From a nature perspective, all countries in Latin America are absolutely jaw-dropping but Venezuela has the added benefit that it’s incredibly raw, more than any other country in the continent, for the simple reason that few foreigners have traveled there within the last few decades.
From thick jungle to pristine Caribbean beaches, Andean Mountains and massive flooded plains, this two-week itinerary will take you through the many different faces and geographical regions the country is composed of, without never losing the human interactions our expeditions are famous for.
Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.
Day 1 – Arrival in Caracas
Day 2 – Full day in Caracas
Day 3 – Journey to Apure State
Day 4 – Los Llanos
Day 5 – Journey to Mérida
Day 6 – Gavidia
Day 7 – Trekking in Mérida
Day 8 – Fly to La Guaira
Day 9 – Fly to Canaima National Park
Day 10 – Angel Falls
Day 11 – Back to Canaima
Day 12 – Fly to Caracas, and Curuao
Day 13 – Full day in Curuao
Day 14 – Departure
Day 1 – Arrival in Caracas
Airport transfers, hotel check-in and welcome dinner
Overnight in Caracas
Day 2 – Full day in Caracas
In the morning, we will go to Petare, the largest slum and shanty town in Latin America, where we will meet local communities of artists. Petare is actual Venezuela, and a place not many foreigners have been able to visit
After lunch, we will visit the center of Caracas, including the colonial area, today mostly replaced by concrete buildings that have more resemblance to cities from former USSR than any other city in Latin America
Evening/night will be spent in the local neighborhood of San Agustín
Overnight in Caracas
Day 3 – Journey to Apure State
Early morning drive to San Fernando de Apure, the capital of Apure state and main gateway to Los Llanos, a massive area of seasonally flooded plains characterized by their extensive savannas, unique fauna, and a cowboy-like culture.
Overnight in Los Llanos.
Day 4 – Los Llanos
Full day in Los Llanos, where we’ll do many different activities, including looking for giant anacondas, but also anteaters, capibaras and hundreds of crocodiles.
Overnight in Los Llanos.
Day 5 – Journey to Mérida
Half day drive to the state of Mérida through villages and the Trasandina road
Overnight in Escagüey
Day 6 – Gavidia
Gavidia is a remote, traditional village located at the heart of the Andean mountains
We’ll spend the day visiting villages and the local communities from the area
Overnight in Gavidia, in a local homestay.
Day 7 – Trekking in Mérida
Morning trek to Lagunas el Parche
After lunch, we’ll go to the city of Mérida for visiting the historical center.
Day 8 – Fly to La Guaira
Early morning flight to Caracas, from where we’ll go to La Guaira
La Guaira is a coastal, historical town with a beautiful colonial architecture
It’s a pleasant, interesting town only 10 minutes from the airport, making it a very convenient stopover.
Overnight in La Guaira.
Day 9 – Fly to Canaima National Park
Canaima is a settlement located in the jungle, where there are no roads, so you can only fly in. We’ll catch the morning flight, and after checking in the lodge, we’ll spend the day exploring the many waterfalls around Canaima Lagoon.
Overnight in Canaima.
Day 10 – Angel Falls
Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world. It’s located 4-5 hours away from Canaima by canoe, and that’s how we’ll actually spend our day, reaching
In the evening, possibility of visiting the local indigenous communities.
Day 12 – Fly to Caracas, and Curuao
Fly back to Caracas, from where we’ll drive to the Caribbean village of Curuao, a dreamy village surrounded by Turquoise -blue waters and jungle, the ideal place for relaxing after a hectic trip
Overnight in Curuao.
Day 13 – Full day in Curuao
We’ll be exploring the whole area of Curuao, as well as meeting the local Caribbean communities which as you may know, love to listen to dance and listen to music. We’ll be there on a weekend, so we expect the village to be very lively.
Overnight in Curuao.
Day 14 – Departure
After breakfast, we’ll take you to the airport of Caracas.
End of the tour.
Gallery of photos
Included
Airport transfers
All mentioned domestic flights (3 in total)
13 nights of accommodation in hotels mentioned in FAQ
Private transportation around Venezuela
Almost all meals*
English-speaking Venezuelan guide
International tour leader
Activities and entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary
The price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you want to have your own single room, you will have to pay an additional €420.
However, note that there are 2 places, where you won’t be able to get a single room: Hato Garza in Los Llanos and the homestay in Gavidia. That’s 3 nights where you’ll have to share.
How to fly to Caracas?
If coming from Europe, Madrid is the main hub. Check Iberia and Air Europa. You may also find flights from Lisbon (TAP Portugal) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
If coming from Canada or the USA, Bogotá, and Panama City are the main hubs for flying to Venezuela.
How to get a visa?
All nationalities can get a free visa on arrival, except for Americans and Canadians.
More information will be sent upon booking your spot.
Can Canadians and Americans join the tour?
We will only accept a few of them, since their visa is not guaranteed and we can’t risk having all of them.
Is Venezuela safe?
The situation in Venezuela has improved a lot but crime still exists, like in all Latin America.
It’s important to always keep a low profile, and not to show expensive belongings like cameras and phones.
How does payment work?
In order to secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit.
All details will be shared upon booking your spot.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance, this is non-negotiable, and it must be with IATI.
Why do we have to book it with IATI?
Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for a very long time. We know their CEO, the marketing team and we do a lot of collaborations together so in the unlikely case something happened, we’d know what to do.
Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel.
You may also benefit from a 5% discount if purchasing it from the below link.