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Hike across the
Cloud Forest 5 days of adventure from Caracas to Caracas DAY 1 (L, D) We leave early in the morning for El Polvorin, a small village 3 hours away from Caracas (1 hour from Maracay) and starting point of our hike. This first day of hiking is the most demanding of the whole trip. Our objective is to ascend the Southern slope of the Cordillera through the savanna, the main difficulty comes from the heat of the sun. A few streams we have to cross will be welcomed for the shade offered by its forest gallery and the possibility to cool down. We will setup the campsite under a eucalyptus cover at 4,875 feet.DAY 2 (B, L, D) Today is an exciting day, we will enter the cloud forest, typical for its exuberant vegetation and animal life, giant fern trees, birds of all kinds, thousands of insects. With a little luck, we will observe a group of howling monkeys (araguato) screeching in the highest branches. We will reach in the morning the highest point of our hike, 5,850 feet. The night falls early in the jungle, at 4 o’clock, we will setup the camp in the hearth of the forest, on the "Middle River"- “Rio del Medio” at 3,250 feet, and after dinner, we will fall asleep with the murmuring of the water and the song of the crickets and of the entire forest.DAY 3 (B, L, D) We continue our hike in the cloud forest, slowly going down. We can start noticing changes in the vegetation, the cloud forest changing into tropical dry forest. We will emerge from the forest at about 2,000 feet, on the North side of the Coastal Range, where we will have a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea to the horizon. We continue our descent through abandoned coffee plantations, thorny bushes, cactus, arid environment, here the weather is hot, we will welcome the crossing of the River Chuao, we will have the opportunity to refresh ourselves. Further on, the exotic village of Chuao, and its cacao plantations, once renowned the world over. We will finally reach the sandy beach, where we will set-up the campsite for the night.DAY 4 (B) After a swim in the Caribbean, we board a peñero (typical fishermen boat), to reach Puerto Colombia, a nice village more than 300 years old (a reglementary stop for all German tourists). DAY 5 (B) Return to Caracas crossing again the cloud forest, but this time driving on the road built in 1920 by the dictator Gómez, stopping on the way to enjoy the scenery. What to bring:
We will provide you with a tent for two-persons, as well as an insulating mattress, that you will have to carry with your personal belongings. As well, the group will have to share the weight of the food with the guide. Although your pack sack says it is waterproof, pack everything in plastic bags inside the pack We include: Services of a knowledgeable, bilingual, and responsible guide; all meals as indicated in the program: a tent for 2 persons Ground transportation to El Polvorin, |
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