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Wildlifesafari in Los Llanos
In the water holes of the flat landscape of the Llanos spectacle
caimans are moving from one place to the other as well as different
kinds of turtles and capybaras. Giant Anteaters and Tamanduas become
more active after the sunset when they are looking for insects. In one
place or the other an Anaconda moves smoothly on the street. And
Orinoco dolphins and piranhas swim in the rivers. Los Llanos in
Venezuela is the best wildlife watching in Central and South America.
Los Llanos is also a birdwatcher paradise.
We offer two different tours in the Llanos:
1. The incomparable Casa Vieja Tour with the ecological station of Hato el Cedral
2. The Low Buget Tour which offers a great image of the Venezuelan Llanos
1. Casa Vieja Tour
| Lenght of time: |
3 days |
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| Service: |
Jeep and boat safari, Lodging at
comfortable hotels (Hato El Cedral, Posada Altamira), food (meals and
soft drinks), Professional English-speaking guidance, transfers. |
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| Price: |
280 Euro/Person (small groups from 2 people)
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1. Day: The most scenic highway of Venezuela
leads through colonial-styled Andean communities. We have a visit to a
stone-built chapel made by Juan Felix Sánchez (UNESCO cultural
heritage) and to the condor station. Then we ascend up to 4200 meters
to the Eagle Pass. In the obscure environment of the Paramo its typical
plants called Frailejones grow up to three meters high. From the
glacier lake of Mucubaji we hike to the Laguna Negra. After the hike we
eat a fresh trout fried in garlic.
Afterwards we descend along the outer ridge of the Andes passing
various vegetation zones, like Paramo, Dwarf Forest, and subtropical
rainforest up to the colonial-styled village of Altamira. Here we will
lodge at a colonial, well-equipped mansion which is located at the
center of the community, the Plaza Bolivar, with having a delicious
dinner. Lodge: Posada Altamira
2. Day: After breakfast we depart to the Llanos
and arrive at Hato El Cedral (typical Llanos farm) at lunchtime. Its
property of about 56000 hectares includes both a cattle ranch and a
resort where many of the protected animals of the Llanos live such as
caimans, capybaras, turtles and iguanas. After lunch you have the
opportunity to start a tour that allows you to watch those animals in
the savanna as well as up to 300 different bird species of which the
most distinctive are the Purple Ibis, the Roseate Spoonbill, the Jaribu
Stork, macaws and parrot, eagles, and owls.
Even in the rain period you have got good chances to trace the
Tamandua, the Little Anteater as well as the Giant Anteater. The
Anaconda, the world’s biggest serpent, is used to show up as
well. On our excursions we already have found some exemplars of more
than about 7 m of length. Ranch: Hato el Cedral
3. Day: Early in the morning we go for a short
hike for watching some macaws and parrots. At 8:00 am we have a rich
breakfast. Then we will go for a boat ride where we will observe some
pink fresh water dolphins. The Cano Matiyure and the Cano Caicara side
rivers which flow across the grounds of Hato El Cedral seem to be
tempting on rare bird species such as the Agami Heron as well as on
many different raptor species. Also caimans, crocodiles and capybaras
encounter in and around the water. At midday we return to Mérida
by bus if you not desire to get off in Barinas to connect with airplane
or bus for further destinations. At Hato el Cedral you get very close
to the animals, that’s why cameras with a low zooming objective
are sufficient enough to be able to get some excellent wildlife shots.
2. Low Butget Tour
| Lenght of time: |
4 days |
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| Service: |
Jeep and boat safari, trip on horseback, accommodation in basic hammock camp, food (meals and soft drinks), professional guide |
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| Price: |
260 Euro / Person (2 or 3 guests)
195 Euro / Person (4 or more guests) |
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1. Day: Transfer from the city of Barinas into
the heart of Los Llanos. Lunch in the camp, in the afternoon boat trip
on a lonely side arm of Caño Guaritico River. There we are going
to see fresh water dolphins.
2. Day: In the morning we do a jeep safari
through the grass land to observe spectacled caimans, capybaras,
turtles, and with some luck as well anacondas and giant anteaters. In
the afternoon we do a trip on horseback.
3. Day: This day we will concentrate on the
animals we haven’t seen jet and do an other safari or boat
excursion. Also we will have time to fish piranhas and have them then
later for dinner
4. Day: In the morning we do another short
safari, after that we drive back to Barinas, from where you can
continue to Mérida or another part of the country.
Tip: this tour combines perfectly with
a full day in the Páramo and accommodation in the beautyfull
colonial village of Altamira de Cáceres.
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