They are in fact of great geological interest and have the best visual delights of waterfalls and majestic cliffs and also have the worlds highest cliff is found here, and these form a greatly magnificent landscape.

Established in the year 1962, this national park doubled its size in the year 1975. The park is very popular amongst tourists for its lovely waterfalls, the Angel Falls obviously being the most attractive. With a free drop of around 1,002 m the sights here are enchanting and fill the entire region with the best tour pleasures.

The park is said to protect the main waters of the River Caroni and supplies water to Guri which is the largest hydro electric power station which is the source of around 60% of the nation’s energy. The park has some beautiful savannah and has the inhabitation of the Pemon people. The park is bisected by  a road from Ciudad Bolivar which makes access easy for the tourists here. The roads are not metalled inside the park and the western section of the park is reached only by air.

The Canaima national park is situated in the south eastern part of Venezuela in the state of Bolivar and is protected by the Guyana Shield. With the lema Mountain Range and Rio Carro bordered it in the north, it has the Pakaraima range in  the south, the Rio Venomo flowing in the east and the Rio Caroni in the west. Ciudad Bolivar is the city nearest to this park thus making tours very convenient and interesting.

Spanning over an area of around 30,000 km the Canaima National park is a great place to be in in this part of the world and is popular for its majestic landscapes and beautiful ambience. Mount Roraima is the tallest tepui here and is a very easy to climb. Then you have the Auyantepui which is found in the Angel Falls . The sight of these tepuis with their sandstone structure gives you an idea of the structures that existed during the time when Africa and South America were part of a great continent.

This is a region where you get to see the Pemon Indian who are part of the linguistic Carib group. The Pemon are said to have a very close relation with the tepuis and they have this belief that the Mawari spirits live here. There are not many roads leading to the park and most of the transport is normally either by plane or by canoe or foot.

The Pemons have many comfortable camps, which are the main attractions  for tourists coming  from all parts of the world. The Canaima national park which is also a World Heritage Site is a lovely natural reserve which has the best kind of relief that is unique only to this part of the world. With the tepuis forming the intermittent relief, the tours here are totally enchanting filled with the verdant delights on one side and the rocky terrain in the north. Both plants and animals of the endemic kind are seen here and it is indeed a very memorable experience here in this par of south America.

Tourists love to come here and take a jungle hike and enjoy the orchids that bloom here in the months of July and August. Many other plants are here for you to see and thus it is a perfect nature lover’s delight. There are lovely unique plants and flowers here which provide you with a great travel experience. If you want to see some jungle critters then the best time to take a jungle hike is at dawn. Most of the large animals have moved away many years ago. Toucans, spiders, birds, frogs are  all found here. Add to this the sight of the insects and travels  here make tours very enchanting and fulfilling.

The Canaima national park is thus a great land filled with the pleasures of a land that has ideal excitement and pleasures. Come here and see the animals that existed in the past and also the collection of plants that are so much a part of this beautiful wildlife region.

Go surfing, sunbathe on the scenic beaches, or feel the soothing comfort of a rented nightly hammock – you are sure to come again in the Tayrona National Park. To grab this eclectic mix of fun, ensure that you come here as a part of a guided tour via which you can also discover the local villages that are scenically perched on the close by mountains.

Highlights

With a variety of the ecosystems that thrive, the Tayrona National Park is an eco-tourism destination that promises not only interesting flora as well as fauna sights including bird spotting, but also endorses great diving and surfing opportunities. Coming to the archaeological sites, these are the remains that belong to the Pueblito Chairama’s indigenous folks. Call it Pueblito or simply Chairama, this site is reachable via the stone paths and it resembles Ciudad Perdida leaving besides the size that is smaller here. Come here via El Cabo from where an uphill stroll will lead you here in 3 to 5 hours.

El Cabo is also the base for several hiking tracks. Besides that, it is best known for its snorkeling with good visibility, but one needs to come with own gears so that no hurdle comes on the way of enjoying the plethora of marine life that thrive close to the reef as well as rocks. Many striking beaches flank El Cabo all of which are explorable just by walking. On my trip, I loved that 15 minutes stroll from the Arrecifes beach to reach the La Piscina lagoon edged by reef in front for relatively safe swimming. Some more points of interest include diving in La Cueva de Neguanje, Castilletes Beach, horseback riding, Playa Cristal, Quebrada Valencia (stream in west), Los Naranjos Trail, Chairama Archaeological Museum in Cañaveral, Cabo de San Juan de Guía where sea is loaded with stone monoliths as well as rainforest, and Riverbed of the Piedras River.

For the animal lovers, the park is the home of howling monkeys, reptiles, marine species, deer, condors, bats, pumas, turtles, dolphins, amphibians, sponges, and white eagles.

Food

Costly! Yes, this one word will tell you all about eating here on which the average spent is between $10 and $25. Still, you can try a restaurant at Arrecifes where lulo as a Caribbean’s yellow fruit is famous.

Luxury and medium-range accommodations

For those who are looking for something unique in the park, but still luxurious; the Ecohab are the best option for them at Canaveral accessible only by drive. These are normally small or big huts that demand C$440,000. Alternatively, you can also camp here, but that is more preferable at Aviatur where kids stay in free at the price of C$11,000. If you do not want Ecohabs, sleeping options await you at a 45-minute amble to Arrecifes where there are restaurants too.

However, you will the most crowds at El Cabo that is accessible within half an hour stroll. This is where camping is possible, hammocks are rented for C$20.000, and eating is safe as well as tasty at the only sole restaurant. Light is supplied but is not for all 24 hours and that bathrooms are tolerable.

Budget accommodations

Are you a budget traveler? Well, I would recommend going outside the park where Las Pleyades at 10-minute drive from Pueblito and Canaveral will welcome you.

Entry

Non locals: $21.000 pesos

Children: $3.600 pesos

Rainy months

May to June.

September to November.

Entrances

There are several like Canaveral, Calabazo, and Neguanje all accessible from Santa Marta from where you drive through the Troncal del Caribe.

Frankly speaking, Aparados Da Serra expands alongside the southern Atlantic coast and with the widest canyons of Brazil, which stretch into the neighboring Serra Geral national park. Talking about the Itaimbezinho Canyon that itself means sharp stone, it is among the state’s largest canyons with the width of 2000 meters as well as its majestic rock walls of 720 meters in height. Featuring native pine trees and low vegetation, the canyon’s rock formations are over 100 millions years old and for those who are coming here for the first time, the experience is just not describable in words.

Within Aparados De Serra, you can follow any of the three trails with different features. With a guide for $3, the Elbow and Vertex trails are simple to explore. The Elbow trail is for those who want to enjoy the incredible vistas of the canyon cliffs. This is the journey of 6.3 km and 2.5 hours, which takes you on an easy walk until you reach a viewpoint. This track is open for walk only up to 3:00 pm.

From the Visitors Center starts the Apex Trail of 1.4 km that for an hour takes you on a tour of canyon edges. You also get to marvel at the Waterfall of the Swallows that is the outcome of the big water volume via the Partridge River falls. Falling from 700 meters height, this waterfall plunges towards the canyon’s bottom before which it converts into mist. While trekking here, you also get to see the Bridal Veil waterfall that is fed by Prea stream.

If you are interested in something more challenging, try out the River Trail Boi that passes within the chasm. Here, you get an exciting chance to stroll inside the canyon walls and then up to the Rio do Boi bed. This is the trail of 4 km and with a round trip; you need 7 hours in total. So, this is a long trail and is also quite tiresome, which means you need to be physically fit for this adventure featuring several rocks as well as river crossings along with the cool pools for bath too. Sometimes, the level of the water here is so high that it might reach above your knee.

Timings

9 am to 5 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.

Entry fee

$6.00 per adult.
Free for children under seven as well as seniors above 70.

Parking fee

$5 per car.
$3 to $10 per bike or bus.

Nearby attractions

• Rio Tainhas plunging as a waterfall and allowing camping as well as swimming along with trekking and car crossing when it is at the normal level.

• Step Island formed by several splitting rapids and facilitating camping with water, light, toilets, BBQs, and canteen at 32 km from Cambará for $5.00.
• Waterfall Venancio for swimming and camping for $3 and $5.
• Paved Daisy with river making small pools at 10 miles from Cambara.

Tip

Trek in the morning and carry water, snacks, and rain gear.

Best time to go

Any time, but January is the hottest month with temperatures around 30 and that June to August feature chilly atmosphere and sharp landscapes. Summers can mean some sudden rains. Just do not come here in August and September due to poor visibility.

Duration of stay

Minimum 2 days recommended.

Camping

This is currently not allowed in the Aparados De Serra, except for some wild sites that are recommended only if you are in a group and know the park thoroughly.

Otherwise, stay in Cambara South where you have many hotels and lodges. Some famous ones are Hostel Hill, Outback Lodge, Sunset Inn, Parador Casa da Montanha near the canyon, and Cambara Eco Hotel on the path that takes one to the canyon.

Felt as a trip away from Earth, this archipelago in Ecuador has more than 10 major atolls as well as over 5 small islets all of which occupy a vast ocean area. However, it is the unique wildlife that makes Galapagos an ideal destination for the wildlife enthusiast. The amazing habitats, creature crowd on the coast, picturesque vistas, and the transparent green-blue waters surely render the Galapagos Islands travel a flawless escape from the hectic life. The islands here were naturally made due to volcanic eruption, but currently, these are the spectacular homes of the national parks and marine reserves.

The climate here is quite variable with two major seasons: cool season from June to November featuring winds giving rise to misty drizzles named garua (20° to 24° C) and hot/rainy season from December to June featuring average temperatures between 26°-30° C. Natural lovers come here from December to May as the coast is very calm amidst the warm weather. June, July, and August are for the animal buffs, while September to November marks the low season. Divers arrive from July to November during which the whale sharks are bountiful.

When you plan for the Galapagos Islands travel, do include a trip to the following islands besides the major ones like Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

The Island of Baltra

Known as South Seymor, this is to the right of the archipelago’s heart as a desert like island featuring dry wild trees as well as plants. It is an airport as well as military based atoll.

The Island of Darwin

The name itself says that it was Charles Darwin to hold a research on the Galapagos’ evolution, especially on the flora and fauna types that are found here. This is where you will be able to spot the creatures that are the main attractions of Galapagos: sea lions, turtles, whales, seals, iguanas, frigates, and red-footed boobies.

The Island of Espanola

Named so in honor for Spain and also called as the Island of Hood, this is the exotic with unique sites because of its primitive feature. Formed some 4 millions years ago, it is among the most remote islands of Galapagos. It is nestled on the southernmost end and offers a mix of fauna that has adapted to the environmental changes. Native to this island only is the extinct iguana breed that is known for changing its color. Other attractions include beautiful birds flock like the waved albatross that are seen from the high hills here, snorkeling and swimming in the Gardner Bay, and the site of Punta Suarez as the home of red-and-blue-footed booby, iguanas, and swallow-tailed gulls.

The Island of Bartolome

Nestled to the east of the Santiago Island, this island gets its name after the first friend of Charles Darwin called Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan. This is where you get to see a lot of wild penguins – creatures that are not to found anywhere else. These are also called as Galapagos Penguin. And yes, you can also spot the green turtle. And yes, do ascend a hill here for the most sweeping vistas of the island.

The Island of Genovesa

Regarded as the island of tower, this is the permanent address of several bird species: red-footed booby, doves, lava gulls, noddy terns, Darwin finches, and tropic birds all of which are rarely spot anywhere else.

To take up a budget tour of the Galapagos, go for the Galasam Cruises that offer 4 to 8 days trip from $150 per day.

If you come here from the Brazilian side, do not leave without enjoying the thrill of the Devil’s Throat – the sight where 14 plunges down the rugged terrain featuring a thundering force that results in a permanent 100 foot plume overhead. And yes, that rainbow scene is possible here also. You can come at this point just by a small train in 10 minutes, which is exciting for kids. If you want to have a close-up look, stroll through the subtropical forest and reach the base of the Salto Floriano where a lift awaits you to take you on the falls’ top or stroll over the Salto Union’s drop.

Are you coming from the Argentine side? Okay, then take up an exciting way to reach via the series of catwalks that meander over the water and finally intersect the Devil’s Gorge. Get a bit adventurous as your protection is ensured by the rain suits. Some of the areas on this side are also suitable for swimming. You will also come across the footpaths, bridges, and trails on this side for more thundering experience of the falls as well as the great flora and fauna. This is the preferred side for adventurous people! Look for two circuits here: Lower Circuit as the foot of the waterfalls and ‘arriba’ called the Upper Circuit. Take a tour of these relatively short loops from the Visitor’s Center from where a green trail or train can be your option.

I suggest that from the Lower Circuit you take a boat for exploring the San Martin Island – a must see sight. However, never ever forget to seek for the instructions from the locals. And yes, be ready to face the cuticle parasites.

While hiking, spot some of the rare species such as tapir, titicas, jaguar, ocelote, anteater, jungle eagle, yacaré overo and pavas de monte along with the others such as Tucan, butterflies, Capuchin monkeys, Nasua, and lude Tropidurus as small lizards. While you are in the park, a ride on the Rainforest Ecological Train or Waterfalls Train is a must for a better tour!

Best time

Summer and fall

Timings

7.30 am to 6.30 pm: October to March
8.00 am to 6:00 pm: April to September

Admission

ARS $60, but it can be ARS $30 for the upcoming consecutive day provided your former day’s ticket is stamped, which can be done before you leave

Accommodations

Das Cataratas Hotel from €127, which is a budget one.

Yearly climate

Warm

Reaching here

The Iguazu National Park is situated in the Misiones Province and is accessible after driving for 18 km from the Port. From Puerto Iguazu, you can catch the bus to reach El Practico, which begins from the main bus terminal at every half an hour for ARS $10. The last bus is available to you at 19.15 and ticket is purchased from the terminal itself.

Quite a lot of times in the year, the female turtles arrive ashore in such a huge numbers that this sandy beach starts to look like an elongate of rocky shoreline. These episodes of group nesting are in the neighborhood mentioned as “arribadas,” or else the arrivals. Moreover one of these numerous events can anytime last from two to almost eight days by means of the majority nesting going on at the hours of darkness.

When you talk to the locals, they will inform you that generally the arribadas start on three or else four nights subsequent to the full moon, as well as this is classically the case in the months when the comparatively small numbers of the individuals nest, on the other hand, all through the peak season of nesting from the months of July through November while almost around 100,000 nests might be made at some stage in a solitary arribada, any correlations with the phases of moon or else the tides completely breaks down. What generates the group nestlings is even today a secrecy.

Scientists put forward that this variety produces a ampleness of the nests as a line of attack for the survival in opposition to the predators, since with the huge numbers of the eggs that are been laid in barely a few nights (more than a million all through a huge arribada), moreover it is not likely that the natural predators in the local regions could possibly put away them all. Similarly, while the hatching of the surviving eggs takes place as well as the young turtles makes their scuttle down this shoreline to the ocean, proviso huge numbers of the turtles are doing this at essentially same time, after that few percentage of the turtles should escape the assortment of the hungry predators, which range from the crabs to coyotes.

For improving your chances of seeing the turtles, you can simply try getting in touch with the village of Ostional for finding out the contemporary status of the group nesting. For doing so, you will require speaking a little Spanish given that the telephone is public phone within the village.

Towards the southern region of the Ostional Beach, you will come across several charters that operate between the Nosara as well as Carrillo, which can seize you for fishing intended for Marlin, Sailfish, , Wahoo, Mackerel, Bonito, Roosterfish, Amberjack, Snapper, as well as various other species of game that are found by the side of this division of the Pacific coastline.

Shelter is not scarce here. There is plenty of deer, peccaries, and agoutis available for food. Our young male jaguar has also probably sensed the presence of females with whom he may possibly mate. However, the presence of an adult male jaguar serves as a deterrent. It is not likely that the older one would welcome rivals.

The young male jaguar is no longer under the influence of his protective mother. The scent of his mother no longer lingers in the air. There is no reason for him to cling to his home. He has to venture out.

But our young adventurer has taken the wrong path. Just a few miles in and he is at the border of the forest. In no time he is at the nearest coffee plantation. Our dashing young jaguar has only two weapons: instinct and necessity. He is always on the move, stopping at a nearby stream to quench his thirst. Still there is no prey in sight. Patches of shrubs, now, are his only shelter. Food seems a distant dream.

The cattle ranches are now within a striking distance. The smell of a calf is too tempting to ignore. He is no longer shy to tread in open areas. One snap of his powerful jaws and the calf is killed instantly. But will he be allowed to savor his meal?

He does savor his meal, but he cannot enjoy for long. He leaves behind tracks that the rancher picks up. Very soon, an entire battalion of dogs is accompanied by villagers. The search for the young hunter increases. The villagers are armed with deadly shotguns. And they do not refrain from shooting from a distance. The plethora of bullets overpowers our young hunter. He is blinded in one eye and his left foreleg is shattered. Can he survive?

He now stands crippled. He stands no chance of hunting for his meals. Calves are easy game and he does not hesitate. He smells danger and kills the dog as well. This time, however, the path he has chosen cannot be reversed. He is soon trapped by the villagers and dogs. Is there any possibility for compassion? On the contrary, he is killed mercilessly. They give familiar names to our dead cat: cattle killers, dog killers! But why this hatred for the cat species?

This slaughtering of the cat species is becoming a new phenomenon. Ranching, farming, and development are eating into the habitat of these wonderful species. Their natural prey has become so unnatural. I wish there was an alternative ending to this chilling tale.