Page 156 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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NATURAL WONDERS The Orinoco

vs the Amazon

ABOVE A row of Amazon tour boats waiting to cast off
The Orinoco symbolizes all that is mysterious, wild, and wonderful in South America,
and makes for a spectacular alternative to the over-visited Amazon FORGET THE
AMAZON?

and Venezuela. Even now there remains some THE BUILD-UP There’s no doubt that the
NEED TO KNOW Amazon, a long-time favorite with explorers,
doubt about the river’s true source, and several
$BSJCCFBO 4 FB remains a big draw for travelers. It is, after all,
LOCATION Originating in of its tributaries have yet to be explored.
southern Venezuela, the river a superlative among rivers: it is the longest river
runs north along the border $BSBDBT What makes the Orinoco so impressive is the in South America (some say the world), has
with Colombia and then east incredible diversity of microclimates, fauna, flora, and
4BO 7&/&;6&-" the largest drainage basin on earth, and, by
across Venezuela to the sea $SJTUØCBM $JVEBE terrain, which fall within its enormous basin – an area
LENGTH 03*/0$0 (VBZBOB dint of its sheer size, is home to a staggering
3*7&3 of more than 340,000 sq miles (880,000 sq km). array of flora and fauna.
1,699 miles (2,735 km)
$0-0.#*"
CLIMATE Temperatures range Though the Amazon boasts remarkable biological
from 81°F (27°C) to 88°F (31°C); richness, much of the river is either inaccessible or THE LETDOWN But what will you really have
the Orinoco is much less humid #3";*- a chance to see here? The few towns teem with
than most tropical rivers prohibitively expensive to reach, while the Orinoco –
which is navigable for most of its length, unlike the tour operators and travel agencies, all of which
Amazon – is easily seen and explored. Keep your eyes charge top-end prices, but few of which deliver.
Hardly any of these tour operators are located
The Orinoco will not fail to delight even the most peeled and you’re likely to spot alligators, pink
on the river. And then there’s the Amazon itself
jaded traveler. The Amazon may be bigger and dolphins, boa constrictors, herons, howler monkeys,
– unlike the Orinoco, parts of it are literally
better known, but it doesn’t provide direct access and pumas. The Orinoco protects one of the last
impassable, and the foliage is often so dense that
to the continent’s most astonishing wildlife and pristine ecosystems on the planet, and boasts the you may not be able to see much of anything.
scenery the way the Orinoco does. This mighty highest biodiversity rate of any river system. Nearly a
river system is home to some of the world’s most dozen new species are discovered along its banks GOING ANYWAY? For those who feel they
biodiverse ecosystems, and runs a breathtaking every month. And the river’s mouth, the Orinoco must see the Amazon at all costs, one option is
topographical gamut, from tall mountains and Delta, is thought to be the continent’s richest area in to fly to Manaus in Brazil, and start the journey
tropical forests to humid llanos (plains) and marshy aquatic biodiversity. At last count, this still largely there. The city’s central location and innumerable
deltas, before finally emptying into the Atlantic. uncharted river was home to more than 10,000 plant tour operators will make your planning easier.
For centuries this mysterious river has intrigued species, 1,400 bird species, 1,200 fish species, and at
explorers and adventurers. The mouth of the least 340 different types of mammals. You won’t find
Orinoco was sighted by Columbus in 1498, but those numbers anywhere else on earth.
it was not until the 1950s that explorers finally
stumbled upon its headwaters at Cerro Delgado- PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Chalbaud, one of the most remote spots in the
western hemisphere, located high up in the Getting There and Around Where to Stay
Many travelers choose to start Although you’ll probably spend
Parima Mountains on the border between Brazil
their trip at the mouth of the most nights on the boat, the town
river, which is northeast of Ciudad of Caicara de Orinoco, 373 miles
Guyana in Venezuela, and stock (600 km) southwest of Ciudad
up on provisions in the city. There Guyana, is a perfect stopover point.
are many reputable tour operators The Hotel Miami (tel. +58 35 67
here, who will take you around 587) here is comfortable and
some remarkable sights, including inexpensive, and is also only a
picturesque waterfalls and pools, stone’s throw from the town’s
before you get to the river. best restaurant, Caicara de Orinoco.
Where to Eat When to Go
On a river excursion like this you The best time to visit is in
will probably have your own food September, when humidity is at
on board. However, it’s likely that its lowest and you have a good
you will stop off at several towns chance of seeing wildlife.
along the river, where you’ll have
the chance to sample local food Budget per Day for Two
ranging from traditional chicken- Roughly US$150, depending on
and rice-based dishes to more your tour operator.
exotic flavors, including ostrich Website
and even piranha. www.miamisci.org/orinoco
ABOVE The Orinoco meandering through lush forest, Venezuela

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