Travel Dates: June 17–26, 2025
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12 participants
Price per person:
– $3,090 USD for 10–12 participants
– $3,250 USD for 8–9 participants
– $3,390 USD for 6–7 participants
Early booking discount: 10% (if booked by December 17, 2025)
All-inclusive (including domestic flights and full-board meals), except:
– International flight to and from Caracas
– Venezuela visa (not required for Russian citizens)
– Travel insurance
Estimated flight cost: Moscow–Caracas–Moscow: from $1,800 USD
Single room supplement: $340 USD (available throughout the itinerary)
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO VENEZUELA
Day 1. June 17, 2025 (Tuesday). Caracas
Arrival in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Meet your guide at the airport, followed by a transfer to Hotel Villa Playa Grande. Briefing session. The rest of the day is free time.
Included meals: dinner
Included accommodation: Hotel Villa Playa Grande in Caracas
*Recommended flights:
– Turkish Airlines, flight TK 183, departing Istanbul on June 17 at 2:30 AM, arriving in Caracas at 1:05 PM.
An alternative flight from any city arriving in Caracas on June 17.
Day 2. June 18, 2025 (Wednesday). Caracas – Choroní (170 km, 3 hours)
After breakfast, we head to Choroní. On the way, we’ll visit the Venezuelan Aeronautics Museum, which showcases over 40 aircraft from various eras.
Next, we’ll drive through the cloud forests, passing several waterfalls nestled within the lush landscapes of Henri Pittier National Park. If we’re lucky, we may spot red howler monkeys.
After lunch, those interested can embark on a short trek to a scenic waterfall. The hike is not difficult, but it involves crossing a few streams, some of which may be waist-deep.
In the evening, we’ll ascend to a viewpoint to witness a stunning sunset.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hostal Nova Colonial
Day 3. June 19, 2025 (Thursday). Choroní – Chuao (170 km, 3 hours)
In the morning, we’ll visit a local cacao plantation to learn about the process of growing and processing cacao beans, which were once used as currency during the Aztec era.
After lunch, we’ll witness the vibrant Corpus Christi festival, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage event.
The “Dancing Devils of Corpus Christi” is a popular Venezuelan religious festival celebrated on the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. In 2012, UNESCO declared this festival part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Brotherhood groups associated with the festival date back to the mid-17th century on farms in the Aragua and Vargas regions. By 1749, the Corpus Christi feast was already celebrated, with men, women, and children dressing as devils to fulfill promises made during Holy Communion.
Legend has it that 400 years ago, a priest lacking resources for a Corpus Christi procession said, “If there are neither funds nor faithful to carry the Blessed Sacrament in procession, then let the devils come.” Following a storm, several devils appeared outside the church.
Today, 11 brotherhoods perform hierarchical dances annually, pledging devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Each community independently organizes its celebrations, but a National Association of Dancing Devils of Corpus Christi unites most of the brotherhoods.
During the festival, the “Dancing Devils” wear bright red costumes, grotesque masks, striped fabric layers, and accessories such as crosses, rosaries, and other amulets. Celebrations begin on Wednesday with memorial prayers, fulias (local music), and decimas (local poetry), continuing through the night.
On Thursday, brotherhood members dressed as devils dance in the town square, march through the streets to rhythmic corridos (eight-syllable verses), and perform a mock battle with guardians at the church entrance. The ritual ends with the devils surrendering to the Eucharist, symbolizing the victory of Good over Evil.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Local Posada
Day 4. June 20, 2025 (Friday). Chuao – Choroní (170 km, 3 hours)
After breakfast, we’ll relax on the Sepe Beach, one of the best along the Caribbean coast.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Choroní to visit the tomb of Joan Pujol Garcia, a British double agent from World War II known as Garbo, and learn how he successfully misled Nazi Germany with his fabricated spy network.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy another colorful sunset from the viewpoint on Pan de Azúcar Hill.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hostal Nova Colonial
Day 5. June 21, 2025 (Saturday). Choroní – Sorte – Chivacoa (280 km, 5 hours)
Today’s highlight is visiting the sacred Sorte Mountain, where we’ll meet followers of the mysterious María Lionza cult and witness various magical rituals performed by the locals.
Sorte Mountain is not mentioned in any Venezuelan travel guides. Tourists are not particularly expected here, yet the mountain sees hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly due to its significance to Venezuelans. Hidden in 40,000 hectares of virgin forest lies the main altar of the pagan goddess María Lionza.
María Lionza’s legend dates back 500 years. According to the oldest version, she was a green-eyed daughter of an indigenous chief. A shaman prophesied that she must be sacrificed to a giant anaconda living in a nearby lake, or the entire tribe would be destroyed. The chief hid her in a mountain cave guarded by warriors. One night, she escaped to the river, where the anaconda, captivated by her beauty, fell in love with her. This union caused a flood, fulfilling the prophecy, and María transformed into the goddess of the forest.
Over time, the myth evolved. María became a Christianized figure, portrayed as a Spanish colonist’s daughter instead of an indigenous girl.
On Sorte Mountain, people perform rituals that include drawing constellations of religious symbols on the ground, dancing with machetes in a trance, and invoking spirits. Spiritual mediums, called banco, are essential for seeking the goddess’s favor.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hotel La Cocorota Cacao
Day 6. June 22, 2025 (Sunday). Chivacoa – El Cedral (380 km, 6 hours)
Today we journey to Los Llanos, one of the best wildlife observation areas in South America. This is the perfect place to spot anacondas and giant anteaters in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a wildlife boat tour, watch caiman and crocodile feeding, and try piranha fishing.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hato El Cedral
Day 7. June 23, 2025 (Monday). El Cedral
The day begins with a wildlife safari in a specially equipped vehicle. We’ll search for anacondas, giant anteaters, and other species like capybaras, giant armadillos, peccaries, tapirs, agoutis, and perhaps even pumas or jaguars.
After lunch, we’ll continue our wildlife exploration.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hato El Cedral
Day 8. June 24, 2025 (Tuesday). El Cedral – Barinas (200 km, 4 hours)
After a morning wildlife tour, we’ll head to Barinas.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hotel Cacique
Day 9. June 25, 2025 (Wednesday). Barinas – Caracas
Early in the morning, we’ll take a flight to Caracas. Upon arrival, we’ll embark on a city tour, visiting the city center, Simon Bolivar’s house, Plaza El Venezolano, Plaza Bolivar, and experiencing Caracas’ vibrant street art. We’ll also visit a “secret” parrot hostel in the city, getting a close-up view of macaws.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included accommodation: Hotel Villa Playa Grande in Caracas
Day 10. June 26, 2025 (Thursday). Caracas – Departure flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Included meals: breakfast
Included accommodation: none
*Recommended flights
– Turkish Airlines, Flight TK 224, departing Caracas on June 26 at 10:10 AM, or any other flight departing Caracas on June 26.