Join us in the magnificent llanos, cloud forests, and páramos of a South American naturalist’s paradise. Our trips are timed at the onset of the dry season when wildlife concentrates along rivers and at water holes. After meeting in Caracas, an early morning commuter flight takes us to Mérida, gateway to the Andes. Our time in the Andes will allow us to explore a variety of montane habitats culminating with an alpine páramo over 12,000 feet in elevation. The bird list for the Andes is long, beginning with sky-blue Swallow-Tanagers at our first hotel, to Andean Cock-of-the-rock, to Torrent Duck, to both Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals. Flower-filled gardens characterize our small hotels and are magnets for the birds. Species such as Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, cinnamon-colored little Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, White-capped Dipper, and Great Thrush may occur right on the grounds. The climax to our trip will be our four days in the high llanos at Hato Piñero. This private ranch encompasses over 200,000 acres. Because all wildlife is protected at Piñero, it is possible to witness Scarlet Macaws as they fly over to nearby feeding areas, or to watch a 20-foot-long Anaconda as it lies in wait at a puddle, ready to take a young Capybara or a Red Howler Monkey as they cross between isolated mottes of trees. Mammals are especially fearless on the ranch and past groups have seen Ocelots and Giant Anteaters on the night trips—not to mention Crab-eating Foxes. In the llanos it is fair to expect Spectacled Caiman, Jabiru, Whistling Heron, Yellow-knobbed Curassow, and Sunbittern—all at extremely close range.

Group size limited to 10. $100 will be discounted if Venezuela I is combined with Venezuela II—$6890.