Looking for the adventure of a lifetime?
We have the perfect offer for you!
VENEZUELA
Land of National Parks
Join us on our 17-day PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI in Venezuela’s most impressive national parks and other nature reserves!
During your adventure, you will have the unique opportunity to photograph with expert bird photographers, the Passariello Bros., creators of the Proyecto AVE Foundation, an organisation with more than 25 years of experience in documenting the biodiversity of Venezuela’s most important national parks.
You will have the opportunity to capture the most incredible moments of nature with our guides specialised in endemic, migratory and endangered birds, you will find the real jewels of the rainforest while improving your photographic skills and you will return home with a unique and unrepeatable material.
EXPLORE THE WORLD’S MOST DIVERSE RAINFORESTS IN VENEZUELA!
From the iridescent hummingbirds of the Andean peaks, to the colourful Tangaras of the foothills, to the wild diversity of the western Llanos, our team will ensure that your experience is completely satisfying and that you capture the best images for your photography portfolio.
Our itinerary is designed to make the most of every photographic opportunity, ensuring that your time and effort are well spent.
ARE YOU READY FOR THIS LIFE-CHANGING ADVENTURE?
Sign up now for our photo safari and discover the natural beauty of this incredible country!
Day 1: – SETTING UP
Arrival at Camilo José Daza Airport in the city of Cúcuta in the department of “Norte de Santander” in Colombia.
Transfer from Camilo José Daza Airport in the city of Cúcuta to the Hotel Valle de Santiago in the city of San Cristóbal in the State of Táchira in Venezuela.
Welcome cocktail and dinner.
Brief introductory talk about the Tamá National Park, its biological diversity and delivery of the list of species that can be found throughout the photographic experience.
Day 2, 3 and 4: – TAMA NATIONAL PARK –
04:00 am meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the Tamá National Park, located one hour and 20 minutes by national road.
There, you will start a guided tour along the roadside and through some observation trails in this impressive ecosystem until approximately 19:00 when the tour ends.
Return to the hotel to take a shower, enjoy a delicious dinner and discuss the day’s experience.
Day 5 and 6: – CHORRO EL INDIO NATIONAL PARK –
04:00 am meeting at the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the Chorro El Indio National Park located at (1) one hour by national road.
There, you will start a guided tour along the roadside and some observation trails in this impressive ecosystem until approximately 19:00 when the tour ends.
Return to the hotel to take a shower, enjoy a delicious dinner and comment on the day’s experience.
Day 7: – JUAN PABLO PEÑALOZA NATIONAL PARK –
07:00 am. meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the Posada la Huérfana located in the vicinity of the Juan Pablo Peñaloza National Park with an estimated time of (3) three hours of national road, arrival time between 10:00 and 11:00 am.
Installation in the rooms and a typical lunch of the area.
Then we start the guided tour by the roadside and through some observation trails in this fabulous Andean ecosystem, ending the tour at 19h:00 approximately.
Day 8: – JUAN PABLO PEÑALOZA NATIONAL PARK –
05:00 am meeting in the hotel lobby to start the tour through the trails and different observation points.
Return to the hotel to take a shower, enjoy a delicious dinner and comment on the day’s experience.
Day 9 and 10: – SIERRA NEVADA NATIONAL PARK –
07:00 am meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the Xinia & Peter Inn located in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada National Park in a journey of approximately (3) three hours of national road, arrival time between 10:00 and 11:00 am.
Installation in the rooms and a typical lunch in the area.
Then we start the guided tour along the roadside and through some observation trails in La Mucui Park around the Biological Station of the University of Los Andes, ending the tour at 19h:00 approximately.
Return to the hotel to take a shower, enjoy a delicious dinner and comment on the day’s experience.
Day 11: – SIERRA NEVADA NATIONAL PARK –
– 07:00am. meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the Refugio – La casa del Angel del Sol – a station specialized in the observation of Andean hummingbirds, a mandatory stop for all those who wish to see these winged jewels.
Return to the hotel to take a shower, enjoy a delicious dinner and discuss the day’s experience.
Day 12: – BARINAS IN BARINAS STATE – ALTAMIRA DE CÁCERES –
– 07:00 am. meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to the city of Barinas at the Marriot Hotel, arrival time at approximately 12:00 am.
We will have a typical lunch of the area and then go to Altamira de Cáceres where we will be able to find the Gallito de la Sierra and the Pájaro Torero, two emblematic birds of the area, as well as other local species that stand out for their particular colour and beauty.
At sunset, return to the hotel after taking a shower, enjoying a delicious dinner and commenting on the day’s experience.
Day 13 and 16: – HATO CEDRAL EDO. APURE –
– 07:00 am. meeting in the hotel lobby to board the vehicle that will take us to Hato Cedral – Wildlife Refuge, an area of more than 36.000 Hectares where during 3 days we will travel along its internal road where more than 300 species of birds of the Venezuelan Western Plains await us.
Day 17: – RETURN TO THE CITY OF SAN CRISTÓBAL EDO. TACHIRA –
– 07:00 am. meeting in the lobby of the hotel to board the vehicle that will take us to the city of San Cristobal to the Hotel Valle de Santiago, arrival time is approximately 14:00 pm.
At this point you will be able to relax, discuss the whole experience and get ready for the transfer to the city of Cúcuta in Colombia, where the photographic safari through the Venezuelan West ends.
Including:
- Park fees (for non-residents).
- Accommodation.
- Professional guide specialised in birds.
- Transport.
- Taxes / VAT.
- Airport transfer to and from the airport.
- Meals (As specified in the FOOD section).
- Non-alcoholic beverages.
- Interpreter Spanish – Madarin.
Excluding:
- International flights (to/from home).
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour.
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Some meals (As specified in the FOOD section).
HOTEL VALLE DE SANTIAGO:
Address: Calle 2, San Cristóbal – CP:5001, Tàchira – Venezuela.
Tel: +58 412 347 3725.
Instagram: Hotel Valle de Santiago.
IMAGE GALLERY.
POSADA LA HUÉRFANA:
Address: El Cobre – CP: 5021, Táchira – Venezuela.
Tel: +58 424 720 7950.
Instagram: Posada la Huérfana.
IMAGE GALLERY.
LA CASA DEL ANGEL DEL SOL:
Address: Monterrey, El Valle – CP: 5101 – Mérida – Venezuela.
Tel: +58 416 674 0108.
Instagram: La casa del Angel del Sol.
IMAGE GALLERY.
ESTANCIA DE XINIA Y PETER:
Address: La Mucuy baja, Qta. Xinia, Tabay – CP: 5116 – Mérida – Venezuela.
Telf: +58 414 974 6178 – 746 3151
Instagram: Estancia Xinia and Peter.
IMAGE GALLERY.
HOTEL EUROBUILDING EXPRESS BARINAS
Address: Av. Suiza con calle Pie de Monte, Barinas – Venezuela -.
Tel: +58 273 500 3120.
WEB: EBB
IMAGE GALLERY.
POSADA HATO CEDRAL
Address: Av. Suiza con calle Pie de Monte, Barinas – Venezuela -.
Telf: +58 273 500 3120.
Instagram: Hato Cedral.
IMAGE GALLERY.
GUIDE SPECIALISING IN BIRDS OF THE VENEZUELAN ANDES:
Betsy Carolina Quintero:
Birding Guide Andes de Táchira-Venezuela, specialist birding guide in the Venezuelan Andes with more than 23 years experience. Currently dedicated full time to the search and conservation of the Birds of Tachira-Venezuela for @avistaves_nomadic_birding. Specialist in Bird Song Recording.
VISIT: Perfil eBird.
—
PASSARIELLO BROTHERS.
Renowned photographers and creators of the Proyecto AVE Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting knowledge of biodiversity through photography, video and social action projects in favour of conservation.
VISIT: Perfil – Hnos. Passariello.
“Warning for tourists:
IF YOU REQUIRE A SPECIAL DIET DUE TO DIETARY RESTRICTIONS OR ALLERGIES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOTIFY US PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL. IN VENEZUELA, IT IS COMMON TO FIND DISHES WITH INGREDIENTS SUCH AS SUGAR, MEAT, EGGS, WHEAT, GLUTEN, AMONG OTHERS.
IF YOU HAVE A DIETARY RESTRICTION AND DO NOT NOTIFY US, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DISHES SERVED TO YOU MAY NOT MEET YOUR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OR MAY EVEN CAUSE YOU HARM.
IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT YOU INFORM US OF YOUR DIETARY NEEDS SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH OPTIONS SUITABLE TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS”.
Tips: (Tipping Guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Respect hotel rules and schedules: It is important to follow the rules and schedules set by the hotel, such as check-in and check-out times, noise regulations, use of facilities, etc.
Be courteous and respectful to hotel staff: Treat hotel staff with courtesy and respect at all times.
Keep your space clean and tidy: Make sure you keep your room and the common areas you use clean and tidy.
Be considerate of other guests: Treat other hotel guests with respect and consider their needs, such as not making excessive noise or engaging in inappropriate behaviour.
Conserve hotel resources: Be sure not to waste water, energy or other hotel resources.
Do not smoke in non-smoking areas: Respect designated smoking areas and do not smoke in places where smoking is prohibited.
Do not use illegal drugs: Do not use illegal drugs in or near the hotel.
Pay your bills on time: Make sure you pay all your bills on time to avoid inconveniences and delays in your stay.
Learn about the local environment and culture: It is important to be aware of local customs and norms, as well as tourist sites and places of interest near the hotel.
Be safety conscious: Take appropriate security measures, such as keeping your valuables in a safe place and keeping them out of sight.
OFFICIAL LIST OF THE STATES WHERE THE EXPEDITION WILL TAKE PLACE:
- Official list of Birds of the State of Táchira – Venezuela (PDF).
- Official list of Birds of the State of Mérida – Venezuela (PDF)
- Official list of Birds of the State of Barinas – Venezuela (PDF)
- Official list of Birds of Apure State – Venezuela. (PDF)
Some images of the animals you will be able to document
Venezuela
5 reasons to visit this paradise
ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST FRESHWATER RESERVES.
HOME TO MORE THAN 1,400 RECORDED BIRD SPECIES.
MORE THAN 300,000 SPECIES OF LIVING ORGANISMS.
MORE THAN 3,000 KM2. OF CORAL REEFS.
MORE THAN 1,000 ENDEMIC SPECIES.
By contracting our services, you are supporting educational programmes in favour of the knowledge the knowledge of the biological diversity of the neotropics.
U.M.I.A.A - Mobile alternative environmental research units
