
Bolivar, capital of Bolivar State, and
beautifully restored in its centre to its
colonial heyday.
Hotel Boutique Casa Grande or similar
(B,L,D)
Day 15: Ciudad Bolivar – Canaima – Angel
Falls: Early this morning we’ll take a
stunning flight* to Canaima from where we
will board curiaras (local motorised
canoes) and travel upstream on the Carrao
River. During the boat journey we will be
able to enjoy amazing views of the lush
tropical vegetation and the famous
tepuyes (table-top mountains). Eventually
we will arrive at Isla Raton camp where we
should be treated to amazing views of the
grandeur that is Angel Falls. From the
camp we will head off on foot through
primary tropical rainforest for an hour or
so to the very base of the falls where there
will be ample time to relax on the large
rocks and take a dip in the pool that the
falls have created at its base. We’ll
overnight in hammocks at the camp.
Isla Raton Camp in hammocks (mosquito
nets and blankets are provided) with
shared facilities (B,L,D)
*Flights to/from Canaima have a
maximum luggage weight limit of 10kgs
so any excess luggage will need to be
left in Ciudad Bolivar where it will be
transferred for you to pick up in Puerto
Ordaz on Day 17.
Day 16: Angel Falls – Canaima: Boarding
our curiaras once more, we’ll head back
towards Canaima with various stops en
route. Once back, we’ll take a walk to the
altogether different Sapo Falls, where it is
possible to pass behind the water curtain
for a truly mesmerising view behind the
falls.
Ucaima Lodge or similar (B,L,D)
Day 17: Canaima – Puerto Ordaz Caracas: Weather-permitting there will be
the chance to take an overflight* of Angel
Falls this morning. We’ll then fly via
Puerto Ordaz to Caracas, aiming to get
back to our hotel by mid-afternoon. The
rest of the day will be at leisure.
Hotel Ole Caribe or similar (B,L,D)
*As this flight cannot always be
guaranteed we cannot reliably include it
as part of the tour, but should it be
possible it is highly recommended and
can be arranged through your tourleader at an additional cost of
approximately US$100pp for a 45min
flight.
Day 18: Tour ends in Caracas: We will
include a morning orientation tour of
Caracas before those on the suggested
group flights are transferred back to the
airport for their onwards flights. NB, due
to the often erratic nature of Venezuelan
flight schedules, today has also been
factored in as a contingency day.
(B, L)
Extensions: If you have more time
available, why not arrive early to adjust to
a new time zone or just to get a feel for
the country before your tour starts? Or
alternatively you might choose to allow a
few extra days after the tour to relax or to
undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can
usually arrange anything from simply
additional accommodation and transfers
to full tailor-made itineraries.
Here is just a small sample of what you
could do:Los Roques: For Venezuela this trip is
pretty comprehensive but if you fancy
some sun, sea and sand either beforehand
or afterwards then a flight to the beautiful
Archipelago Los Roques can be arranged
from Caracas. Allow 3-4 days.
Colombia: If you have more time
available, and are flying internationally
with Avianca, then you may want to stop
off in Bogota and visit some of the nearby
sights such as the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
or charming Vila de Leyva. Alternatively
the coffee region and Cartagena offer just
a sample of the options available further
afield. Allow 3-15 days.
Please contact the office for more
details and to discuss your individual
requirements.
Recce Tours: As we all know, the world is
a constantly changing place - destinations
& routes that were once cutting-edge now
regularly find themselves appearing in
mainstream brochures. Coming up with
truly original tour ideas is a constant
challenge but at Wild Frontiers we are
committed to offering you a real
alternative to the mainstream and each
year we run a handful of new and original
adventures. These are our so-called Recce
Tours and since the very beginning have
proven incredibly popular with those of
you who like to act as our “guinea pigs”
and join us on these tours. Fantastic fun
and highly rewarding, Recce Tours will
assuredly not go 100% to plan and it is not
uncommon for clients to take an active
role in tweaking the itineraries along the
way. More challenging than our normal
tours, these will often require a greater
degree of flexibility...they will not be for
everyone.
PRICING
Tour price: All our tours are priced on a
land-only basis, giving you maximum
flexibility when deciding how to get to and
from your tour. For the latest prices,
please refer to our website or contact the
office.
Travelling Solo & Single Supplements: As
a company approximately 70% of our
clients are solo travellers, so it’s very
unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twinshare
accommodation
but
single
supplements are not compulsory for any
Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to
pay a single supplement we’ll pair you
with someone else of the same sex for you
to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a
single supplement then please note that it
will cover you for all nights of the tour
except for the 1 night at Ologa and the 1
night at Isla Raton camp by Angel Falls.
Flights: If you would like us to send you a
quote for the suggested tour flight (see
GETTING THERE) or on any alternative
flight that may suit you better, please let
us know although it should be noted that
in most cases we are only able to quote on
flights originating in the UK.
Please remember that all Wild Frontiers
tour prices mean NO hidden extras, NO
local payments and NO compulsory single
supplements.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
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Full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour
Leader with local guides and drivers
Meal plan as detailed in the itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
with drinking water as required with
the majority of meals being taken in
local restaurants where viable
All transport as outlined in the
itinerary.
All accommodation
All entrance fees, as per itinerary
A carbon-offsetting contribution to
Carbon Clear (if booking international
flights through WF office)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
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Visas (if applicable)
Local airport taxes
Tips (always optional, but some
guidance will be given in the predeparture information pack you’ll
receive after booking)
Beverages other than drinking water
& any costs of a personal nature
International flights to/from the
start/finish of the trip
Optional overflight over Angel Falls
(as this is subject to weather
conditions) – approximately US$100pp
Airport transfers (unless booking
suggested flights through WF office)
GETTING THERE
For this trip our suggested flights from
the UK (subject to change) are:
24MAY AV121 LHR-BOG 22:40/04:05+1
25MAY AV066 BOG-CCS 08:35/11:05
11JUN AV081 CCS-BOG 18:25/19:55
11JUN AV120 BOG-LHR 23:04/15:45+1
Key:
LHR – London Heathrow
BOG – Bogota
CCS – Caracas
AV – Avianca
NB If you wish to arrange your own flights
you are completely free to do so and in this
case we can arrange any transfers or
supplementary accommodation that you
may require.
Please note that if you are planning on
making your own flight arrangements, we
recommend that you first check with us to
see if the trip is guaranteed. We then
suggest that you purchase flights that are
flexible and ideally refundable as due to
the nature of adventure travel, itineraries
and destination accessibility can change at
any time. For more information, please
refer to our booking conditions.
Insurance: Insurance that provides cover
for emergency repatriation in case of a
medical emergency is compulsory for all
tours. You should be aware that due to
some of the geographical areas visited and
some of the activities included on certain
of our trips some standard insurance
policies may not always provide adequate
cover. As such we strongly recommend
that you purchase a policy that adequately
covers your trip.
Travel & General offer a tailor-made
policy that provides cover for all Wild
Frontiers trips. Under this policy there are
two different levels of cover available Standard and Elite.
Cover explained:
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel
insurance policy that provides cover for all
Wild Frontiers activities, including
trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not
provide cover for travel to areas where the
FCO is advising against all or all but
essential travel except where it has been
previously agreed.
Elite
policy:
provides
the
same
comprehensive level of cover as the
standard policy. In addition the Elite
policy also provides cover for travel to
areas where the FCO is advising against all
or all but essential travel. The policy will
not provide cover for any claims arising
from or relating to the reasons why the
FCO is advising against travel.
For this trip the minimum requirement
would be the Standard policy.
These policies are only available to those
travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday and
can be purchased on a trip-specific basis
or annual cover. For more information
please refer to the details on our website
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/insurance
or by calling Travel & General direct on +
44 (0) 845 345 3456. This insurance is
available to EU residents (excluding
Norway & Switzerland) up to the age of 75.
It covers horse riding, mountain walking,
trekking, white-water rafting and all other
activities we offer as part of our tours.
If you are over 75 and/or a resident of a
non-UK European country then you may
still be able to get your insurance arranged
by Travel & General Insurance Services
Limited. Please contact us for assistance
with this.
If you do decide to purchase alternative
insurance, then you must ensure that it
covers you for every aspect of this trip.
Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer
Appointed Representative of Travel &
General Insurance Service Ltd, details of
which can be found at the website of the
Financial
Conduct
Authority
(FCA)
www.fca.org.uk
Please note that no insurance policy will
cover every eventuality and terms and
conditions will apply in the event of any
claim.
Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the
destinations we travel to and while we aim
to provide you with the most up-to-date
information, requirements frequently
change and as such for the latest advice
we advise that you check with the relevant
embassies or contact our recommended
visa agency for this trip, details of which
are below:Travcour
+44 (0) 20 8543 1846
www.travcour.com
For this tour, UK passport holders do not
currently require a visa for Venezuela.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK
residents should contact the relevant
embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on
booking, however ensuring that correct
and valid visas are obtained remains the
sole responsibility of the client.
Responsible Travel: Responsible travel
and sustainable tourism are fundamental
ideas that Wild Frontiers has been
committed to since our birth. It is our
strong belief that these words should not
be simply ‘tagged on’ to dossiers and
websites but should be at the very core of
each trip, and our adventures are
therefore designed with the local people,
culture and eco-system in mind. We
believe that a successful trip not only
delivers a unique and unsurpassable
journey for our clients, but that it also
benefits the peoples whose lands we are
privileged to visit.
In 2012 we were delighted to be awarded
the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel
Award.
For more information, please refer to
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt
The Wild Frontiers Foundation: In order
to facilitate an enduring support structure
for the communities we visit, and to show
a commitment to these values, Wild
Frontiers has set up a charitable
foundation through which we can channel
funds to both existing NGOs and our own
development projects. In addition to
organising ethically sensitive tours, having
our own charitable foundation allows us to
raise money – through the cost of our
tours, charity trips and fund raising events
– which can then be used to fund various
projects
in
education,
sanitation,
reforestations and a number of other
important issues facing developing
communities. Wherever possible we are
happy for our clients to visit these projects
to see for themselves where and how this
money is being spent. Our website has
more information about our responsible
travel policy, the foundation and also has
a full list of partner NGOs. Should you wish
to read more or donate to the foundation
please contact the office or follow this
link:www.wildfrontiersfoundation.org
The Environment: Trying to do our bit for
the environment, in 2005 we were among
the first UK-based travel companies to
automatically offset every client’s
international flight (if booked with us)
with a payment to Carbon Clear to help
promote sustainable energy. To read more
about the work of Carbon Clear, please
follow this link:www.carbon-clear.com
AITO Membership: Wild Frontiers is a
member of AITO, the Association of
Independent Tour Operators. AITO’s
charter states that its exclusive members
strive to create overseas holidays with
high levels of professionalism and a shared
concern for quality and personal service.
The Association encourages the highest
standards in all aspects of tour operating.
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership,
finance and quality which must be
satisfied before new companies are
admitted to membership. All members are
required to adhere to a Code of Business
Practice
which
encourages
high
operational standards and conduct.
British Foreign & Commonwealth Office:
The travel advice of the British Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) highlights
potential hazards people might experience
when travelling abroad and as an advocate
of their “Know Before You Go” campaign
we strongly suggest that you refer to it
before booking and contact us if you have
any queries or concerns. Details can be
found on the website below.
Wild Miles Club: Everyone that has booked
a trip directly with us will become an
automatic member of the Wild Miles Club
gaining instant access to a range of
exclusive discounts from a variety of travel
partners from bookshops to outdoor
clothing shops. In addition, regular direct
bookers will earn “Wild Miles” which can
earn you up to 10% in discounts off of all
tours. For more information visit this page
- www.wildfrontierstravel.com/wild-miles
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel
advice of their respective governments.
Facebook: Keep up to date with the latest
news and special offers by liking our
Facebook
page
www.facebook.com/wildfrontiers
Wild Frontiers Community
VENEZUELA – THE FACTS
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or
just want to see get some different
perspectives, then why not have a look at
the wide variety of resources we have on
our website?
Clients’ Views: See what other travellers
have said about our trips –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/views
Blogs: See what our tour-leaders, staff and
clients have posted from the road www.wildfrontierstravel.com/blog
Videos: They may not find their way on
the list for Oscars nominations but we have
an extensive (and growing) collection of
short videos giving you an insight in many
of our destinations –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/video
Photos: Our popular “Photo of the month”
competition has added to the vast gallery
of photos we already have from around the
world. See them here www.wildfrontierstravel.com/photos
Events: From time to time we hold
informal presentations, photo exhibitions
and dinner evenings mainly in the London
area. To find out more see here –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/events
Venezuela: The sixth largest country in
South America, the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela, to give it its full title,
Venezuela is a country blessed with a
staggering diversity of natural and cultural
highlights. Located at the northern
extremes of the South American
continent, it boasts Amazonian rainforest,
towering snow-capped mountains, miles of
Caribbean beaches, the world’s highest
waterfall and South America’s largest
lake. A rich mix of indigenous, African and
Spanish cultures, Venezuela is a country
that has long been overshadowed by its
more showy neighbours. More renowned
for its oil and the political posturing of its
president, few realise that Venezuela is
home to some of the most bio-diverse
landscapes in the Americas. Here you will
find wetlands and jungles filled with
caimans and manatees, sloths and Amazon
river dolphins, its Caribbean coastline is
the longest to be found in any single
country and in the spectacular torrents of
Angel Falls it can boast one of the most
breathtaking spectacles on earth.
the anthem of the state of Zulia, which
encompasses the lake.
Caracas: Located in the north of the
country, Caracas is the capital and largest
city in Venezuela. As the birthplace of the
continent’s liberator Simon Bolivar, his
influence and importance is clear in many
parts of the city. Plaza Bolivar lies at the
heart of the old town and visitors can visit
the house he was born in or his final resting
place at the National Pantheon. Despite its
bad reputation, Caracas is the country’s
cultural capital with many theatres,
museums and theatres.
Catatumbo Lightning: A remarkable
natural phenomenon, the Catatumbo
Lightning is a spectacular light show that
occurs only above the mouth of the
Catatumbo River in Venezuela. Popularly
referred to as the ‘Lighthouse of
Maracaibo’, since it is visible for miles
around the shores of Lake Maracaibo,
these powerful flashes of lightening occur
up to 280 times an hour, for up to 10 hours
a day. Believed to be the result of heavy
winds blowing in from the Andes, which
then collide with the ionised gases rising
up from the marshes around the lake,
these powerful lightning strikes are
considered to be the largest single
generator of tropospheric ozone on earth.
The indigenous tribes called it the “Rib aba”, the “River of fire in the sky” and the
phenomenon has even made its way into
Mérida: Founded in 1558 by Juan
Rodríguez Suárez, the city of Santiago de
los Caballeros de Mérida is one of the most
important in Venezuela. Home to the
world’s highest and second largest cable
car, the city lies in the centre of the
Venezuelan Andes, below the formidable
heights of Bolivar Peak, the highest
mountain in the country. Surrounded by
spectacular landscapes and fed by the
waters of the Chama River, it is one of the
oldest cities in Venezuela, with the second
oldest university in the country. Popular
with wildlife lovers, climbers and birders,
this region is blessed with fertile valleys,
snow-capped peaks and lush rainforest and
is liberally sprinkled with coffee
plantations, sugar cane and beautiful
tropical blooms. The perfect combination
of cultural and social highlights, the city
itself is filled with historical squares,
colonial architecture and a wealth of cafes
and restaurants.
Los Llanos: Los Llanos (the plains) region
lies to the south of the Andes mountains in
the centre of the Venezuela stretching to
the border with Colombia. May to October
is known as the rainy season, and the
region’s many rivers overflow turning the
terrain into a temporary wetland.
However these marshy conditions bring a
variety of wildlife and up to 70 types of
water bird have been known to gather
here.
Amazonian Delta), the Orinoco Delta is
made up of a number of caños (canals)
that wind their way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Keep an eye out for the large variety of
wildlife, birdlife and fish thrive in the
delta’s wetlands and flooded swamp
forests. What’s more, the delta is home to
the local indigenous Warao people who
navigate their way around on handmade
canoes and live in thatched huts on the
banks of the caños.
Parque Nacional Mochima: Mochima
National Park is one of Venezuela's most
impressive Caribbean retreats, bursting
with marine life and ideal for snorkelling.
The park also consists of 32 islands just
offshore.
Canaima: On the border with Guyana and
Brazil, the Canaima National Park spans
over 3 million hectares of land and is a
UNESCO World Heritage site. The park
boasts the highest waterfall in the world,
Angel Falls as well as unique table-top
mountain formations (tepui). The Canaima
jungles are home to a large variety of flora
and fauna with species such as red howler
monkeys, sloths and giant anteaters
spotted here.
Orinoco Delta: As the second largest river
delta in the continent (after the
How to book:
In order to confirm your booking we need to have a completed signed booking form for each client
together with a £400 deposit per person. You can either return your booking form to us by post or
by booking online at www.wildfrontierstravel.com
You can contact the office by email to [email protected] or we are very happy to take
your call on + 44 (0) 20 7736 3968.
Protection for you money:
You can book your holiday with Wild Frontiers in complete confidence that all
monies you pay to us for your tour are fully protected. Wild Frontiers is fully bonded
and licensed by ABTOT (The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Ltd) in
respect of all land only tour packages. Our ABTOT number is 5228. Under the terms
of the bond, monies are secured by a bank guarantee. For further information visit
www.abtot.com
If you choose to book your international flights with us then you will also be ATOL
protected as we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 5975. In the unlikely event of our insolvency,
the CAA will arrange to refund any monies to you that you have paid for an advance
booking and ensure that you are not stranded abroad. For further information visit
www.atol.org.uk
We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking in the event
that you are no longer able to travel as all deposits are non-refundable – full booking conditions
can be found on the booking form and online at our website.
As I’m sure you can appreciate, Wild Frontiers trips can be
quite complex affairs to arrange and certain elements (such as
permits, visa authorisations, trains and flights) may need to be
requested several months in advance. As such, wherever
possible, we would encourage you to plan ahead and book
early to avoid disappointment. Moreover, by booking early you
are always guaranteed to get the best price with us as we will
automatically offer you a retrospective discount if we happen
to reduce the price of the tour later on. For further details,
please refer to www.wildfrontierstravel.com/price-guarantee
Further information:
When you make a confirmed booking with Wild Frontiers we will send you a pre-departure
information pack giving you details on visas, health and vaccinations, packing lists, suggested
reading on the region, photography and other useful tips to make your trip more enjoyable.
Why Wild Frontiers?
As a young and innovative independent company, Wild Frontiers is delighted to have been voted one of
the ‘Top 10 Tour Operators’ by Wanderlust readers each of the last 6 years - coming third in 2007 and
second in 2009. When National Geographic Adventure Magazine awarded us a similar accolade in 2010,
we were equally thrilled.
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Below are a
few of the factors that we believe set us apart from our competitors and form the reasons as to why our
clients travel with us again and again…
Personal Service & Expertise: Our London office is manned by experienced expedition leaders and most
trips we run stem from our first-hand knowledge - in short, we run the kind of holidays that as passionate
travellers, we like to do ourselves. When you ring our office, you can be guaranteed to chat to someone
who knows the region and the terrain and is able to offer sound and practical advice.
Authentic Experiences: Our unique, original itineraries allow you to take journeys that venture beneath
the surface of the region. We rarely run any group tour more than a couple of times a year and they are
typically on routes we have discovered for ourselves, meaning we are able to give a truly authentic, offthe-beaten-track experience.
Be the First: Our style of travel is all about exploration, and nothing excites us more than opening up
new routes to genuine travellers. We keep abreast of new destinations and are often the first to return
to places that have vanished from the tourist map. We were the first back into Pakistan after 9/11, the
first to return to Kashmir after a decade of tourist isolation, and amongst the first to run a commercial
travel trip to Afghanistan for almost 30 years. Since then we have helped bring Colombia, Yemen, Georgia
and Bangladesh back into the tourist fold, specialising in ground-breaking reconnaissance trips and
imaginative expeditions.
Small Group Size: On our escorted tours, we believe it is imperative to keep the group sizes small. Most
trips are limited to an average maximum of 12 travellers, thus giving you more access to fragile cultures,
better opportunities to interact with local people, and the knowledge you are making less of an impact
while there. “Having been a bit apprehensive about joining a group as a single traveller, I found myself
surrounded by interesting, friendly, helpful people who I hope to catch up with again on future trips.”
Angela Chick, Kashmir Group Tour
Cost of Group Tours: We believe in an honest, upfront pricing structure so you know exactly what the
tour will cost before you book. On our group tours we avoid local payments, ‘optional extras’ or forcing
our clients to go through the annoying procedure of splitting every meal bill. Our tours are provided on
a predominantly full board basis, with drinking water, government permits, entrance fees and transport
all included.
Our clients: Your companions can make or break a trip, and it’s lucky therefore that our clients are often
our greatest asset. Travelling to remote regions is not for everyone, and as such we tend to attract openminded travellers looking for genuine experiences, and a desire to reach those hard to get to places.
Responsible Travel: Awarded 5 star status by AITO (Association of Independent Tour
operators), responsible tourism (RT) has always been an integral part of our company
ethos and our adventures are designed with the local people, culture and eco-system
in mind. In 2012 we were awarded the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel Award.
For further details please refer to the RT section of our website www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt

Dossier - Wild Frontiers

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