Off
the beaten tracks
Due to its remote location and the few people
that have actually climbed it, we have to rely on our native
Indians guide to open the way before us. Akopán is really
off the beaten tracks as far as tourists or hikers are concerned;
simply put there is no road to get there, being right in the
middle of the Canaima National Park. It is part of the Chimanta
massif, which has only, recently been explored and where endemic
flora was discovered. These tepuys, unlike the Oriental ones,
Roraima, Kukenam, etc., which present a relatively flat, rocky
surface, have a irregular surface, canyons, valleys, etc.. which
makes their exploration more challenging. We will have a
spectacular view of the surrounding tepuys, Upuigma, Angasima,
Apauray, etc...
Duration: 6 days
The average daily walk will be 5 to 7 hours.
ITINERARY
1st
day We will start our expedition either from Ciudad Bolivar,
flying over the Gran Sabana to a small Indian community, in the
hearth of the Gran Sabana. After lunch we walk 1 hour to River
Yunek where we camp. Tents (-/L/D)
2nd day We start our
trek early the following morning, first reaching the rainforest
then through dense vegetation, following our guides that will
open the way with their machetes. 4 to 5 hours. Tents (B/L/D)
3rd day We climb a ramp (non technical) to the top and
camp at the same river but 1000 meters higher. Tents (B/L/D)
4th
day We will spend a whole day exploring the surface of the tepuy,
looking for endemic carnivorous plants, swimming in pools below
waterfalls and having spectacular view to the of the surrounding
tepuys. Tents (B/L/D)
5th day After breakfast we descent to
the valley and walk back to the Indian community. Tents
(B/L/D)
6th day Flight back to Ciudad Bolivar or Santa
Elena. (B/-/-)
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
PRICE
PER PERSON :
1500 EUR Additional day 58
EUR
INCLUDED:
Flights
as indicated
English speaking guide
Meals as indicated
All
overnight stays
We provide hammocks/mosquito nets/
tents/equipment
Porters for equipment and food
DOES
NOT INCLUDE
Porters
for private luggage
National park fee Canaima
Local airport
taxes and tips
EQUIPMENT
TO BRING ALONG
Solid
walking shoes, sneakers, light cotton trousers, warm cloths (for
5Cº to10Cº), long-sleeved shirt, rain-protection,
bathing suit, sleeping bag, sleeping-mat, sun protection/sun
blocker, hat, insect repellent, knife, water bottle,
flashlight.
Please take as little as possible (max. 10 kg),
because the space in the plane is limited.
PLEASE
NOTE:
It
is possible to expand the tour to 9 days or more and spend more
time on top.
You can combine this tour with the Canaima Tour by
flying from Yunek directly to Canaima.
We gladly organize your
tour as you wish.
GETTING
THERE AND AWAY
The
fastest way to get to Ciudad Bolivar is
1-- Flight from Caracas
to Ciudad Bolivar with RUTACA Airlines, every day 19:30
except Saturdays
or
1-- from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz by
plane, several flights per day
2-- from there with the taxi
(aprox 25 EUR) to Ciudad Bolivar.
BUS
There are buses leaving from Caracas "Terminal de
Oriente" several times a day to Bolivar the journey takes 8
to 12 hours.
Recommended bus lines are : Expressos Caribe,
Expressos los LLanos, Expressos San Cristobal, Expressos Occidente
! Please note: If you take a bus in Venezuela, the driver used to turn on the air condition at full power and it can get very cold in the bus down to 7*C (45F). Take warm clothes inside the bus.
AIR
It
is 500 meters distance to the west from the international airport
in Caracas to the national airport.
At the moment there is one
link between Caracas C.Bolivar but there are several flights
leaving daily to Puerto Ordaz, (80km from Ciudad Bolivar to the
east)
PLEASE
NOTE:
You
can book now all internal flights with the KAMADAC travel service,
as well as airport assistances and Pick-up services. We offer a
pick-up service from all airports in Venezuela (including Isla
Maragarita). Our driver will wait for your flight at the airport
with a sign bearing your name. This is for your security, so you
can be sure you are in safe hands, which is particularly important
if you arrive late at night. The driver will then transport you
and your luggage safely to your hostel/hotel.
We gladly
organize your round trip from and to Caracas as your wish.
Photos.....
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