Cartagena to Caracas (Recce Tour)

Transcription

Cartagena to Caracas (Recce Tour)
Colombia & Venezuela
Having spent years in the shadow of their more popular neighbours, Colombia and Venezuela
will surprise many. Blessed with some of the richest bio-diverse landscapes in South America,
they can boast endless miles of Caribbean beaches, Amazonian rainforests, Andean mountains
and a rich indigenous culture that has survived the onslaught of invasion and the modern
world. Beginning in Cartagena we’ll have an opportunity to enjoy one of Colombia’s most
exciting cities, before driving along the Caribbean coast to explore the richly contrasting
landscapes of Tayrona National Park and the La Guajira Peninsula. Crossing over into
Venezuela we then head for Lake Maracaibo for the chance to witness the spectacular
displays of the Catatumbo lightning storms and explore the fascinating stilt villages of Ologa
and Congo by boat. Continuing on to colonial Mérida we then take in the diverse wildlife of
the Sierra Nevada National Park, before ending our journey in Caracas.
“Wild Frontiers have managed to find a new niche in organising innovative holidays to
unusual destinations. They will continue to attract the discerning traveller who is looking
for that holiday experience which stands out from the norm.” Karen O’Driscoll
Duration: 15 Days
Start: Sat 11 Jul 15
Average group size: 5 – 10
Finish: Sat 25 Jul 15
Looking for alternative dates? Check the website or give us a call
WILD FRONTIERS Adventure Travel Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7736 3968 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8741 3610
Email: info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website: www.wildfrontierstravel.com
TOUR DETAILS
TOUR CODE: CTC/C
HIGHLIGHTS
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Explore Cartagena, the ‘Jewel of Colombia’.
Discover the stunning Caribbean coastline around Tayrona NP and La Guajira.
Immerse yourself in Wayúu culture at Punta Gallina.
Watch the spectacular displays of the Catatumbo lightning storms.
Visit colonial Mérida and the wild beauty of the Sierra Nevada National Park.
Accommodation: As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful
accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the
night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On
this particular trip we will be in good hotels in Cartagena, Maracaibo and Mérida; an ecolodge in La Bravera; and some basic but traditional accommodation in Tayrona, La Guajira
and Ologa. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a
guide only and is always subject to availability.
Transport: On this tour we will use a combination of minibuses, 4WDs, canoes, boats and one
domestic flight.
Climate: The Catatumbo lightning storms are a phenomenon which take place typically
between March and November. During this period one can expect hot and humid conditions
although there will be huge variations as we travel from the near desert-like expanses of the
La Guajira peninsular to the cool heights of the Andes Mountains near Mérida.
Is this trip for me? It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone
and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please therefore take
time to read the dossier carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the
trip but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. Should you have
any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the
office.
Adventure Rating 
Comfort Grade 
Fitness Level
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Cultural Interest 
Additional Comments:
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should
be perfectly able to cope with this tour. However it should be noted that this trip spends
much of its time exploring parts of both Colombia and Venezuela that see relatively few
foreign travellers. As such, you should be prepared for long-journeys, erratic border-crossing
procedures, some basic accommodation and a general air of unpredictably. If that sounds
like your cup of tea, then you’ll be sure to love this tour.
Day 1: Tour starts in Cartagena
(Colombia): Rooms will be available from
mid-afternoon today for those arriving
before the suggested group flights and
wanting to explore and take in the charms
of this stunning colonial city with its lavish
cathedral and bustling plazas. For many,
Cartagena remains a favourite destination
in South America and after just a short
time it’s easy to understand why.
Casa Lucy or similar (no meals)
Day 2: In Cartagena: This morning we’ll
visit two of the principal sights of the city
- Castillo San Felipe and El Convento de La
Popa. Castillo San Felipe is the largest
Spanish fortification in the Americas and
dominates the old town. Underneath this
amazing structure there is a labyrinth of
tunnels, some of which are lit and
accessible to visitors. Later we’ll head to
El Convento La Popa which commands
excellent views of the bay, old town and
Caribbean Sea beyond. After lunch we will
take a guided walk through the historic
walled city. The Spanish colonial
architecture is some of the most
impressive and holds some of the best
preserved in South America with its
imposing merchant’s houses, narrow
streets, flower bedecked balconies
stunning civic buildings and beautiful
churches. Soaked in sunshine and steeped
in history, Cartagena is liberally sprinkled
with a wealth of wonderful old buildings
that line the flower-filled streets.
Casa Lucy or similar (B, L, D)
Day 3: Cartagena – Tayrona NP: After
some free time this morning to further
enjoy Cartagena we’ll head towards Santa
Marta and our accommodation, local
posadas (wooden thatched huts) located
on the edge of the beautiful Tayrona
National Park. These posadas are part of a
government-funded project to encourage
coca farmers to find alternative forms of
income, and working in tourism has proved
a very successful way. There will be time
to relax and settle in to our rural surrounds
late this afternoon.
Local Posadas (B, L, D)
Day 4: In Tayrona National Park: Today
we set off for a full day trip into Tayrona
National Park. This stunning marine and
coastal park offers a variety of great trails
and nature walks, and we’ll trek through
the jungle and along the coast, before
stopping at one of the pristine, white
sandy beaches for lunch. After some free
time for swimming and relaxing we shall
head back to our Posada for dinner.
Local Posadas (B, L, D)
Day 5: Tayrona NP - La Guajira: This
morning we drive on to La Guajira, located
along the northernmost tip of Colombia’s
Caribbean coastline. Traditional heartland
of the Wayúu and Kogi people, the area is
still steeped in the indigenous traditions
that predate the arrival of the Spanish.
One of Colombia’s most rugged and offbeat locations, our drive there today will
take us by way of the interesting town of
Riohacha and the Los Flamencos
Sanctuary, a 7,000 hectare reserve of
lakes and mangroves that provides an
important nesting site for large numbers of
pink flamingos. The journey out to the
nesting grounds will take us around 45
minutes by canoe and there may be a
chance to spot some of the other wildlife
that abound here including great egrets,
buffy hummingbirds, vermilion cardinals
and roseate spoonbills. This evening we
will overnight in the heart of this
captivating landscape again, staying in a
traditional Wayúu style posada where we
will enjoy a dinner of local cuisine.
Posada Wayuu Cabo de la Vela or similar
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Exploring La Guajira: Today we
take a drive out to Punta Gallina (Cape
Chicken!), the northernmost point on the
South American mainland. Traditionally
this region has been a stronghold of the
Wayúu people and is considered by many
to one of the most exotic areas in the
country. With beautiful beaches, barren
coastlines and the occasional lagoon, it
provides us with a stunning backdrop to an
enjoyable and relaxing day. We’ll visit
Pusheo and the Portete Desert, before
finally ending in Punta Gallina, where we
will overnight.
Posada Wayuu Punta Gallinas or similar
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Exploring La Guajira: Another full
day exploring the coastline of the Guajira
Peninsula takes us across the shimmering
salt flats where the landscape could be a
world away from the rest of the Caribbean
coast. The Wayúu people believe that this
is where their souls go when they die.
After lunch we’ll continue on to visit the
lighthouse of El Faro and the lovely Playa
de Ojo de Aqua, a beautifully rugged bay
with a unique rust coloured beach.
Posada Wayuu Cabo de la Vela or similar
(B, L, D)
Day 8: La Guajira - Maracaibo
(Venezuela): An early start this morning
sees us driving to the Venezuelan border,
a journey of some three hours. The border
formalities may take us another hour or
two, depending on traffic, after which
we’ll continue on towards the city of
Maracaibo, located on the western shore
of the strait that connects Lake Maracaibo
to the Gulf of Venezuela. Importantly also
after several nights in fairly basic and
remote accommodation there will be a
good opportunity this evening to enjoy the
facilities one would expect in a city that
considers itself the oil capital of
Venezuela.
Hotel Kristoff or similar (B, L, D)
Day 9: Maracaibo - El Jaguey: This
morning we drive across the 8.6km long
General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge to the hot
springs at El Jaguey. Named in honour of a
distinguished hero of the War of
Independence, the bridge was opened in
1962 and at the time was the longest prestressed concrete bridge in the world.
Today it remains the most important link
between Maracaibo, Zulia State and the
rest of the country. Tonight we’ll
overnight in El Jaguey where there’ll be
opportunities for bathing in the local hot
springs.
Termales El Jaguey or similar (B, L, D)
Day 10: El Jaguey - Puerto Concha; boat
to Ologa: Today we drive on to Puerto
Concha, on the southern shores of Lake
Maracaibo. On arrival we’ll then take a
three hour boat journey on to Ologa, one
of the most photogenic villages in the
region, where most of the houses sit on
stilts over the lagoon. Such villages looked
to the early explorers like “little Venices”
and which led as a consequence to the
country being named “Venezuela”. What
makes this stunning landscape even more
special though is the remarkable
phenomenon of the Catatumbo lightning
storms. Restricted to an area of western
Venezuela that covers the mouth of the
Catatumbo River where it empties into
Lake Maracaibo, this spectacular light
show plays out across an astonishing 140160 nights a year, lasting up to ten hours
at a time and producing displays that can
be seen hundreds of miles away. Tonight
we hope to have our first opportunity to
be amazed by this amazing natural
spectacle.
Traditional Communal Hut with shared
facilities (B, L, D)
Day 11: In & around Ologa: This is a world
of water, where daily life takes place on
and around the lake. This morning we’ll
head for the fascinating village of Congo,
where pigs root for food in the shallows
and children and fisherman share the same
playground. These landscapes are also
home to a rich diversity of wildlife too,
from howler monkeys and iguanas, to
caimans, otters and iridescent butterflies
and a trip through these captivating
landscapes will hopefully herald a wealth
of natural and cultural highlights. Tonight
there’s be a second chance to catch the
Catatumbo lightning display.
Traditional Communal Hut with shared
facilities (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ologa - Puerto Concha - La
Bravera: Transferring back to Puerto
Concha this morning, we then take a three
hour drive into the cloud forests around
Estancia La Bravera, the colonial lodge
where we will be spending the night. Lying
some 2,360 metres above sea level, at the
base of the Paramo del Tambor, the
lodge’s landscaped gardens provides an
ideal spot to watch for hummingbirds and
such Venezuelan rarities as buff-tailed
coronets and gorgeted woodstars.
Estancia La Bravera or similar (B, L, D)
Day 13: La Bravera – Mérida: One of the
principal cities in the Venezuelan Andes,
Mérida was founded in 1558 by Juan
Rodríguez Suárez. Part of the old colonial
Viceroyalty of New Granada, the city went
on to play an active role in the War of
Independence and sits on a wide plain
overlooking the Chama River and the
Sierra Nevada de Mérida. The journey
there today takes us by way of a landscape
scattered with villages, sugar plantations
and tobacco factories. Mérida itself is
filled with a rich collection of historical
squares, colonial houses and churches that
include the former state governor’s
residence, and on arrival we’ll have a brief
orientation tour.
Posada Casa Sol (B, L)
Day 14: Sierra Nevada National Park: An
area of spectacular ecological importance,
the Sierra Nevada NP encompasses a vast
diversity of landscapes, from the towering
peaks of the northern Andes, to humid
rainforests. Home to a rich abundance of
flora and fauna, the park provides a haven
for pumas and red howler monkeys,
buzzard
eagles
and
beautiful
hummingbirds. It is also one of the
country’s last refuges for the threatened
Andean condor and the spectacled bear.
We’ll spend the day exploring this stunning
setting today, before returning to Mérida
for our final night in Venezuela.
Posada Casa Sol (B, L, D)
Day 15: Fly to Caracas where the tour
ends: After a free morning we’ll transfer
to El Vigia for our flight on to Caracas, to
connect with onward connections.
(B)
Extensions: If you have more time
available, why not arrive early to adjust to
a new time zone or just to get a feel for
the country before your tour starts? Or
alternatively you might choose to allow a
few extra days after the tour to relax or to
undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can
usually arrange anything from simply
additional accommodation and transfers
to full tailor-made itineraries.
Here is just a small sample of what you
could do:Colombia: Why not explore more of
Colombia’s charms from its impressive
capital at Bogota to the coffee-growing
region at Manizales? Allow 2 – 9 days.
Venezuela: If time allows why not venture
out to the mighty Angel Falls? Allow 2 – 5
days.
Please contact the office for more
details and to discuss your individual
requirements.
Warning!
The British Foreign & Commonwealth
Office (FCO) sometimes advises against
certain parts of this itinerary. Before
deciding to book this trip you should first
read the advice on their website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. You
will need to sign a disclaimer to confirm
you have read the advice and if you are a
UK citizen, you will also need insurance
that will remain valid throughout the
entire trip. One such insurance policy is
Travel & General’s Wild Frontiers
Standard* policy. For more information,
please see the Insurance section below or
contact us.
Non-UK clients should check the travel
advice of their own governments as well as
the small print of their insurance policy.
Recce Tours: As we all know, the world is
a constantly changing place - destinations
& routes that were once cutting-edge now
regularly find themselves appearing in
mainstream brochures. Coming up with
truly original tour ideas is a constant
challenge but at Wild Frontiers we are
committed to offering you a real
alternative to the mainstream and each
year we run a handful of new and original
adventures. These are our so-called Recce
Tours and since the very beginning have
proven incredibly popular with those of
you who like to act as our “guinea pigs”
and join us on these tours. Fantastic fun
and highly rewarding, Recce Tours will
assuredly not go 100% to plan and it is not
uncommon for clients to take an active
role in tweaking the itineraries along the
way. More challenging than our normal
tours, these will often require a greater
degree of flexibility...they will not be for
everyone.
PRICING
Tour price: All our tours are priced on a
land-only basis, giving you maximum
flexibility when deciding how to get to and
from your tour. For the latest prices,
please refer to our website or contact the
office.
Travelling Solo & Single Supplements: As
a company approximately 70% of our
clients are solo travellers, so it’s very
unlikely you’ll be alone!
Flights: If you would like us to send you a
quote for the suggested tour flight (see
GETTING THERE) or on any alternative
flight that may suit you better, please let
us know although it should be noted that
in most cases we are only able to quote on
flights originating in the UK.
Please remember that all Wild Frontiers
tour prices mean NO hidden extras, NO
local payments and NO compulsory single
supplements.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
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Full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour
Leader with local guides and drivers
Meal plan as detailed in the itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
with drinking water as required with
the majority of meals being taken in
local restaurants where viable
All transport as outlined in the
itinerary.
All accommodation
All entrance fees, as per itinerary
A carbon-offsetting contribution to
Carbon Clear (if booking international
flights through WF office)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
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Visas (if applicable)
Local airport taxes
Tips (always optional, but some
guidance will be given in the predeparture information pack you’ll
receive after booking)
Beverages other than drinking water
& any costs of a personal nature
International flights to/from the
start/finish of the trip
Airport transfers (unless booking
suggested flights through WF office)
Our prices are typically based on twinshare
accommodation
but
single
supplements are not compulsory for any
Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to
pay a single supplement we’ll pair you
with someone else of the same sex for you
to share with throughout the trip.
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On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a
single supplement then please note that it
will cover you for all nights of the tour
apart from at Ologa where the only
accommodation available is a communal
hut with beds and hammocks.
For this trip our suggested flights from
the UK (subject to change) are:
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GETTING THERE
11JUL
11JUL
11JUL
25JUL
26JUL
KL1002 LHR-AMS 08:40/11:00
KL0745 AMS-BOG 12:30/16:25
AV8548 BOG-CTG 18:23/19:48
AF0385 CCS-CDG 16:30/08:25+1
AF1580 CDG-LHR 10:05/10:25
Key:
LHR – London Heathrow
AMS – Amsterdam
BOG – Bogota
CTG - Cartagena
CCS - Caracas
CDG – Paris
KL – KLM
AV - Avianca
AF – Air France
policy also provides cover for travel to
areas where the FCO is advising against all
or all but essential travel. The policy will
not provide cover for any claims arising
from or relating to the reasons why the
FCO is advising against travel.
NB If you wish to arrange your own flights
you are completely free to do so and in this
case we can arrange any transfers or
supplementary accommodation that you
may require.
These policies are only available to those
travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday and
can be purchased on a trip-specific basis
or annual cover. For more information
please refer to the details on our website
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/insurance
or by calling Travel & General direct on +
44 (0) 845 345 3456. This insurance is
available to EU residents (excluding
Norway & Switzerland) up to the age of 75.
It covers horse riding, mountain walking,
trekking, white-water rafting and all other
activities we offer as part of our tours.
Please note that if you are planning on
making your own flight arrangements, we
recommend that you first check with us to
see if the trip is guaranteed. We then
suggest that you purchase flights that are
flexible and ideally refundable as due to
the nature of adventure travel, itineraries
and destination accessibility can change at
any time. For more information, please
refer to our booking conditions.
Insurance: Insurance that provides cover
for emergency repatriation in case of a
medical emergency is compulsory for all
tours. You should be aware that due to
some of the geographical areas visited and
some of the activities included on certain
of our trips some standard insurance
policies may not always provide adequate
cover. As such we strongly recommend
that you purchase a policy that adequately
covers your trip.
Travel & General offer a tailor-made
policy that provides cover for all Wild
Frontiers trips. Under this policy there are
two different levels of cover available Standard and Elite.
Cover explained:
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel
insurance policy that provides cover for all
Wild Frontiers activities, including
trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not
provide cover for travel to areas where the
FCO is advising against all or all but
essential travel except where it has been
previously agreed.
Elite
policy:
provides
the
same
comprehensive level of cover as the
standard policy. In addition the Elite
For this trip the minimum requirement
would be the Standard* policy.
If you are over 75 and/or a resident of a
non-UK European country then you may
still be able to get your insurance arranged
by Travel & General Insurance Services
Limited. Please contact us for assistance
with this.
*The insurers have confirmed that the
Standard policy (see above) is sufficient
for this trip even though some parts of the
trip contravene FCO advice. If you have
alternative insurance you should check
with your insurer that your cover is
adequate.
If you do decide to purchase alternative
insurance, then you must ensure that it
covers you for every aspect of this trip.
Please pay particular attention to ensuring
that you are covered for travel to areas
advised against by the FCO.
Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer
Appointed Representative of Travel &
General Insurance Service Ltd, details of
which can be found at the website of the
Financial
Conduct
Authority
(FCA)
www.fca.org.uk
Please note that no insurance policy will
cover every eventuality and terms and
conditions will apply in the event of any
claim.
Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the
destinations we travel to and while we aim
to provide you with the most up-to-date
information, requirements frequently
change and as such for the latest advice
we advise that you check with the relevant
embassies.
For this tour, UK passport holders
currently do not require visas for either
Colombia or Venezuela.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK
residents should contact the relevant
embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on
booking, however ensuring that correct
and valid visas are obtained remains the
sole responsibility of the client.
Responsible Travel: Responsible travel
and sustainable tourism are fundamental
ideas that Wild Frontiers has been
committed to since our birth. It is our
strong belief that these words should not
be simply ‘tagged on’ to dossiers and
websites but should be at the very core of
each trip, and our adventures are
therefore designed with the local people,
culture and eco-system in mind. We
believe that a successful trip not only
delivers a unique and unsurpassable
journey for our clients, but that it also
benefits the peoples whose lands we are
privileged to visit.
In 2012 we were delighted to be awarded
the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel
Award.
For more information, please refer to
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt
The Wild Frontiers Foundation: In order
to facilitate an enduring support structure
for the communities we visit, and to show
a commitment to these values, Wild
Frontiers has set up a charitable
foundation through which we can channel
funds to both existing NGOs and our own
development projects. In addition to
organising ethically sensitive tours, having
our own charitable foundation allows us to
raise money – through the cost of our
tours, charity trips and fund raising events
– which can then be used to fund various
projects
in
education,
sanitation,
reforestations and a number of other
important issues facing developing
communities. Wherever possible we are
happy for our clients to visit these projects
to see for themselves where and how this
money is being spent. Our website has
more information about our responsible
travel policy, the foundation and also has
a full list of partner NGOs. Should you wish
to read more or donate to the foundation
please contact the office or follow this
link:www.wildfrontierstravel.com/foundation
The Environment: Trying to do our bit for
the environment, in 2005 we were among
the first UK-based travel companies to
automatically offset every client’s
international flight (if booked with us)
with a payment to Carbon Clear to help
promote sustainable energy. To read more
about the work of Carbon Clear, please
follow this link:www.carbon-clear.com
AITO Membership: Wild Frontiers is a
member of AITO, the Association of
Independent Tour Operators. AITO’s
charter states that its exclusive members
strive to create overseas holidays with
high levels of professionalism and a shared
concern for quality and personal service.
The Association encourages the highest
standards in all aspects of tour operating.
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership,
finance and quality which must be
satisfied before new companies are
admitted to membership. All members are
required to adhere to a Code of Business
Practice
which
encourages
high
operational standards and conduct.
Photos: Our popular “Photo of the month”
competition has added to the vast gallery
of photos we already have from around the
world. See them here www.wildfrontierstravel.com/photos
Events: From time to time we hold
informal presentations, photo exhibitions
and dinner evenings mainly in the London
area. To find out more see here –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/events
British Foreign & Commonwealth Office:
The travel advice of the British Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) highlights
potential hazards people might experience
when travelling abroad and as an advocate
of their “Know Before You Go” campaign
we strongly suggest that you refer to it
before booking and contact us if you have
any queries or concerns. Details can be
found on the website below.
Wild Miles Club: Everyone that has booked
a trip directly with us will become an
automatic member of the Wild Miles Club
gaining instant access to a range of
exclusive discounts from a variety of travel
partners from bookshops to outdoor
clothing shops. In addition, regular direct
bookers will earn “Wild Miles” which can
earn you up to 10% in discounts off of all
tours. For more information visit this page
- www.wildfrontierstravel.com/wild-miles
Facebook: Keep up to date with the latest
news and special offers by liking our
Facebook
page
www.facebook.com/wildfrontiers
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel
advice of their respective governments.
DESTINATION –
COLOMBIA & VENEZUELA
Wild Frontiers Community
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or
just want to see get some different
perspectives, then why not have a look at
the wide variety of resources we have on
our website?
Clients’ Views: See what other travellers
have said about our trips –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/views
Blogs: See what our tour-leaders, staff and
clients have posted from the road www.wildfrontierstravel.com/blog
Videos: They may not find their way on
the list for Oscars nominations but we have
an extensive (and growing) collection of
short videos giving you an insight in many
of our destinations –
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/video
Colombia: Having been off the travel map
for almost two decades, Colombia is a land
of legends gradually moving back into the
spotlight as one of the most exciting new
travel destinations in South America. And
for very good reason. Boasting palm
fringed Caribbean beaches, snow-capped
Andean mountain peaks, verdant rain
forests and national parks, Colombia is
truly diverse. From the cosmopolitan
metropolis of Bogotá to the cobbled alleys
of the colonial towns, here you can indulge
in everything from bathing in mud
volcanoes to trekking on glaciers or sipping
Cuba Libras in a bar in Cartagena. In terms
of facts, Colombia is the only country in
South America with coastlines on both the
North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Lying to the south of Panama, it controls
the land access between Central and South
America. Colombia is surrounded by
Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the
southeast, and Ecuador and Peru to the
southwest. It was named in honour of
Christopher Columbus, following the
Italian version of his name (Cristoforo
Colombo), despite Columbus never
actually visiting. He did, however, visit
Panama on his fourth voyage, which was
part of Colombia until 1903. With so much
variation - modern cities, with cafes and
nightclubs, jungle walks, archaeological
ruins, high-mountain trekking, whalewatching, coffee plantations, horse riding
(the list goes on) - there's little wonder the
‘magic realism’ style of Colombian author
Gabriel García Márquez emerged from
here... there is a dream-like quality to
Colombia.
Cartagena: A fairytale walled city of
romance and sheer beauty (declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site) Cartagena is
studded with spectacular architecture,
cobbled streets, bastions and leafy plazas,
making it one of the hottest spots on the
coast. Its strategic location made it a
logical choice to use as a port of
embarkation for the treasures of the
Spanish Crown. Once established by the
Spanish in 1533 the city rapidly gained
affluence and as it blossomed, it attracted
the attention of buccaneers who were
interested in the treasures stored there,
waiting to be shipped back to Europe.
After five major sieges in the 16th century,
including an attack by Sir Francis Drake,
Cartagena upped its security, building a
number of strongholds and fortresses.
The increased security lead to successful
resistance against invaders and the city
went from strength to strength, eventually
gaining independence from the Spanish
Crown. Although the city has expanded
dramatically since its heyday, the old city
is virtually unchanged, making it a
tantalizing place to explore, relax and
enjoy the array of lively outdoor cafés and
vibrant nightlife.
Tayrona National Park: Situated on the
Caribbean coast, where the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta (at 5,770m the highest
coastal tropical mountain in the world)
sinks into the sea and forms bays of
indescribable beauty, Tayrona National
park is a Colombian gem. The white sandy
beaches, mangroves, coral reefs and
woods support a staggering array of flora
and fauna. Numerous trails in the park
offer trekking opportunities, or the chance
to snorkel along the coral reefs and relax
on the palm fringed shores.
La Guajira: Hemmed in by the Caribbean
Sea to the north and the Gulf of Venezuela
to the south, La Guajira lies amongst the
dry and arid desert landscapes along
Colombia’s extreme northern coast. Home
to a distinct tribal culture that sets it apart
from the rest of the country, this rugged
peninsula is still steeped in the traditions
and cultures of the indigenous tribes who
have lived here since before the arrival of
the Spanish conquistadors.
One of the most remote parts of the
country, this is the traditional heartland of
the Wayúu Indians, a people who were
never subjugated by the colonial invaders
and who’s women still traditionally wear
colourful mantas and wonderfully soft
flowing white smocks. With its unique
blend of food, music and rich dialects, La
Guajira presents a social and cultural
heritage that is markedly different to
anywhere else in Colombia.
Venezuela: The sixth largest country in
South America, the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela, to give it its full title,
Venezuela is a country blessed with a
staggering diversity of natural and cultural
highlights. Located at the northern
extremes of the South American
continent, it can boast Amazonian
rainforest,
towering
snow-capped
mountains, miles of Caribbean beaches,
the world’s highest waterfall and South
America’s largest lake. A rich mix of
indigenous, African and Spanish cultures,
Venezuela is a country that has long been
overshadowed by its more showy
neighbours. More renowned for its oil and
the political posturing of its president, few
realise that Venezuela is home to some of
the most bio-diverse landscapes in the
Americas. Here you will find wetlands and
jungles filled with caimans and manatees,
sloths and Amazon river dolphins, its
Caribbean coastline is the longest to be
found in any single country and in the
spectacular torrents of Angel Falls it can
boast one of the most breath-taking
spectacles on earth. Perfect for the
adrenaline junkies and adventurers,
Venezuela can also offer miles of trekking
trails to explore, world class dive sites,
paragliding, wind surfing and kite surfing,
whilst the gourmets amongst you can
enjoy some of the most varied cuisine in
Latin America.
Catatumbo Lightning: A remarkable
natural phenomenon, the Catatumbo
Lightning is a spectacular light show that
occurs only above the mouth of the
Catatumbo River in Venezuela. Popularly
referred to as the ‘Lighthouse of
Maracaibo’, since it is visible for miles
around the shores of Lake Maracaibo,
these powerful flashes of lightening occur
up to 280 times an hour, for up to 10 hours
a day. Believed to be the result of heavy
winds blowing in from the Andes, which
then collide with the ionised gases rising
up from the marshes around the lake,
these powerful lightning strikes are
considered to be the largest single
generator of tropospheric ozone on earth.
The indigenous tribes called it the “Rib aba”, the “River of fire in the sky” and the
phenomenon has even made its way into
the anthem of the state of Zulia, which
encompasses the lake.
waters of the Chama River, it is one of the
oldest cities in Venezuela, with the second
oldest university in the country. Popular
with wildlife lovers, climbers and birders,
this region is blessed with fertile valleys,
snow-capped peaks and lush rainforest and
is liberally sprinkled with coffee
plantations, sugar cane and beautiful
tropical blooms. The perfect combination
of cultural and social highlights, the city
itself is filled with historical squares,
colonial architecture and a wealth of cafes
and restaurants.
Mérida: Founded in 1558 by Juan
Rodríguez Suárez, the city of Santiago de
los Caballeros de Mérida is one of the most
important in Venezuela. Home to the
world’s highest and second largest cable
car, the city lies in the centre of the
Venezuelan Andes, below the formidable
heights of Bolivar Peak, the highest
mountain in the country. Surrounded by
spectacular landscapes and fed by the
How to book:
In order to confirm your booking we need to have a completed signed booking form for each client
together with a £400 deposit per person. You can either return your booking form to us by post or
by booking online at www.wildfrontierstravel.com
You can contact the office by email to info@wildfrontierstravel.com or we are very happy to take
your call on + 44 (0) 20 7736 3968.
Protection for you money:
You can book your holiday with Wild Frontiers in complete confidence that all
monies you pay to us for your tour are fully protected. Wild Frontiers is fully bonded
and licensed by ABTOT (The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Ltd) in
respect of all land only tour packages. Our ABTOT number is 5228. Under the terms
of the bond, monies are secured by a bank guarantee. For further information visit
www.abtot.com
If you choose to book your international flights with us then you will also be ATOL
protected as we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 5975. In the unlikely event of our insolvency,
the CAA will arrange to refund any monies to you that you have paid for an advance
booking and ensure that you are not stranded abroad. For further information visit
www.atol.org.uk
We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking in the event
that you are no longer able to travel as all deposits are non-refundable – full booking conditions
can be found on the booking form and online at our website.
As I’m sure you can appreciate, Wild Frontiers trips can be
quite complex affairs to arrange and certain elements (such as
permits, visa authorisations, trains and flights) may need to be
requested several months in advance. As such, wherever
possible, we would encourage you to plan ahead and book
early to avoid disappointment. Moreover, by booking early you
are always guaranteed to get the best price with us as we will
automatically offer you a retrospective discount if we happen
to reduce the price of the tour later on. For further details,
please refer to www.wildfrontierstravel.com/price-guarantee
Further information:
When you make a confirmed booking with Wild Frontiers we will send you a pre-departure
information pack giving you details on visas, health and vaccinations, packing lists, suggested
reading on the region, photography and other useful tips to make your trip more enjoyable.
Why Wild Frontiers?
As a young and innovative independent company, Wild Frontiers is delighted to have been voted one of
the ‘Top 10 Tour Operators’ by Wanderlust readers each of the last 6 years - coming third in 2007 and
second in 2009. When National Geographic Adventure Magazine awarded us a similar accolade in 2010,
we were equally thrilled.
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Below are a
few of the factors that we believe set us apart from our competitors and form the reasons as to why our
clients travel with us again and again…
Personal Service & Expertise: Our London office is manned by experienced expedition leaders and most
trips we run stem from our first-hand knowledge - in short, we run the kind of holidays that as passionate
travellers, we like to do ourselves. When you ring our office, you can be guaranteed to chat to someone
who knows the region and the terrain and is able to offer sound and practical advice.
Authentic Experiences: Our unique, original itineraries allow you to take journeys that venture beneath
the surface of the region. We rarely run any group tour more than a couple of times a year and they are
typically on routes we have discovered for ourselves, meaning we are able to give a truly authentic, offthe-beaten-track experience.
Be the First: Our style of travel is all about exploration, and nothing excites us more than opening up
new routes to genuine travellers. We keep abreast of new destinations and are often the first to return
to places that have vanished from the tourist map. We were the first back into Pakistan after 9/11, the
first to return to Kashmir after a decade of tourist isolation, and amongst the first to run a commercial
travel trip to Afghanistan for almost 30 years. Since then we have helped bring Colombia, Yemen, Georgia
and Bangladesh back into the tourist fold, specialising in ground-breaking reconnaissance trips and
imaginative expeditions.
Small Group Size: On our escorted tours, we believe it is imperative to keep the group sizes small. Most
trips are limited to an average maximum of 12 travellers, thus giving you more access to fragile cultures,
better opportunities to interact with local people, and the knowledge you are making less of an impact
while there. “Having been a bit apprehensive about joining a group as a single traveller, I found myself
surrounded by interesting, friendly, helpful people who I hope to catch up with again on future trips.”
Angela Chick, Kashmir Group Tour
Cost of Group Tours: We believe in an honest, upfront pricing structure so you know exactly what the
tour will cost before you book. On our group tours we avoid local payments, ‘optional extras’ or forcing
our clients to go through the annoying procedure of splitting every meal bill. Our tours are provided on
a predominantly full board basis, with drinking water, government permits, entrance fees and transport
all included.
Our clients: Your companions can make or break a trip, and it’s lucky therefore that our clients are often
our greatest asset. Travelling to remote regions is not for everyone, and as such we tend to attract openminded travellers looking for genuine experiences, and a desire to reach those hard to get to places.
Responsible Travel: Awarded 5 star status by AITO (Association of Independent Tour
operators), responsible tourism (RT) has always been an integral part of our company
ethos and our adventures are designed with the local people, culture and eco-system
in mind. In 2012 we were awarded the Guardian Observer Best Ethical Travel Award.
For further details please refer to the RT section of our website www.wildfrontierstravel.com/rt

Cartagena to Caracas (Recce Tour)

Transcription

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