WILDLIFE SAFARIS AND BIRDWATCHING
(Mérida - Barinas - Apure)
Eco - Adventure tour to Los Llanos
Did you know that the llanos are 1 of the 3 areas worldwide with the highest density of animals and birds ?
Highlights & Activities: (4 days / 3 nights)
The Paramo and the Venezuelan Andes
Primary Forests and endless savannah
Bird Watching with Specialist Guides
6 Different Vegetation Types
Boat Trips and Wildlife Observation
Piranha Fishing and Catfish Dining
Tubing or Rafting according to the season
The Secrets of the Piemont of Barinas
This Tour offered and operated by Arassari Trek only looks for comparisons with other trips in Venezuela. The variety of vegetation's and climates, the incredible amount and diversity of animals and birds cannot be seen elsewhere in such an impressive way like on this tour. Excitement is added with rafting or tubing, piranha fishing. The bilingual specialist guides for this tour count with many years of experience and knowledge of mother nature and it's creatures and come highly recommended by many national and international guidebooks, conservation societies and birdwatchers
Including one Night Lodging in our NEW RAFTING and ADVENTURE CAMP !
Briefing at 18:00 hours the day previous to departure.
Day 1:
Departure at 07:00 am.
Breakfast on the road meanwhile we travers the road known as “Transandina “across the Andes towards the llanos. We will pass at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level (11 500 feet) and visit some of the best viewpoints, ecosystems, scenery and of course the small and beautiful villages of Mucuchies, San Rafael, Apartaderos or Santo Domingo. Once we have reached Barinas it is a short drive along the piedmont that takes us to the Arassari Trek Rafting camp in the Acequias. We will have a delicious “late” lunch there. The rest of the afternoon is spent in our natural swimming pool down in the crystal clear river or exploring the gardens with more than 30 different tropical fruit trees, plants and bushes. The evening meal is in a mosquito free environment, half outside at the fresh air with the sound of the river and animals in the background.
Day 2:
According to the season the activity after breakfast will be rafting or Tubing. This tour includes lots of fun on approx. 4 km of mild up to class 3 water. In the rainy (from June to November) season you have the option to add another exciting class 4 to 5 river.
ARASSARI TREK is the pioneer company for commercial rafting in the Barinas state and the only company that has received extensive safety training and courses from experts coming from New Zealand and Switzerland. Your safety is always our first priority ¡ During the dry season ( from November to may) the wet fun is also guaranteed going downriver with our big inner tubes, enjoying this fantastic scenery and refreshing moment wearing helmets and lifesavers off course. After the rapids we enjoy another memorable lunch before we continue our quest towards the south into the lower llanos area of Venezuela.
The basecamp that we use is conveniently placed close to the río Guaritico in los Modulos de Apure. Right in-between the vegetation of the upper llanos and the southern savannahs.
Quite easily we will observe animals such as capybaras/chigüires, anteaters, caimans, turtles, iguanas and an incredible variety of birds. Maybe, and in some seasons probably among the biggest concentrations of the world. The “safaris” are best done by car or by foot in the early morning or late afternoon. Our boat service is exclusive as are our activities. We will take you inside the Guaritico ecosystem of Woods, primary and gallery forests, which are home to different species of monkeys, pink river dolphins, wild cats such as puma, ocelots and even “the king “jaguars, the powerful anacondas, boas known as “deer eaters” in the llanos of Venezuela and maybe even a family of the rare giant otters and other surprises.
From the Acequias camp it is approx. a 5 hours road trip with panoramic views across the immense extensions of the llanos reaching from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean ¡ We will enjoy supper and rest to start our next day with fresh energy.
Day 3:
Early bird… breakfast. Departure on the Guaritico River which is a protected area and one of the best birding places in Venezuela. Return for lunch. In the afternoon we will ride on horses to explore another environment different to the gallery forest. The savannah is home to different animals that we might find and see as well. It is very likely that we will take photographs of capybaras, anteaters, foxes and many different bird species… all this off course underneath a picturesque famous llanos sunset. Supper
Day 4:
Breakfast. Another morning safari in search of the heaviest snake on earth and biggest of South America. The famous “anacondas” (Eunectes murinus), can easily measure up 2 to 6 meters ( 20 feet ). Every now and then even bigger individuals are found! Our expert guide will make sure you will catch this moment on your chip and remember it for the rest of your life.
Lunch and return to Barinas. Arrival is around 2 pm in Barinas 7pm in Merida.
Note: some of these activities are subject of change. The announced schedule can be altered and changed around. Weather depending we might be forced to substitute some activities for others. If this exception should happen on your circuit it will be discussed and submitted to group decisions.
The price for this 4 days/ 3 nights package deal includes:
Expert-bilingual guide.
All excellent meals
Horse-riding (optional)
Lodging in communal rooms in beds.
Boat ride (motorboat) exploring different rivers and side rivers
Safari by foot and car.
Refreshment drinks such as water and nonalcoholic drinks.
Piranha fishing equipment.
Tubing in summer , rafting during rainy season all other safety implements necessary .
Transport in comfortable vans or 4x4 from and back to Mérida or Barinas
Important:
You can join and start or end this tour also at the airport or bus terminal of the city of Barinas.
This excursion offers a high degree of safety is strongly educational and offers beautiful harmony with nature. Children starting at 5 will enjoy this tour as much as a 75 year old person living and observing the real wildlife discovery. Children under 12 will benefit from a 50 % discount when they travel with their parents
What to bring?:
Cloths for a hot and humid climate
Sandals which can be strapped to your feet get wet or tennis
Sunhat and protection or baseball cap.
Shorts or swimming suit
Towel and toiletries
a short trouser and a long one. Long sleeve shirt.
Some cloths for cold weather (paramo)
Mosquitorepelent
Poncho or raincoat.
Flashlight,
Camera, memory sticks
Binoculars
if you wear glasses bring something to wrap them around your head. .
Passport or cédula de identidad.
Not included:
Supper on the last day (day 4)
Alcoholic beverages.
Tips for locals and guides.
ARASSARI TREK is highly recommended in all of the guide books. First choice in The Lonely Planet, South American Hand Book and others.- All our trips are highly educational and designed to give fair paid work to people living in remote areas. - Ecological conscience and conservation of the environment are our main concerns to help preserve Venezuela as beautiful and biodiversity as it is right now. - Our Tour is Exclusive! - At least 10 hours less driving in vehicles gives you more Quality Time outside enjoying the different areas of the llanos (higher and lower llanos). - Especially as all the road is paved. - Arassari Trek does community work and leads several conservation programs, activities and children camps per year free of charge.
Birds of "Los Llanos"
Reptiles & Amphibians of "Los Llanos"
Mammals of "Los Llanos"
