trip details for salsa & the spanish main (SVQ)

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is this trip for me?

Route: Caracas to Quito or v.v.

Length of Section: 21 Nights

Profile: A true activity trip, with loads of adventure options and inclusions. Great beaches, tons of local interaction. Easy going trip with comfortable lifestyle but visiting less secure countries. Definitely not your everyday journey.

Comfort Zone: 3 out of 5 [explain comfort zone rating]

Physical Rating: 3 out of 6 [explain physical rating]

Crew: Up to 2 crew, local guides as necessary.

Vehicle: Classic Dragoman truck, flights and minibuses.

Accommodation: Hotels/ hostels, wildcamps and campsites. (25% camping, 75% hotels)

what's included?

Nights 1-4: Venezuela:

Stay on the Caribbean coast at Puerto Columbia
Experience the beautiful en route drive through Henri Pittier NP

Nights 5-10: Wetlands & Highlands:

3 night exploration into Los Llanos wetlands in search of anaconda and caiman
2/3 nights stay in Andean Merida for opt. adrenalin sports

Nights 11-14: Colombia & Cartagena:

3 nights in the Caribbean city of Cartagena
Flight from border town to Cartagena

Nights 15-19: Central Colombia:

2 night stay at the beautiful colonial town of Villa de Leiva
Flight to and overnight in Bogota
Flight from Bogota to border town

Nights 20-21: Ecuador:

Overnight stay in the market town of Otavalo

what can I do on the way?

(Activities available at extra costs)

Day boat trip out to the beautiful Islas del Rosario for water sports in Cartagena
Kayaking, boat trips, scuba diving and snorkelling off the Caribbean Coast
Horseriding, trekking, rafting and biking at Merida
Overnight visit to see the lightning phenomena at Maracaibo Lake
Horseriding, rafting or village tour around Otavalo

notes:

General notes: Colombia transport: In Colombia we use flights to travel between major itinerary points and locally hired transport for any internal smaller transfers/ excusions. The Dragoman Vehicle is relocated without passengers through Colombia.

Crew: You will be accompanied by 1 Dragoman crew in Colombia (plus local driver, where necessary).

Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels or hostels. In Colombia we stay in hotels every night. During high seasons please allow an extra kitty contribution of approx US$50

Because of the nature of this tour, the itinerary may well vary from that published.

This is a trip for the intrepid. Colombia cannot really be described as a tourist destination, but it is a magical place to travel to. Its perfect beaches are washed by the Caribbean, there are ancient civilisations, a fascinating history and awe-inspiring Andean scenery. However, there is a downside, security. We therefore are restricted to where we can go. Don't worry, there is still loads to see. Cartagena is the biggest draw to Colombia, a stunningly beautiful colonial city overlooking the equally stunning Caribbean. OK Bogota may not be your idea of a holiday, but when you are sitting in the plaza of beautiful Villa de Leiva sipping beer, surrounded by its beautiful population, its hard to imagine anything quite so ideal. Venezuela has a few more visitors and of course its beaches are well known. But we come for the Andes, for the adrenalin sports of Merida and to search for the whopping great anacondas that we will find in Los Lanos. Listen, anyone can visit Peru but you find the real travellers up this end of the continent.