Sarisarinama Expedition

Off the beaten tracks 100% adventure
This year we plan to ascend the Sarisariñama by its outhern side, to have a close look at the "simas", these mysterious, perfectly circular holes 350 meters in diameter and 350 meters deep (1,000 feet in diameter by 1,000 feet deep) on top of the mountain. This involves flying (ourselves and our gear) to the closest Indian village that has a landing strip, then sailing by Indian dugouts down and upriver, sometimes portaging our gear across rapids, visiting Indians communities on the way, then hiking and climbing (non-technical) the tepuy up to the border of the simas and heading back to our pick-up point the same way we came. What can you expect: to see one of the last virgin spots on the planet, spectacular sights, hot weather, rain and humidity, bugs, sleep in hammocks in Indian communities or in improvised campsites in the jungle. Intense physical activities, experience of a lifetime...
  • Duration: 17 days
  • The average daily walk will be 5 to 7 hours, during the hike.
 
  ITINERARY

1st day
Flight from Santa Elena or Ciudad Bolivar to Kanaracuni (1hour ), Trip to Waterfall nearby.
Hammocks (-/L/D)

2nd day
Boat trip on the Rio Kanaracuni to the Sanema Indian vilage called Wokichan (1 hours) 
Hammocks in the community (B/L/D) 

3rd day Boat trip on the same river down to the rapids "Salto Culebra" . We carry all the gear and the boat motor around this rapids 1/2 hour walk. 
Hammocks in improvised camp (B/L/D) 

4th day
Boat trip on the Rio Caura to Guanacoco-tepuy
Hammocks in improvised camp (B/L/D)

5th day
We hike to the Guanacoco Waterfall (400meters high), 4 to 5 hours.
Hammocks in improvised camp (B/L/D)

6th day
Back to the camp at Rio Caura.(4 hours)
Hammocks in improvised camp (B/L/D) same camp as day 4.

7th to 17 day
Expedition to Sarisarinama Tepuy. We start our trek early the following morning, first reaching the base of the tepuy and slowly ascending it, through dense vegetation, following our Yekuana-guides that will open the way with their machetes. We estimate 5 days to reach the top of the tepuy, 3 to descent and 3 days river down to "Entre Rios" where the plane is waiting for us to bring us back to Santa Elena or Ciudad Bolivar (we have done the the first expedition on 2001, see  www.seal.no  ). 
Hammocks in improvised camp (B/L/D)

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

PRICE PER PERSON :     2.850 EUR    with minimum 3 persons
                                  
INCLUDED:
Flights as indicated
English speaking guide
Meals as indicated
All overnight stays
We provide hammocks/mosquitonets/equipment
Porters for equipment and food

DOES NOT INCLUDE
Porters for private luggage
Local airport taxes and tips

EQUIPMENT TO BRING ALONG
Solid walking shoes, Sneakers. Light cottontrousers, warm cloths (for 5Cº to10Cº), long-sleeved shirt, rain-protection, bathing suit, sleeping bag, sleeping-mat, sun protection/sun blocker, hat, insect repellent, knife, waterbottle, flashlight, first aid kit.
Please take as littleas possible (max. 10 kg), because the space in the plane is limited.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY
The fastest way to get to Ciudad Bolivar is
1-- Flight from Caracas to Ciudad Bolivar with RUTACA Airlines, every day  19:30 except Saturdays
or
1-- from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz by plane, several flights per day
2-- from there with the taxi (aprox 25 EUR) to Ciudad Bolivar.

BUS
There are buses leaving from Caracas "Terminal de Oriente" several times a day to Bolivar the journey takes 8 to 12 hours.
Recommended bus lines are : Expressos Caribe, Expressos los LLanos, Expressos San Cristobal, Expressos Occidente

! Please note: If you take a bus in Venezuela, the driver used to turn on the air condition at full power and it can get very cold in the bus down to 7*C (45F). Take warm clothes inside the bus.

AIR
It is 500 meters distance to the west from the international airport in Caracas to the national airport.
At the moment there is one link between Caracas C.Bolivar but there are several flights leaving daily to Puerto Ordaz, (80km from Ciudad Bolivar to the east)

PLEASE NOTE:  
You can book now all internal flights with the KAMADAC travel service, as well as airport assistances and Pick-up services. We offer a pick-up service from all airports in Venezuela (including Isla Maragarita). Our driver will wait for your flight at the airport with a sign bearing your name. This is for your security, so you can be sure you are in safe hands, which is particularly important if you arrive late at night. The driver will then transport you and your luggage safely to your hostel/hotel.
We gladly organize your round trip from and to Caracas as your wish.

 
Photos.....  

©  -KAMADAC-   Calle Urdaneta,  Santa Elena de Uairen 8011-001,  Estado Bolivar, VENEZUELA.
Tel : +58 (289) 9951408,  (289) 8088994,  (414) 8866526,   (416) 1877216