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Autana |
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The tepui Cerro Autana was declared national park in 1978. It is one of the table mountains of southern Venezuela and about 4,000 feet high. Inside the mountain, there is cave measuring 1,300 feet in length and 130 feet in height which consists entirely of quartz. On our 3-day boat trip on the Río Orinoco, Río Sipapo, and Río Autana we will visit different Indian communities. At our destination we will take a two-hours hike to the Cierro
Guahari, from which we will have a beautiful view of the tepui Autana and of the Cara del Indio, the sacred mountain of the Piaroa Indians.
In the Orinoquia Lodge you stay in a comfortable churuata (a small hut in Indian style with a palm roof), while on our tour we sleep in hammocks with mosquito nets.
This tour is particularly suited for people who want to experience the Venezuelan jungle since in passes through regions which are virtually untouched.
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Sipapo
River |
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the Sipapo River |
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Description:
1st day: Transport to the Orinoquia Lodge. Excursion to a natural water slide.
We pick you up at the airport and take you to our Orinoquia Lodge which is located right next to the Orinoco.
After lunch, we will drive to the natural water slide "Tobogan de la Selva", where we can take a short hike and enjoy the refreshing water.
(-/L/D)
2nd day: Drive to Samariapo and onwards by boat to the Laguna de Mapuei.
After breakfast, we leave the Orinoquia Lodge and reach Puerto Samariapo after about an hour. This is where our bongos will already be waiting for us, wooden dug-outs with a thatched roof which are typical of the region. After loading the equipment and food for three days on the boats, we will start our trip on the river. We travel the Orinoco upstream for 40 minutes and reach the Isla de
Ratón, where our documents will be checked. As we continue, we leave the Río Orinoco and enter the Río Sipapo. We will notice the difference between the brown waters of the Orinoco and the black water of the Río Sipapo. We will stay on the río Sipapo for about two hours and pass communities of the Piaroa Indians who settle in this area. If we
are lucky, we can observe animals such as the Orinoco
caiman. Every now and then we can stop our journey and take a refreshing bath in the beautiful water of the Sipapo. Around noon we will start looking for a nice place to have our lunch break.
As we continue our boat ride, we will reach the confluent Río Autana, the third river we pass on our journey. From here we can see the Cerro
Pelota, a mountain which is sacred to the Piaroa Indians and where they bury their dead.
After about five hours since our departure we arrive at the Laguna de Mapuei where we will spend the night. Before dinner we still have time to learn about the customs and agricultural techniques applied by the indigenous population. Maybe we will even see a tarantula, since it is quite widespread in this region.
After dinner we will spend the evening at a romantic bonfire. Those who still look for activities can go fishing at night.
(B/L/D)
3rd day: Excursion to an Indian community. Hike on the Cerro Guahari with a beautiful view of the Cerro Autana.
After breakfast we continue for a short while to reach the Raudal de Seguera, where some Indians will be waiting for us. We will change to smaller boats in order to get to the departure point for our hike. For about two hours we will walk through the rainforest towards the Cerro
Cuahari. On our way we have the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the forest.
As we proceed towards the peak, the vegetation changes and the trail becomes steeper. Finally, an extraordinary view will open up in front of our eyes, and we can admire both the Tepui Autana and the Cara del Indio (face of the Indian). Way below we can spot the tiny Río Autana and the rainforest.
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Mt.
Autana and
Cara de Indio |
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After enjoying the view for a while, we return to our camp where we will have time to relax, take a bath or go fishing. Again, we spend the night in hammocks that are strung up in a
Churuata, an open Indian hut. As the day before, we will let the day fade out at a bonfire.
(B/L/D)
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| Orinoquia
Lodge |
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4th day: Return to Samariapo and visit of an Indian community. Transfer to the Orinoquia Lodge.
We will return to Puerto Samariapo in our Bongo. On our way, we can stop at one of the various indigenous communities and visit a shaman. We will have the opportunity to try
Yopo, a drug made from plants by the Indians, or to smoke tobacco with the shaman. As on our way upstream, we can make stops to take a bath in the river, and we will take a break for lunch.
In the afternoon we reach Puerto Samariapo, where we will be picked up and brought back to the Orinoquia camp.
(B/L/D) |
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Hammocks
at the camp |
5th day: Transfer to the airport.
After breakfast we will take you to the airport. (B/-/-)
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· accommodation as indicated
· all transportation as indicated
· boat trip
· equipment
· all excursions as described
· meals as indicated 4 breakfast (B) 4 Lunch (L)
4 Dinner (D))
· English-speaking guide
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Things to bring:
Light clothes (preferably cotton), a pair of solid shoes, a pair of light spare shoes,
T-shirts, rain gear, a small daypack, sunglasses, a hat, sun protection and sun blocker for sensitive skin, insect repellent
Departures: Anytime of the year
Participants: Min. 4 ; if less, please consult us
Price: Please contact us.
We reserve the right to modify the tour without
previous announcement.
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