Trekking Roraima

Meals Included
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners.

Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.

Transport
Public bus, 4x4 vehicles, trekking, plane

Local Flights
If required all local flights are included in the cost of your tours unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

Accommodation
Simple hotels (6 nts), camping (5 nts), open air hammocks (2 nts), night bus (1 nt)

Day 1 Arrive Caracas
Arrive in Caracas at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city however you will have a welcome briefing this evening. Contemporary Venezuela has been strongly influenced by oil money, which has turned the country into one of the wealthiest nations in South America. As a result, Venezuela has a good road network, spectacular new architecture and a developed tourism infrastructure. Yet deep in the countryside, people still live traditional lives. A number of Indian groups remain unconquered by encroaching civilization, including the mysterious Yanomami along the Venezuelan-Brazil border, whose Stone-Age culture seems lost in time.

Day 2-3 Night bus / Santa Elena (L, D)
After departing Caracas in the morning, head east along the Caribbean coast before turning south to Cuidad Bolivar. Along the way you will be able to spot some of the country's largest oil refineries which finance the country's economy and keep gas prices down to about 10 cents per litre. After a brief stop in Cuidad Bolivar continue on by overnight bus to Santa Elena. Although very small Santa Elena sees a lot of traffic as it is the last town before you hit the Brazilian border. It is also the starting off point for trekkers looking to climb tepuis or those looking for a 4X4 excursion into the Gran Sabana. Rest here for the evening before beginning our trek into the Lost World.

Day 4-9 Roraima Trek / Camping (5B, 5L, 5D)
Roraima is the stuff of legends. From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World to the recent Disney movie Up this table top mountain or tepui has intrigued the world for more than a century. Mount Roraima, located at the border of Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil is the tallest tepui of the area with its tallest peak measuring 2810msl. We will spend two days trekking through the Gran Sabana to reach 'base camp', the last campsite before we start to ascend the mountain. A half day the following morning brings us to the summit where we will spend a full day and a half exploring the wonders of this remote landscape. In the language of the native Pemon people tepui means "house of the gods". We are lucky enough to spend time in this house which is filled with endemic species such as carnivorous plants, small, black frogs that crawl, crystal-filled pools of cold-water known as jacuzzis and breath-taking views all around. After we have gotten our fill, our return will take a day and a half bringing us back into Santa Elena in the afternoon of Day 9 and allowing us to relax in the steamy heat of the town for an afternoon before moving on.

Day 10 Ciudad Bolivar
Travel to Ciudad Bolivar, on the shores of the Orinoco River and home to one of South America's most renowned Liberators, Simon Bolívar. Founded in 1764, Ciudad Bolivar is a hot colonial city steeped in revolutionary history and set on the bank of the Orinoco River about 420 km (260 miles) from the Atlantic. It was here that Simon Bolivar, known as El Libertador for his role in the liberation of most of South America from Spanish rule, set up his base 1817 for military operations against the Spaniards. Sitting on a rocky elevation at the narrowest point of the Orinoco River, hundreds of miles away from any important centres of population, the town spent much of its history as a sleepy river port. Then suddenly, unexpectedly, the town became a spot where much of the country—and the continent’s—history was forged. Once Bolivar’s base was established here, the British Legionnaires joined his forces before all set off for a long and strenuous march across Los Llanos and up the Andes to bring independence for Colombia. In 1819 a Congress convened in Ciudad Bolivar and gave birth to Gran Colombia, a unified republic comprising Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. Today, Ciudad Bolivar is a city of 300,000 inhabitants, and the capital of Venezuela’s largest state, Bolivar. It has retained the flavour of an old river town, and some architecture dating from its 50-year colonial era still remains. It’s a popular stop on travelers’ routes, partly for the city itself and partly as a jumping-off point for Angel Falls.

Day 11-12 Canaima National Park (2B,2L,2D)
Take a light aircraft to the heart of Canaima National Park for an overview of the world’s highest waterfall. Angel Falls boasts a total height is 979 m (3211 feet), as well as the world’s greatest uninterrupted drop at 807m (2647 feet), 16 times the height of Niagara Falls. Our 2 days in the area allows us time for maximum enjoyment on the beautiful river beaches and plentiful walking paths. Canaima Park is famous for its incredible scenery, tabletop mountains (tepuis) and breathtaking waterfalls. These tepuis are all that remains of the original sandstone that covered the region millions of years ago. As the sandstone eroded only these "rock islands" were left. The tepuis are surrounded with native grass, bushes and flowers in the vast, wild, grassy highland, and each mountain has developed its own characteristic plant life. Consequently, the area has highest percentage of endemic flora to be found anywhere in the world. Angel Falls spills from the heart-shaped mountain Auyantepui, one of the largest of the tepuis, with a flat top of about 700 sq km. The waterfall is in the central part of the tepui and drops into Cañón del Diablo (Devil’s Canyon). The fall is not named, as might expected, after a divine creature, but after an American bush pilot, Jimmie Angel, who landed on the boggy top of the tepui in 1937 in his four–seated airplane in search of gold. The plane stuck in the marshy surface and Angel couldn’t take off again. He, his wife and two companions trekked through the rough, virgin terrain to the edge of the plateau, then descended more than a kilometre of almost vertical cliff, returning to civilization after an 11-day odyssey.

Day 13 Ciudad Bolivar (B)
Today we leave the park and fly by light aircraft to Ciudad Bolivar on the shores of the Orinoco River.

Day 14 Caracas
Spend the day returning to Caracas and enjoy one last meal together. Venezuela’s capital Caracas grew at a relatively slow pace for most of its history. Then came the oil boom, and everything began changing at the speed of light. During the last 50 years, the city’s population grew from about 350,000 to nearly five million. Oil money has been pumped into modernization, successfully transforming Caracas to a modern city, with dramatic contrasts between wealth and poverty. Caracas is set in a spectacular valley amid rolling hills. Its relative altitude of 900m (2952 feet) gives the city an agreeable, relatively dry and sunny climate with a mean temperature of about 22C (72F). Return to Caracas for some last minute shopping, a visit the city’s museums or churches, or a stroll through historic Plaza Bolivar.

Day 15 Depart Caracas
Depart Caracas at any time.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/21/2012 - 5/5/2012	$CALL
5/19/2012 - 6/2/2012	$CALL
6/16/2012 - 6/30/2012	$CALL
7/21/2012 - 8/4/2012	$CALL
8/18/2012 - 9/1/2012	$CALL
9/15/2012 - 9/29/2012	$CALL
10/20/2012 - 11/3/2012	$CALL
11/17/2012 - 12/1/2012	$CALL
12/15/2012 - 12/29/2012	$CALL
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Leader Description
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a G Adventures representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 15, Avg 8

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Conquering the summit of Roraima Mountain, exploring Canaima National Park, witnessing the power of Angel Falls, discovering a 'Lost World' amidst table-top mountains.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

What to Take
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, though be prepared for rain and thunder storms in the wet season, especially in the Amazon. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A large daypack is also essential.

Checklist
- Passport (with photocopies) - Travel insurance (with photocopies) - Airline tickets (with photocopies) - Local currency - Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) - G Adventures vouchers - Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required - Camera and film / memory card - Reading/writing material - Binoculars - Hiking pack and cover for backpacks - Flashlight - Concealable money belt - Fleece top - Windproof/waterproof jacket - Sunglasses - Water bottle - 4 shirts/t-shirts - Sun hat - Small towel and swim suit - 2 pairs of shorts - 1 pair of long trousers - 1 pair hiking pants/track pants - Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes - Sport sandals - Sunblock - Toiletries (biodegradable) - Watch or alarm clock - Insect repellent - Refillable water bottle - Sleeping bag liner - First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Note: Tents, sleeping bags and foam mattresses are provided however it is possible to upgrade locally to an inflatable mattress. Porters will carry food and shared camping equipment but you are responsible for carrying all of your own gear including tent, sleeping bag and mat. Porters can be hired for USD 20 per day and can carry up to 25kg so it is possible for one porter to carry the gear of two hikers. Additional luggage can be left at the hotel in Santa Elena.

Visas
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Departure Tax
BSF 132 (subject to change without notice)

Tipping
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.

Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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