Venezuela

Tour 12: Boat tour: Maracaibo lake and Catatumbo Delta Tour Prices

The source of Catatumbo river lies on the northwest of Colombia.
The current brings fertile soil from the highlands to Maracaibo Lake which allows the development of numerous animals and makes of it a real paradise.
124 rivers pour its water into the south side of the lake,-what makes it, the lifeline of the biggest South American lakes- One of the world's unique spectacle will be offered here: the lighting of Catatumbo.
A permanent phenomenon which occurs at interval of time, converting the night into day.
This phenomenon occurs no matter how the weather or what time of the year is.
Scientifics haven't yet explained the mystery of this spectacle.
Some say that this energy comes from the magnetic field of our planet and that it discharges from there to the cosmos.

Course of the tour
Day 1:We'll drive from Mérida to Puerto Concha's port.
On the way to the port, we'll stop in Jaji, visit the cloud forest and the Pirate's cave in la Azulita.
In the afternoon, a fishing boat will drive us through a canal covered with lots of acuatic plants.
After one hour drive, we'll reach our overnight stay place. Lots of species like pelicans, heron, ibis, seagull, crane and different kinds of duck seem just to ignore the motor sound of the boat.
We'll spend the night on the terrace of a pile-dwelling-house and sleep on hammocks, so we'll have an open view for the night performance.
Thanks to the wind which blows in direction to the port, it is almost sure that we'll be saved from mosquito attacks.
So, we can concentrate on the noises of the night.
A night boat excursion can be also organized.

Day 2: the early hectic activity of the birds and the fishing boats will wake us up.
After crossing the lake, we'll get into the mouth of Catatumbo which is indicated by the color changing in the water.
The waves movement will be sudden and unexpected.
A mirror-like water will also lie in front of us, driving us along the mangroves.
Between roots, climbing plants and tendrils are the eyes of the mysterious "baba" (Caiman Crocodrilus), one of most common type of crocodile you can find in Venezuela.
They are difficult to recognize during the day, that's why it's better to observe them at night because their eyes gleam.
At noon, we'll go to the pile-dwelling town of Kongo where we can select fishes at its market.
The inhabitants of this town dedicate their life to fishing. On their menu, they have Mana-manas, Bocachicos, Marianas and Bagre rayados.
All the way, we might be accompanied by the sweet-water dolphins. A spectacle which is worth seeing
On the way back to the pile-dwelling house, we'll delight ourselves once more through the canal.

Fauna
In this area we can see: araguatos, capuchine monkey, babas, caimans, anacondas, dolphins, crabs, parrots, falcon, eagle, hawks, buzzard, heron, pelicans, comrads, ducks, colibris, seagull and much more.

Services:
All meals on the tour, English or German speaking guide, overnight stay in hammocks, transportation and boot.

Equipment list:
Sunblock, light clothes, swimming wear, mosquito repellent for the excursion through the cloud forest, flashlight, sleeping bag or a light blanket.