The Orinoco Delta – Tucupita – Maturin

The Orinoco Delta

The Orinoco Delta is an intricate and vast network of rivers, which carry the waters from the Orinoco River to the Atlantic Ocean, weaving through the tropical rainforest. The Delta has around 60 channels and 40 rivers which pass through 41,000sq km of forested islands, swamps and lakes.

The traditional way of life for the Warao Indians was dependent on fishing, hunting and the gathering of wild fruits. No doubt, the continuation of their culture is linked to the moriche palm which provides them with food, drink, building materials, adornments and a place to sleep as it can made into a hammock. Nowadays, many of the Warao are salaried workers for agricultural projects, sawmills and palm factories amongst others, but they still continue to hunt and fish.

All of the excursions take place around the camp. They include a visit to one of the indigenous villages to see how they live as well as an enjoyable walk through the forest with local guides who have a deep understanding of the mysterious world of the Warao Indians. You can go on boat trips to look for wildlife; go out on a boat fishing for piranha; enjoy a spectacular sunset cocktail party and a night walk.

Tucupita (Boca de Uracoa)

Tucupita is well known for its strategic location and used by the Warao as a trading post. Even though it is the hub of banking and the place for many commercial activities for the western part of the Orinoco Delta, it often has power cuts and the treated water is of a poor quality. Including the outlying area, the town only has a small population, of around 60,000 people. Tucupita has an airport which is the main entry and exit point for visitors to the Delta. The passengers boats are only used for transfer services.

Maturin

Originally a mission town established in 1760, Maturin is now the capital of Monagas State and the most important business centre for the remote llanos in the east and is located on a rise overlooking the Guarapiche River. Maturin is mainly an industrial town and much of the construction work was to build roads to carry petrol the length and breadth of Venezuela.

The Orinoco Delta National Park (Mariusa)

Venezuela is one of the ten most biologically diverse countries in the world. Pioneers in environmental protection, Venezuela has introduced many laws concerning the use and enjoyment of these national treasures. As a result of these laws there are 43 national parks and 22 nature reserves (around 21% of the country), 2 bio-reserves, 7 sanctuaries and 5 wildlife reserves. This fantastic combination of boundless and raw beauty makes it exceptionally good for the tourism industry.

The Orinoco Delta National Park (Mariusa) was created in 1941 and covers an area of 331,000 hectares. It protects ecosystems such as swamps, natural forests and palm groves; savannah and mangrove swamps; likewise it is the home of the Warao Indians.

This park is home to a huge variety of fauna, on the land, in the air and in the water and it is rich in palm trees. Among its many major attractions is the Mariusa, Guapoa, Macareo and Quberima rivers, Isla Marina, Lake Traveria and Isla Redonda.

Tour includes:

• Pre-departure information
• Assistance at the international airport
• Land transportation
• Transfers to and from camp by boat
• Lodging as indicated
• Meals and non-alcoholic drinks as indicated
• English-speaking guide
• All excursions (fishing and other activities)
• Long rubber boots (up to size 12/45)

Tour does not include:

• Airport departure taxes
• Domestic charter flights (we can arrange them)
• Hotel arrangements in Caracas or Tucupita pre and post tour (We can arrange them)
• Personal gear or items of a personal nature
• Meals, alcoholic beverages, tours or other services not listed on the itinerary
• Tips to local staff, nor any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip such as, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets, insurance or additional expenses encountered as a result of flight delays, cancellations or missed connections.

We recommend that you bring with you

• Lightweight clothes
• Long –sleeves shirts
• Waterproof jacket or cape
• Comfortable and hard-wearing shoes and boots
• Adjustable sandals
• Sunglasses
• Suntan cream
• Insect repellent with 50-90% Deet
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
• Swimsuit
• Malaria tablets
• Sun hat, cap or visor
• Camera and film
• Binoculars
• Pocket torch

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Overnight trips in jungle camps are not recommended for older people or visitors with health problems.
• It is not compulsory to have a vaccine, but it is recommended. Anti-malarial medicine is a good precaution; Mefloquine is recommended because the malarial strains in Venezuela are chloroquine resistant. For those who are taking long trips deep into the jungle, it is recommended that you have other vaccines such as Triple Polio, Yellow Fever and Measles.

How to get to the Orinoco Delta

Our tours through the Orinoco Delta start from Boca de Uracoa. There are three ways to get there from Caracas International airport at Maiquetia. We can book flights and arrange assisted transfers in each place. You have the following options:

Option 1: Maiquetia – Maturin

A: Fly from Maiquetia to Maturin

B: Car transfer to Boca de Uracoa

PROS: This is the easiest to get to Boca de Uracoa. There are flights every day of the week.

CONS: Flights leave at 0710hrs so you will probably need to overnight in a hotel near Maiquetia.

Option 2: Caracas – Maturin

A: Go by bus from Caracas to Maturin

B: Car transfer to Boca de Uracoa

PROS: This is the cheapest option. The sleeper-buses travel through the night and you can sleep on the reclining seats or watch films. There are several companies with departures every day so there is no problem with availability.

CONS: The sleeper-buses are chilly so you need to wear warm clothing and take a blanket. If the bus is delayed you will have to spend the night in a hotel before taking the flight to Canaima the following morning. Also, if your flight arrives in Caracas after the last bus departs, around 2130 hrs, and depending on how long it takes to get through customs and get transferred to the bus station, you will have to spend the night in Caracas and leave the following day. For this reason we are unable to book the buses and you will have to buy the bus ticket on arrival in Caracas.

NB: If you have any questions about the itinerary or want to check availability, please call or email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.