| Duration: | 10 Day(s) - 9 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Bird Watching Tours |
Code-ALB-E709
Venezuela is still a well-kept secret in the world of tourism but not for all forms of life. The wide range of geographical locations, from the tropical rain forest of the coastal regions to the wild marsh plains of Los Llanos, from the high mountain ranges of the Andes to the exuberant tropical jungles of the Amazons and the Lost World of the Grand Savannah, is host to one of the biggest number of birds species in the world, and to the largest amount of species still to be identified.
Venezuela is the home of 1,400 species of birds, that is, around 12 % of the known species of the world. On a typical 16/15 day tour, the average number of species seen is between 300-400, and on a 9/8 day tour the average number is between 250-300. As Venezuela is quickly becoming very popular with birding groups, arrangements have to be made well in advance.
SOME SPOTS FOR BIRDING
Biological Station Rancho Grande
Henri Pittier National Park is one of the most famous cloud forests and one of the areas with the highest diversity of birds in the world. Within its 270,000 acres, more than 510 species have been recorded. Here one may see a great variety of tanagers, parrots, parakeets, trogons, quetzals, toucanets, hawks, eagles, hummingbirds, antbirds, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, and many more. The accommodation is in a nice posada in Maracay, which is located at the entrance of the park, or in a Posada in Choroní.
The Andes
Merida is the Venezuelan gateway to the Andes. This area of the country offers many different life zones that change as the visitor travels through the different altitudes. The birding excursions organized go from around 10,000 ft. to sea level, as we drive down to the Plains. Here we may see quetzals, trogons, torrent ducks, jays, and Andean cock–of-the-rock, all sorts of hummingbirds including Merida Sunagel, and mixed flocks of different colorful tanagers and many more. Accommodation is in a hotel located in one of the nicest suburbs of Merida; in Santo Domingo up in the “Páramo”; or in a Hacienda near the Plains.
The Plains
Hato El Frio, Hato Cedral, WWF Biological Station
Hato el Frio / Hato el Cedral are private wildlife reserves of over 120,000 acres located in the Plains, which is Venezuela’s best area for wildlife observation. Here one may easily see many different species: herons, ibises, ducks, geese, hoatzin, and 3 species of storks including jabirus, scarlet macaws, parrots, parakeets; a great variety of hawks and many more of the almost 300 species that have been recorded.
Aside from the birds, it is also possible to see Cayman, anacondas, iguanas, monkeys, giant and lesser ant-eaters, river dolphins, deer, and others. It is also a cattle ranch where one may enjoy the sight of the Venezuelan cowboys (“llaneros”) herding some of the 26,000 head of cattle that share this habitat with the wildlife.
Mangroves Forest & Salt Flats In Morrocoy
Morrocoy National Park is a marine reserve, which consists of coral keys with superb beaches, limestone caves, Sal flats, and mudflats. Here one may see flamingos, parrots, scarlet, ibis, pelicans, boobies, frigate birds, and all kinds of shorebirds as well as many of the smaller birds.
Grand Savannah
On the route to Santa Elena de Uairen (Trans–Amazonian) Km 84.
From El Dorado to Km 98. 295 species of birds
From Km 98 to Sierra de Lema 248 species of birds
From Delta, Caroni, Icabaru, and the frontier with Brazil 673 species of birds
Tobago/Barquilla De Fresa Camp
Just 45 minutes from Venezuela you can enjoy a paradise for bird watchers or nature lovers. Propose reserves in Venezuela with Tobago!!!
BIRDWATCHERS TRUE PARADISE
The Andes- Ecological Reserves in the Plains- Henry Pittier National Park
ITINERARY
The Andes - Ecological Reserves in the Plains - Henry Pittier National Park
Day 1. Caracas (D)
Arrival to Maiquetia International Airport, located at 45 min. from Caracas. On the way, your bilingual guide will give you information about the country as well as some details of the program to be followed by the group.
Arrival at the Avila Hotel, a colonial structure that features tropical gardens and that was conceived keeping in mind the serenity and peace you could enjoy in this magnificent setting of tropical landscapes and fresh mountain air. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2. Caracas - Mérida (BLD)
Breakfast. Early private transfer to the airport to take the flight to El Vigia. Private transfer to Merida, assisted by our bilingual guide to your Hotel. Settled on a place of unsurpassed beauty, the hotel offers a charming way of comfort and resemblance to past times. Briefing during the crossing of the mountains, all through the Paramo until Santo Domingo, a little and cozy Andean town located in the heart of the Mountains.
On your route, you will probably run into the crested oropendulas, Black-mandibles Toucan, and the endemic Rose-headed Parakeet. Return to the Hotel. Lunch. This area of the country offers many different life zones that change as the visitors travel through the different altitudes.
In the afternoon you will be driven into the heart of the Paramo and will have the opportunity to see quetzals, trogons, torrent ducks, jays, Andean cock-of-the rock, and all sorts of hummingbirds including Merida Sunagel. Later in the evening return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3-4. Santo Domingo-Paramo (BLD)
At this beautiful location, you will have some dawn birding in the garden-long paths surrounded by exotic vegetation. Observe the Yellow-backed Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Green-rumpled Parrot let, Thick-billed Euphonia and Shiny Cowbird.
After breakfast, you will depart for the bird-watching excursions. Your experienced guide will take you to the most secluded spots where different species of birds can be found.
During the excursion, you will most likely expect Golden-olive Woodpecker, Golden-headed quetzal, White-chinned and White-collared Swift, Broad-winged and White-rumpled hawk, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Mango, Blue-winged Teal, Ochre-Browed Thistle tail, Blue-backed Cone bill, Bar-winged Cinclodes, Golden-fronted Green let, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Venezuelan Tyrannulet. Lunch. Return to the Hotel. Enjoy a good cup of Venezuela’s famous hot chocolate to relax from the activities of the day. Accommodation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 5. Santo Domingo-The Plains (BLD)
Breakfast. After enjoying the delicious dishes that the Andean cuisine has to offer, you'll descend in private transportation to the city of Barinas at the feet of the Andes and in the very heart of the Plains. On your way you could enjoy the picturesque little villages surrounding the Andes Mountains and will make different stops to observe birds, this region is very rich and diverse, it has over 116 different species of birds, Orange-fronted Yellow Finch, Orange-chinned Parrots, Cerulean Warbler, Fork-tailed Wood nymph, Lyre-Tailed Nightjar, Orange-throated Sunagel, Plain-breasted Hawk. Arrival to the Plains and transfer to the Hato.
Upon arrival, you will be received with a tropical welcome cocktail. Enjoy a typical "llanero" lunch. The afternoon will be to start exploring the surroundings of the Hato and start amazing you with the fauna richness of this place.
In a single day, you may view a greater variety of tropical wildlife than anywhere in the world. Perfect reason why the Plains have been called the "Serengeti of South America". This is the reason why this perfect place is a true paradise for birdwatchers as well as for nature lovers. Accommodation, enjoy your typical barbecue dinner and prepare for a relaxing overnight right on the heart of the Plains.
Day 6. The Plains Photo Safari (BLD)
Breakfast. The following days will be booked for river excursions, which constitute one of the primary attractions of the Ranchs and a perfect moment to observe Orinoco Goose, Maguari Stork, American Stilt, Paraguayan Snipe, Sun bittern, Watt led Jacana, Boat-billed Heron, Bared-faced Ibises, King Vulture, Great Horned Owl, Trinidad Euphonia, Band-tailed Nightjar, Brazilian Duck, Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Pale-headed Jacamar, Amazon Kingfisher, Scaled Dove, Yellow-knobbed Curassow, Roseate Spoonbill, Sun grebe Screamer, Oriole Blackbird. During these outings, you can see many different species of birds and crocodiles sunning themselves on the sandy beaches on the banks of the river.
You will have close encounters with capybaras, Spectacled Cayman, Freshwater dolphins, Armadillo, Giant anteaters, and macaws.
In the middle of the river is the island of 'Los Chácharos' where guests may encounter collar peccaries, and a large number of birds, and carry out an examination of the typical local vegetation, as well as enjoy a delicious picnic. Accommodation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 7. The Plains (BLD)
Breakfast. In the evenings there are performances at the Posada by local folkloric groups, playing instruments typical to the” Llanos:” harp, “cuatro” (four-stringed guitar), and maracas, and our guests can enjoy watching dances performed by local people in traditional local costumes (for groups). Accommodation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 8. The Plains-Henry Pittier National Park (BLD)
Breakfast. The Henry Pittier National Park area also hosts more than 500 species of birds. Rising from sea level to 4,200 feet, the park is home to the Rancho Grande Biological Station as well as Portachuelo Pass, which serves as a natural migratory route for hundreds of thousands of birds and insects including as many as 200 species of vibrantly colored butterflies.
Birders visiting this area can expect to see Fruit eaters, Blood-eared Parakeets, Groove-billed Toucan, Red-billed parrots, Buff-fronted, Glittering-throated Emerald White-tipped Quetzal, Northern Helmeted, Lilac-tailed parrot lets and possibly even a harpy eagle among many other beautiful endemic species In the visit to Rancho Grande as the main center for bird watching you will see Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Venezuelan Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Cocoa Woodpecker, Montane Foliage-gleaners.
Arrive at the lodge in Maracay. Accommodation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 9. Henry Pittier National Park (BLD)
After breakfast you will board your transportation bus heading towards Rancho Grande Biological Station; where you will continue your discovery of the various bird species that this place can offer. Accommodation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 10. Henry Pittier National Park-Caracas (B)
Breakfast. Transfer to Caracas to take your connecting flight back Home. Luggage assistance at the airport.
Included:
Assistance at the airports
All private transfers
Baggage assistance at the airports
1-night Accommodation in Caracas with breakfast and dinner
3 nights in Santo Domingo with full board
Bird-watching excursions at the Paramo, and the nearby towns, with guides
3 nights at The Plains with a full board
Full-day photo safari at The Plains
Excursions on close by rivers to observe the birds
2 nights in a Posada at Henry Pittier National Park with a full board
Excursions to Rancho Grande Biological Station
Local Specialized bilingual-guides
Porters and chambermaids
Escorting guide all throughout the circuit
All meals
Domestics Flights: Caracas-Merida
Not Included:
Domestic airport taxes
