Description:
Hato El Frio is a large cattle ranch with eco-tourism facilities, established research stations for protecting the indigenous wildlife, and safari-like tours.
Activites:
Eco-tours, Excursions, Wildlife Observation
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Caracas
Maiquetia International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. (Aprox 40 mins.) Tour briefing at the hotel.
Day 2: Hato El Frio
A morning flight takes us southwest from Caracas to San Fernando de Apure, where a minivan takes us to Hato El Frio. Traditionally, a hato is a large cattle ranch, but at El Frio the owners have built eco-tourism facilities, established research stations for protecting the indigenous wildlife, and have begun offering safari-like tours of the region. We should arrive in time for an afternoon wildlife excursion, and be introduced to some of the indigenous species of Los Llanos, the plains, of Venezuela.
Among the wildlife we will have a chance to view is: the capybara (or chigüire), the world’s largest rodent at up to 150 pounds. Armadillos, peccary, anteaters, tapirs and other signature creatures of South America are also found. Accommodation at Hato El Frio is comfortable but not luxurious; the small lodge has only 10 double rooms, but there’s a pleasant dining room and a biological station for research and breeding. We’ll feel like we are in the middle of a distant land, much as Humboldt did when he crossed this region by mule in 1800. B,L,D0. Lodging at Hato El Frio
Day 3: Hato El Frio
We continue exploring the 800-square-mile landscape of Hato El Frio, with a morning excursion focusing on the abundant bird life of the area. Some 350 species have been counted in Los Llanos, about a third of Venezuela’s total, including many waders and water birds. If we’re lucky we’ll find the scarlet ibis or corocoro, a spectacular sight with its bright red plumage.
Day 4: Caracas
It’s only an hour and a half by air to Caracas, but several hundred years seem to evaporate by the time we touch down again in Venezuela’s busy capital. A farewell dinner and luxurious hotel night bring our adventure to an end. B,L,D…Hotel Caracas