Our grading system explained
Venezuela
From high peaks and waterfalls to wildlife rich grasslands rivers and coast, Venezuela boasts a remarkable concentration of some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
Over recent years, Venezuela has emerged as one of South America's most interesting and alluring holiday destinations. Within this one country you can experience all four of the continent’s magnificent landscapes: the Amazon, the Andes, vast savannah grasslands and glorious coastlines. It is one of the top ten most ecologically diverse countries in the world, with an abundance of exotic animal and plant species. Venezuela’s geographical setting on a main migratory route makes it one of world’s premier bird watching locations.
Situated in northern South America between Colombia, Brazil and Guyana and bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, there are four well-defined regions:
The mountainous region in the west, which is the northern most section of the Andes. Pico Bolivar is Venezuela's highest peak at 5,007 metres/16,525 feet. To the north of the mountain, in northwest Venezuela, are the Maracaibo lowlands. Lago de Maracaibo, South America's largest lake and famous for its almost daily electrical storms, is situated in this region.
To the south of the mountains, making up a third of the country, are the Central Orinoco plains (Los Llanos) fed by the waters of the 2,150 kilometre/1,345 mile long Orinoco river. The Los Llanos region is mostly covered by savannah grasslands, which during the wet season flood to become large lagoons. It is one of the world's most important bird breeding sites and a great place to spot Venezuela's wildlife, such as capybaras, spectacled caimans and monkeys.
South of the Rio Orinoco, in the southwest of the country are the Guayana highlands, making up nearly half the area of the country. This area is considered one of the oldest places on earth geologically, where erosion has formed unusual flat-topped mountains with vertical flanks, called tepuis. The most famous of these tepui is Roraima – setting for Conan Doyle’s famous ‘Lost World.’ Another world renowned natural feature of this region is the world's highest waterfall, the Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) which plummet 979 metres/3,230 feet into the Amazon rainforest beneath. This is the region that we have chosen to explore on our Lost World Trek - an inspirational adventure incorporating both Angel Falls and the classic trek to the summit of Mount Roraima.