Venezuela

North & West Regions

Relax on Margarita Island's Beaches

  • Enjoy sunbathing and swimming on popular beaches like Playa El Yaque (windsurfing) or Playa El Agua.
  • Explore charming coastal towns such as Pampatar, known for its colonial fort and seafood.
  • Indulge in duty-free shopping and vibrant nightlife in Porlamar.
  • Visit historical sites like Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo.
  • Engage in water sports, boat tours, and fresh seafood dining.

Discover the Archipélago Los Roques

  • Experience pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
  • Explore the vibrant coral reefs through snorkeling and diving in its marine park.
  • Relax in the tranquil, car-free main island of Gran Roque, staying in charming posadas.
  • Go island-hopping to secluded cays like Francisquí, Madrisquí, and Cayo de Agua.
  • Enjoy fresh lobster and other seafood delicacies in this protected paradise.

Explore the Morrocoy National Park Coast

  • Visit diverse cays (cayitos) like Cayo Sombrero, Cayo Sal, and Pescadores, accessible by boat.
  • Snorkel among abundant coral reefs and discover diverse marine life.
  • Relax on tranquil, palm-fringed beaches and enjoy clear, calm waters.
  • Observe rich birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans, in mangrove areas.
  • Explore the serene estuaries and enjoy sailing or kayaking.

Visit Colonial Coro & Médanos de Coro

  • Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Coro, Venezuela's oldest city, with its unique colonial architecture.
  • Explore the Médanos de Coro National Park, a vast expanse of shifting sand dunes, perfect for sandboarding.
  • Learn about the city's rich history as a former Spanish colonial capital.
  • Visit the historic cathedral and other significant buildings.
  • Experience the blend of desert landscapes and Caribbean history.

Explore Mérida's Andean Adventures

  • Ride the Mukumbarí Cable Car (Teleférico de Mérida), the world's second-longest, to Pico Espejo for stunning views.
  • Hike in the Sierra Nevada National Park, home to Venezuela's highest peaks.
  • Discover charming Andean villages in the surrounding valleys, like Jají or Los Aleros.
  • Enjoy adventure sports such as paragliding, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.
  • Visit the Heladería Coromoto, known for its thousands of ice cream flavors.

Experience Wildlife in Los Llanos

  • Go on a safari to spot capybaras, anacondas, caimans, piranhas, and various bird species.
  • Stay at a traditional working ranch (hato) and experience the life of a llanero (cowboy).
  • Enjoy boat trips through wetlands to observe diverse aquatic wildlife.
  • Go piranha fishing and later enjoy a BBQ with your catch.
  • Witness incredible sunsets over the vast, flat plains, teeming with life.

Discover the Cloud Forests of Henri Pittier National Park

  • Hike through diverse ecosystems ranging from cloud forests to dry tropical forests.
  • Spot a vast array of bird species, as it's one of Venezuela's most important birding areas.
  • Visit charming coastal towns like Choroní and the beautiful Playa Grande.
  • Explore the unique biodiversity of the country's oldest national park.
  • Enjoy scenic drives and discover hidden waterfalls within the park.

Experience Caracas: The Capital City

  • Explore the historic Plaza Bolívar and its surrounding colonial architecture.
  • Visit the birthplace of Simón Bolívar and the National Pantheon.
  • Ride the Teleférico Warairarepano up Ávila Mountain for panoramic city views.
  • Discover diverse museums, art galleries, and vibrant cultural centers.
  • Enjoy the city's lively culinary scene and urban nightlife.

Visit Colonia Tovar: German Heritage in the Andes

  • Discover this unique German-influenced village with its distinctive architecture and culture.
  • Sample traditional German cuisine, including sausages, craft beers, and pastries.
  • Explore local artisan shops offering crafts, fresh produce, and flowers.
  • Enjoy the cool mountain climate and scenic drives through coffee plantations.

South & East Regions

Witness the Majesty of Angel Falls (Salto Ángel)

  • Take a multi-day tour involving a flight to Canaima, dugout canoe trip, and jungle trek to the base of the world's highest waterfall.
  • Marvel at the 979-meter (3,212 ft) cascade tumbling from Auyán-tepui.
  • Swim in the lagoons and rivers fed by the falls.
  • Experience the pristine wilderness of Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Discover diverse flora and fauna within the untouched rainforest.

Explore the Ancient Gran Sabana

  • Drive through vast savannahs dotted with ancient tepuis (table-top mountains), waterfalls, and indigenous communities.
  • Visit iconic waterfalls like Salto Kama, Salto Hacha, and La Llovizna.
  • Swim in crystal-clear natural pools and rivers.
  • Learn about the Pemon indigenous culture and their spiritual connection to the land.
  • Explore diverse ecosystems, from open grasslands to dense jungle pockets.

Journey Through the Orinoco Delta

  • Take a boat trip through the intricate network of waterways and mangroves.
  • Observe diverse wildlife, including monkeys, river otters, caimans, and a multitude of bird species.
  • Stay in an eco-lodge and experience the unique culture of the Warao indigenous people.
  • Learn about their traditional way of life, built around the river.
  • Go piranha fishing and discover the lush, tropical environment.

Delve into the Amazonas State

  • Explore the remote jungles and rivers, often requiring specialized tours.
  • Discover diverse indigenous communities and learn about their traditions.
  • Visit Puerto Ayacucho, the state capital, as a gateway to the region.
  • Spot unique Amazonian wildlife, including giant river otters and various monkey species.
  • Experience the raw, untouched beauty of the Venezuelan Amazon rainforest.

Embark on the Mount Roraima Trek

  • Undertake a challenging multi-day trek to the summit of the iconic tepui, Mount Roraima.
  • Discover its unique, otherworldly landscapes, including rock formations and endemic flora.
  • Experience stunning panoramic views from the summit, often shrouded in clouds.
  • Camp beneath the stars on the ancient tabletop mountain.
  • Witness the unique ecosystem that inspired Conan Doyle's "The Lost World."

Visit Historic Ciudad Bolívar

  • Explore the historic center with its well-preserved colonial architecture.
  • Visit the Angostura Museum, commemorating Simón Bolívar's famous address.
  • Enjoy views of the mighty Orinoco River and the Angostura Bridge.
  • Discover local art and culture at the Museo de Arte Moderno Jesús Soto.
  • Use the city as a gateway for tours to Canaima National Park and the Gran Sabana.

Suggested Travel Itinerary

Venezuela - 9 Weeks

Days 1-4: Caracas & Central Highlands

  • Arrive in Caracas. Spend 1-2 days exploring the capital: Plaza Bolívar, Simón Bolívar's birthplace, museums, and take the Teleférico Warairarepano up Ávila Mountain for panoramic city views.
  • Travel to Colonia Tovar. Spend 1-2 days discovering this unique German-influenced village, sampling traditional cuisine, and exploring local artisan shops.

Days 5-10: Caribbean Coast & Cloud Forests

  • Travel to Henri Pittier National Park. Spend 2-3 days hiking through cloud forests, birdwatching, and visiting charming coastal towns like Choroní and Playa Grande.
  • Move to Morrocoy National Park. Dedicate 2-3 days to exploring its diverse cays, snorkeling in coral reefs, and relaxing on tranquil beaches.

Days 11-15: Western Coast & Dunes

  • Travel to Coro & Médanos de Coro. Spend 2-3 days wandering through the UNESCO World Heritage colonial city and sandboarding on the Médanos de Coro dunes.
  • Travel to Margarita Island (this will be a travel day, likely requiring a flight).

Days 16-22: Margarita Island Exploration

  • Spend 7 days relaxing on Margarita Island's various beaches, exploring towns like Pampatar, indulging in duty-free shopping, and enjoying water sports.

Days 23-28: Los Roques Paradise

  • Travel from Margarita Island or the mainland to the Archipélago Los Roques. This will be a travel day.
  • Spend 5 days immersed in this pristine marine park, enjoying snorkeling, diving, island-hopping to secluded cays like Cayo de Agua, and relaxing on white-sand beaches.

Days 29-35: Andean Heights

  • Travel from Los Roques/mainland to Mérida (this will be a significant travel day, likely involving flights).
  • Spend 5-6 days exploring Mérida: ride the Mukumbarí Cable Car, hike in Sierra Nevada National Park, discover charming Andean villages, and enjoy adventure sports like paragliding or rafting.

Days 36-40: Los Llanos Wildlife Safari

  • Travel from Mérida to Los Llanos. This will be a travel day.
  • Spend 4 days on a wildlife safari, spotting capybaras, anacondas, caimans, and diverse birdlife. Stay at a traditional hato and experience the life of a llanero.

Days 41-45: Eastern Gateway & Orinoco River

  • Travel from Los Llanos to Ciudad Bolívar. This will be a travel day, potentially involving a domestic flight.
  • Spend 3-4 days exploring historic Ciudad Bolívar: its colonial center, Plaza Bolívar, Angostura Museum, and views of the mighty Orinoco River. Use it as a base for southern explorations.

Days 46-52: Angel Falls & Canaima National Park

  • Embark on a multi-day tour (typically 3-4 days within this period) to Angel Falls from Ciudad Bolívar/Canaima. This involves a flight to Canaima, a dugout canoe trip, and jungle trek to the base of the world's highest waterfall. Experience the pristine wilderness of Canaima National Park.

Days 53-60: Gran Sabana & Departure

  • From Canaima/Ciudad Bolívar, take a shorter tour or explore an accessible part of the Gran Sabana. Drive through its vast savannahs, visit some iconic waterfalls like Salto Kama, and experience the unique tepui landscape.
  • Alternatively, journey through the Orinoco Delta with a boat trip through its waterways, observing wildlife and visiting Warao indigenous communities.