We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Please note that during the dry season, when the rivers are low, it may not be possible to navigate the Churun river and make the hike to the foot of the Angel Falls. However, we extend the flight to Kamarata to fly over the falls and view them from the air (weather permitting)
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow US$50 for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Venezuela |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.20 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.20 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.20 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$1.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$11.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$11.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$7.50 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
A Venezuelan Tourist Card is required by citizens of UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and USA obtained from consular offices or at check-in desk of airline to Venezuela.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, typhoid, and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Tropical with little seasonal change in temperature, but great variation with altitude. It can be hot at midday, but cold at night. Rainy season, June-December.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
You need 3 bags for this tour: 1) Main luggage (holdall); 2) Smaller bag/daypack for your immediate requirements; 3) Soft small bag for gear you need to take to the Delta. Your main luggage will be taken to the hotel in Ciudad Bolivar. Total allowance: 23kg on International flight and 10kg on internal flights
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
You will need loose-fitting, comfortable clothes for hot, humid conditions. Caracas can be cool at night during the winter months (December to February), so a fleece is advised. Lightweight waterproofs (inc trousers) and plastic bags to keep clothing dry are essential. Also bring a sun hat, long sleeved shirts and trousers to protect from the sun.
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Footwear
Lightweight trail boots and sandals for travelling. Whilst on the river you will need tennis shoes/trainers/river shoes, which you don’t mind getting wet, to protect your feet.
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Equipment
Bring a 2-season sleeping bag and a sleeping bag liner, a head torch (and spare batteries), a towel, toilet roll and a water bottle. High factor suncream, insect repellent, inflatable cusion (helps with the sitting in boats!) and bio degradeable soap. Large plastic bags to keep personal equipment dry are also essential. Water purification tablets are useful. Please note that mosquito nets are provided with hammocks. Rooms are normally screened where necessary, but mosquito nets are provided whilst camping.
Please note: Any equipment you bring is included in your luggage allowance.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
Please note: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including white-water) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
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Please bear in mind that some of the areas of Venezuela visited on this trip are still remote and conditions can change from one day to the next. As far as practical we shall adhere to the day to day route as printed, but overnight stops may vary from those suggested.
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Country info
Area: 9,120,050 sq.km.
Population: 22,311,000.
Language: Mostly Spanish.
Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic.
Local time: GMT-4.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 110v AC 60Hz. Type A and B.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: International Travel Maps, Venezuela (ISBN 0921463596) TM Venezuela 1:1,750,000; Rutas de Venezuela; 1:1500,000 (Lagoven).
Recommended Books: ‘In Trouble Again’ by Redmond O’Hanolan,‘The Lost World’ by Sir Authur Conan Doyle. ‘Islands in Time’ by George Uwe; ‘Journey to Angel Falls’ by Ruth Robertson; ‘Neotropical Companion’ by Jon Kricher.
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
