Hard-core birding, concentrating on the endemics and the restricted range species. A bit different as we are not spending any time on expensive lodges and the pace is going to be very high to press in all the endemics. We recommend that you start with our Venezuela prep-trip if you have not been to South America before on which you will see the mighty Llanos and visit the Rio Caura area for a slightly different
set of birds.
Venezuela Full-Trip (22 days)
Day 1. Start from Santa Elena de Uairen over Gran Sabana. Special birds include White-throated Kingbird, Red-shouldered Macaw of the savanna. Camp near the Soldier Monument Day 2-4. La Escalera. One night Camping, the rest basic hotel
near km 88. Day 5-6. Guyanan Trails. Basic hotel near km 88. On day seven
night drive to Campamento Rio Grande. Day 7-8. Campamento Rio Grande. There are several nests of Harpy Eagle in the area. Hopefully one will be active during our visit. Last night drive Caño Colorado Day 9. Birding around Caño Colorado. Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, Black-dotted Piculet, Crimson-hooded Manakin, Velvet-fronted Grackle and many others. Day 10. Cerro Humo trail. Paria Peninsula. Drive to Caripe Day 11. Caripe for Oilbirds and an atempt at Grey-headed Warbler. Night-drive to Rancho Grande Day 12-14. Rancho Grande and Henri Pittier. Day 15. Coro Endemics Day 16. Parque Nacional Yacambú - Rusty-flanked Crake Day 17. Yacambú Day 18. Barinitas area. San Isidro Dag 19. Merida Highlands. Bearded Helmetcrest and Merida Flowerpiercer Day 20. Pico Humboldt-trail Dag 21. ULA - forest Day 22. Maracaibo basin. Nothern Screamer, Pygmy Swift. Drive
to Maracaibo
Venezuela Prep-Trip (13 days)
Slower pace than the above with plenty of time to get to know the species. Most of the driving will be done during day-time. This trip also allows some extra time near Rio Grande and an extra day on the Escalera. Combining both pre-trip and the main trip you will see a very high percentage of both endemic and special birds for Venezuela
Day 1. Start from Coro. After some initial birding near Coro in search of Yellow-shouldered Parrot and Venezuelan Cardinal, we will continue in the San Luis mountains searching for the rare Red Siskin. Day 2. An additional morning in the San Luis range, followed by a long drive with careful stops, towards the Llanos. Day 3. We will be reaching Mantecal where we will stay overnight. The birds of the Llanos will be overwhelming, with Scarlet Ibis and Jabiru as highlights. Day 4. Additional birding around Mantecal and continue to Campanaparo Day 5-6. Campanoparo National Park Day Day 7. Drive to Rio Caura Day 8-9. Rio Caura Day 10. Rio Caura-El Palmar Day 11. Harpy Eagle search at Rio Grande. Day 12. Birding Rio Grande AM and drive to La Escalera. Day 13. La Escalera AM and drive to Santa Elena.
DEPARTURES:
No Departures for this Tour
If the departure dates don't fit you, please suggest another date.
Price includes: Transport, guiding, 3 meals/day (breakfast and lunch usually in the field and a cooked meal at night), hotels, hostels and camping, entrance-fees.
Does not include: Drinks, tips to local guides and drivers, airport taxes and transport to and from start and end.
Additional costs to consider:
-To get to Santa Elena. There are flights from Puerto Ordaz. These need to be booked in beforehand. Please contact us. You can also connect with our prep-trip on preptrip day 10.
-The trip will end in Maracaibo at night on day 22. Then you can connect to Caracas and elsewhere.
-To get to Coro for the pre-trip you can either get a night bus from Caracas or a flight. The birding will start early on day 1.
Price includes: Transport, guiding, 3 meals/day (breakfast and lunch usually in the field and a cooked meal at night), hotels, hostels and camping, entrance-fees.
Does not include: Drinks, tips to local guides and drivers, airport taxes and transport to and from start and end.
