Roundtrips | Orinoco / Amazon

This tour is a real expedition, off the beaten track. You go the same way Humboldt did 200 years ago, from the Orinoco to the Amazon. You visit the Yanomami tribe, one of the most primitive Indian tribes in the world. You see the incredible splendors of the buildings from the Rubber boom in 1880 in Manaus and you cross the Gran Sabana with the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls! Backpacker Tours is the only company tha offers this trip, worldwide! 

We always inform our guests how to behave properly with the Indian tribes. As a result, the Indians are always very friendly with us. All expeditions start with the official permit from the Department for Indian protection!

Day 1:

Arrival in Caracas and assistance at the airport via our represent. Transport and overnight stay in a posada close to the airport.

Day 2:

Transportation to the airport and flight to Puerto Ayacucho. In the afternoon there's a city tour with visits to the Indian market and Indian museum.. In the evening you enjoy a barbecue and have time to discuss the expedition. 

Day 3:

After breakfast a 2hr 30min flight to San Carlos de Rio Negro. You fly in a small 5-7 seat Cessna. From there a half day boat ride in a dugout to the Yanomami Indians. Overnight stay in hammocks camping with the Indians. 

Day 4:

The whole day is spent observing the life-style of the Yanomamis and seeing how they make their traditional handicraft. For this, is it always useful to bring some gifts with you. Probably some corporate gifts from your firm like pens, pocket mirrors or pocket knifes. What's especially useful for them is fishing gear like hooks. 

Day 5:

Boat ride over the Casiquare back to the Rio Negro and back to the Brazilian border. Overnight stay in hammocks with an Indian family of Baré Indians. This tribe is alot more developed and they use self-made furniture and clothing. 

Day 6:

Boat ride in the small boat into Brazil. Beautiful white beaches along the way, covered with palm trees. Overnight stay with an Indian family in hammocks. During the day on the river we can always find time to fish and enjoy fresh food. 

Day 7:

Arrive in Sao Gabriel do Cachoeira and overnight stay in the Hotel Roraima. Sao Gabriel is a small town with beautiful beaches west of Manaus.

Day 8:

Flight with Rico Airways to Manaus. Pick up at the airport and city tour including the Opera house, Indian museum and the market. Overnight stay at the Best Western Hotel in the centre. Manaus was the richest town on earth in 1800 and they had first electric streetlight, even before Paris and London. You can still feel the atmosphere those times!

Day 9:

After breakfast you see the meeting of the waters of Rio Solimoes (yellow water) and Rio Negro (black water). Both kinds of water need over 20km to completely mix together!! The Amazon has more water than the eight longest rivers all together! At 08:00pm we take the luxury night bus to Santa Elena, Venezuela. 

Day 10:

Arriving in Santa Elena at 11:00am and transfer to the best Camp in town. Time to relax in the afternoon or you can walk around Plaza Bolivar in the centre. 

Day 11:

Leave Santa Elena and go to the Canaima National Park where you visit the Jaspe waterfall. The shiny red stones in the jungle are very photo worthy!. After this you go to the natural waterslide of Soruape, incl. lunch. Next will be a photo stop at the Pacheco-waterfall and you'll see different insect eating plants (unique to this region). After this you stop at a beautiful viewpoint to see the flat-top mountains where legend has it the Indians ask the gods to make true their wishes come true. Then you continue to the 55m high waterfall Kama-Meru and overnight stay with dinner in the company of an Indian family in the Canaima National Park.

Day 12:

After breakfast you visit the Kama waterfall and then enjoy a swim at the Kauí waterfall. Our lunch will be in the Indian village San Francisco de Yuruani. Then after 20 minutes you can walk behind the La Cortina waterfall if the water level is not too strong, safety first!! (but it is an unbelievable experience for adrenalin junkies). Overnight stay in Santa Elena.

Day 13:

After breakfast comes one of the main highlights, the flight to the Angel Falls! The highest waterfall in the world at 1000m altitude. The Angel Falls drop from the Auyan Tepuy and the Cessna has to go into the devils canyon. It is truly unbelievable .sightseeing but it also depends on good weather conditions. Safety first!! After two rounds at the Angel Falls the flight continues to Ciudad Bolivar. Pick up at the airport and transportation to the Posada. 

Day 14:

After breakfast transportation to Puerto Ordaz and flight to Caracas or Isla de Margarita if you wish to spend some time at the beach. End of our service!!

Photos... (You will find more photos in our Photo Gallery)

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